The first freeze dried/dehydrated trail meal I had was about ten years ago.
Happy6 and I were doing the inn-to-inn route in Shenandoah. Our first stop, the camp store had some on sale and I bought a beef stroganoff meal.
It wasn’t very good, with off-putting seasoning.
I went years before I tried one again. On the PCT we were given some for free.
Since then I’ve had more. They taste worlds better.
I have some observations.
- Watch the calories. They range from 200 a serving (not enough when you need at least a thousand calories for dinner) to close to a thousand for a meal.
- Flavors are much better. This is true across brands.
- There is a lot of variety.
- Breakfasts often rely on peanut butter for a substantial part of their protein and calories.
One thing I’m experimenting with for bear country is eating my big meal at lunch and then a lunch style meal for dinner.
I’m also weighing things rather than checking out how they feel or heft. Both sets of sandals felt about the same lightness. There was a significant difference.