Efficient Multipitch Fuel

I think part of what differentiates trad climbers from other types is the love of systems.  We hone and refine and improve constantly.  In my endless effort to carry less crap, I have recently been thinking about the snacks I carry.  I don't like to carry more than I can fit in my Mammut alpine chalkbag.  Reminding myself that food is actually fuel, I'm wondering what you guys prefer to fuel yourselves with on long multipitch climbs.

Currently my favorite thing to bring is IQ Bars. The nutritional breakdown is pretty good and they always leave me filling full, but not heavy. The flavors aren't too bad either. Someone also recently introduced me to Stinger Gels which are delicious and nutritionally break down to some quick energy and electrolytes plus they don't seem as expensive as some other gels.

So, what are your favorite multipitch snacks? Is there any particular snack you feel gives you that extra boost to send a crux pitch?

Dried mangoes, goldfish crackers, dates, pretzels, starkist chicken packs

Macadamia nuts

Snickers if it’s not hot out

Payday bars if it is hot out

Tailwind electrolyte/carb

When climbing, I live off of peanut butter CLIF BARS, salted caramel waffle STINGERS, and the kid Z Bars.

Im a beekeeper and practically have honey coming out of my ears so I find many ways to consume it. My favorite way is I always keep one of these Gu Soft Flasks half filled with my honey. It works best when its warm and I just keep it in my chalk bag. Works great keeping it close to my body while skinning and split boarding too. My honey is always super chunky, packed with big crystals measuring 1mm ~ 2mm, so its not just liquid. Its almost like chewing sticky sweet sand!

IQ bars FTW

GU

CTBwrote:

 My favorite way is I always keep one of these Gu Soft Flasks half filled with my honey. 

I think I'm going to have to give this a shot. How do you fill it?

pocket 2-4 pouches of baby food or smoothie bags from noka are the best  https://www.nokaorganics.com/

protein requires double the water to be digested so do protein after climbing 1g per cm of body height 

take nothing thirst provoking 

add electrolyte powder packets to water bottle zerolyte is the best and made in the usa from real salt the best slt on earth https://www.traceminerals.com/collections/zerolyte

The Butt-Shot Whispererwrote:

pocket 2-4 pouches of baby food or smoothie bags from noka are the best  https://www.nokaorganics.com/

protein requires double the water to be digested so do protein after climbing 1g per cm of body height 

take nothing thirst provoking 

add electrolyte powder packets to water bottle zerolyte is the best and made in the usa from real salt the best slt on earth https://www.traceminerals.com/collections/zerolyte

I don't think the amount of protein I have during a climb is enough to really affect hydration. I think at least one good high protein snack for a meal replacement helps me stay satiated for a full day out otherwise I end up constantly hungry. That's really good info though. 

The 'thirst provoking' snacks I have learned the hard way when I ran out of water and then also couldn't really comfortably eat any of my snacks lol. I've definitely been keeping that in mind. No more jerky or super dry oat based bars. 

In terms of electrolytes, I've been thinking about that one a lot lately too. Typically before I get to the base I'll chug a bottle of water with some kind of electrolyte mix (never tried zerolyte, I'll check it out!). I also make sure to stay well hydrated the day before. I'm in socal and I sweat a lot so hydration is a pretty high priority for me in general. 

I don't like the idea of having to carry a separate bottle to mix water or mixing electrolytes into the entire 2.5L blade I carry with me. I have been looking into both chewable electrolyte tabs and snacks that have sodium/potassium/magnesium which seems to be the main combination in many electrolyte drinks. Curious if anyone uses any they would recommend. 

CTBwrote:

Im a beekeeper and practically have honey coming out of my ears so I find many ways to consume it. My favorite way is I always keep one of these Gu Soft Flasks half filled with my honey. It works best when its warm and I just keep it in my chalk bag. Works great keeping it close to my body while skinning and split boarding too. My honey is always super chunky, packed with big crystals measuring 1mm ~ 2mm, so its not just liquid. Its almost like chewing sticky sweet sand!

I never considered making my own honey based Gu tubes, but I love the idea! There's quite a few small businesses out here that sell local honey. 

I don't tolerate high carb food well during the day when climbing. My favorite fuel is Ensure Max Protein. Needs no refrigeration. Cartons don't break/crush easily.  I drink 1/4, add water to fill, drink another 1/4, add water to fill, then chug that down.

Kate bars (they actually taste good), Clif or Gu gels with caffeine, and small beef or turkey sticks.  I wanted lightweight stuff, individually wrapped, that I could take as cary-on when flying. 

Gatorade (or electrolyte powder) after (partner recommended and makes a HUGE difference). 

Ed Burtonwrote:

I think I'm going to have to give this a shot. How do you fill it?

I use an old swizzle stick thing. Its just a ball bearing on a stick, but works great to scoop honey. You spin it like your gathering molten glass on a mandrel while glass blowing. Then you just stop spinning when you want it to droop and begin to run off.

 

I like bringing packets of Justin’s nut butters, tons of calories for the size. I’ve also been on Send Bars, it’s a nice change from the standard bar.

I like the Gu reusable packet idea, I may try making some PB&Js in one of those…

Beer.

This is my go to. I stuff a bunch in my pockets. I like how little mess they are. However, with repeated hot/cold cycles they will get very very hard, so you gotta go through them in a reasonable time frame if you plan to keep them available in your vehicle long term.

Otherwise, maybe like Pro Bars if I have happened to order a bunch in bulk recently... or I have a large breakfast.

There is a large debate on fast vs. slow carbs... fats, proteins, etc... Ideal can vary a lot by objective and its somewhat personal as to what agrees with different people stomachs and metabolisms.

I'm not a nutritionist, but I like summer sausage, cheddar, cliff shot blocks (can't stand goo), and sour patch kids.