Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board What is the "best" food to bring for a day hike?

The Donner connection is actually with my wife. Her relatives, the Harlans traveled with the Donner party as well as others when they came to California from the midwest. They seperated from the Donners somewhere in Nevada prior to entering the Sierra Nevada. From what I've been told they entered the Sierra Nevada about a week ahead of the Donners. They did encounter hardship but they made it out of the mountains and on to the Sacramento valley. When I taught 4th grade California history I would cover this topic. I used to tease the kids by telling them that I would eat the unruly ones first if we were stuck in a similar situation. When my daughters were younger I would tease them about that as well. My wife had to tell them, "don't worry daddy won't eat you." As far as hardship on the trails goes and choosing your friends wisely, you're all my friends!

Rafael...

The best thing about a day hike is you can carry anything you want. I have seen people whip out a full coarse sandwich and make everyone around them jealous. I have also seen a hamburger or chicken sandwich, saved from the Carl's Jr. and kept cool in a cooler from the night before.

Personally, I like to mix it up and carry a bunch of different foods. A few candy bars, like pay day or snickers, cheese and crackers, a fruit pie or two, raisins and peanut M&M's. I have also carried small apple sauce and pudding containers, Hot pockets, Dry carnation breakfast drinks with powdered milk, and beef jerky.

I only recommend to bring something you actually like to eat. Hiking Mt. Whitney is hard enough without gagging down some chewy dry power bar that tastes like flavored cardboard.

the fact that there are so many replies suggests that anything will work. after all, it's just one day.

I always have food left over, no matter whether I take small, medium, or large amount.

Best? There is no such animal. Bring what you take on you normal training hikes but more of it.

You will need both simple and complex carbs, fats and electrolyte replacement.

If you don't like the "best" at sea level; I will guarantee you will balk at it at 13,000' to 14,000'.

A friend of mine once made a nalgene full of instant pudding on an airplane by adding all the powdered ingredients and cold water, then shaking vigorously. this could easily be done with the frosty water from Iceberg Lake.

Otherwise, I find variety to be a blessing on trips longer than four or five days. Unfortunately what tastes good at home can turn your stomach at high altitude.