There’s something sacred about a dawn patrol in the backcountry. That first light hitting untouched powder, the rhythmic shhht-shhht of skins gliding uphill, and, if you play your cards right — the unbeatable smell of pocket-warmed bacon drifting from your jacket.
If you know, you know. Pocket bacon isn’t just a snack; it’s a backcountry ritual, a morale booster, and a delicious high-five for your taste buds when you’re grinding up the skintrack. But not all bacon is built for the mission. You need the right balance of crisp, fat, and seasoning to achieve true pocket bacon greatness.
The Rules of Pocket Bacon
✔ Crisp, But Not Crumbly – Too crispy, and you’ll end up with a pocket full of bacon dust. Too limp, and you’re carrying around a grease grenade.
✔ Fat = Flavor (To a Point) – You want some fat for flavor, but excessive grease = a slippery situation for your skins, gloves, and, well… dignity.
✔ Heat-Activated Deliciousness – Your body heat should bring it back to life. Think of it as an MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) but actually good.
Recipe: The Ultimate Pocket Bacon
Ingredients
- ½ lb thick-cut bacon (go for the good stuff—local, smoked, maple, whatever fuels your stoke)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional, but a game-changer)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika or cayenne (for a little kick)
How to Cook It
1. Preheat & Prep
- Fire up your oven to 325°F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Lay out the bacon strips, giving them room to breathe.
2. The Perfect Cook
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping once.
- You want that golden, slightly chewy-crisp balance.
- Pro tip: For a low-grease finish, place the bacon on a wire rack over the pan.
3. Flavor & Finish
- With 5 minutes left, brush on a light layer of maple syrup or honey.
- Sprinkle with black pepper and paprika/cayenne.
- Let it cool on a paper towel to soak up any extra grease.
4. Pack It Right
- Wrap slices in parchment paper or a reusable wax pouch—foil works in a pinch.
- Avoid plastic bags unless you enjoy steamy, rubbery bacon.
Pocket Bacon Deployment Strategies
🥓 Inner Chest Pocket – Prime real estate for rewarming. And closer to your airhole for consumption and in worst case scenario, an avy dog.
🥓 Pack Waist Belt – You lose the bonus of your warmth, and you may crush it a little in such a high movement area, but hey, it's in hand's reach.
🥓 Mid-Layer Stash – Keeps it safe and snug, but make sure you can still get to it with your beacon on.
🥓 Glove Box Backup – If your crew needs reinforcements post-tour.
Bonus Move: The Pocket Bacon Sammy
Want to take it up a notch? Slide that bacon into a pre-made biscuit with a swipe of peanut butter and honey. Game over.
Final Thoughts
Perfect pocket bacon isn’t just about flavor—it’s about the morale boost when your legs are screaming on the skintrack. It’s about the nod of respect from your crew when you pull out a crispy, perfectly warmed strip at the summit. It’s about the simple joys that make backcountry touring worth every damn step.
So go forth, cook it right, stash it smart, and let pocket bacon fuel your next adventure.