Mastering Food & Fuel in the Backcountry

A sneak peek at one of the most important sections inside The Backpacker’s Ten Course.

When people think about backpacking, they picture gear, tents, and trail miles. But ask any experienced hiker what really determines your pace, your clarity, and your resilience out there — and they’ll point to one thing:

Food & Fuel.

Inside the course, the Food & Fuel section breaks down everything you need to eat well, cook efficiently, and protect yourself (and wildlife) while you're deep in the wilderness. This sneak peek gives you a taste of what you’ll learn when you dive into that module.

1. Eat for Endurance, Clarity, and Consistency

Backpacking nutrition isn’t about dieting or fancy meal plans — it’s about understanding what your body needs to stay sharp, steady, and strong.

Inside this section, you’ll discover:

• How to determine your trail calorie needs for different terrain and weather

• Why carbs fuel climbs while fats fuel warmth and long miles

• The snack rhythm that prevents mid-day bonking

• Hydration and electrolytes: the hidden drivers of energy and focus

• How to adjust your diet for heat, cold, altitude, and high mileage

You don’t need to guess. You don’t need to wing it.You need strategy — and this section gives it to you.

2. Build a Meal Plan That Actually Works in the Wild

The Food & Fuel module doesn’t just tell you what to pack — it teaches you how to think about your meals.

You’ll learn:

• The best cooking systems for your conditions

• How to calculate fuel so you never run out

• When freeze-dried makes sense (and when it doesn’t)

• No-cook, low-water, and fast-cook options for tough environments

• How to structure your day of food so your energy stays stable

• Ways to pack more efficiently and cut weight without cutting calories

Your meal plan shouldn’t slow you down — it should strengthen every mile.

3. Keep Wildlife Wild and Your Food Safe

Food safety and wildlife precautions aren’t “extras” — they’re essential skills.

This part of the module covers:

• Safe camp layout (sleeping, cooking, and food storage zones)

• Bear canisters, Ursacks, hangs — what to use and when

• How to handle food in areas with raccoons, rodents, and foxes

• Odor control and clean-camp habits that prevent midnight visitors

• How to avoid stomach issues through simple backcountry hygiene

A clean camp is a safe camp — and this module shows you exactly how to build one.

Why This Module Matters

When your food system is dialed in:

• You move more confidently

• You stay warmer at night

• Your energy stays consistent

• You avoid unnecessary risks

• Wildlife remains wild — as it should

Solid Food & Fuel habits don’t just make backpacking easier. They make it safer, smarter, and far more enjoyable.

Ready to Dig Deeper?

This is just a small taste of what’s inside the Food & Fuel section of the course. If you want to build a backpacking system that’s predictable, efficient, and resilient — this module gives you the tools to do it right.