L.Dog's SP2 Formula

Hikers use a variety of simplified formulas to determine how much food one needs to pack for a given time or distance to meet 4500-6500 calories per day requirements, depending on age, gender, level of effort, temperature ...

NOLS developed their PPPPD (Pounds per person per day) formula for expedition planning. Their experience showed that backpackers need 1.4 to 2.0 PPPPD depending on all those variables.

Garlic08 on Whiteblaze.net figures 1 lb per 10 miles. If the next resupply point is 50 miles away, pack out 5 lbs. Whether you bang out the distance in 3 days, or stretch it out to 6 days you'd theoretically have the food to support the level of effort. Ymmv.

But that's not really what this post is about. What it's really about after the break.

Cause, regardless of whether you subscribe to some formula like PPPPD or PP10M, sometimes you need that little extra kick. When facing a steep 3000' ascent, a quick cocktail of nougat, roasted peanuts, caramel and milk chocolate will help get you to the top before bonking. I am, of course, talking about Snickers. A staple in many hiker's food bags, but I have developed a copyrighted formula for determining how many you need to pack for a given hike.

Introducing L.Dog's SP² (© 2012 L.Dog)

That's L.Dog's Snickers Per Peak. When planning a hike, or in town resupplying, break out at your AT Guide, count how many peaks are between you and the next resupply point, and pack a Snickers for each one. Clearly, not every bump in the trail needs a sugar spike, and with experience, one can determine how big of a peak needs one. I would start with counting all those ascents over 2000'. Maybe include really steep 1500 footers...