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Posts with term Mountain House X
Mountain House Partners With TerraCycle to Announce Free Recycling Program
Mountain House Partners With TerraCycle To Announce Free Recycling Program
10 Thru-Hiking Tips to Reduce Environmental Impact
1) Take Advantage of the TerraCycle Program
2) Buy Quality Gear
We’ve all heard it: buy well, buy once. Before making large purchases, such as a tent, sleeping bag, or backpack, do your research. Choosing items that are specifically built for thru-hiking and long-distance treks helps avoid early wear and tear, saving both money and the environment in the long run. Sale and discounted items may be extremely enticing, but may result in an additional purchase sooner than necessary.3) Shop REI Garage Sales and Other Used Gear Programs
We all know REI’s generous return policy, but may fail to take advantage of these products coming full cycle. With like-new and usable returned gear, REI hosts garage sales for its members. If you can’t make one of these events, REI recently launched an online used gear store as well. Quality gear can be pricey, and this helps keep gear out of the landfills and in the backcountry.4) Replace Single-Serving Bars, Trail Mix, and Instant Coffee with Bulk Options
5) Utilize Reusable Hygiene Replacements
6) Follow Leave No Trace Principles
7) Use a Microfiber Filtering Laundry Bag
This is an investment that will help our water systems at home and on trial. These laundry bags are designed to protect our clothes from releasing harmful plastic fibers into our waterways. While on the trail, this is a crucial way to ensure our clothes aren’t harming the streams and rivers we all benefit from in the backcountry. Also note that it is best practice to gather water and wash clothes elsewhere to prevent the stream of sunscreen, bug spray, and other unnatural products into our waterways.8) Keep a Reusable Garbage Bag
To be honest, I didn’t think twice before tossing my gallon-sized garbage bags with all my trash at each resupply. There was absolutely no reason for me to do this. I could’ve just as easily dumped all the trash out of the bag and refilled it. Or, better yet, brought along a lightweight reusable trash bag to avoid the use of any plastic.9) Carbon Offsetting Plane and Car Travel
10) Replace Toiletries with Plastic-Free Options
Bamboo toothbrushes are gaining in popularity, and are a lightweight options to replace plastic brushes. Replacing plastic toothpaste tubes with bite-sized toothpaste bits is additionally an environmentally and weight friendly way to cut down on waste. This also saves us frugal thru-hikers from squeezing every last drop out of a long empty toothpaste container. Another simple money and plastic saving tip is to avoid buying single-use travel-size toiletries and invest in reusable tubes to refill with soap, lotion, or whatever helps you feel clean while living outdoors. When it comes to protecting our beloved trails and environment as a whole, it’s up to all of us. Many of these tips may seem insignificant, but each small reduction in plastic use adds up quickly. As the time of year approaches when we are all dreaming of hitting the trail and may be planning trips for 2020, it’s imperative to consider ways we can reduce our impact.GEAR ON THE GO: 2019 GEAR END REVIEW
![](https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ONLwDxPN35TB2DnqbiL7YfsGw7XEk-GsvBGabvg91lIsg2XxuGTBPA4Pb02YigRD4HEsXAes6oGwgwDjLJ9-ueFCkfZOJue5uHi6It-jhGJ-GxpPazhc_EFtQVY=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/P1640282.jpg)
![](https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/VNuE_yNtQKCRNjB0eacMvu7fE3K43zuTPGFDqmvVrS6HX3gILtNFK81YjsSHbNreovjLVLCPZGJ9mVTcXR9hjxdLssy8XPpvbv7mUdrxDDMJlX073IazpKTUWhU=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/P1011292.jpg)
Big Agnes: Skyline UL Stool
The Skyline UL Stool is the perfect companion for minimalist packers who want to roll extra light or van-dwellers who want to save space. Weighing in at about one pound, this stool packs down so small it fits inside a large-mouth water bottle. This is the smallest addition to the Big Agnes line of camp furniture and your butt will thank you for packing it when you don’t have to sit in the dirt after a long day on the trail. One reason that the Big Agnes camp furniture line is leading the pack is their hubless design. This feature saves space and makes for stronger construction. The poles that make up the frame are color-coded and shock-corded making for simple setup. The Skyline UL Stool comes with direction printed on the stuff sack, but you won’t need them. We’re impressed by the Skyline UL Stool. It’s small but mighty and comes with maximum size to comfort ratio.![](https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/O4GnYAP5qk0NZS9zyeK_KjSwTcgrgGD6dzTpMPlmeAheUOjHX2S06VJiPTHr0VKg_G515TT0mayvZuhI4ihGGTEfMs6JVDaWcakt4MlKqIYEphb6S3rZTB4XnZ0=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/P1630151.jpg)
Leki: Micro Vario Carbon: Black Series
These trekking poles make us feel like super hikers. They are sleek, comfortable and very strong. These are the lightest and most comfortable poles that we have used to date and this year they have updated the locking mechanism. LEKI was founded in 1948 and has been on the cutting edge of ski and trekking pole technology ever since. The Micro Vario Carbon poles are made out of 100% carbon, making them some of the lightest and strongest poles on the market. Perfect for climbing, trail running or small tours – these “Z” style folding poles pack down and expand in a second and are easy to stash in a crowded van or gear closet. Weighing just eight ounces per pole, these are perfect for the ultralight hikers out there. Everything about using these poles is a breeze. At just 15 inches long when collapsed, they fit perfectly into our gear drawers and are great for taking on a plane. If you have ever used poles while hiking then you know that straps play a huge role in overall comfort. The LEKI Skin Straps used on the Micro Vario will allow you to forget that the straps are even there. The straps are also easy to adjust and lock into place. We’ve used these poles on some fairly aggressive scrambles and they have held up without any problems. With a 20cm adjustment range, they’ll fit almost everybody.![](https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/BN3V2WEBdkarvlVtICKi3bjciT2sklL-I_Fu6i4ggAJ13pRaNJfZiZnlYl3l172_PrvZZWibM2mtMUb-DDbsDN1knbPRNNqoRa1UtxIbyf5ETjOwl64N4f9eBFtrWk081ycw5v57NRE=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/DJI_0008lowrescrop-2.jpg)
Roofnest: Eagle
The Eagle is Roofnest’s largest rooftop tent. As a family of three (two humans and a dog) we appreciate the extra space it offers. With the interior dimensions of 6’ 10” by 55” the Roofnest has plenty of room for the three of us. What makes this our favorite rooftop tent is the ease of use. When we pull into a camp spot for the night the last thing we want to do is spend a bunch of time setting camp. With the Eagle, you can go from parking to sleeping in a matter of minutes. This becomes especially important if you need to set camp in high winds or rain. Just undo four latches and the Roofnest pops up and you’re ready for bed. It can be mounted on most vehicles and you’ll be able to sleep comfortably on the three-inch-thick memory foam mattress. We’ve had our Roofnest open during quite a few gnarly thunderstorms and we’ve never had an issue with rain getting in. Every tent comes with a retractable ladder, all necessary mounting hardware, and a condensation mat.![](https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/z8dKmbzZpqCVmm7GbLf2oBUR87wulfr0VaaOPGglQhwAGWK4B7fZjbFT3PWgNkGh28-d9hV_aOm80cs9AsV_3wkwrCRPyHB_aTFNy4iXPPWE1qTWgDadWw0qCkBOfscRwkq6tYC7A5E=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/P1640908lowrescrop-2.jpg)
Mountain House: Fusilli Pasta with Italian Sausage
Italian in the backcountry? Mountain House has you covered. Their new Fusilli Pasta with Italian Sausage is a hearty home-cooked meal when you need it the most. The entree consists of “spun fusilli pasta in a rustic tomato sauce made with fire-roasted veggies, garlic, basil, and Italian-style sausage”. This has become a go-to for late-night dinners in the van after long days on the trail. The best part is that it has a clean ingredients list that would make your grandmother proud. Mountain House is committed to using only real ingredients. If you look at their ingredients list (which is listed clearly for each option on their website) you will never find artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Just delicious, ready in minutes food! One thing we’re stoked for this year is Mountain House’s partnership with TerraCycle to offer free recycling for all empty Mount House pouches.![](https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/9ncDpL5PR-WRsBncLGE6FBBQ21fUkP-fSiWylIFUyGZMp1QtPr4UQsdYU-iRRY_Fy7_WWXmTPt3xh4XinAbbKIX0xAdVAyBFRaG6kFhXUvaxk2YR7BvliVSTB8Xn7jljLMd24H1wuuI=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/P1000882lowrescrop-2.jpg)
Sea To Summit: Aeros Down Pillow
Sea To Summit’s new Aeros Down Pillow is the latest and greatest in Sea To Summit’s line of lightweight inflatable pillows. It combines the supportiveness of the traditional Aeros line with a new luxurious down pillow top that offers unparalleled comfort from an inflatable pillow. Weighing in at just 2.5 ounces, you won’t be sacrificing comfort for weight either. We use our’s whether we’re in the backcountry or just hanging out in a hammock by the van. The Aeros line of pillows really has revolutionized the way we sleep in the backcountry. Long gone are the days of sleeping with our heads on a pile of dirty laundry. Having the down pillow top is just icing on the cake. Perhaps our favorite feature of the Aeros Down Pillow is the Pillow-Lock system that ensures your pillow doesn’t slide around in the middle of the night.![](https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/el0IavH3Qh8IV5va82dbdrf5QkQUnbHCD5juHe9dIPGdNnumdr1NjjwjplT9ukccFRwya8b1APhFSOsYxzFpMaLwiNyudIyXUF85inX7X4jqsZa0mOUtcOEWjdc=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/P1011575.jpg)
Stio: Eddy Shirt LS (Men’s and Women’s)
The Eddy Shirt from Stio has become our go-to mountain shirt. The water- and wind-resistant long-sleeve can take you from the mountain, lake, or river straight into the office. When you’re on the road and a washing machine is a few hundred miles away this is the shirt you want. It’s hard to keep clothes looking nice in a van, but we store our Eddies in our perpetually cramped drawers and they always look crisp every time we dig them out. Stio is a mountain-inspired apparel company born in Jackson, Wyoming. Their clothing is built tough, and our dirty wardrobe can attest to the durability of their products. We primarily use our Eddy shirts to shield the high altitude sun in the mountains. The Eddy offers a UPF rating of 50+ which helps when you are spending the majority of the day above the tree line. Above all else, the Eddy is comfortable and it looks nice no matter if you are in the mountains or in town – making at a versatile shirt for most occasions.![](https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/7ImMYYKOt8tf2OYJK-AwzWOewBPtOf3OaaGas_03PuXPYYi7RaJNv7s-oqPw2x9UL-5UunsmyReXzUl7HZ6vxYaxPeZ_J7fIASsUFXEy0QAWhGLkvNMIxVDdlC4dAcD0Cc3CQRDn=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/P1088060lowrescrop.jpg)
Lowe Alpine: Halcyon
The Halcyon is a modern take on a traditional mountain pack. Designed with winter in mind, this pack would make a great companion while winter ski touring, ice climbing, and summer rock climbing. The 35:40 liter is large enough to carry your rack, rope, skis, and ice-tools. The Halcyon also is available in a 45: 50-liter version. We’ve used it as an awesome rope bag and will be waiting until winter to put it to its true test. A rope fits comfortable inside, and the side open is great for grabbing snacks without disturbing inside contents. We love the gear loops on the hip belts for easy access tools. We look forward to strapping on some skis, snowboards, and ice axes with the reinforced strap system and pick retainer panel and getting out for a winter adventure.Nutrition Roundup: Tasty new treats from Clif Bar, Epic, Pocket Cocktails, camp meals & more!
Outdoor Retailer, like all of the trade shows we attend, had plenty of snacks and samples to keep us fueled through the show. The big difference was, there was a lot more real food, too. As in, rehydrated camp food, from a surprising number of new and established players in the packaged meal category. And we’ll get to those, but first there are a ton of new bars to, um, digest, plus a few new things we got in after the show that are totally worth mentioning.
Starting with Clif Bar, they’ve added the Whole Lotta line of date-based snack bars to their ever-growing line of mostly organic energy bars. At Sea Otter, they showed off the bite-sized nut butter filled bits, too, giving you not just new types of bars, but new ways to eat them when you’re on the bike, too. The great thing about the Whole Lotta bars is they add peanut butter, pumpkin seeds and pea protein for 10g of protein per 240-calorie bar. There’s also a good bit of fat, too, so they should fill you up (as much as any little snack bar can, anyway).
Blue Dinosaur’s Paleo Bars and (at the far end and below in blue wrapper, new protein bars) were some of the best tasting real food bars we’ve had. The protein bars don’t taste like your normal, dry, whey protein bars…
…perhaps because they use peanut butter, egg white protein, and collagen to deliver a little more than 25g per bar.
Epic Provisions got started with meat bars made from bison, turkey and other lean animals. Now, they’ve expanded with some insanely good pork rinds that are baked, so there are no cheap bad-for-you vegetable oils to ruin the nutrition. Seriously, if you like rinds or even just potato chips…anything crunchy and salty…you owe it to yourself to try these ASAP.
Also new are their breakfast bars, which use dates and egg whites to deliver something a little more morning-friendly. Also tasty, if just a tad on the dry side.
ProBar has added smaller “bite” sized options that are meant more for eating during a ride or workout…but they’re the same ingredients as their “Meal” bars, which are among the larger ones on the market. Or, at least, the most calorically dense. Those will get two new flavors soon, S’mores and Blueberry Muffin.
Trail Truffles use all natural, plant-based ingredients to deliver protein, carbs and fat in a dessert-like format. Bags are $6.50 each and they come in four flavors.
Shār Snacks (pronounced “share”) is a new trail mix that’s not just delicious, it’s eco-conscious. Well, at least the packaging is, as it uses zero plastic and is completely compostable. And as the name suggests, it’s easy to pour out so you can share with friends. The lid doubles as a little bowl, too, and it’s available in larger bulk 1lb and 2.5lb bags (in case you really like to share).
De-Hi Crispy Beef Jerky was an interesting new take on traditional dried meat snacks. The meat is sliced much thinner, and then dried almost completely so that it achieves a potato-chip-like crunch. It’s quite good, and apparently really popular in Hawaii!
Flap Jacked has expanded their protein-packed instant pancake mix lineup to include “Mighty Muffin” flavored juat-add-water oatmeal bowls. And the Cookie Bars make a delicious breakfast (or on the bike) snack. Oh, and check out the gluten-free pancake powder, too! Now that breakfast is covered, let’s check out the massive new dinner menu:
Mountain House is one of the big brands, and they have a new curry flavor that’s delicious. The bags have a new look, and they’re now using Terra Cycle packaging so that the bags can be upcycled into other things down the line. Retail is $9-12 per pouch, 2-3 servings each. They’re also reducing artificial flavors and colors and stuff, which seemed to be a trend among many of the brands.
Good To-Go offers plenty of ethic dishes made with real foods and all gluten free.
Peak Refuel is your bro-tein option if you’re looking for a high protein meal option. They say there’s two servings per bag, but let’s be real, if you wanna get swole, that’s lookin’ an awful lot like a single serving, amiright?
ReadyWise and Simple Kitchen offer a mix of dinner and breakfast meal packs, plus a new dried fruit series for a natural snack to keep you fueled. Only problem? Their website isn’t quite finished yet, but you can find the dried fruit snacks here and on Amazon.
Tasty Bite sets itself apart by being vegetarian, and by being ready to eat. Just heat it up (if you want), or put some over rice…which they also have in a ready-to-eat pouch. The Indian Madras Lentils are killer and available at Costco, too!
Bar Country’s Pocket Cocktails has dried drink mixes so all you need to bring is the booze to make an adult bevvie. We tried a few and while they are no match for the real thing, they’re maybe better than just doing shots.
Bivouac Coffee does things a bit differently straight from harvest. The beans are naturally processed, meaning sun dried before being shipped for roasting. They say this processing method saves a whopping 7.9 liters of water per cup of finished coffee, which is about four days worth of drinking water for the average human. They’re a little more expensive, ranging from $15-$21 per 12oz bag (mainly because this method takes a lot longer), but it was a really delicious cup of coffee!
Blonyx is a new brand with a new concept…egg white protein shakes that taste like chocolate milk. Except with no lactose, dairy or egg-y flavor. It’s a clean formula, using filtered egg white powder, organic cane sugar, cocoa and a bit of sea salt (plus lecithin and guar gum to help it dissolve and thicken into a milk shake-like consistency). Each serving delivers 20g of highly bioavailable protein, plus a 11g of sugar to aid in recovery.
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/blue-dinosaur-paleo-bars-protein-bars-egg-protein-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/blue-dinosaur-paleo-bars-protein-bars-egg-protein-03.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Epic-Foods-paleo-baked-pork-rinds-date-breakfast-bars-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/probar-meal-blueberry-muffin-smores-bites-02.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/trail-truffles-athlete-food-snacks-for-exercise-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/shar-trail-mix-in-compostable-container-with-no-plastic-packaging-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/De-Hi-crispy-beef-jerky-thin-like-potato-chips-01.jpg)
New Dehydrated Camp Meals
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/flapjacked-protein-pancake-mix-oatmeal-cookie-bars-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/camp-food-mountain-house-thai-chicken-curry-rice-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/camp-food-good-to-go-gluten-free-dehydrated-meals-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/camp-food-peak-refuel-high-protein-dehydrated-meals-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/camp-food-readywise-dried-instant-meels-fruit-chips-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/camp-food-tasty-bite-indian-vegetarian-meals-01.jpg)
Drinks? Coffee?
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/pocket-cocktails-instant-drink-mix-packets-for-camping-01.jpg)
![](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/bivouac-air-dried-naturally-processed-coffee-beans-02.jpg)
New protein recovery drink
![blonyx sports recovery drink mix with egg white protein](https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/blonyx-egg-white-protein-chocolate-recovery-shake.jpg)
Mountain House: Fusilli Pasta with Italian Sausage
Italian in the backcountry? Mountain House has you covered. Their new Fusilli Pasta with Italian Sausage is a hearty home-cooked meal when you need it the most. The entree consists of “spun fusilli pasta in a rustic tomato sauce made with fire-roasted veggies, garlic, basil andItalian-style sausage”. This has become a go-to for late night dinners in the van after long days on the trail. The best part is that it has a clean ingredients list that would make your grandmother proud. Mountain House is committed to using only real ingredients. If you look at their ingredients list (which is listed clearly for each option on their website) you will never find artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Just delicious, ready in minutes food! One thing we’re stoked for this year is Mountain House’s partnership with TerraCycle to offer free recycling for all empty Mount House pouches.
Mountain House: Fusilli Pasta with Italian Sausage
Italian in the backcountry? Mountain House has you covered. Their new Fusilli Pasta with Italian Sausage is a hearty home-cooked meal when you need it the most. The entree consists of “spun fusilli pasta in a rustic tomato sauce made with fire-roasted veggies, garlic, basil, and Italian-style sausage”. This has become a go-to for late night dinners in the van after long days on the trail. The best part is that it has a clean ingredients list that would make your grandmother proud. Mountain House is committed to using only real ingredients. If you look at their ingredients list (which is listed clearly for each option on their website) you will never find artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Just delicious, ready-in-minutes food! One thing we’re stoked for this year is Mountain House’s partnership with TerraCycle, a company that offers free recycling for clean, empty Mountain House pouches.
Businesses Committed to Environmental Protection Offer Recycling Grants
TerraCycle
tom szaky
Garnier
Colgate
Include USA
Entenmann's
Brita
Tide
Subaru
ShopRite Playground Challenge
Gillette
Mountain House
Bausch&Lomb
Tom Szaky, president and CEO of international recycling company TerraCycle recently gave the keynote address at the 7th annual Responsible Business Summit New York. Szaky addressed how companies are increasingly looking towards sustainable innovations to change environmental, social and governmental risks into workable business opportunities.