Four Things For All Day Fueling On the Trail to Push Limits [AND BEYOND]

We recently did a repeat trip to the Grand Canyon for more Rim-To-Rim action and have coached hundred of clients through their own trips of similar challenge (including Michael Kirby's Everst expedition that you can listen to here...).

We focus in our four things to stay strong through the entirey of big trips, hikes, and hunts like this:

1. Totals.

2. Timing.

3. Variety

4. Access

TOTALS: We metabolize fuel at a certain rate. This rate varies on a number of factors; things like intensity, total volume, how well-trained we are, etc., but make sure what you're taking in is in large enough doses to make a difference. We often aim for somewhere between 200-300kcal (or 45-75g) on the time recommendaitons below.

TIMING. The frequency in which you take this in matters. Our muscle will metabolize most fuel (during constant movement) in about 1-2 hours depending on the intensity of what we're doing. Our job is to then replace what we've used to continue the effort. For that reason, we recommend the above dosing every 1-2 hours depending on a number of variables that are based on you as an individual.

VARIETY. There is absolutely nothing worse than opening your pack to see a pile of food you don't want. While optiosn are somewhat limited in the backcountry on what you can take, you can break up the monotony by using diffrence flavors of granola, trail mix, dried fruit, and the like.

ACCESSIBILITY. The food in your pack does absolutely no good to you if you're reaching to it AFTER you need it. Having things that you can easily grab while moving on the trail is key to hitting the totals and timing benchmarks we talk about above.

There are variables within these four you need to consider to really get a plan dialed in that fits you, but make no mistake- if we nail those, the only thing stopping us from going further is how much vacation time we've got set aside.