Debate: should you pack freeze-dried meals or fresh food on long routes?

I got roasted on the PCT last year by a guy who said my fresh food was just dead weight after day three. Now I’m all-in on Mountain House, but I miss real veggies. Which side do you lean on for a 5-day stretch?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_drew1mo ago

Fresh food is where it's at for anything under a week. Your buddy was wrong about it being dead weight, you just gotta pick the right stuff. Hard cheese, cured meats, and avocados hold up fine for five days if you pack smart. Plus eating a real bell pepper or a tomato on day three is a huge morale boost compared to another spoonful of rehydrated mush. The extra weight is totally worth it for that first real crunch.

wyatt_lee1mo ago

People forget this applies to way more than backpacking. Same mindset works for road trips, beach days, even just a long work shift. Everyone loads up on granola bars and sad sandwiches then wonders why they crash at 2 PM. One real apple or a decent wrap with actual veggies changes the whole energy level.