weight gain seems to be related to salt intake on backpacking trips

I asked forum members at backpackinglight.com what they thought and was asked if I normally didn't have very much salt in my diet but I ate more salt when I hike.  That hit the nail on the head.  I normally avoid salt, especially 'added' salt.  But both trips, I took a bunch of nuts, seeds, nut bars, beef jerky, and PowerAde -- all high in sodium.  It looks like I bloated from the salt and it seems to take about 3-4 days for it to come back to equilibrium.