Snacks For Mountain Climbing & Backpacking [Recipes & Pre-made Recommendations]

If you’re reading this you’re probably like me and you like high-nutrient, tasty, lightweight plant-based meals for mountaineering, backpacking, and hiking. But are you finding exactly what you want in every outdoor store around the world? No, you’re not. I’ve looked everywhere too.

What you mostly find is cheap, high-sodium, carb-stuffed nutrient-poor and highly-processed camping meals. Why is it so hard to get exactly the meals and snacks that you want and need for outdoor sports like mountaineering and hiking?

The Best Pre-made Option: Radix Nutrition

In the past, I devoted a whole day to preparing food for New Zealand and overseas expeditions to Peru, Bolivia, and Nepal. That is until I found Radix Nutrition. I was introduced to Radix in 2018 while on an expedition in Patagonia.

Not only do they source very high-quality ingredients, many of which are organic, but they also guarantee all meals to be gluten and nut-free. They pack their plant-based meals with all natural ingredients, creating a great balance of protein, fat, carbs, and fibre.

Radix plant-based products are now stocked widely in New Zealand and Australia, with shipping to Europe, UK, and US.

Get 15% OFF all Radix Nutrition products — use code GAVINLANG15 at checkout.

For a Purely Vegan Option: Local Dehy

If you’re looking for a purely vegan brand, look no further than Local Dehy. This Hāwea based company dehydrates their meals in small batches in their custom-built food trailer. They have a strong commitment to sustainability and all their meals come in home compostable packaging.

Breakfast Mix Recipe

A homemade option for when you want full control over your ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp hemp seeds
• 1 tbsp flaxseed meal
• 30g mixed nuts (chopped)
• 2 tbsp dried fruit (goji berries, cranberries, or raisins)
• 1 scoop plant protein powder (optional)
• Cinnamon to taste

Method: Combine all dry ingredients and store in a zip-lock bag. At camp, add boiling water, stir and wait 5 minutes. Top with a spoonful of nut butter if carrying it.

Snack Recommendations for the Trail

The difference between dehydrated and freeze-dried food is significant: freeze-drying removes more water, locks in more nutrients, has a better shelf life, and rehydrates significantly faster.

Good snack options that travel well:

• Nut butter sachets (individual portions)
• Date and nut balls (homemade or store-bought)
• Dark chocolate (70%+)
• Jerky or plant-based jerky
• Energy gels for summit pushes
• Seed crackers with hard cheese