Camp Chef Makeover: The Winter Hiker
Staying warm does require extra calories when hiking in the winter.
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Bobby Trotter, 45, Knoxville, TN
Diagnosis Stymied by frozen food “Due to the cold temps and short stops, I just eat a protein bar for lunch, but if I forget to put it in a pocket when breaking camp, the bar is hard enough to break a tooth,” Bobby says.
Makeover by Jennifer Pharr Davis, thru-hiker, author, and speaker. Philosophy: “Food is no casual affair in winter hiking—you need 500-plus extra calories a day to stay warm.”
Meal Rx Since more processed or whole-nut bars freeze more easily, we gave Bobby better options (Odwalla, Nutri-Grain, Clif, and DIY bars) and tasty menu ideas.
The Recipe: Apple-Raisin ‘No Freeze’ Oatmeal Bars
Makes 18 chewy, all-natural energy snacks
1 1/2 cups rolled oats, uncooked
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup butter (softened)
1 large apple, chopped into pieces (about 1½ cups)
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded carrots (optional)
Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix together oats, flour, and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mix is crumbly. Add apple, raisins, carrots, cinnamon, and salt, mixing well. Pat it into a greased 9×9 pan, bake for 40 minutes, and cool in pan before cutting.
Easy winter lunches Evol Burritos, prethawed (evolfoods.com); raisin, honey, & cream cheese bagel; salami with cheddar; banana & Nutella tortilla
Furnace Food
Eat a snack high in fat or protein before bed; the heat generated by digestion will keep you warmer.
