u/smunter6

Currently planning a thruhike of the CT and trying to decide how to go about getting a good balance of healthy, calorie dense meals from small resupply locations.

I finally have gotten a dialed in backpacking food setup that meets my macro recommendations (based off this thread), is reasonably healthy (plenty of fiber, not too much cholesterol), and has good caloric density. My current goto is this:

Breakfast:

• Muesli/Oatmeal with Nido whole milk powder, nuts, chia, hemp seed, and banana chips.

Lunch:

• Tuna (in olive oil) with mayo, cheese, and olives on a tortilla.
• Peanut butter and dates on a tortilla.

Dinner:

• Skurka beans and rice.

Edit: not including snacks. I add trail mix, nuts, bars, dried fruit etc. to get up to 4000-4500 cal/day. Those are easy enough to resupply though and I can change them up as I go for variety.

I'm not sure how to practically do this when resupplying at small towns with grocery stores. Some of these ingredients are hard to find even in reasonably large towns (whole milk powder, dehydrated beans, tuna in olive oil), and others are sold in bulk that would be excessive for a few days on a trail (hemp and chia seed, minute rice). In addition, I usually package and weigh out everything into per-day portions so I get the right amount each meal.

What strategies do you use for minimizing effort and time in town? Do you repackage and throw away the packaging in the parking lot, or do you take it all on the trail? Should I take extra food even if it's more weight?

One idea that I'm mulling is to carry in the things I know I won't be able to resupply on trail (whole milk power, hemp seed, dehydrated beans) and supplement with the things I can purchase. Since I plan to be on the trail <30 days, I can probably get away with packing a full loadout of just the essentials if I'm strategic. This definitely doesn't seem like the most ultralight option though...)

Last option would be just to plan on mailing supplies ahead on the trail. I can do this if needed, but I keep seeing comments online that mail resupply shouldn't be needed for the CT. Just curious what everyone else is doing I guess.

Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/rqejts

Current Base weight: 11.1 lbs

Goal Base weight: Under 10 lbs 

Trip context: Colorado Trail thru-hike, June 10ish start, 3 weeks goal, 4 weeks soft limit. Hoping to average >25mpd. If I'm ahead of schedule I may try to bag some summits if conditions allow.

Solo or with another person?: Solo

Main questions / concerns: Long time lurker on r/ultralight, never had an excuse to do a shakedown for myself! I've done many many nights in the backcountry on weekend backpacking trips up to 4 nights max but this will be my first thru-hike, trying to use as much of the gear that I've already accumulated as I can. This is also my first time backpacking in Colorado, most of my experience is in Alaska, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and California.

Non-negotiables: Sleeping bag, Nemo fillo pillow

Budget: negotiable, depends how useful it is after I get off the trail.

Additional Information: 
Almost all weights are weighed. Leaving in 3 weeks so limited on what I can purchase and get quickly.

NEMO fillo is a gift from my girlfriend after I kept stealing hers, so I'm obligated to take it now lol.

I'm currently suffering from decision fatigue on the sleeping pad. Current Xtherm is overkill and it's over 10 years old so I could use a new one. However, it's been super reliable, durable, comfortable, warm, and really not that heavy compared to new alternatives. XLite is only 4.5oz lighter (regular wide size), I'm not sure if Tensor Elite will be warm enough and I would definitely need to pair it with a thinlight which would be be 7.4oz savings, but is it worth it for the comfort and durablity concerns? I'm a side sleeper, so I don't think I could make a CCF-only setup work.

I could use a new backpack but not sure if I want to commit to a new one without testing it out on a shorter trip first. Durston Drop pack is great on features but I don't really love the comfort - I definitely prefer S-shaped shoulder straps over straight. If I got my base weight low enough I'd consider hip-belt-less but I don't think I'll make it this trip.

Considering making the switch to tarp + bug net, but probably not in time for this trip.

I've been pretty happy with the Senchi + down vest + shell setup for temps down to the high-30's, not sure if I'll need more for the earlier start.

Currently have the Montane Spine Goretex Active raincoat for the afternoon thunderstorms if I'm still moving through the rain. I could get a frog toggs if I was staying put more, I'm not sure what the general strategy is for the CO summer thunderstorm season?

I've heard that microspikes and ice ax are not necessary, but I'd appreciate feedback on that for the earlier June start, especially if that would be helpful for summits along the trail.

I appreciate the feedback!