Joe Stevensen

Backpacking Food Planning

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Backpacking Food Planning#

These are my notes to help plan food on multi-day backpacking trips.

It’s written for healthy adults doing normal recreational backpacking. If you have a medical condition that touches diet or hydration, the general numbers here are not for you. Talk to someone qualified.

1. How much you need in a day#

Start with these daily targets, then adjust by appetite and how hard you’re hiking.

Calories: 2,500 to 3,000 a day to start. More calories for hard days.
Macros: 50% carbs / 30% fat / 20% protein of your total daily calories. More carbs for hard days.
Protein: bodyweight in pounds × 0.6 to 0.7 = grams per day. For most adults that’s about 90 to 130 grams.
Food weight: calories ÷ calories-per-ounce = ounces you carry. Aim for at least 100 cal/oz, ideally around 125, which puts a day’s food near 1.5 to 2 pounds.

Calories#

A hard day can burn more than you can comfortably carry and eat, so most backpackers run a small calorie deficit on trip, and that’s normal and fine for a few days. If you think you will have some harder days, bring more carbs.

How to Get Into AppSec

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

How to Get Into AppSec#

Section A — New to Tech (start here)#

Productivity basics
- Spreadsheets: formulas, pivot tables, charts
- Free: Google Sheets Training, Microsoft Excel Training
Git basics
- Free: GitHub Skills – Introduction to GitHub
Programming intro (Python recommended)
- CS50’s Introduction to Programming with Python
- Core topics: variables, loops, functions, lists/dicts, exceptions, reading stack traces
Web fluency
- HTTP request/response, status codes, headers
- Cookies, sessions, JSON, DOM basics
- Free: MDN Web Docs (start with HTTP, web security, and JavaScript basics)
SQL basics

BBQ Tips

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

BBQ Tips#

Steak
Brisket
Ribs

Backpacking Trips

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Backpacking Trips#

Personal Stats#

Trips Logged: 20
Total Nights: 59
Total Distance: ~408 mi / 653 km

Past Trips#

2025 - Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo NF#

When: August 21-24 (3 nights)
Where: Garnet Lake, Ediza Lake, Minaret Lake
Who: Joe, Travis, Dylon, Emmanuel, Jesse
Distance: 29.5 mi / 47.5 km; 5,096’ total elevation gain
Map: CalTopo Map
Photos: View Album

2025 - Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sierra NF#

When: August 8-11 (3 nights)
Where: Lillian Lake, Rainbow Lake, Lady Lake
Who: Joe, Robert, Eric, Travis, Dylon, Emmanuel, Carlos, Serge, Lisa
Distance: 20.42 mi / 32.86 km; 3,885’ elevation gain
Map: CalTopo Map
Photos: View Album

2024 - Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus NF#

When: July 3-6, 2024 (3 nights)
Where: Bear Lake, Upper Buck Lake, Woods Lake
Who: Joe, Jesse, Travis, Dylon, Andrew, Peter
Distance: ~28 mi / 45 km
Map: CalTopo Map
Photos: View Album

2022 - Lyell Canyon, Yosemite NP#

When: August 12-14, 2022 (2 nights)
Where: Lyell Canyon
Who: Joe, Garrett, Dad, Nico, Jarrod
Distance: 10.6 mi / 17.1 km
Map: CalTopo Map
Photos: View Album

2022 - Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo NF#

When: July 20–23, 2022 (3 nights)
Where: Ediza Lake, Garnet Lake, Thousand Island Lake
Who: Joe, Travis
Distance: ~25 mi / 40 km
Photos: View Album

2021 - Lyell Canyon, Yosemite NP#

When: August 27-30, 2021 (3 nights)
Where: Lyell Canyon
Who: Joe, Jenn, Jesse, Alissa, Lance, Lisa
Distance: 10.6 mi / 17.1 km
Map: CalTopo Map
Photos: View Album

2021 - Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus NF#

When: July 28-31, 2021 (3 nights)
Where: Bear Lake, Piute Lake, Upper Buck Lake
Who: Joe, Jesse
Distance: ~28 mi / 45 km
Map: CalTopo Map
Photos: View Album

2020 - Hoover Wilderness, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF#

When: August 13-16, 2020 (3 nights)
Where: Fremont Lake, Long Lake, West Walker River
Who: Joe, Jesse, Jon, Renee, Kyle
Distance: 21.92 mi / 35.27 km
Photos: n/a

2019 - Ansel Adams, Sierra NF#

When: August 29-September 1, 2019 (3 nights)
Where: Lillian Lake
Who: Joe, Jesse
Distance: 16.5 mi / 26.5 km
Photos: View Album

2018 - Mineral King, Sequoia NP#

When: August 8-11, 2018 (3 nights)
Where: Eagle Lake, Mosquito Lakes, Mineral Lakes
Who: Joe, Raymond, Jacob
Distance: 11.2 mi / 18 km
Photos: View Album

2017 - Marble Mountain Wilderness, Klamath NF#

When: October 3-6, 2017 (3 nights)
Where: Upper & Lower Sky High Lakes, Shadow Lake
Who: Joe, Carlos
Distance: 15.88 mi / 25.56 km
Map: CalTopo Map
Photos: View Album

2017 - Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus NF#

When: August 18–21, 2017 (3 nights)
Where: Chewing Gum Lake, Y Meadow Lake, Powell Lake
Who: Joe, Jenn, Lance, Lisa
Distance: ~13 mi / 21 km
Photos: View Album

2016 - Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus NF#

When: August 10–14, 2016 (4 nights)
Where: Paiute Lake, Upper Buck Lake, Woods Lake, Grouse Lake
Who: Joe, Jesse, Patrick, Michael, Carlos
Distance: ~28 mi / 45 km
Map: CalTopo Map
Photos: View Album

2011 - North Dome, Yosemite NP#

When: October 7-9, 2011 (2 nights)
Where: Yosemite Creek, North Dome
Who: Joe, Nate, Everett, Josh & son, Robert
Distance: ~15 mi / 24 km
Photos: View Album

2011 Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus NF#

When: August 11-14, 2011 (3 nights)
Where: Bear Lake, Camp Lake
Who: Joe, Garrett, Brady, Nathan, Earl, Patrick, Eric
Distance: ~12 mi / 19 km
Photos: View Album

2010 - Cloud’s Rest, Yosemite NP#

When: August 12–15, 2010 (3 nights)
Where: Sunrise Lakes, Cloud’s Rest, Cathedral Lakes
Who: Joe, Garrett, Mike, Chris, Earl, Patrick, Tim
Distance: ~21 mi / 34 km
Photos: n/a

2009 - Glen Aulin, Yosemite NP#

When: August 7-10, 2009 (3 nights)
Where: Glen Aulin, Polly Dome Lake, May Lake
Who: Joe, Garrett, Vance, Nate, Earl, Patrick, Mike
Distance: ~21 mi / 33 km
Photos: View Album

2008 - Partial Yosemite High Sierra Loop, Yosemite NP#

When: June 20-23, 2008 (3 nights)
Where: Vogelsang, Merced Lake, Little Yosemite Valley
Who: Joe, Earl, Patrick, Jennifer R.
Distance: ~29 mi / 46 km
Photos: n/a

2007 - Desolation Wilderness, Eldorado NF#

When: September 14–17, 2007 (3 nights)
Where: Lake Aloha, Clyde Lake, Suzie Lake
Who: Joe, Lou, and Patrick
Distance: ~22 mi / 35 km
Photos: View Album

1995 - Partial Yosemite High Sierra Loop, Yosemite NP#

When: August 1995 (3 nights)
Where: Vogelsang, Merced Lake, Little Yosemite Valley
Who: Joe, Garrett, Dad
Distance: ~29 mi / 46 km
Photos: n/a

Backpacking Prep Checklist

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Backpacking Prep Checklist#

A Week or More Before#

Create packing list for trip
Create meal plan
Repack food at home to reduce bulk
Verify food storage method (canister or Ursack)
Treat clothing with permethrin (if not already treated)

A Few Days Before#

Inspect and test stove
Test water filter
Inspect shelter for damage or missing parts
Inflate and check sleeping pad for leaks
Inspect backpack for wear or damage
Load your pack and do a short test hike
Download offline maps to your phone or GPS app

Day Before Departure#

Double-check weather forecast
Charge headlamp
Charge battery bank
Final pack and weigh backpack

Backpacking Fitness

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Backpacking Fitness#

Stay Active#

Aim for 30-45 minutes of walking, hiking, or other exercise 3-5 days per week.
Add hills or stairs when possible.
Gradually increase duration and difficulty as your fitness improves.

Hike With Your Pack#

Before your trip, complete a few hikes that are similar to the distance, elevation gain, and pack weight you expect on the trail.

Build Strength (Optional)#

Strength training may improve leg and core strength and help reduce injury risk.

Backpacking Tips

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Backpacking Tips#

These tips can help improve your backpacking trip experience.

1. Plan your route#

Pick your route based on the group’s ability. Calculate daily mileage and elevation gain. Budget roughly 2 mph on flat terrain, 1000 feet of gain per hour. Know where water sources are and how far apart. Check recent trip reports for current water conditions; maps show where sources should be, not what’s actually flowing. Identify multiple camp options in case sites are full or you’re running late. Get permits early. Check camping and fire restrictions and food storage requirements.

Backpacking Trip Information

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Backpacking Trip Information#

Welcome#

I’m glad you’re thinking about joining me on a backpacking trip. These trips are a chance to spend time in the wilderness and enjoy good company. This document explains what you need to know before coming along. Please read it in its entirety.

But first…backpacking is hard work. It’s long climbs, heavy packs, heat, bugs, and weather that doesn’t care about your plans. But it’s also quiet mornings, clear lakes, and the satisfaction of earning every view. Go because you find that kind of work rewarding, not just because friends are going or it sounds fun. When you know why you’re out there, the effort feels worth it and every trip becomes more meaningful.