One of the essential items for backcountry tours is "field rations," but what kind of field rations do snow mountain professionals and backcountry guides take with them into the snowy mountains? This time, we asked them to tell us their "favorite field rations that can be purchased at convenience stores," on the condition that they are easily accessible to everyone
Needless to say, the importance of "field snacks"
Snacks have an impact on your performance and safety when skiing and climbing in the backcountry. They're essential items for safe and comfortable backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Let's first find out why
- Rapid energy replenishment
In snowy mountains, the cold and exercise can consume a lot of energy. Easily eaten trail foods can help replenish energy efficiently and maintain strength even in a short amount of time. - Preventing Hypoglycemia:
When blood sugar levels drop due to long periods of activity in snowy mountains or extreme cold, concentration and judgment decline. This is a problem that directly affects safety. It is necessary to replenish sugar with snacks to prevent hypoglycemia and ensure safety. - emergency preparedness
activities are prolonged or trouble occurs.
Backcountry guides' favorite snacks
CIRCLE GAME guide service | Shohei Sasaki
Onigiri
I tried a lot of different things, but finally settled on rice balls. If I just put the rice in my backpack, it would freeze, so I wrap the warmed rice balls in insulation.
If you come to Hokkaido, be sure to try the Hot Chef rice balls at Seico Mart, Hokkaido's best convenience store!!
Reviewer
CIRCLE GAME guide service | Shohei Sasaki
Originally from Nanae-cho, Hokkaido, he is based in Sapporo and works as a backcountry ski guide in the winter and a guide in the Hokkaido wilderness in the summer. He likes to combine climbing and skiing
COLOR SPORT CLUB ｜Tomohiro Sagawa
・Beef jerky, salami
, nuts
, chocolate
, dried fruit
, energy bars
, oatmeal packets, etc.
All of these are high in calories, won't freeze even on snowy mountains, and are easy to digest!
COLOR SPORT CLUB ｜ Tomohiro Tonegawa
He is a pioneer who built the backcountry ski scene that continues to this day. Since the early 1990s, he has turned his attention to off-piste skiing, pioneering the mountain ski scene in the harsh winter. Even after achieving the development of the entire Hakuba ski field, which is now synonymous with his name, his pioneering work continues
GRANIX mountain guid｜Arakawa Satoshi
Nuts
, protein bars
, and jellies:
, even in small amounts. Protein bars allow you to efficiently consume protein. Jellies are also easy to drink and useful, but their weight is a bit of a drawback.
GRANIX mountain guide ｜ Satoshi Arakawa
Hoping to provide guests with the best backcountry experience, he mainly works in the mountainous areas of Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture. In the summer, he guides around mountain areas in Japan as a mountain guide. Guide experience: 13 years
TEREMARK & MOUNTAIN GUIDE IDEHA | Takahiro Ishizawa
4 pieces of anpan
Recently, I've been eating the four-piece anpan because it's easy to eat and provides calories
IDEHA ｜Takahiro Ishizawa
I was born and raised in a remote corner of Zao and grew up enjoying skiing in the fields and mountains from a young age. I have been guiding on Mt. Gassan for 27 years, and I never get tired of the joy of skiing in this area. I guide because I want to share this excitement with others. I also work as a drone pilot for Cocoheli, helping to search for lost people in mountain areas and promoting safe mountain climbing
Infield ｜Toyo Nakano
4 pieces of steamed buns
These steamed buns come in packs of four (flavors vary depending on the time of day) and can be purchased at 7-Eleven.They're moist but don't freeze, and can be eaten one at a time, making them easy to eat
Infield ｜ Toyokazu Nakano
After moving to Myoko Kogen and gaining 10 years of experience, he started "Infield" in 2006. He currently works as a backcountry tour guide and telemark ski instructor in the winter, and as a mountain climbing/trekking guide and sea kayaking guide in the summer
JUNRINA mountain service | Jun Nagai
- Banana
Cream Brown Rice Bran Banana has about the same amount of calories as one rice ball. Bananas contain potassium, which supports muscle function and is necessary for recovering from fatigue. Cream Brown Rice Bran also has about the same amount of calories as one rice ball. It also contains protein and minerals, which are necessary for recovering from fatigue.
JUNRINA mountain service ｜ Jun Nagai
He quit his job and began working at Tateyama Raicho-so while undergoing guide training. In 2010, he started working as JUNRINA mountain service. He has extensive experience on backcountry trips overseas. In summer and autumn, he works as a mountaineering guide, mainly in the Alps and Joshinetsu region, and in winter and spring as a backcountry ski guide
Kagura Powder Station | Kazuya Igarashi
Daifuku mochi
It's low in calories, filling, and doesn't freeze, making it perfect for the mountains!
Kagura Powder Station | Kazuya Igarashi
After becoming the All-Japan Mogul Champion, he participated in the W-CAP and served as a national team coach, training Satoya, Miura, Tsukuda, Hara, and others. He worked for Yuichiro Miura and was active with Snow Dolphin. In 2008, he climbed Mount Everest with Miura. He currently works as a backcountry ski and mountaineering guide, supporting Kagura Powder Station
Takubiya [TABIYA] | Masaaki Sato
Moist golden Baumkuchen
It has a decent amount of calories and doesn't dehydrate your mouth
He has been fond of skiing since he was a child, and has had experience in competitive and basic skiing, moving to Hakuba Village at the age of 20. He became interested in backcountry skiing at the age of 24. He gained experience at Port Snow Hakuba and Power Zone Hakuba before going independent
TERUI DAICHI | Daichi Terui
Persimmon Pi
Even if it's high in calories, you won't feel guilty about eating it on the mountain. In my experience, rice balls get freezer burned in low temperatures and don't taste good. If you want to eat it, you might need to keep it warm
While attending university, he aspired to become a mountain guide and studied under international mountain guide Hirofumi Ishizaka. Upon graduating, he became a certified guide by the Japan Mountain Guides Association. In his early twenties, he began heli-ski guide training in Northern Europe and experienced mountaineering and ski touring in the European Alps
RIKI JAPOW GUIDE｜Riki Nakajima
mixed nuts
It has both salty and sweet flavors, so it can be used as a meal replacement, a snack, or even as a light snack
RIKI JAPOW GUIDE | Riki Nakajima
He obtained a CSIA instructor qualification in Canada and was the first Japanese person to be certified as a CFSA freeski instructor. He expanded his activities from freeski competitions to backcountry skiing, and is currently based at Hoshino Resort Tomamu Ski Resort, where he provides guided and instructed lessons
Rhythm Works｜Ryutaka Asahi
・Castella cake
and freeze-dried miso soup
The sugar in castella cakes can quickly replenish energy and help maintain blood sugar levels. They are soft, easy to eat, and easy to digest. They are also light and don't take up much space, which is a plus
Freeze-dried miso soup is perfect for lunch. Warm miso soup is incredibly comforting on a snowy mountain
Rhythm Works｜ ｜ Ryuta Asahi
He climbs mountains throughout the four seasons, following the rhythm of nature. He is a multi-talented mountain guide who conveys the charm of a wide range of mountains, from general traverses to variation routes, and from river climbing to backcountry riding
WARP | Arata Arima
Tianjin sweet chestnuts
Because it's a food that can be bought at convenience stores and is sure to be a hit.
Sweet chestnuts are a great source of energy and nutrients, are easy to digest, and are small and don't take up much space. In fact, they're a great snack to have on the go.
WARP | Arata Arima
In the 2002-2003 season, he and his friends founded WARP, the first guide club in the Minakami area. They are active mainly in the Tanigawa, Hotaka, and Kagura areas. As a freeriding-focused guide club, they continue to focus on developing local areas rather than focusing on peak hunting