MTNMetrics helps solve a common backcountry problem with peer-reviewed U.S. Army research—plan nutrition based on your route, pack weight, and terrain.
Why it matters
Fill the gap: Route planning is solved. Nutrition planning comes next.
"2 lbs of food per day" doesn't account for your body, your pack weight, or the 4,000 feet of elevation gain on Day 2.
Some hikers spend hours building custom spreadsheets. Most just guess and hope for the best.
Bonking on Day 3, losing 10+ lbs on a thru-hike, or carrying pounds of uneaten food home. Getting it wrong has consequences.
Stop Guessing Your Hiking Calories
Get science-backed calculations for your backcountry nutrition.
MTNMetrics incorporates the U.S. Army's LCDA equation, a peer-reviewed model developed to estimate energy expenditure during loaded hiking.
Additional load meaningfully increases energy demands. Pack weight is included in our calculations.
Different surfaces require different effort. Terrain is factored into energy estimates.
Uphill and downhill travel affect energy use differently. Elevation changes are accounted for along your route.
Individual characteristics like weight, height, age, and sex inform baseline energy needs.
The complete nutrition planning workflow for backcountry trips.
Plan your route in our app or import a GPX file. We extract distance, elevation gain, and terrain data.
Our LCDA-based model estimates energy needs based on pack weight, terrain type, elevation changes, and your body.
Browse trail-friendly foods sorted by calories per ounce. Build a meal plan aligned with your estimated daily energy needs.
Export a complete shopping list based on your plan. Know what to buy and how much to pack, with less guesswork.
Whether it's your first overnight or a long-distance trip, MTNMetrics helps you plan with confidence.
Plan day-by-day nutrition to feel confident between resupplies.
Prepare nutrition for demanding terrain and heavy loads.
Compare calories per ounce to help reduce carried weight while meeting energy needs.
Clear, simple guidance for overnight trips—no spreadsheets required.
Plan your route with elevation-aware insights and generate personalized nutrition plans informed by your trip. Join the waitlist for early access.
Looney DP, Santee WR, Karis AJ, Blanchard LA, Rome MN, Carter AJ, Potter AW. Modeling the Metabolic Costs of Heavy Military Backpacking. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022 Apr 1;54(4):646-654.