High Sierra Topix

Russ,

I forgot, we also had wine rather than 151 with dinner.

Mike

Mine kicks in pretty quick, but I'm pretty lean, so not much reserve. I always want more food than I have, but I don't have the room in my pack for such hedonism!

I do eat enough on the trail, just not as much as I could, doesn't mean I should heheh

After hiking the first day, for dinner I could eat a horse (not literally).

The altitude does affect me. Also, being tired after a day of hiking uphill the first day usually leaves me with a modest appetite. I'm usually content to eat a little something hot, then crawl into my sleeping bag.

I am careful to bring enough food and usually have something left at the end of the trip. It's always good to have a little reserve "just in case".


The first meal at lower elevation after 7-9 days on the trail is usually a pig-out fest with a pint of beer to wash it all down. A burger and fries usually hits the spot, then.

I've often wondered how my appetite would change during a much longer hike, like 3-5 weeks.

I rationed my food carefully. After the first day I would eat so much fish I wouldn't get famished. I always got hungry while fishing. I rarely was willing to stop fishing to eat on time. Therefore I was hungry all day and satiated in the evening.

Interesting topic -
My normal trip length probably lasts 10 - 12 days, (can often go longer as I regularly lose time easily in the Sierra), and as such am used to experiencing varying degrees of hunger as to what day it is in the trip agenda...Nowadays, even plan on this hunger phenomena/ pack accordingly.
Talking only dinners now - First few days in, usually cannot eat that much and am usually bushed by nightfall, and this is when the easiest meals carried are consumed, (if I eat dinner at all). Boil & bag dinners (usually the only ones eaten all trip) are the rule the first 2 or 3 days...maybe even the singles.
Somewhere about day 4, hunger really starts creeping in just about the time my legs show up...coincidence?
Much more food is needed but do not mind spending the time to actually cook up something...FYI, usually by now trout are on the menu and as such, all that is needed to prepare are just some high caloric "sides". (BTW, the grits thread sounds yummy.) Those supermarket noodle/rice dishes in a pouch work seem to out well/taste fine with a little Asiago, garlic, and herbs...just add trout.
These days, it is not uncommon to only take 10 dinners along on a 12-day-trip. Still I never eat everything...(do sponge off/barter with others too, so that helps). Somehow it always works out.

Mark,

I'm still waiting to see you rip into that 3 year old Mountain House beef stew (serves 4) meal that you showed me. Maybe in July.

Russ