Slight thread drift.... I watched an interview with Ben “Mookie” Thomas a while back. He was asked what was his favorite “in field” energy bar. I’m sure they were expecting some super scientific Uber granola, creatin, protein creation.
His answer? Snickers. I forget his exact words, but he said something along the lines of it being a chocolate covered peanut infused piece of America that helped morale as much as anything when things started to suck.

But don’t leave a bag of those fun sized snickers in the truck on a sunny August day in Texas....ask me how I know.....

The simple fact you have a concern about this tells me there is little to no chance you will ever need survival rations. If you are east of the Mississippi River again I doubt you'll ever need any rations.

A Coleman sleeping bag, the heaviest rag wool mittens you can find and a stocking cap to match. Wool felt boot liners and Tingly over boots to fit them in. Keep that stuff in an overnight bag to get you through the night. Maybe a bag whatever snack you like. A thermos full of water ( it takes an unholy amount of cold to freeze, trust me on this ) put it where you can give it an occasional shake to reassure yourself it's not solid.

I'd think about what happens when those snacks demand the light of day. I'm not going to say never... But you'll not need any of it if you are as aware of your surroundings as you seem to be.

quote:

Originally posted by hudr:I’m sure they were expecting some super scientific Uber granola, creatin, protein creation.
His answer? Snickers. I forget his exact words, but he said something along the lines of it being a chocolate covered peanut infused piece of America that helped morale as much as anything when things started to suck.

Snickers are probably about as close to a "balance" of protein and carbs as any legacy candy bar.

https://www.datrex.com/shop/br...n-individual-pack-2/

I keep a pack of these lifraft survival bars in my vehicles. Good for 5 years. Never had to use them. Taste like a really dense coconut cookie. When they get close to the 5 year mark I just wait for one of my kids to say "I'm STAAARRRRVVVIINNGGG!" during a long drive and then I had them one of these. If they decline, ipso facto, not STAAARRRVVVIIINNGG. Worth the full price right there.

I have a crew cab truck, I keep a plastic tote in the bed with a wool blanket, a complete set of waterproof winter outerwear, axe, fire starter, siphon hose, recovery gear, 2 gal of water, etc.
My commute used to be 820 miles, right now it's 12 so I can probably downsize.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
you'll not need any of it if you are as aware of your surroundings as you seem to be.

Thank you for the compliment.

It's been a very long time since Boy Scouts, and I don't camp anymore. I do try to keep an eye on conditions around me and not travel when the weather is expected to be crappy, but "as they say in Dogbreath, Idaho: 'Sh*t happens.'"

The short-term view prompting my original post was a discussion I had recently with a friend. There came the thought of visiting friends and family over the holidays, and ending up (by some weird set of conditions) traveling on Christmas day, suddenly having crappy weather and having to hunker down somewhere (as in, a hotel without a restaurant) and then having a power outage. Yes, I know... VERY unlikely. But still... it's good to have something more than just snack food in the car for an oh-no situation.

A better example would be the snowstorm we had a couple of years ago. My boss was on his way to pick up his son from college and the Interstate got shut down due to snow and crashes. He spent 30 hours in his Suburban, for what would have been about a two-hour drive.

I've been caught in a snowstorm that made me wonder if I would have to park the car and walk the rest of the way home. It would have sucked, but I could have done it. But getting stuck somewhere where walking home isn't really an option... well, that requires some better planning. There's almost always a pack of granola bars or such in the car (even in my daily work pack), but as winter sets in, I'm thinking about longer-duration events... like getting stuck on the Interstate.

On top of that, I'd like to be stocked enough for more than just myself. Not just in terms of quantity, but quality. For example, Voshterkoff's post -- his dietary needs would be different from mine.

I'm continuing to appreciate the responses, and to refine my list.

Snack bars of different types is what I keep in my GHB and hunting kit. I have eaten several that were a year old and they were fine.

Also the survival food squares which are basically the same thing, I think each one is 2400 calories are good too. I have found that the survival bars turn to mush or powder after 2-3 years in a Texas car..... ymmv

Since I work pretty far from home I keep a “get home” bag in my car at all times. It’s meant to cover situations where I may be stuck in my car overnight, or where I have to make the walk home due to closed down roadways, or where I have to shelter in place somewhere along the way.

It’s pretty easy to piece one together using older items that you no longer wear or use on a regular basis. For example my fleece jacket is an old North Face Windstopper jacket that is showing wear/tear but still works great as an extra insulation layer.

Ziplock #1:
Advil
Tylenol
Cough drops
Migraine meds
Immodium

Ziplock #2:
Wet wipes
Hand sanitozer
Chapstick
Gum
Bic lighter
Sunscreen

Ziplock #3:
Latex gloves (several pairs)
Paper towels (folded up)

Pack main pockets:
Leatherman
Kershaw Pocket knife
iPhone charging cable w/12V and wall outlet plugs
First aid kit w/CAT tourniquet
Fleece jacket
Warm hat
Spare socks
Winter gloves
Mechanix gloves
Protein bars
Bottled water

All of this fits into a benign looking LBT daypack that I picked up years ago on a clearance sale for ~$60. If my work shoes weren’t comfortable for walking I would also add better shoes to this list. In the winter time I add an Army surplus wool blanket to the trunk.

I have a 72 hour/GHB bag in my car at all times. Food wise: instant oatmeal with honey packets and freeze dried backpacker meals. I switch out the clothing to winter clothing and add a Wiggy's sleeping bag.

Like many, I keep a get-home-bag in my truck at all times.

I use one of these.

It is stocked with everything I need to survive for at least two weeks if need be, and likely longer. Clothing, first aid supplies, several different modes of fire starting, mess kit, food (to include freeze-dried meals, survival squares, etc....), various drugs, etc.... It all fits in quite easily and just lives on my back seat. Also, depending on the time of year, I'll add season appropriate footwear, an additional warm coat, a set of long johns, and a sleeping bag.

I'll echo reflex/deflexes sentiment though. My gear is geographic. Around many parts of the west that I travel, you could easily be 50 miles from the nearest help. Back east, that would be very unusual, and short of a Going Home by A. American scenario, help won't be too far away so you likely wouldn't have a need for all that I carry. And, truth be told, I likely won't either, but I like to be prepared for any scenario up to and including Going Home.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:

quote:

Originally posted by hudr:I’m sure they were expecting some super scientific Uber granola, creatin, protein creation.
His answer? Snickers. I forget his exact words, but he said something along the lines of it being a chocolate covered peanut infused piece of America that helped morale as much as anything when things started to suck.

Snickers are probably about as close to a "balance" of protein and carbs as any legacy candy bar.

I read a book some years ago called "The Glucose Revolution" that discussed a principle called the "Glycemic Index". In it, it suggested that a Snickers bar was a good choice for a snack, because it had a balance of nutrients and the sugar in it was absorbed by the body at a slower rate than many other snack foods.

flashguy

I keep Cliff bars, 5 hour energy drinks, and peanuts in the 2 for $1 snack packages in my FML bag that is always in my rig.

Those that have mentioned SPAM and/or packaged tuna also make good points here in my opinion.

A small jar of cheap peanut butter. Calorie dense, protein, added sugar.

It will give you enough energy for the walk home that you will likely be thinking more about how you wish you had packed a well broken in pair of boots and a spare pair of socks.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
They are protein and calorie dense. That combo seems to hold me longer, or fix me if I feel my blood sugar tanking.

Thank you. I had only thought of them as salty, not heavy protein. Very good to know.

I do agree that Cliff bars are good. But they are certainly not protein dense.