4 Reasons Why You Should Go To An Ice Climbing Festival Why on Earth do you do something like ICE CLIMBING!? I have heard this exclamation or some form like it from friends and family over the years as I started to enter into the sport of ice climbing. Here are 4 reasons why you should learn ice climbing and why you should do it at an ice climbing festival. Mind and Body Improvements : Ice climbing is a great workout. When you are not able to ice climb using the urge to improve your abilities is a great goal to work towards for next season. I found that it also helped bring a sense of focus, calm, and mindfulness as I worked my way up a frozen waterfall. I find that at many festivals there are activities like Yoga For Ice Climbers. Safe and Fun: At a festival, I find that you really get to learn how to safely ice climb. Or make it as safe as you can while climbing up a frozen column of ice. Ice climbing has been a joy to learn. If you enjoy winter sports like snowshoeing, winter hikes, cross country skiing, or downhill and want to extend your rock climbing season they try ice climbing. Social : I love the social aspect of an ice climbing festival. In the morning as you are waiting for your class to begin you meet your climbing partners in the group. You climb with them all day and form bonds. Later in the evening a festival usually has evening guest speakers and movies. And many times after that are parties and social gatherings. Low Investment: Ice climbing is a specialized and equipment-heavy sport but at a festival, you can rent gear at an economical price. Many times your gear comes with the price of a class. No better way to try before you buy than going to a festival. If you are looking for a new winter sport then I suggest you take on the rewarding sport of ice climbing and do so at an ice climbing festival. They are held annually around the country from Colorado and Montana to New Hampshire and Michigan.

We have organized these 10 snacks into 4 main groups depending on your needs while on a hike: Eat On the Move Hot Liquids Quick Bites Stop and Prepare Eat On The Move: You can chew and snack on these snacks while moving. 1. Homemade Trail Mix 2. Homemade Oat bars Hot Liquids: It's important to stay hydrated and warm from the inside out when enjoying the winter months 3. Thermos of coffee with butterscotch hard candy dropped in to melt and add calories 4. Spruce or Pine Needle Teas. Great respiratory remedy with large amounts of shikimic acid., vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals. These plants have been a food source by first generation peoples for centuries. Buy or forage yourself but remember always check with a local expert or consult a field guide. Know before you collect. Quick Bites: These are foods that might take a little more preparation than a handful of granola. 5. Packet of Tuna or Chicken Rollup 6. PB and J Sandwich (cold meat like summer sausage is not suggested, gets hard Stop and Prepare: These are hot meals that need a camp stove or are carried in a thermos and served to the crew. 7. Soup 8. Ramen 9. Instant Meal Packet 10. Savory Oatmeal

We are going to adapt the 10 essentials of hiking & camping for winter road travel: These should always be in your car to make emergencies easier. 1. Extra Food: Store enough food for the normal number of people you take in the car so they can be fed for one extra day. A good option to this is to toss in unused freeze-dried meals, instant oatmeal packets, or energy bars from a previous camping trip. You can use The Wild Dirt Camp Mug as a bowl to eat your oatmeal or camp meals. It's great to have extra food in the car for when you are hangry too. 2. Extra Water: Keep a jug of water and even a water filtration device like a LifeStraw or purification tablet in the car. Replenish the water so it doesn't get stale. Keeping the water in a larger gallon jug instance instead of multiple smaller water bottles can help keep the water from freezing but you might want to leave headspace in the container to allow for expansion if the water does freeze. 3. Shelter: This is an important Ten Essentials item and your car can act as that shelter but you could also bring a tarp too, encase you need to sleep outside the car. 4. Navigation: Keep a paper road map in your car and if you are going someplace like a National Park bring a paper map so you can find where you are if you lose signal. If you know how to use it bring a compass. If you don't know how to use a compass, learn. GPS and personal locators are also good if you have the money but a paper map is always more reliable. 5. Flashlight: Let there be light! A flashlight is a great item to have in the car encase you need to change the tire in the dark, walk down an empty road to the nearest gas station, or try and flag someone down. Get a headlamp and it will make your life easier. Especially when you need both hands to change that tire. 6. Knife: Doesn't have to be a giant Crocodile Dundie knife. A multitool is even better because the wrench and other tools can come in handy to repair something. 7. Fire Source: Matches are a good basic essential item. Get some that are waterproof and can strike on anything. Keep it separate but bring tinder to start a fire or an extra camp stove and/or lighter if you have the money. You can also use these along with a metal cup or pot to boil water for your extra water requirement. 8. Sun Protection: Easy one since you probably already have a set of sunglasses in the car but dont forget sunscreen or a hat to keep the sun off of you. Even in the winter, the sun can be intense. 9. Frist Aid: bring a little kit with you to stop bleeding, bandage yourself up, medication could be another item to add to that to make your trip more enjoyable. 10. Extra Clothes: Like food make sure you bring enough extra clothes for the average number of riders in the vehicle. In the winter you might want to include heavier boots, gloves, an extra jacket, or fleece blanket to keep you warm. Photo by Miroslav Škopek from Pexels Beyond these adapted 10 essentials I wanted to mention some specific winter car additions. such as windshield wiper fluid, Ice scraper/snowbrush, a small shovel, something to help you with traction such as cat litter which also helps with weighing down your tires, or a tread board that you can stick under your wheel and help you get more traction on ice and snow. Remember, regardless if its winter there are your normal vehicle emergency kit items you should keep with you such as jumper cables and/or battery powered car starter, pressure gauge, spare tire and tools, fix a flat, owners manual, Duct Tape, WD-40, road side assistance tools like flares and reflective triangle. Travel safe...

At Cape Flattery in the Makah Reservation on the Olympic Peninsula The team at The Wild Dirt and close friends had an amazing adventure around the entire Olympic Peninsula. We were lucky enough to be able to see the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States known as Cape Flattery. It is a rugged and beautiful area with saturated greens, wind swept cliffs, and all manner of animal life. Cape Flattery is also home to the Makah Reservation. To visit the edge of the United States you needed to purchase a permit from the reservation. The process was easy and so the crew continued on to hike Cape Flattery. There were many visitors, hikers, families, and photographers present during our visit. The terrain was well marked and not too rough. Video By Dennis Fiore Music cover by Mike List Bowed Vibraphone Harmony I (Cookfield -James Lyon) – John Cage From 44 Harmonies from Apartment House 1776 @Makah Cultural and Research Center – https://makah.com/

One person's trash is another person's treasure. Get to know a little more about our new collection and learn about the greatness of this eco-friendly fiber. The textile and clothing industry has reached a turning point during the past few years that has only accelerated with the pandemic. And sustainability has become a crucial part of said change. Although many people believe sustainability is a (temporary) trend, it has actually become a necessity in the fashion world and all other industries in general. To address this shift, both brands and consumers have opted for new ways of producing and consuming, respectively. Businesses have started to adopt alternative materials that are eco-friendly, as well as making changes inside their production chain that benefit both the environment and the workers. Consumers, on the other hand, are beginning to understand the importance of their choices: they are comprehending that their actions have consequences and that they can actually make a change when shopping more consciously . At The Wild Dirt , we have committed to being part of this new age of sustainable fashion. As an outdoor apparel brand, we are determined to stay faithful to our surroundings by creating a line of products that is in equilibrium with both the people and the planet. We are working diligently to launch thoughtful items such as T-shirts, baseball hats, multifunctional poncho and blankets, and modular backpacks –all made with our recycled polyester –. But what is it that makes this fiber such a great option? About recycled polyester This fiber, also known as rRPET , is made from recycled plastic bottles . It’s considered a sustainable fiber because its production requires fewer resources than what's needed to produce virgin polyester. It actually saves up between 33% and 53% energy and, as a consequence, it generates less CO2 emissions. Build for adventure, used every day . Check out our new T-Shirts made with at least 5 recycled polyester bottles! There are two ways to recycle polyester: through mechanical recycling or through chemical recycling . In the first one, the plastic is melted to make new yarn, while the second one breaks down the plastic molecules to reform them into new yarn. Both are possible, yet they can involve certain disadvantages as well. Mechanical recycling can make the fiber lose its quality after it has been done a few times. And chemical recycling protects the quality , but it is quite expensive. From all fibers in the world, only a small proportion equals natural fibers , while the remaining are all synthetics. And around 70% of them are made from polyester or more specifically, polyethylene terephthalate , also known as PET. Contrary to what many people believe, PET production is mainly used to make fibers for the textile industry and only 30% is used to make bottles. Each year the industry uses about 104 million barrels of oil for PET production –that’s 70 million barrels just to produce the virgin polyester used in fabrics! Let’s talk benefits Those eye-opening numbers are the reason why using recycled bottles to make rPET has become so popular. It prevents the bottles from ending up in landfills or the oceans and therefore it also helps reduce the toxic emissions from incinerators. As well as it reduces the industry’s consumption of oil and contributes to lessening the extraction of natural gas from the Earth to make even more plastic. According to Fashion United , “five soda bottles yield enough fiber for one extra large T-shirt”. How shocking is that? Recycled polyester has become a greener, sustainable alternative and the opportunity –together with other recycled fibers– to lower our dependence on petroleum as a source of raw materials. This fiber can be used for a variety of products and blends perfectly with natural fabrics, such as cotton. Recycled polyester sums up everything we were looking for and allows us to stand by our beliefs. That is creating recreational equipment and outdoor apparel that not only protects the Earth but also respects it. We designed in nature and for nature. Using this fiber also lets us manufacture lightweight products, which is great for activities and travelling in the wild. In addition, the materials are not only light, but they can dry faster than other garments. Join us on this path through slow fashion and ecological lifestyle , and discover our latest collection. Remember it takes time to change the world, but “ one step at a time is all it takes to get you there” –Emily Dickinson.

Recycled polyester, a greener alternative for the free spirit The story of recycled polyester Recycled polyester fiber, also known as rRPET , is made from recycled plastic bottles . It’s considered a sustainable fiber because its production requires fewer resources than what's needed to produce virgin polyester. It actually saves up between 33% and 53% energy and, as a consequence, it generates less CO2 emissions. There are two ways to recycle polyester: through mechanical recycling or through chemical recycling . In the first one, the plastic is melted to make new yarn, while the second one breaks down the plastic molecules to reform them into new yarn. Both are possible, yet they can involve certain disadvantages as well. Mechanical recycling can make the fiber lose its quality after it has been done a few times. And chemical recycling protects the quality , but it is quite expensive. Photo by Monstera Production at Pixabay From all fibers in the world, only a small proportion equals natural fibers , while the remaining are all synthetics. And around 70% of them are made from polyester or more specifically, polyethylene terephthalate , also known as PET. Contrary to what many people believe, PET production is mainly used to make fibers for the textile industry and only 30% is used to make bottles. Each year the industry uses about 104 million barrels of oil for PET production – that’s 70 million barrels just to produce the virgin polyester used in fabrics! If you still want to know more about recycled polyester and Wild Dirt, you can read our previous article about 'SLOW FASHION' . As there's still so much to say about this, we are already working on our next article about recycled polyester, don't miss out! In our store you'll find recycled polyester clothing options!

The story of recycled polyester Recycled polyester fiber, also known as rRPET , is made from recycled plastic bottles . It’s considered a sustainable fiber because its production requires fewer resources than what's needed to produce virgin polyester. It actually saves up between 33% and 53% energy and, as a consequence, it generates less CO2 emissions. There are two ways to recycle polyester: through mechanical recycling or through chemical recycling . In the first one, the plastic is melted to make new yarn, while the second one breaks down the plastic molecules to reform them into new yarn. Both are possible, yet they can involve certain disadvantages as well. Mechanical recycling can make the fiber lose its quality after it has been done a few times. And chemical recycling protects the quality , but it is quite expensive. From all fibers in the world, only a small proportion equals natural fibers , while the remaining are all synthetics. And around 70% of them are made from polyester or more specifically, polyethylene terephthalate , also known as PET. Contrary to what many people believe, PET production is mainly used to make fibers for the textile industry and only 30% is used to make bottles. Each year the industry uses about 104 million barrels of oil for PET production –that’s 70 million barrels just to produce the virgin polyester used in fabrics!

Recycled polyester, a greener alternative for the free spirit A man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Get to know a little more about our textile and clothing collection and learn about the greatness of this eco-friendly fiber. The textile and clothing industry has reached a turning point during the past few years that has only accelerated with the pandemic. And sustainability has become a crucial part of said change. Although many people believe sustainability is a (temporary) trend, it has actually become a necessity in the fashion world and all other industries in general. To address this shift, both brands and consumers have opted for new ways of producing and consuming, respectively . Businesses have started to adopt alternative materials that are eco-friendly , as well as making changes inside their production chain that benefit both the environment and the workers . Consumers, on the other hand, are beginning to understand the importance of their choices: they are comprehending that their actions have consequences and that they can actually make a change when shopping more consciously . At Wild Dirt , we are committed to being part of this new age of sustainable fashion . As an outdoor apparel brand, we are determined to stay faithful to our surroundings by creating a line of products that is in equilibrium with both the people and the planet. We are busy working on launching products that are all made out of recycled polyester Join us on this path through slow fashion and ecological lifestyle , and discover our latest collection made of recycled polyester. Remember it takes time to change the world, but “ one step at a time is all it takes to get you there” –Emily Dickinson. We definitely talk more about our commitment with the slow fashion concept. Wait for part 2 ! Go see our store now!

Recycled polyester, a greener alternative for the free spirit A man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Get to know a little more about our new collection and learn about the greatness of this eco-friendly fiber. The textile and clothing industry has reached a turning point during the past few years that has only accelerated with the pandemic. And sustainability has become a crucial part of said change. Although many people believe sustainability is a (temporary) trend, it has actually become a necessity in the fashion world and all other industries in general. To address this shift, both brands and consumers have opted for new ways of producing and consuming, respectively. Businesses have started to adopt alternative materials that are eco-friendly, as well as making changes inside their production chain that benefit both the environment and the workers. Consumers, on the other hand, are beginning to understand the importance of their choices: they are comprehending that their actions have consequences and that they can actually make a change when shopping more consciously . At The Wild Dirt , we are committed to being part of this new age of sustainable fashion. As an outdoor apparel brand, we are determined to stay faithful to our surroundings by creating a line of products that is in equilibrium with both the people and the planet. We are busy working on launching products that are all made out of recycled polyester . Join us on this path through slow fashion and ecological lifestyle , and discover our latest collection. Remember it takes time to change the world, but “ one step at a time is all it takes to get you there” –Emily Dickinson.

Single-use coffee cups, their environmental impact & sustainable alternatives As our lives are speeding up and our schedules are becoming more hectic, more and more of us rely on takeaway for our morning dose of caffeine. You may not think too much about the environmental impact of the morning cup of coffee you take to-go. However, the packaging this hot drink comes in – single-use coffee cups – is a surprising environmental threat many of us don’t know about. Collectively, we use 16 billion single-use coffee cups every year. Although companies are increasingly turning away from Styrofoam cups, opting to use paper single-use coffee cups instead, even those add up to a lot of environmental damage. The environmental impact of manufacturing single-use coffee cups Let’s take a closer look at the resources it takes to produce the 16 billion single-use coffee cups we consume every year. Altogether, this adds up to 6.5 million trees cut down, 4 billion gallons of wasted water and enough energy to power 54,000 homes for a year! If you’re having a coffee to-go every workday, you’re adding a lot to your overall environmental footprint just by using single-use coffee cups rather than more sustainable alternatives with a lower environmental impact. Single-use coffee cups are rarely recycled To make the paper cup waterproof, as well as aiding with retaining heat, manufacturers add a layer of polyethylene plastic to the inside of the cup. While this layer serves its purpose, it also makes the cup very difficult to recycle. Although some coffee shops offer collection services, to take these cups to recycling facilities which can separate the two layers, most takeaway coffee cups end up in general waste anyway. Additionally, the need to separate the two layers makes the recycling process more energy-intensive, increasing its carbon footprint. It is also expensive, which means that sometimes, even cups sorted for recycling end up in the landfill – because recycling facilities are still businesses, after all. You may also be participating in something called ‘wishful recycling’ – throwing a single-use coffee cup with a layer of polyethylene into the paper recycling bin, in the hopes that it will somehow get recycled, nevertheless. While this may make us feel a little better about our own environmental impact, in reality, this is much worse than throwing the cup in general recycling. If the cup is not sorted out before the materials are recycled, it can contaminate the whole batch of paper with plastic, making it unrecyclable. Coffee with a side of microplastics The polypropylene layer in your single-use coffee cup doesn’t just make it difficult to recycle – recent studies also show that the plastic layer is likely leaching microscopic plastic particles (microplastics) into your cuppa. Although many of the effects of microplastics on human health remain to be researched, you can likely imagine that polypropylene doesn’t sound like a part of a healthy diet. Coffee cup lids It’s not just the cup itself that has an impact on the environment – we also need to think about the lid. These are typically made from polypropylene or polystyrene. While polypropylene can technically be recycled, it’s often too costly to be profitable, which results in the material being sent to landfill instead. Polystyrene, on the other hand, can’t even be recycled to begin with. Additionally, some brands such as Starbucks may be curbing plastic straws, while swapping them for sippy cup lids. Although Starbucks may be labelling this change an ‘environmental milestone’, critics were quick to point out that this is nothing but greenwashing, as the new sippy cups add more plastic to the packaging than a straw would! Why the paper sleeve? You may also notice that many coffee shops use paper sleeves for the single-use coffee cups, as a way to make cups more comfortable to hold. In fact, these sleeves were introduced as a more sustainable alternative to shops using two cups for one drink for better insulation. Even though this sleeve is often made with recycled content, and are one of the less harmful parts of single-use coffee cups, they still add to the environmental impact as they consume resources and produce waste. How to reduce your impact? Picking up some new, easy habits when it comes to having your morning coffee can significantly reduce your environmental impact. Here are some of the things you may want to do: 1.Invest in a reusable cup Nowadays, there are plenty of sustainable alternatives to single-use coffee cups to choose from. These will help reduce the amount of waste you’re sending to landfill, as well as the amount of resources needed to produce the cup. 2. Skip the accessories When you can’t avoid buying coffee in a single-use cup, avoid the lids, straws and sleeves. While the cup itself is still adding to your environmental impact, you’re eliminating the impact of accessories. 3. Press for plastic bans Lastly, it’s important to support any single-use plastic bans on the governmental level, which would help reduce not just your impact, but the impact of humanity as a whole.

We inspire others to get outside using responsibly-made products that improve their adventures while protecting the wild places they love. We recognize that people want to experience adventure stories through unique lenses that match who they are or aspire to be. Through stories and media, we inspire and inform outdoor interested individuals that match who they are. People want to get outside, but many have limited training or knowledge of the norms of the outdoors and its preservation. We promote education and training to safely be outdoors. This includes partnering, financially supporting, and promoting other outdoor non-profit organizations. people need guidance on the tools and equipment needed to enjoy their wilderness adventures. Many outdoor magazines that have equipment reviews are already speaking to their community instead of talking to those not currently heavy outdoor equipment users. Without talking down to people we strive to guide people as to which gear will help them create their own stories and improved experiences. Our people are conscious consumers looking to lighten their footprint as they go on this journey. We pay our workers and partner factories fair wages while responsibly making products that are built to last. The purchase of these thoughtful objects allows us to support and promote environmental non-profits that work to preserve the places our consumers love. Come with us on this journey... Photo by Sparsh Karki from Pexels

Introduction to the Owners of of The Wild Dirt Dennis Fiore and I, Alexander Kwapis, first met on our Boy Scouts of America Order of the Arrow Ordeal campout when we were kids. Over the years we have planned and led everything from backpacking trips, multi-day canoe outings, winter camping explorations, and international adventures. We have led everything from large groups all the way down to our own solo trips into the wild. We have taught others about outdoor ethics, food preparation, trip planning, compass work, and many more outdoor-related skills over the years and we want to share our knowledge to all of you. We are continual wilderness learners ourselves and have taken courses and certifications on a variety of topics from wilderness first aid, Leave No Trace trainer, PADI certification, and Opik winter camping. We don’t just spend time bettering ourselves in the wilderness we also find the importance of community, giving back, and supporting others to better us all. Through our adventures together and apart Dennis and I have worked to support others, bring people outside to explore nature, and leave it better than the way it was before we got there. The Wild Dirt was designed in nature, brought about through a passion to educate, protect, and explore the outdoors.