Show Notes: Episode 201
Today on the First 40 Miles, we’ll talk about cowboy camping and why we tried it.  Then a story from a listener about how she transitioned from car camping to backpacking.  Today’s hack is a great way to repurpose an old towel, and we’ll wrap up with a little trail wisdom from someone who knew the answer to life’s question!
Opening

* What is Cowboy Camping?
* Why we did it
* Why we didn’t do it sooner
* Who inspired us
* What we’ve learned
* How it’s changed the way we backpack
* https://boundlessroamad.com/2018/01/17/the-art-to-cowboy-camping/

Top 5 Tips for Cowboy Camping
Pick a warmish, dry night

* Low 50s
* Dry

Pack a waterproof ground cover

* We used a patio window insulation kit
* $12

Pack warmer

* You’ll be missing the 5-10 degrees of warmth and wind protection that a tent provides

Plan for bugs

* Permethrin is a great way to treat clothes/sleeping bag exterior
* Ticks, mosquitoes

Have an emergency shelter on hand

* Something that can keep you dry in case it starts raining or snowing
* We brought the Appy Trails Mark V tent with us on our PCT Section hike so we could fit us and our two boys–just in case

NOTE:
Be sure to open your eyes in the middle of the night—the stars are amazing!
Story from Listener Michelle G.
Backpack Hack of the Week™: Terrycloth Cotton Towel Squares

* 3”x3”
* Repurposed towel
* Perfect for scrubbing feet at night
* Can be reused

Trail Wisdom
“The only question in life is whether or not you are going to answer a hearty ‘YES!’ to your adventure.”
—Joseph Campbell

201: Cowboy Camping

Hobbies

Games & Hobbies

Sports

Health & Fitness

Wilderness

Leisure

Show Notes: Episode 214
 
Dear First 40 Milers,
It has been a delight to share our wilderness backpacking journey with you!  You’ve learned and discovered right along with us.  We’re deeply touched by all the kind words and the stories that you’ve shared with us over the past four years.  We hope we get a chance to cross paths again.
Love,
Heather and Josh Legler
 
Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re wrapping up production of The First 40 Miles with today’s final episode.  We’ll share some of our ideas for podcasts we’d love to see started, talk a little about what it’s been like to share our backpacking adventures with ya’ll, then wrap up with a little trail wisdom that brings it all full circle.
Opening
This week marks the 4 year anniversary of The First 40 Miles, and today is also our final episode.  We have loved producing this show for you each week.
Thoughts…?
Top 5 new outdoor podcasts I’d like to see in the next year (that can replace The First 40 Miles)
An outdoor, on site, story-telling show

* Stories from people getting out there, done NPR style, but less studio, more outdoors
* We love the idea of it being on site, because then you get the ambient noise
* It dances on the border of technology and nature.

A niche topic

* Like trail food, book reviews about outdoor related books, even an outdoors + politics podcast
* Gear focused podcast (because many people expressed how much they enjoyed the SUMMIT Gear Review)

A revival of the S’more Outdoor Podcast

* It’s great to hear people’s personal experiences in the outdoors and how it affects their indoor time, their work, their focus, their creativity

A family focused outdoor podcast

* All outdoor things: SUP, slackline, hikes, neighborhood walks, exercise, organized sports, gardening, farming, rc cars/planes, surfing, etc.
* It would answer the question: “How does YOUR family stay active?”
* Families are so important and families can help produce the next generation of healthy, robust, outdoor enthusiasts

A child-produced show

* Cascade Hiker, one of our podcasting friends, has a show for his daughters. I love it!
* Children need to have a voice—lets encourage them to share their voices and their stories!

Podcasting behind the scenes…
Our gear:

* Samson GoMIC 
* Audacity (free)
* Laptop computer
* Headphones for editing audio

Time required to produce one episode: 

* 2–4 hours to create and research for show notes
* 1 hour to record
* 4 hours to edit audio

Trail Wisdom
“God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”
—Anne Frank
That’s it for today, thank you, thank you, thank you for listening.  We have loved producing this show for you.  Thank you for all your kind, encouraging words.  We feel the love!  You can access all our episodes at TheFirst40Miles.com or on iTunes, Google Play, or Stitcher.  That’s it for today.  Signing off,
—Heather and Josh Legler.

214: The Final Episode

Show Notes: Episode 213
Today on the First 40 Miles, if you haven’t figured it out by experience, then we’ll give you one more huge reason to begin backpacking…the health benefits!  The list of health benefits is huge!  Then our SUMMIT Gear Review today is a 22 pound piece of gear… but hear us out… it’s 100% backpackable and incredibly fun!
Opening

* Forest Bathing: http://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/
* http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html
* The scientifically-proven benefits of Shinrin-yoku include:
* Boosted immune system functioning
* Reduced blood pressure
* Reduced stress
* Improved mood
* Increased energy level
* Improved sleep
* Deepening of friendships

Top 5 Health Benefits of Backpacking that We’ve Experienced

* Heather and Josh share health benefits they’ve personally experienced from backpacking
* https://www.businessinsider.com/why-spending-more-time-outside-is-healthy-2017-7
* https://thetrek.co/scientifically-supported-reasons-get-outside/

SUMMIT Gear Review:  Jimmy Styks Puffer Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
Structure

* Comes with pack, inflatable stand up paddle board, paddle, repair kit, loop for your foot, fin
* Adjustable Carbon Fiber Travel Paddle
* Dual Action High-Pressure Pump
* 10′ Coil Leash
* Click N’ Go Standard Fin
* Premium iSUP Board Bag
* Repair Kit

Utility

* To use, pack it in, puff it up
* Pack doesn’t have room for other gear, so have another one of your hiking buddies pack the rest of the gear.
* Attach pump and pump it up on site
* Handles for easy carrying to the water
* Stretch band in the front so you can stow other gear like wind breaker, lunch, etc.

Mass

* 22 lbs—and that includes everything except the life vest…which you don’t have to use if you use the ankle tether
* Length 11’6” (350.5 cm)
* Width 31” (78.7 cm)
* Thickness 5.9” (15 cm)
* Board Avg. Weight 20 lbs (9 kg)
* Weight Limit 260 lbs. (117 kg)
* Inflate to 18 PSI

Maintenance

* Repair kit comes with ISUP

Investment

* $699

Trial

* The Jimmy Styks Puffer Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is a piece of outdoor gear that comes in its own pack, can be hiked in, adds to the experience of the trip, and can be a feature activity, instead of the miles.
* Worth the weight for a day trip or overnighter
* Can fish from it
* Fun, low impact, LNT activity, so quiet, so peaceful, so calm
* We didn’t inflate ours all the way, just until it felt firm

Backpack Hack of the Week™:  “The Absorber” Super Absorbent Towel

* Found in automotive section
* Can be cut down
* Excellent for rainy hikes (December is rainy here), tent rain gear, etc.
* $12
* They can be used as camp-towels, to dry off gear, clean off condensation inside your tent
* Heather added a grommet to hers

Trail Wisdom (VOTE on the one you like best)
“The sun shines not on us but in us.”
—John Muir
“The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask.”
—Nancy Newhall
“It is solved by walking.”
—Latin Proverb
If you’re looking for fun backpacking books and merch, check out thefirst40miles.com/shop.

213: Health Benefits of Backpacking

Show Notes: Episode 212
Today on the First 40 Miles,  who says you can’t have type one fun and type two fun on a backpacking trip?  Today’s episode explores games on the trail and how to make memories without bringing Monopoly.  You’ll learn 5 super fast, super fun games that you can play on  your next wilderness backpacking adventure or use to break the ice at your next board meeting.  Then, we’ll review a love it or hate it nano game that, for mere grams, will earn its spot in your pack.
Opening

* Why games?
* Diversion, make memories, pass the time, springboard for conversation and connection.
* If you’re thinking, I’d never bring Monopoly or Risk with me on the trail, then it’s time to think outside the box.
* Lots of games are UL, nano games, micro games, card games, dice games, physical games, mind games, pencil and paper games, feats of strength games, balance games, conversation games.

Top 5 Super Quick Games to Play on the Trail
Fortune Cookie

* Two or more players
* Your goal is to build a fortune that you might find in a fortune cookie, one word at a time.
* Sample round
* Winner/loser? You could say person who says last word loses.

Spoken Song Lyrics 

* Hello darkness, my old friend
* Like a walk in the rain
* Life is but a dream

Rotten Penny

* Two or more players
* Get a pile of pebbles (or you can even use pinecones)
* Each player may take 1, 2, or 3 pebbles
* The person to take the last pebble loses.

Sync

* Two player
* Each say a word—any word!
* What do those words have in common? Figure it out then you both say another word
* Trying to get to the point where you say the same word at the same time

Walrus

* Two person game
* Walrus
* Walrus blight of 2004
* Scientist who worked feverishly to save the last walrus on the earth
* What’s going to take out the scientist?

SUMMIT Gear Review: Win Lose or Banana
Structure

* 3 cards: win, lose, banana
* Win card must reveal her card, but the other two must try to convince the person with the win card that they are the banana. After much persuasion, the person with the win card makes the call.

Utility

* Win, lose, or banana cards

Mass

* Mere grams…

Maintenance

* If you want to keep the cards clean, get sleeve protectors for them

Investment

* $1

Trial

* We played this with Steve one night on the PCT.
* Quick, ridiculous game.  No brain needed.  Over before it gets obnoxious.
* Similar to an out of print game by ButtonShy Games called Wildcats. (Good cat, bad cat, wild cat)
* NOTE: If you like nanogames, there’s also a one card game called Ninja

Backpack Hack of the Week™:  UL Card Table

* Sometimes you need a surface for playing cards. Just something to keep things clean and from sliding around
* The dollar store has thin plastic cutting boards
* Perfect card table for backpacking
* UL, multi-use, cheap

Trail Wisdom
“Play is the highest form of research.”
—Albert Einstein
If you’re looking for fun backpacking books and merch, check out thefirst40miles.com/shop.

212: PLAY: Games on the Trail

Show Notes: Episode 211
Today on the First 40 Miles, we love our listeners!  And we love hearing their stories!  Then, even if you never plan to do a thru hike, you can still scam some of their best gear hacks and incorporate them into your next overnighter.  Next, a gear review that will outfit you in the toughest clothes on the planet.  And a hack that as easy as sticking a piece of tape to a tent pole.
Opening
Matt’s Story
Top 5 Thru Hiker Staples
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

* Lightweight, cheap, easy to use, easy to maintain
* Many thru hikers prefer the Sawyer Squeeze to the Sawyer Mini

Smart Water Bottles

* Cheap, ubiquitous, versatile
* Sawyer squeeze screws on top

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol

* Easy to set up, lightweight, indestructible, can be cut down, under $40
* 2.6 R value
* Can’t be compressed

Top Ramen

* Fast, easy, cheap, never disappoints (because it’s such a basic food)

The Uniform

* Shorts + trucker hats + minimalist running shoes (Altras, Merrels, or other zero drop ultralight, minimalist shoes)
* A uniform tells others that you’re on the same team.

SUMMIT Gear Review:  Rail Rider Hiking Pants
Structure

* Nylon
* Gusseted crotch
* Reinforced
* Some are treated with insect shield Permethrin treatment

Utility

* Hiking pants, easy to move in, easy to care for, tough, lightweight,
* Deep pockets, reinforced everything
* Zippered pockets
* Doubled up in knees and crotch

Mass

* ~10 ounces

Maintenance

* Wash and dry (on or off trail)

Investment

* $69-110

Trial

* Pants aren’t excessively baggy, but loose enough that they give you room to move/hike/climb
* Super tough in all the right places
* Lots of variety
* Lots of color choices
* Mens and Womens (no kids)
* Known as the “Toughest Clothes on the Planet”

Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Reflective Tape

* When it gets dark, it’s easy to get disoriented and lose track of where your camp site is
* Reflective tape stuck to your gear can help you find your site
* Stick to tent poles or other gear, so you can find your way back to camp after it gets dark
* Then, simply shine a flashlight and the things you’ve marked will light up!
* Gear Aid makes super durable reflective tape

Trail Wisdom
“When you walk, you know the distance you’ve covered in your tired bones, and it’s impossible to go so far that you lose the thread of continuity between ‘there’ and ‘here.’”
—Kelly Winters
If you’re looking for fun backpacking books and merch, check out thefirst40miles.com/shop.

211: Gear That Lasts the Miles

Show Notes: Episode 210
Today on the First 40 Miles, maybe you want to eat like royalty on the trail—but you don’t need a 15 piece place setting to make that happen.  What does it take to shovel food from your cook pot to your mouth?  Then we’ll talk about our top 5 favorite post trip meals.  Then, what are our recommendations for backpacking gear that can go seamlessly from trail to off-trail lunchbox?  And we’ll wrap things up with a quote from our favorite Dutch Post-Impressionist painter.
Opening

* Battle of the Utensils: Pros and Cons of each type of utensil
* Fork, knife, spoon
* Spork
* Sponifork
* Long-handled spoon
* Chop sticks
* Plastic/titanium/bamboo
* What works?

Top 5 Favorite Post Trip Meals
Fried rice 

* Gem Lake hike when we were dating
* Fast easy, prep before trip
* Rice, frozen mixed veg, an egg, and some ham or bacon… oil and soy sauce.

Taco soup 

* Fast, filling, warm
* Can of corn, diced tomatoes, black beans (rinse and drained), taco seasoning or chili powder, chicken bouillon
* Maybe some ground beef
* Tortilla chips
* Shredded cheese

Burger/pizza joint off trail

* Many restaurants off the big trails that cater to thru hikers
* Big servings…lots of calories for the calorically depleted

Super Salad

* Takes some energy to put together, but it’s so worth it. Especially if you’re feeling veggie deprived from spending weeks on the trail
* SImple formula: a green, a cut fruit, chopped vegetables, and some nuts. Top with poppy seed dressing.
* I like Romaine with an orange that’s been sliced up, walnuts, red onion, red bell pepper and top with poppy seed dressing.

Frozen food like ice cream or slushies

* Dairy Queen
* Especially if it was a hot trip

After-hike food: What’s the thing you crave most at the end of a backpacking trip?
SUMMIT Gear Review:  To Go Ware Bamboo Utensils + EcoLunchboxes Adventure Kit

* These two items work on and off the trail
* Great for packing lunches to work and school
* Durable and work well for backpacking
* Great to have multi use items for the trail that can be used at home as well

Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Dollar Store Food Haul
If you’re looking for food to take on your next backpacking trip, a trip to the local dollar store may have just what you’re looking for.   More and more, dollar stores are stocking food.  And they’re typically in smaller, more convenient sizes that are perfect for backpacking.

* coconut oil
* Jif-to-go packets
* nuts
* seeds
* chocolate/fun size bars
* ramen noodles

Trail Wisdom
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”
—Vincent van Gogh
If you’re looking for fun backpacking books and merch, check out thefirst40miles.com/shop.

201: Cowboy Camping

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