I’ve climbed and hikes for 40+ years and food really depends upon you backcountry philosophy. I am an ultra-light backpacker, some call us minimalists but to give you an idea my wife and I will leave on a 5 night trip (summer) and her pack is 25lbs and mine is 32 lbs and that includes food, fuel and water.
Breakfasts: My wife likes oatmeal so I fire up the stove to give her the treat, I usually just have a liquid breakfast of carnation instant breakfast mixed with powdered milk.
Lunch: Bagels hold up very well and we bring small packets of ketchup and mustard. For meats we use shelf stable items, and packaged tuna and chicken (not canned). If we have time I will make a spicy bean dip out of dehydrated black beans or hummus out dehydrated garbanzo beans and serve it with pita.
Snacks: All the traditional items plus GU, skittles, apples (day 1 and 2 only), cheese, etc.
Dinner: We always start of with a soup, that introduces liquid back into your system, plus if you are at altitude it will increase you appetite. Then a variety of pasta dishes - dried tortellini, corn pasta - very high in complex carbs, sometimes we used packaged mixes but not that often. Sauces are usually packaged knorr swiss style with the addition of our favorite items (sun –dried tomatoes, dried mushrooms, dried vege,s, etc)
Dessert: I always have special desserts for my wife, they are usually dehydrated and one night I surprise her with jiffy-pop popcorn.
If we ever go with another couple, they are always shocked at how light our packs are and how well we eat.  |