Carrying a backpack over miles of wilderness is a liberating experience but it can also be hard work. Every backpacking trip features multitudes of little rewards along the way, but to my mind some of the most enjoyable rewards involve kicking off your boots at the end of the day and finding a nice comfy rock to sit on while you eat a delicious meal.

There are all sorts of ideas about how to eat on a backpacking trip. The ultra-lightweight purists will argue that a jar of peanut butter and a spoon is perfectly adequate sustenance for days on end. Some people even choose to survive on energy gels and bars. Personally, I love food and I firmly believe that a yummy meal is a must at the end of a long day's hike. This means my pack is heavier but that's a small price to pay for a happy tummy. Regardless of which camp you choose, the rule of thumb is to bring food for the planned length of your trip plus at least one extra day just to be safe, and don't forget to factor in snacks.

Everything tastes better when it's cooked outdoors, but no amount of wayward pine needles and drowned mosquitoes will make those expensive prepackaged camping meals palatable. It's much better to choose recipes that you love and adapt them for the trail. Sure, it's work, but it definitely pays off.

For my first day's food I like to take perishable items and things I can freeze. Especially if your trip is a long one, these items will be much appreciated on day one and the memory of them can keep you going long after the calories are gone. A frozen chicken breast and a small bag of stir fry veggies is like fine dining in the middle of nowhere. After that you're looking at non-perishable and dried items to sustain you. Frozen foods stay frozen longer if you wrap them with a couple of layers of newspaper. Once the food is gone use the paper to start your fire and you won't have to carry it for the remaining trip.

If you're new to meal planning for the trail, plan to spend a few hours in the supermarket being creative and inquisitive in preparation. Identify as many "just add water" items as you can as well as vacuum-packed foods like smoked salmon and beef jerky, instant or quick-cook items like oatmeal, couscous and fine egg noodles, and taste-enhancers such as Thai spice packets and Pesto seasoning mix. Little additions such as dried blueberries, sundried tomatoes or a fresh chopped onion or carrot can be heavenly 3 or 4 days into a backpacking trip. Avoid anything that requires

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