Camp Chef Makeover: The Winter Hiker
Staying warm does require extra calories when hiking in the winter.
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.