I usually pack bars, nuts and a sandwich. The sandwich is usually almond butter on sprouted grain bread but sometimes it'll be hummus instead. The bars I take vary but Larabars are good.
It depends on the hike. For less than 2 hours or so I just bring water. For an all day affair I might bring some fruit and homemade trailmix or cereal or Cliff bar for quick energy. Sometimes I will make a brown bag lunch with a sandwich, trail mix, fruit, bars, etc.. if I'm doing something major.
I find that the energy boost that food would offer is only really beneficial if I'm hiking for several hours. Most importantly, I like to make sure I stay well-hydrated.
I bring lots of water with me on hikes, or sometimes Vega Sport (it's a fantastic energy drink) for a long hike. If it's a long day a cliff bar or nuts or trail mix usually do it for me.
I tend to avoid trail mix, because I love nuts and it is too easy to go overboard on the portions. I usually pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (lite bread and sugar free jam), carrots, fruit (apple, banana or grapes) and maybe a small granola bar. Maybe a bite-size snickers bar for a treat. And lots of water.
That carried me through 10-12 mile day hikes with significant elevation changes (2500-4000 feet). And then I'd eat a really nice dinner.
My hikes are usually around 4 hours and I bring a banana, protein bar and a ton of water. Usually I just end up eating the banana. The protein bar is just for backup in case I am overly hungry.
Hiking... and what to eat at the top?
