Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Food on the trail

Am attempting the summit next week -- and really enjoying all the bits of advice on this newly discovered website. Am all set except I am not sure of what foods are best, meaning lightweight and nutritious, to carry in daypack for the climb. Our party is leaving from Outpost Camp and will return to that Camp after the hike to spend the night.

What is a recommended nutrition bar? How about hummus, bread, crackers, cheese, apple, peanut butter sandwiches, trail mix . . . ??? Appreciate some help with this ASAP. Thanks. Audrey

See thread started by Brad below, subject "What do you eat, breakfast/lunch?"

The general advice on food is take stuff that is high in carbs and lower in the harder to digest fats and proteins. Since most folks have some loss of appetite at altitude, taking foods that really appeal to you is more important than exactly what. We carry Clif bars, Gu shots, trail mix, and peanut butter jelly sandwiches. The trail will burn a ton of calories. It's important to eat on a regular basis.

I try to carry a mix of everything fats, simple carbs and complex carbs. This way to gets into your system at various times, my diabetic wife taught me this one.

We have found during day hikes to this elevation that we, my hiking partners and myself, lose our appetites as we go above 12,000'. So, we make a point of eating our lunch meal at either Trailside Meadow or Trail Camp knowing we may not be able to do so higher in the mountain, this manifested itself on White Mtn. earlier this year.

A couple of things we do is to use bagels instead of bread for sandwiches, for more calories and to eat early and often. I can't seem to consume more than a 2,000 calories during this type of day hike.

The most important thing is to stay hydrated.

Bill

what most inexperiance hikers don't know is that Pizza Hut in Lone Pine will deliver up to the begining of the switch backs. So, bring your cel phone, and don't worry about bringing food. You can get Pizza, chickens wings, pepsi, etc., for a small service charge. I think you just need to call about 2 hours in advance. Oh, and if you have coupons, they won't honor them on the mountain.

I agree with Joe - no need to bring much food. I barely touched any food I brought since I found a large Nevada Squirtle carrying a bag of trail mix up the trail. Lucky for me, he didn't have opposable thumbs, and hadn't opened the zip lock bag yet. I just chased him off, avoiding the inevitable squirtle attack, and had a good free lunch.