Students Survive On Rice, Chocolate For Nine Days In New Zealand

It's not the first time a hiker has survived terrible conditions without food, but two American students are making headlines for surviving blizzard conditions in New Zealand with measly portions of trail mix, rice, and chocolate.

The Associated Press reports that the two University of Wisconsin students, Alec Brown and Erica Klintworth, hiked out of the snowstorm to the relief of a search and rescue team in Christchurch. The two had prepared for a hike near the hot springs on New Zealand's South Island, but were trapped by heavy rain and snow.

Portioning what little food they had — jelly and buscuits, carrots, rice, peanut butter, and trail mix, the students stayed warm in the hot springs to save energy. When the river looked safe enough to cross, they made a "last meal" of rice, marshmallows, peanut butter, and chocolate to give them the boost to cross the icy waters.

Said Brown to the Associated Press, in the end he was confident in the pair's ability to survive. He said, "We could have been more prepared, but in the end we were prepared enough to walk ourselves out." If anything, we'll take a tip from the brave students — and hiker Victoria Grover — and pack some high-calorie, high-protein snacks the next time we head into the woods.