Backpacking Basics-Food and Water Backpacking Basics

One of the first backpacking basics for beginner backpacking you should learn when planning for your trip has to do with food and water.  If you take a backpacking trip, you are going to have to eat.  It is important that you have proper energy to sustain you, and you must be able to plan your meals well to do this.  By learning a few backpacking basics, you will be able to easily pack and carry your food, and know how to prepare it.  Sometimes, deciding on what to take can be mind boggling, but with a few tips on food and water, you will be on your way to a more enjoyable backpacking trip.
  
Backpacking Basics:  Food

• Food that is light in weight and easy to cook will work best.
• Canned foods, such as tuna and chicken, work real well and are a good option.
• Since bread is hard to carry, tortillas and crackers are a good option.  
• Anything that is instant, such as potatoes or macaroni, are easy to fix and carry.
• Beef jerky, or other types of dried meats
• Use zip lock bags.  Instead of trying to pack items in original boxes, transfer them to bags.  It will make packing much easier.
• Granola is a great source of energy.
• You can also look into ready to eat backpacking meals.

Backpacking Basics:  Water

• You should always ensure that water is safe if drinking from an unknown source.
• Use cheese cloth or a bandanna as a makeshift filter.  
• Water treatments are another alternative.
• Iodine tablets are popular for water treatment.  Using them can leave a funny taste in the water.  Consider using a sugar free drink mix to cover the taste.  

If you properly plan and learn the necessary backpacking basics, you will have a great time backpacking.  With proper food and water planning, you will have the energy you need to make the most out of the trip and be on top of your game.


In order to learn backpacking basics, I suggest a good backpacking guide. 

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Click the link above for a great introductory backpacking basics book.