The Frozen Nuggett

~~taco bowl~~ but make it backcountry stable but first SHARE with someone you want to eat this in the backcountry with and follow @thefrozennuggett for more backpacking meals & winter adventuring 🏔️ THE DETAILS ⬇️ •tomatoes (handful) •bell peppers (2) •yellow onion (1) •black beans (1 can) •corn (1 can) •spinach (few handfuls) •salsa •s&p •garlic powder •cumin •paprika •taco seasoning (@patagoniaprovisions 🤤) •tortilla •cut up the veggies and lay them out on your dehydrator (the less on top of each other the faster they will dehydrate) •add the beans, corn and spinach to the dehydrator •dehydrate at 140°F for 8ish hours (until completely hard) •let cool! (This is important to make sure you aren’t trapping any moisture) •add into airtight containers until you’re ready to go! This extends the shelf life •the week of your trip, add all the veggies and spices to compostable bags When ready to eat in the backcountry: •boil water •depending on your stove- add the meal straight to your pot/ stove and let rehydrate OR add water straight to the bag •let rehydrate for 5-8 minutes (turn off your stove to save fuel) •eat up!! we like to add this to a tortilla for extra carbs! variations: •add ground turkey/ beef (I do this for 1/2 night trips) •add in tortilla chips for a crunch •add in different veggies •bring hot sauce Have you made your own dehydrated meals yet?! What’s stopping you? #backpackinglife #backpackingmeals #backpackingfood #campinglife #sheexplores

the app details ⬇️ but first, please share with other trail users and save for future reference if you found this helpful! 🙏🏼 @nordicpulseinc will tell you when the trails were last groomed as well as overall conditions Nordic Pulse is free :) @trailforks will tell you trail difficulty and length, multi-use (aka dog friendly) or not, light or not, directional and *most importantly* where you are in the trail system and how to get back to your car Trailforks is free for one area and will help ya for biking/ running too! Alaska Outdoor Reports (online and on fb) will be your new go-to for Alaskan-based trail reports and PSA’s! And, as always, PLEASE respect the trail systems and stay off them when asked for bad weather! Luckily we’re looking goooodddd for this weekend after this slushy spell! 🥳 Sooo are you going to go download these apps?! Curios people out of state if you use these too! follow @thefrozennuggett for all things exploring winter!! #crosscountryskiing #nordicskiing #skateskiing #anchoragetrails #winteradventures

Cole’s commentary gets me through 😂 ✨I’m not a nutritionist and you will need to find what works for your body, but I really think it’s so important to fuel your body every few miles to make sure you don’t under fuel and crash - especially on big days! ✨eating on winter trips can be extra hard - your hands are cold, you don’t want to stop and eat - so the quick and easy snacks are clutch to have on hand! SAVE for future reference and tell me below what’s your go-to winter trail snack ⬇️ @thefrozennuggett #winteradventures #adventuremore #skibackpacking #cabintrip #winterbackpacking

if you would have told me 10 years ago this is where I’d be, I really wouldn’t have believed you! Me, with my husband & friends, camping and hanging out in sub-zero temps for New Years AFTER spending the previous week in the frozen woods for Christmas. Cole and I didn’t grow up in the backcountry. We didn’t winter camp, we’re not even from here! But now I can confidently say we can adventure in some crazy temps safely AND it’s our favorite part of the year 😂 All that to say, if you’re seeking adventure or wanting to learn a new skill, DO IT! Take courses, reach out to people on social media, make it happen for yourself. It might not happen tomorrow, but you’ll be able to see the changes probably sooner than ya think ☺️ @thefrozennuggett #wintercamping #snowcamping #ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇᴍᴏʀᴇ #alaskalife #winterbackpacking

we’re headed out tomorrow after work for a 4 day ski backpacking trip and we actually packed early, I know we’re proud of ourselves 😂 it’s a long video, but I hope you save it as a reference for when you’re packing your pack next time! it can be a challenge to fit all the winter gear into your pack, especially in winter! Let me know what questions you have!! Happy winter solstice! I’d love to hear your holiday break/ Christmas/ winter solstice plans! 🥳 @thefrozennuggett #winterbackpacking #wintercamping #backpackinginsnow #snowcamping #explorewinter

Wax-less versus waxable skis can be so confusing. Why call them wax-less if they need wax?! Honestly this was a huge confusion hole for me and learning to hot wax was not something that came easy to me. Luckily I had people to teach me and it honestly makes so much sense now. SO save this reel for when you’re ready to give it a try! It’s really an easy process and it’s hard to mess up! Just like downhill skis and snowboards, ALL xc skis need a hot wax as well! So think of wax-less as it doesn’t need wax at the trailhead where waxable needs a kick wax at the trailhead! Wax-less skis have a mechanical grip of some kind. The 3 types are fishscales, skin skis and zero skis. On wax-less skate skis (shown here) the hot wax is added to the entire ski. Waxable skis rely on the kick wax to give you grib in the underfoot of the ski. The hot wax is only applied to the tip and tail of the ski! Which type of cross-country ski you get is really dependent on what you plan to do and the likelihood of you waxing your skis or not 😂 I personally thing waxable classic skis are the way to go because it gives you more control over what temp kick wax you’re applying and where on the ski to give you more kick and glide. If you’re just starting out, the type of ski really won’t make or break your experience AS LONG AS YOU wax correctly! The wrong type of wax or kick waxing your waxless ski will make or break the experience 😅 SO you have skis, here’s how to wax them! The supplies you need are: •a nylon brush •basecleaner/ rubbing alcohol •glide (hot) wax •an iron •plastic scraper •groove pick •metal brush A ski vise (we built ours shown here) is super nice to have to lock your ski in, but it’s not necessary! It just makes it a lot easier! If you have xc skis- are you a waxable or waxless xc skier? Tell me what you like and don’t like in the comments to help our new-to-xc-skiers! 🤍 #crosscountryskiing #skiing #gearcare #sheexplor

when you meet at the trailhead wearing THE EXACT SAME THING 🤦🏻‍♀️

it can be like that 🙈🙈 SHARE with your adventure partners you share multiple hobbies with in all seriousness, I think we balance our 91937 hobbies pretty well 😂 but it was in my vows to balance mountain time with fishing time 🙃 @thefrozennuggett #backpackingadventures #ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴇᴍᴏʀᴇ #campinggear #adventurepartners

adventures don’t stop once the chilly weather hits, some (aka me) would argue that’s when they are just getting started! layering is so key when it comes to getting outside this fall and winter, but what does layering even mean?! you want to start out with a baselayer that can breathe with you as you exercise but also keeps you warm when you’re standing still. you have heard me talk about @koraoutdoor before and here there’s a reason for that!! [ad] their new bamboo line fits the criteria I look for in adventure layers with sustainable fabric that can handle the wear and tear our outdoor lives throw at ‘em! this bamboo material is a great addition to fall layers cause it’s not heavy like wool can sometimes be but it is warm - a great transition piece into winter that can also be used all winter - a win, win! *The last thing I want is for you to buy something you don’t need or it has a very short lifespan, but sometimes the outdoor community has a way of doing just that. What I like about this line is it can be used for all types of activities - biking, trail running, mountaineering, fetching your dog, chilling at home, hiking-turns-berry-picking-but-oh-wait-there’s-a-bear.... ya get the gist! Pieces pictured in this reel: Hiking: Base Layer LS Crew (ecru) + Everyday Leggings (soft black) Dog fetching: Active Zip Hooded Mid Layer (my personal fav, forest green) + Active Track Pants (deep purple) Backpacking: Active Tank (forest green) Biking/Bikejoring: Base Layer LS Crew (ecru) + Active Track Pants (deep purple) Hiking turned berry picking + bear watching: Active Zip Hooded Mid Layer (forest green) + Base Layer LS Crew (ecru) + Everyday Leggings (soft black) Let me know if you have any questions about this line or want more layering tips as we get into (dare I say... winter) @thefrozennuggett #sustainableoutdoors #adventureeveryday #trailrunning #coldweatherlayering

so pleased with how the organization turned out!! Bring on the long van trips!

We’re all about making your life simpler over here, so why not combine trekking poles with your tent? Keep reading 👇🏼 SHARE with your backpacking adventure friends! Featherstone made a 2 person backpacking tent that’s only 3 lbs, adapts to all trekking poles AND it’s only $180! [AD] So, let’s bunk 5 common myths about trekking pole tents with a bonus tip at the bottom! 1. Think they are only good for sunny, calm days? No way! I’ll admittedly say that I thought the same with some of our windstorm days we’ve had, but this tent is solid! It also has extra guy lines for added stability. 2. That they are harder to set up. This tent was super easy to set up after watching the quick video on Featherstone’s product page! SAVE this video for if you get the tent and you want a reference to set it up!! 3. Less stable than traditional tents. The special design of having one trekking pole on each side of the tent makes it just as stable as a traditional tent pole tent! 4. Only for experienced hikers. Dude, this tent is 3 lbs and is the lightest + most affordable tent I have seen! It’s perfect for experienced and new backpackers alike! 5. That they are uncomfortable to sleep in. I had so much space, plus since the pole isn’t in the middle of the tent, it feels just like a traditional pole tent inside! BONUS tip: Tent ventilation!! Featherstone added mesh panels at the top of the poles to avoid condensation build up, which is sometimes tricky with single-walled tents! Now you can have a lighter tent, more room and a cozy night sleep! @thefrozennuggett @featherstoneoutdoor #backpackingtips #backpackinggear #backpackingonabudget

the mini French press was my favorite addition ☕️now do you think my organization made us be able to fit gear for 10 days of adventures?! #vanlife #vanlifeonabudget #vanconversionideas #diyvanconversion @thefrozennuggett

would you take 4 plane rides in a day to see this?! 🐻 SHARE with the person you want to go to Brooks Falls with! I got to share it with my family and if there’s one thing this family loves just as much as bears, it’s coffee ☕️ @kaladibrotherscoffee kept us caffeinated from the early morning start to getting us all the way back home [AD] ✈️ and really what’s more alaskan than drinking Alaskan coffee while seeing massive brown bears catch salmon?! 🐟 you tell me you can try their coffee for yourself via the link in my bio AND code “THEFROZENNUGGETT” gets you 10% off! What adventure are you going to fuel next?! Comment below! Follow @thefrozennuggett for all things leveling up your outdoor adventures 🏔️ #alaskalife #brookscamp #katmai #katmainationalpark #onlyinalaska #sharingalaska

The tent still hanging up weeks later 🙈 Wedding decor still on the table, packages that come and have nowhere to go… Here’s your reminder social media is a fraction of a life that you see! I promise my life isn’t put together, in fact! Here’s a little story to let you into how my life really goes 😂 We went up to Fairbanks for a friends wedding and made a week trip out of it in the van (working remote for a few days). We had just gotten back from a fishing trip and the van was GROSS so I decided it needed a deep clean, 4 days before we were about to live in it for a week 😓 Anyway, fast forward to the week after the wedding. We got back from living out of the van, dumped the gear out and had to get to work Monday morning (the pack raft is still hanging up ‘drying’ as I type this 😂) Okay okay here’s my point -> the house was a disaster! We had offered some friends to stay with us as they were exploring AK after the wedding and instead of stressing that the house was a disaster and pulling my hair out to clean for them, I embraced it and invited them in. And guess what?! They didn’t care! 2 days later another couple (the bride and groom) came and had drinks on the porch with us, and all they cared about was hanging with us! Who cares about a tent hanging up! We ate their wedding cake with forks and enjoyed the sun 😂 We just had Cole’s work BBQ at the house last night without furniture on the deck and no one cared! I used to drive myself crazy that the house needed to be clean and organized, but it was taking away from my time outside, which is what I truly love! SO in case you needed to hear it like I did, GO ON THAT ADVENTURE! Get drinks with the friends, say yes to hosting the BBQ… live your life and it’s okay if it’s not picture perfect ❤️ #adventurelife #imperfections #sheexplores #optoutside

hope your Monday is like a day in the backcountry - peaceful mornings and getting after days ⛺️🥾 follow @thefrozennuggett for all things outdoor adventures 🏔️ #asmr #outdoorslife #campcoffee #backpackinggear #exploremore

everything we ate for a 1 night backpacking + long day of trail running/ hiking/peak bagging then backpacking out! Woo say that 10x fast 😂 meals-> my go to backpacking meals are @heatherschoice being gluten and dairy free these ones just HIT (and are local 😊) and for a homemade dinner, I had my dehydrated taco the coffee in a bag is the bean bag from @akcoffeecompany snacks-> the packaroons from @heatherschoice *the espresso one is my favorite for long days when ya need an extra kick of energy and caffeine 🤤 chomps, energy chews, tuna packets for a quick lunch, homemade pancakes and a snickers for when the day gets tough 😂 having quick and easy-to-grab food for long days in the backcountry makes it so much easier! what’s your go to food for the backcountry?! #backpackinglife #backpackingfood #eatlocal #exploremore

expensive items should just go with other expensive, special items… right?! #outdoorlife #adventurewedding #gearcloset #exploremore

We talked about down puffy jackets, now let’s talk synthetic insulation! ❄️ synthetic jackets are filled with polyester fibers that don’t absorb water, keeping the warmth-trapping properties even when wet. this is the layer you’re going to grab if it’s wet outside and/or you’re being active in it this winter! synthetic layers perform when damp, they dry faster than down and are more than likely cheaper than a down counterpart. things to look for in your synthetic layer - ✨breathability this is an insulating layer you’ll be active in, so you want it to breath. insulating shells usually have vents that help with breathability while out adventuring in the snow ✨weight - 40g, 60g?! these numbers just refer to the weight (in grams) of a square meter of insulation. AKA how warm to how heavy! The higher the number means it’s a thicker (and warmer) insulating jacket. *this only helps when comparing the same insulation* ✨type of synthetic insulation and blends there are so many types of synthetic insulation and, only to make things more complicated, there are blended jackets that have both down/synthetic or wool/synthetic blends. to try and keep it simpler, look at the fabric, fit and features. fabric - ask yourself if your priority is weight or durability fit - do you need to layer over or under this jacket? features - a hood is a necessity for me. ask yourself if you want a hood, zippers and/or pockets the two synthetic jackets I have are both from Arc’teryx and have been on so many adventures with me over the years and still look brand new ✨Arc’teryx LT Atom / 10.9 oz ✨Arc’teryx Heavyweight Hoody / 13.9 oz When outside in precipitation in the winter, I usually wear one of the above synthetic jackets with a shell. The winter shell I use is an old version on the Arc’teryx Beta Jacket check the ‘winter layers’ highlight for links to other synthetic layers I’d recommend! if you’re here from reels, follow @thefrozennuggett