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STEPHEN REGENOLD approaches the subject of trail bars from a purely clinical point of view this time, pretty much leaving out the flavor aspect, and just giving us some low down on the contents of the small but all important NUTRITION information box on the back or side of these bars.

If you're like I was when in my 20s, and mainly one to ignore the scientific data that the government requires printed on food packaging, then you might be wondering, "What's all the hoopla about? Just buy the cheapest trail bar that tastes good and tides you over till the main meal."

If this is you, then you need to sit up and take notice of The Gear Junkie's findings, because when on an extended hike, just throwing a couple Kelloggs Rice Crispy Treats into your day pack because they're sweet and are the right size and shape won't get it. In that case, the lack of the right kind of fat and protein will leave you tired and lacking energy. Near the end of the trek and every part of the trail where you have to step over something or up a steep grade, your feet will begin to feel like lead weights, and your recovery time that evening and into the next day will take even more energy, robbing you of even more enjoyable outdoor time. And, if the rule of the day is, "Last one in washes dishes", then you're certainly up the creek--getting water. Ha!

Snacking while hiking isn't just a fun pastime that resulted in the creation of S'mores and Trail Mix by girl scouts; it's serious business. The US Military requires infantry to carry high protein snacks, and even Navy Seals make room in their multi-pocketed, water proof gear vests for trail mix and energy bars; probably packed right there in between their kill-everything-in-my-path-quietly-and-efficiently-Rambo knife, and the compass-spork-altimeter-kitchensink-periscope-radio-GPS-nail cleaner-multitool. (I actually own one of those, but all it has is a 3-inch blade, a nail cleaner, a saw, some scissors, a bottle opener, can opener and of course the handy lanyard. And it says Gerber on the side. Gerber? My tough-guy rating wasn't helped at all by this.)

So, perk up and learn something here. You'll be glad you did at about 2:30 in the afternoon, half way up the side of Mt. Theilson in Southern Oregon on the required Diamond Lake to Thielson hike.