The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast

By Heather Legler

Games & Hobbies Health Sports & Recreation Hobbies Outdoor Fitness & Nutrition

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214: The Final Episode

12.18.2018

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 ...

The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast episodes:

12.18.2018 214: The Final Episode 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 ...
12.11.2018 213: Health Benefits of Backpacking 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 ...
12.04.2018 212: PLAY: Games on the Trail 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 ...
11.27.2018 211: Gear That Lasts the Miles 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 ...
11.20.2018 210: Battle of the Utensil 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 ...
11.13.2018 209: Hidden Messages in Your Gear Show Notes: Episode 209 Today on the First 40 Miles, have you ever given much thought to the names that companies give gear? The name of your pack or your tent isn’t just some random name they pulled out of ...
11.06.2018 208: HEAVY: When You Can’t Carry the Load Show Notes: Episode 208 Today on the First 40 Miles, we’ve heard people say “I’d love to go backpacking like I did when I was younger, but I just can’t carry the load.” Are their backpacking days truly over? Then, ...
10.30.2018 207: Scary Stuff Show Notes: Episode 207: Scary Stuff Today on The First 40 Miles, we’ve dredged up as many scary things as we can for this Halloween episode. Cougar attacks, mysterious items in hiker boxes, dead cats and the scariest thing of ...
10.23.2018 206: Backpacking Dinner Challenge Show Notes: Episode 206 Today on the First 40 Miles, we’ve dumped out our box of random backpacking food, affectionately labeled, our “Bucket o’ Calories”, and will go head to head today as Josh and I battle it out, civilly, ...
10.16.2018 205: Steve’s Trip Report Show Notes: Episode 204: Steve’s Hike Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re checking in with our friend Steve, who completed a thru hike of the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail this summer. And we’ll throw in a ...
10.09.2018 204: So, How Was Your Hike? Show Notes: Episode 204 Today on the First 40 Miles, maybe you’ve posted a few pics of your backpacking trip on social media, and now everyone is asking you “So…How was your trip?” What’s the best way to respond? Then ...
10.02.2018 203: Pardon Our Dust Show Notes: Episode 203: Pardon Our Dust Today on the First 40 Miles, all of our backpacking gear is in moving boxes, sitting in the barn, waiting for us to unpack them! We’re keeping the podcast going through our move, ...
09.25.2018 202: The Slow, Methodical Accumulation of Gear Show Notes: Episode 202 Today on the First 40 Miles, so you’re convinced! Backpacking is your new thing and you’re headed out to buy the latest and best of everything from the packing list. Wait! We’ll share a few reasons ...
09.18.2018 201: Cowboy Camping 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 ...
09.11.2018 200: A Week on the Pacific Crest Trail Show Notes: Episode 200 Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re live on the Pacific Crest Trail! Opening * Our trip with Steve * About 70 miles * The “E” section of the PCT in Oregon Top 5 Things We ...
09.04.2018 199: REFLECTIONS: The Four Year Anniversary of Our First Backpacking Trip Together Show Notes: Episode 199 Today on the First 40 Miles, we get a little nostalgic whenever September rolls around. This week marks the 4 year anniversary of our first 40 miles—the trip Josh and Heather took together with friends around ...
08.28.2018 198: Rewired Backpacking Brain Show Notes: Episode 198 Today on the First 40 Miles, wilderness backpacking has the power to rewire your brain—and we’ll share the top 5 ways it’s changed us. Then, an epic way to stay clean while backpacking. Next a listener ...
08.21.2018 197: Anxiety on the Trail Show Notes: Episode 197 Today on the First 40 Miles, when hiking or backpacking, our whole goal is to move forward, otherwise we’d just set up our tent in the parking lot. But what do you do when anxiety stops ...
08.14.2018 196: Lightning Safety Show Notes: Episode 196 8/14/2018 Today on the First 40 Miles, I was wondering what today’s episode should be about… and then it struck me. Today we’ll chat about lightning safety. Nothing shocking. We promise to conduct ourselves appropriately. Then ...
08.07.2018 195: A LONG HIKE: Prepping for a Weeklong Trip Show Notes: Episode 195 Today on the First 40 Miles, this week we’ll talk about an upcoming weeklong trip and what we’re doing to prepare. Then, if you’ve got an itch to hit the trail, but you have no gear, ...
07.31.2018 194: The Womens’ Advantage Show Notes: Episode 194 Today on the First 40 Miles, if you think that men have the natural advantage on the trail, think again. Then for the Summit Gear Review, an STP device that levels the playing field when it ...
07.24.2018 193: The First Step Show Notes: Episode 193 Today on the First 40 Miles, we love getting audio recordings from our listeners—and today we have one from a new backpacker who figured out his own way of doing things. Then, on the SUMMIT Gear ...
07.17.2018 192: Getting Back to Basics Show Notes: Episode 192 Today on the First 40 Miles, sometimes life gets out of control—and when that happens, it’s time to get back to basics. We’ll talk a little about how to simplify your trip. Then, the Top 5 ...
07.10.2018 191: Micro Improvements Show Notes: Episode 191 Today on the First 40 Miles, how would you do things differently next time? Today we’re talking micro improvements. Then on our Top 5 List, we’ll share why we prioritize backpacking. If you’re looking for a ...
07.03.2018 190: COLD + HUNGRY: The Stoveless Cooking Episode Show Notes: Episode 190 Today on the First 40 Miles, what you may have thought of as an essential piece of backpacking gear isn’t as indispensable as you think. Today, we’re going stoveless, and we’ll share some delicious ways to ...
06.26.2018 189: What is Real? Show Notes: Episode 189 Today on the First 40 Miles, what is real? Social media does a pretty bang-up job of convincing us that everything that’s posted is real, but we’re smart enough to know better. Today, we’ll call their ...
06.19.2018 188: Wise Words from a Old Mountain Goat Show Notes: Episode 188 Today on the First 40 Miles, are you over 50, 60, 70 and wondering if it’s too late to begin backpacking? It’s never too late. We’ll share some wise words from an old mountain goat. Then, ...
06.12.2018 187: How Would You Describe Your First Backpacking Trip? Show Notes: Episode 187 Today on the First 40 Miles, still wondering what your first backpacking trip will be like? We think we can boil it down to five words. Then, we’ve found a solar charger that will not only ...
06.05.2018 186: TRAILS: A Little Light Trail Maintenance Show Notes: Episode 186 Today on the First 40 Miles, I used to believe that trails just existed and that they were just the well-worn footpaths created by thousands of people walking those same miles over and over. Nope. Trails ...
05.29.2018 185: Weekend with Friends Show Notes: Episode 185 Today on the First 40 Miles, within 24 hours we hiked a cumulative 25 miles, ate about 15 pounds of food, built three teepees and breathed in more campfire smoke than the Surgeon General would recommend. ...
05.22.2018 184: Camp Chores Show Notes: Episode 184 Today on the First 40 Miles, after a long, glorious day of hiking, you arrive into camp and you can relax. Almost. We’ll share a few things you’ll need to do first that will make it ...
05.15.2018 183: Taking Some Friends Along Show Notes: Episode 183 Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re planning a family backpacking trip with another family who hasn’t been backpacking before. What can we do to give them a great introduction to the wilderness? Then we’ll share ...
05.08.2018 182: Tinkering with Tarps Show Notes: Episode 182 Today on the First 40 Miles, what do you get when you mix the ancient Japanese art of paper folding with a huge sheet of silnylon? Tarpigami. We’ll talk tarps today and learn about some of ...
05.01.2018 181: Raising the Next Generation of Hikers and Backpackers Show Notes: Episode 181 Today on the First 40 Miles, it’s too hard. I’m too tired. I just can’t. Is resilience a lost skill? And how can we pass it on to the next generation? On today’s Top 5 List ...
04.24.2018 180: Do You Know What You Signed Up For? Show Notes: Episode 180 Today on the First 40 Miles, are you sure you want to go backpacking? Do you know what you’re signing up for? We’ll wisen you up a little. On today’s Top 5 List, learn what not ...
04.17.2018 179: Spring Break at the Metolius River Show Notes: Episode 179 4/17/2018 Today on the First 40 Miles, we report on our spring break adventure to the Metolius River. Then, we’ll review an ultralight headlamp from UCO. Today’s Backpack Hack of the Week will give you a ...
04.10.2018 178: Test of Time Show Notes: Episode 178 Today on the First 40 Miles, some gear is fun for just a few trips, but other gear stands the test of time. We’re going back into The First 40 Miles Archives, to find out which ...
04.03.2018 177: BEGINNERS: One Step at a Time Show Notes: Episode 177 Today on the First 40 Miles, if you’re a beginner backpacker, you are on the threshold of one of the most thrilling adventures of your life. We’ll help you navigate this new adventure with confidence. For ...
03.27.2018 176: The Importance of Redundancy Show Notes: Episode 176 Today on the First 40 Miles, if you’re bringing something on a backpacking trip “just in case”, there’s a good chance you’ll probably never use that item. How do you know which “just in case” items ...
03.20.2018 175: Backpacking is Better With Friends Show Notes: Episode 175 Today on the First 40 Miles, hockey may be better with Wayne Gretsky, but who are the people you want to backpack with? Then on today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, a gear repair that takes 15 minutes, ...
03.13.2018 174: Scared or Prepared? Show Notes: Episode 174 Today on the First 40 Miles, have you ever thought about how your skills as a backpacker can be a huge benefit to yourself and others during a natural disaster? Today we’ll share a story from ...
03.06.2018 173: Backpacking Conversations Show Notes: Episode 173 Today on the First 40 Miles, we talk about our latest project, a children’s book designed to help get kids outside. An on-the-fly top 5 list emerges as Josh and Heather plan ahead for future episodes. ...
02.27.2018 172: The Next Level of Essentials Show Notes: Episode 172 Today on the First 40 Miles, Once you’ve got survival in the woods figured out, maybe you’re ready to take it to the next level. We’ve got the top 5 secondary survival essentials to round out ...
02.20.2018 171: Survival Essentials Show Notes: Episode 171 Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re most of the way through winter—and we’ve survived! And for today’s top 5 list, we’ll share some survival essentials—known to the bushcrafters as “the five Cs”. Then we’ll share ...
02.13.2018 170: A Winter Overnighter Show Notes: Episode 170 Today on the First 40 Miles, we took off for 24 hours to enjoy a little Northwest winter backpacking trip. We’ll share our top 5 experiments plus our brush with death! And if you’ve ever wondered ...
02.06.2018 169: FEATHERS: The Down Episode Show Notes: Episode 169 Today on the First 40 Miles, Ounce for ounce, down is the warmest insulating material available—but where does it come from, how do synthetics match up, and did Neil Sedaka really write a song about his ...
01.30.2018 168: Weight vs. Volume Show Notes: Episode 168 Today on the First 40 Miles, if you’re trying to get your pack weight down, but the numbers just don’t want to budge, we have a new challenge for you. Reduce. Your. Volume. We’ll share 5 ...
01.23.2018 167: Prepping for a Winter Backpacking Trip Show Notes: Episode 167 Today on the First 40 Miles, Friday night is always date night, and for this week’s date night, we’re packing and prepping for a quick winter backpacking trip—and we’ll tell you why. Then, we’ll review a ...
01.16.2018 166: Armchair Backpacker Show Notes: Episode 166 Today on the First 40 Miles, for whatever reason, maybe you’re not going to be able to get out hiking or backpacking for a while. That’s ok! We’ll help you immerse yourself in the experience without ...
01.09.2018 165: Reading Between the Lines Show Notes: Episode 165 Today on the First 40 Miles, while looking for your next hike or backpacking trip, it’s easy to lose track of time reading colorful, inspiring trip reports. We’ll help you decipher some uncommon words and phrases ...

Older episodes

The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast

What's The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast episodes:

214: The Final Episode

213: Health Benefits of Backpacking

212: PLAY: Games on the Trail

211: Gear That Lasts the Miles

210: Battle of the Utensil

209: Hidden Messages in Your Gear

208: HEAVY: When You Can’t Carry the Load

207: Scary Stuff

206: Backpacking Dinner Challenge

205: Steve’s Trip Report

204: So, How Was Your Hike?

203: Pardon Our Dust

202: The Slow, Methodical Accumulation of Gear

201: Cowboy Camping

200: A Week on the Pacific Crest Trail

199: REFLECTIONS: The Four Year Anniversary of Our First Backpacking Trip Together

198: Rewired Backpacking Brain

197: Anxiety on the Trail

196: Lightning Safety

195: A LONG HIKE: Prepping for a Weeklong Trip

194: The Womens’ Advantage

193: The First Step

192: Getting Back to Basics

191: Micro Improvements

190: COLD + HUNGRY: The Stoveless Cooking Episode

189: What is Real?

188: Wise Words from a Old Mountain Goat

187: How Would You Describe Your First Backpacking Trip?

186: TRAILS: A Little Light Trail Maintenance

185: Weekend with Friends

184: Camp Chores

183: Taking Some Friends Along

182: Tinkering with Tarps

181: Raising the Next Generation of Hikers and Backpackers

180: Do You Know What You Signed Up For?

179: Spring Break at the Metolius River

178: Test of Time

177: BEGINNERS: One Step at a Time

176: The Importance of Redundancy

175: Backpacking is Better With Friends

174: Scared or Prepared?

173: Backpacking Conversations

172: The Next Level of Essentials

171: Survival Essentials

170: A Winter Overnighter

169: FEATHERS: The Down Episode

168: Weight vs. Volume

167: Prepping for a Winter Backpacking Trip

166: Armchair Backpacker

165: Reading Between the Lines

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