BACKPACKING FOOD & COOKING

Fueling your body requires careful planning if you are going out for the day or traversing the Pacific Coast Trail. You'll be burning thousands of calories a day, so it's essential to carry enough high-calorie, nutritious food to keep your energy levels up.

Most hikers opt for a small, lightweight stove and a fuel canister to prepare hot meals and drinks. A titanium pot, spork, and a small windscreen are usually sufficient for cooking. Some ultralight hikers go stoveless, relying on cold-soaked meals, which eliminates the need for cooking gear and fuel, but this is a personal choice.