In the spring of 2000, the largest recorded iceberg in history calved away from the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. It was the size of Jamaica and was the largest moving object ever seen on our planet. Using rebreathers for the first time in Antarctica, Paul Heinerth, Wes Skiles and I made the first cave dives inside an iceberg. We completed our scientific documentation by flying a helicopter and landing on top of the B-15 iceberg. For that mission, I prepared the survival gear for Wes and our chopper pilot Laurie Prouting. I packed emergency first aid gear, space blankets and a stack of snack bars, which had been sponsored for the project. (In fact, we had over $2000 worth of said snacks to consume during that 60-day voyage). Although I could never eat another one after my return, they were critical to keeping our calorie count high enough to survive the wasting that was happening to everyone the team.
As Laurie and Wes prepared to take off on a dangerous flight to the top of the iceberg, I gave them each a kiss and asked Laurie to offer up an endorsement for the sponsor once he was on top of B-15. I said, “Laurie, look into the camera when you bite into that bar and give your thoughts and appreciation for their help.” When it came time to give his endorsement, Laurie carefully aligned himself so viewers could see the chopper in the background and the massive expanse of ice all around him. He tore open the package and bit into the chocolate and peanut butter flavored chunk of intestine clogging sweetness. His nose wrinkled a bit, and he took a deep breath. In his best Kiwi congeniality, he declared, “It tastes like shit, but I reckon it would keep you alive!” I had my endorsement, but I decided to come up with my own energy-bite-recipe that was organic, tastier and free of chemicals. I offer you, Powerful Bars.
Powerful Bars
Ingredients:
Organic Oats – 2 cups
Organic Brown Rice Crisps – 4 cups
Organic Sunflower Seeds – 1 cup
Organic Flax Seeds – ½ cup
Chocolate Chips – 1 bag
Organic Agave Syrup – ¼ cup
Peanut Butter – 1 cup
Preparation:
Throw it all in a bowl and get your hands dirty. Shape into balls. Toss it in the freezer for storage. Yum!
If you want to read more about cave diving inside icebergs, please please pre-order my memoir Into The Planet, to be released on August 27, 2019, online and through booksellers everywhere.
