Ranger review 2
Ranger Review: Mountain House Meals at Bell Mountain Wilderness Area, MO
Campground Review
Bell Mountain Wilderness Area is well worth the trip! This is a rugged hike with no facilities. There is just a small (about 6 spot) parking area and that's it. The trail is an 10 mile lollipop style trail that also connects to the Ozark Trail. There are no privies, showers, water taps, camp fees or anything else, but if that doesn't bother you then you want to check this trail out!
There's a few streams that run across the trail that are easily passable in low to medium water. High water makes them a little tricky. The trail is a bit rough and steep at points, but the campsites make it well worth it. You can camp at “established” sites, that are only established because of repeated use and leftover fire rings. The trails are pretty and less crowded than other parks because of the lack of facilities. Camping is available at the top of bell mountain, which has vistas you usually only find on marketing material for camp goods. Or you camp by streams that are just as pretty, but less cool in my opinion. I do always find other people's trash at the sites, which is disappointing. Everything is first come, first serve for selecting a campsite.
Also, Google maps will try to get you lost and take you to private land, just turn where you see the cars parked about 5 min before Google says you'll be there. It is about 2.5 hours southwest of St. Louis.
On my most recent trip we did come across feral hogs while on the trail. We just kept still and they walked past us, totally ignoring us even with our dog.
Product Review
Being a Dyrt Ranger is not only a on awesome title, but comes with perks! I recently got the opportunity to review Mountain House Meals.
Mountain House Meals are lightweight, freeze dried meals that are convenient as can be! When backpacking they don't take up much space, are light, and are really easy to make after an exhausting day on the trail.
At first I thought they wouldn't be that great, but I could eat anything after 8 miles with my pack on, so I didn't care. The first bite showed me the error of my ways. They aren't 5 star restaurant quality but they are tasty, fast, and easy. I had the chili mac and beef and that's what it tasted like! Also the Spicy Southwest Breakfast Hash is my breakfast of choice, like even when I'm at home I want to eat it, it's so good. The raspberry crumble is a bit disappointing in that there's not enough crumble part and it's almost too sweet.
You do have to carry a camp stove and have clean water available which can add weight to your pack for these, but in my case it's well worth it for a hot meal and I have those things anyway for coffee in the mornings.
Most meals come in 2 serving pouches which is perfect for my husband, but too much for me. Usually my dog gets to share with me because of that. I had to learn to bring an extra long spoon to get down into the corners of the bag.
They make so much sense I even recently brought a few bags with me on a trip to Europe. They were a safeguard against getting back from touristing too late and all the restaurants being closed. We could make dinner with only hot water at our hostel and they added hardly any weight to our bags.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Tasty
- Easy
- Warm meals
- A decent amount of options, including desserts!
- Lasts about 20 years, so if you don't use them this time, save them for your next hike!
Cons:
- Needs camp stove and clean water
- Doesn't seem to many have veggie heavy options so you have to supplement them yourself for a balanced meal.
- If you're an idiot like me and don't follow instructions, you can pour boiling water on your leg while miles out in the backcountry when making it. It sucks.
