High caloric foods for long-term backpacking?

[damon]

Hi,
I'm starting a 2,175 mile hike next month up the Appalachian Trail and trying my hardest to plan healthy meals along the way. I plan to create supply packages that I'll have family mail to me along the way, so that I'm able to eat healthier versus eating only what I can find in small trail towns.

I'm concerned with malnutrition. I plan to hike 25-30 miles a day (3 month trip) and estimate I'll be burning somewhere between 4000 and 6000 calories a day. Normally I don't concern myself these matters and favor quality over quantity, while listening to my body; however, this will be a little more extreme than my normal day life so I'm trying to be more cautious.

My cooking supplies will be limited -- alcohol stove, .9L cooking pot, and spork I intend to have grain as a stable (by allowing it to soak overnight/during the day) but trying to figure out how to increase my caloric intake.

Are there any suggestions on what types of foods I should consider? I haven't had much luck researching this topic as most reference books on this topic just recommend eating lots of pop-tarts, potatoes, and peanut butter.

Thanks for reading all this and for any suggestions!
Damon

[Klara]

Damon,

I'll take a chance at this but absolutely NO experience - how about nuts/dried fruit, you know, the stand by trail mix or granola - how about nut butters? tho not sure how long they can last if not refrigerated - how about packages of mochi which you can add to your rice while it cooks? tempeh?? again don't know about the refrigeration part.

How come you're doing this trip? It sounds amazing.

Klara

[damon]

Hi Klara,
Thanks for the ideas. I think you're right about the nut butters; I believe certain oils are high in calories too. It'd be nice to be able to see the nutritional breakdown of this stuff online though. I suspect I'll be spending some quality time at the local health food store taking notes

Foods that can survive without refrigeration would be ideal too. I imagine a number of pickled foods could last for weeks if kept reasonably cool and out of direct sunlight.

As for why I'm taking this trip? Well, I think you already answered that for me -- it should be an amazing adventure! I'm also at a transitory stage in my life and what better way to figure things out than to be immersed in nature: no traffic, news, cell phones, etc. Just the bare necessities... food, water, and shelter.

Thanks,
Damon

[Klara]

Damon,

don't know if it's a necessity, but perhaps you can bring some paper and pen and write your reflections - I'd love to read them when you return.

Klara