Everest's First Summit Fuel: The Unintentional Boost Provided by Kendal Mint Cake
In the picturesque town of Kendal, Cumbria, a sweet treat with a rich history and legendary status among adventurers was born over a century ago. Kendal Mint Cake, created by accident in 1869 by confectioner Joseph Wiper, has since become an essential companion for mountaineers, explorers, and athletes worldwide.
Wiper's initial foray into mint cake production began when he left a batch of glacier mint sweets boiling overnight, only to discover the next morning that it had turned cloudy and solid. The resulting concoction was the first batch of Kendal Mint Cake, and it soon became a popular product. Wiper's great-nephew, Robert Wiper, took over the family business and played a significant role in making Kendal Mint Cake famous as an energy-rich snack.
The energy-boosting properties of Kendal Mint Cake have made it a staple in numerous expeditions and mountain climbing endeavours. One of the earliest instances of its use was during Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1914, where it was valued for its enduring shelf life and energy content.
Kendal Mint Cake also played a crucial role in the historic ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay included it in their supplies. The compact, energy-dense form of the mint cake made it a practical choice for climbers, providing them with much-needed sustenance during their arduous journey.
Today, Kendal Mint Cake remains a favourite among hikers, adventurers, and athletes due to its quick energy-providing properties and long shelf life. From the Congo to the North Pole, and even the deepest cave in Papua New Guinea, Kendal Mint Cake has proven to be a reliable food choice for long expeditions.
The association with Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition gained Kendal Mint Cake global publicity, and it started being exported around the world. It has since provided an energy boost to marathon runners, triathletes, around-the-world sailors, Olympic boxers, Ryder Cup golfers, and many others.
Interestingly, Kendal Mint Cake does not lose its taste in freezing conditions, making it an ideal snack for high-altitude climbers. Sir Chris Bonington, a renowned mountaineer, confirmed that it tastes good even at -30 ºC.
The popularity of Kendal Mint Cake among adventurers and sportspeople has made it a beloved treat among tourists in the Lake District as well. Other confectioners in Kendal, such as Romney's, Quiggin's, and Wilson's, also began producing Kendal Mint Cake to meet the growing demand.
In high-altitude ration packs, Kendal Mint Cake has been a highly valued item, as demonstrated by its inclusion in Sir John Hunt's Everest expedition. Before Tenzing Norgay descended from Everest, he even buried Kendal Mint Cake in the snow to appease supernatural spirits believed by the Sherpa people to live in the Himalayas.
Dr Howard Somervell, an alpinist with strong connections to Kendal, played a significant role in popularizing Kendal Mint Cake among mountaineers. Its legacy continues today, with Kendal Mint Cake still being a popular choice among adventurers and athletes worldwide.
- Science and health-and-wellness enthusiasts might find it intriguing that Kendal Mint Cake, a popular confectionery, has a long shelf life and provides quick energy, making it an ideal snack for various fitness-and-exercise activities, from marathon runs to high-altitude climbing.
- Cooking aficionados might be interested to know that the creation of Kendal Mint Cake, a beloved sweet treat, was an accident, occurring when a batch of glacier mint sweets was left boiling overnight.
- Lifestyle bloggers could explore the connection between adventure-travel and food-and-drink, discussing how Kendal Mint Cake, with its long history and legendary status among adventurers, has been a staple in numerous expeditions, from the Arctic to the Himalayas.
- Travel journalists might find it worthwhile to delve into the cultural significance of Kendal Mint Cake, as demonstrated by its inclusion in high-altitude ration packs and its unique role in appeasing supernatural spirits according to the Sherpa people's beliefs.
