The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast

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 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.

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 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 * 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.

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 a hat.   Next, today’s top 5 list is a whole pile of hacks I picked up on my recent backpacking trip.  Then, a little SteriPEN that is a backpackers dream!  And a quick hack that has been on every single one of our backpacking trips. Opening What goes into naming a piece of gear?  Let’s look at some pack names and what they mean… Osprey Kestrel * A small falcon that hovers with rapidly beating wings while searching for prey on the ground. Kelty Sanitas * Kids pack * Sanitas (latin word) means health, soundness of body Osprey Tarn * A tarn (or corrie loch) is a mountain lake or pool, formed in a cirque excavated by a glacier. A moraine may form a natural dam below a tarn. Granite Gear Lutsen * Lutsen Mountains is a ski area in the north central United States; an Alpine skiing area located on the North Shore region of Cook County in northeastern Minnesota. Gregory Baltoro * The Baltoro Glacier is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. It runs through part of the Karakoram mountain range. Arcteryx Bora * A bora is a violent, dry, cold wind blowing from the north or northeast. The North Face Prophet * Prophets from the Old Testament frequently went to mountain tops Top 5 Hacks I Used on my Most Recent Backpacking Trip 3×5 card pee shield (for women) * Pee splatters, no matter what * A small piece of paper can stop the pee splatter Small container of Vicks Vaporub * So many great the uses for it! * Antifungal, smoothes cracked skin, masks foul odors, chapped lips, dry eyes (put under eyes) * Bug repellant? Possibly! Yoga pants instead of hiking pants * Soft, stretchy, breathable and allow movement Old Time Radio shows on your MP3 * http://otrrlibrary.org/ * Free to download, thousands of shows * Makes the time on the trail go by * My Friend Irma (comedy) * I Was Communist for the FBI (drama/crime) * Jack Benny (variety show) Removing a shoulder strap to shift load off a while * Helps reduce load for a little while SUMMIT Gear Review:  SteriPEN Ultralight Structure * UV light * Makes water safe to drink by disabling the bacteria, protazoa Utility * 1 liter at a time * Put SteriPEN in water and stir * Nodes need to be submerged Mass * ~3 ounces Maintenance * Rechargeable * 20 liters per charge * Prefilter water if you don’t want floaties Investment * $90 Trial * Love!  Easy to use, simple * Was branded as the Red Cross SteriPEN * Will be available soon! Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Perma Kleenex Tie your bandana to a strap or tuck it into the webbing strap on your shoulder strap. Great for cold weather hikes when your nose gets drippy. Trail Wisdom “Nature is just enough; but men and women must comprehend and accept her suggestions.” —Antoinette Brown Blackwell If you’re looking for fun backpacking books and merch, check out thefirst40miles.com/shop.

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 all—hiker stink.  Then we’ll wrap up today’s episode with a quote from a zombie.  Actually it’s just a quote from someone’s posthumously published journal.  They’re dead, but they’re alive!  (But they’re dead.) Opening * How frequent are cougar attacks? How frequent are fatal cougar attacks? * Woman hiker in Oregon + cyclist in Washington * 2018 has been a rough year with cougar attacks and fatalities in North America * Biker’s death near Seattle is Washington’s first cougar fatality in 94 years. * The death in Oregon is the first ever reported cougar fatality in Oregon. * List of fatal cougar attacks in North America: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_cougar_attacks_in_North_America * “At least 20 people in North America were killed by cougars between 1890 and 2011, including seven in California. More than two-thirds of the Canadian fatalities occurred on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Fatal cougar attacks are extremely rare and occur much less frequently than fatal snake bites, fatal lightning strikes, or fatal bee stings. Children are particularly vulnerable” * “As with many predators, a cougar may attack if cornered, if a fleeing human stimulates their instinct to chase, or if a person “plays dead.” Standing still however may cause the cougar to consider a person easy prey. Exaggerating the threat to the animal through intense eye contact, loud shouting, and any other action to appear larger and more menacing, may make the animal retreat. Fighting back with sticks and rocks, or even bare hands, is often effective in persuading an attacking cougar to disengage.” * What’s the risk? What to do? Top 5 Scary Things in Hiker Boxes Mysterious unlabeled bags of white powder * Could be instant mashed potatoes, powdered milk, soup mix * Label your baggies! Shoes * Worn for many miles, then donated to hiker boxes * If someone needs a pair of shoes or if their laces are busted, then an old pair of shoes is helpful Pills * Maybe ibuprofen, maybe not. * Could be Benadryl, aspirin, etc. Large containers of ______ * Could be peanut butter, fuel canister, etc. * Large canisters of anything take up space—even when 99% of the product is used up. The large container still fills up your pack—which is why hiker boxes are where large containers go to die. Hygiene overload * …bar of soap, package of baby wipes, shampoo, SUMMIT Gear Review: Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed Duo 20 Structure * Shell Fabric: 20d polyester ripstop * Liner Fabric: 20d polyester taffeta * Insulation: 700FP PFC-Free DriDown Utility * Specified for sleeping conditions down to 20 Degrees * Zipperless design allows for more comfort * Insulated hand/arm pockets help to seal out drafts * Foot vent for fast ventilation * Stretch cord keeps out drafts * Sleeping pad sleeve holds one double or two single pads Mass * Weight: 4 lbs 10 oz * Shoulder Circumference: 107″ / 272 cm * Fits Up To: 6′ 4″ / 193 cm Maintenance * Wash and dry at a laundromat Investment * $449 Trial * Josh used Klymit inflatable pad, Heather used a folding closed cell foam pad.

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 backpack hack and some trail wisdom, just for funsies. * What inspired you to hike the Oregon section of the PCT for your 70th birthday? * Talk about your daily routine while hiking the Oregon section of the PCT, the rhythm of the trail… * Did you find that rhythm? * What does the phrase “trail angel” mean to you now? * Did you see other 70+ hikers on the trail? * Have you recovered physically? * What moments stand out to you? * Advice to others who want to do a significant hike…

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, and we couldn’t have done it without a few of our fabulous listeners who will be contributing to the show today. Opening * Old 100-year-old home, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a whole bunch of projects * Backpacking gear in boxes and bins * Pardon our dust… Three listener stories -George’s story -Chad’s story -Laura’s story Backpack Hack of the Week™: Easy Warmth with Down Booties * Keeps your feet warm * Inexpensive down booties can be found for as little as $12 Trail Wisdom Work is good, provided you do not forget to live. —Bantu Proverb If you’re looking for fun backpacking books and merch, check out thefirst40miles.com/shop.

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 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

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 Mt. Hood.  And even though we’ve been backpacking for a few years, there are still things that take us by surprise.  Next, for today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, a headlamp that doubles as a flashlight and triples as a stand up torch.  Then we’ll share a hack that will make your next trip to the bathroom rock.  And we’ll leave you with a little trail wisdom that will help you understand your human connection with nature. Opening * Reflecting on first backpacking trip together that starting this podcast * Trip around Mt Hood * Risks with first trip * Josh “Is this her last trip?” * We keep taking trips, even though they are tough Top 5 Things That Continue to Surprise Us About Backpacking We learn something every single time * No matter the length, no matter the miles, being outside opens doors in your mind * Not distracted as you are at home * You may be concentrating or focused, but it’s the kind of focus that allows you to learn and create connections * Personal discovery, working out problems in your mind… We still can’t gauge a mile * Our best way to gauge a mile is with the clock * 2 MPH=30 minute mile * Thru hikers can do much more than 2 miles an hour * Hard sections of trail will take much longer than 2 miles an hour Pain and suffering is kind of fun… * I can do hard things * Maybe it’s not fun in the moment, but afterward it’s empowering to look back A 15 miles isn’t 5 mile x3 * First 5… physical * Second 5… mental * Third 5… everything else We have reserve even when we feel depleted * Even when I feel like I can’t take one more step, I can always take one more step SUMMIT Gear Review: Fenix HL10 Headlamp Structure * Stretchy headband about 3/4 inch wide * Aluminum body flashlight attached to a holder, so you can use the light independently from the headband Utility * To turn on/off hold for half a second * Low: 24 hours—Visibility 6 meters * Med: 2 hours 30 min— Visibility 19 meters * High: 1 hour— Visibility 30 meters * Stays on setting you left it at * Can be used as a headlamp, a hand held flashlight, or a stand up torch Mass * Weighs 1.2 ounces without battery * Weighs 1.6 ounces with battery Maintenance * Uses one AAA battery * IPX6 Investment * $26.95 Trial * Even at lowest setting, it’s bright * Headlamp holder curves to the shape of your head * Elastic, but also adjustable * Light weight and super bright Backpack Hack of the Week™:  No Dig Cathole * Lift up a rock that’s 6-8 inches, and it’ll leave a hole that’s the perfect size for all your bathroom needs. * The nice thing, no digging * Just don’t forget to put the “seat” down when you’re finished * And when you put the rock back exactly where you found it, it’s practically “leave no trace” because the rock fits right back in like a puzzle piece Trail Wisdom “When we understand that man is the only animal who must create meaning, who must open a wedge into neutral nature, we already understand the essence of love. Love is the problem of an animal who must find life, create a dialogue with nature in order to experience his own being.” —Ernest Becker If you’re looking for fun backpacking books and merch,

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 your progress?  We have some tools that will help.  Then we’ll share a hack that will cut your tent weight almost in half.  Then we’ll wrap up the show with a quote that revives fire from the ashes. Opening * Anxiety * We’re all affected in some way by some sort of anxiety. It’s part of the human condition.  We’re all on a spectrum, and we’re all triggered by different things at different times in our lives. * No matter what type of anxiety you experience, all anxiety has one thing in common: it keeps us from moving forward—it halts our progress. Top 5 Healthy Ways to Deal with Anxiety on the Trail Breathing * It can be done anytime, anywhere, requires no special equipment * Take a slow breath in through the nose, breathing into your lower belly (for about 4 seconds) * Hold your breath for 1 or 2 seconds * Exhale slowly through the mouth (for about 4 seconds) * Wait a few seconds before taking another breath * Breathing is a tool that can help you relax anywhere Practice Mindfulness * Anxiety is a feeling that the world is caving in and taking you with it. Mindfulness reverses that feeling of impending doom by opening up the world and you taking it all in. * Your goal with mindfulness is to mentally document every single element of the present moment. * Heightened awareness and being present in the moment(not in the future-which is anxiety and not in the past which is depression). * Smells around you, the texture of your clothing, the level of humidity between your toes, the feel of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, the sounds, the taste of the food, the sound of your jacket crinkling with each breath you take, the universe of living organisms around, above and below you. * That moment of intentional mindfulness should be so rich and filled with gratitude that you literally have no room in your brain to entertain any anxiety. * Journaling is a great way to practice mindfulness, recording your thoughts and feelings, the experience of the present moment—and who says the journal has to be all words? Some of the things you record may be little sketches. * “There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up the pen to write.” – William Makepeace Thackeray * It slows down time, reveals things about yourself you may not have known before the pen started moving, and makes you present. Connect with Someone * You are never alone * Anyone can connect with God through prayer * Connect with other hikers * Write letters Imagination * Imagine you’re on a set for a movie and everything disappears and you’re on a completely blank white set. * Your imagination can transport you out of your current state. * Human mind is creative and powerful Music * Music has power * … like that scene from The King and I where they are getting off the boat and whistling a happy tune. * Hymn, ballad, first song that pops into your head, playlist * Music releases dopamine Don’t compound the issue with drugs or alcohol. * Alcohol changes levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain, which can worsen anxiety…. Lots of people turn to the numbing and loosening effects alcohol when confronted with uncomfortable feelings * Doing this can lead to a dependence on alcohol, which can make anxiety symptoms worse. * Backpacking is hard, but when alcohol or drugs are used for getting through difficult moments, it creates a self-destructive cycle

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, we’ll hook you up with a company who can supply the gear for your first trip.  For today’s Backpack Hack for the Week, Josh picked the perfect app for our upcoming backpacking adventure.  And we’ll share a little trail wisdom from someone who didn’t do anything halfway. Opening * 93 miles * Invited kids—who said yes? * Met with Steve * What else are we doing to prepare? Top 5 Things We’re Doing to Prepare for a Weeklong Trip Take Care of Basic Logistics of a Weeklong Hike * Meeting with Steve to get details of trip * Water, stopping points, daily miles * First day of hike, meeting with his wife who will transport us to the trail head * Logistics of leaving home: home prep (secure house, mail, garden), church responsibilities, the podcast, etc. Load Bearing Hikes + Miles * 8-10 mile hikes * Shakedown Gauging our youngest child’s endurance * We wants to go, but 10-15 miles a day is more than he’s done with a pack on his back * Either I can help him drop his pack weight even more, or I can carry some of his gear Route is planned, but the hike is going to be what we make it * What will you make the hike? * Look for ways to make it better for others * Unplug * Creative expression Mentally Prepare for the Unexpected * Contingency plan * What if? * Night hiking? * Weather… * Think through different possible scenarios SUMMIT Gear Review™: CampRents Structure * Schedule your trip at least a week out Utility * They send the basics * Comes with a bear bin with food in it Mass * Part of that depends on what else you pack Maintenance * Mail back the day after you come home * Send it back dry and stinky, not wet and muddy. Investment * $220 for two nights (two night minimum) * Daily Late Fee $50/day Trial * Good food * Solid gear * Creative idea * Perfect for city dwellers with limited space, rare backpacker, * Ideas: wish it came with deals off gear purchases or codes * Not limited budget Backpack Hack of the Week™: Halfmile’s PCT App * An app that helps you along the PCT Trail Wisdom “I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.” —Vincent van Gogh If you’re looking for fun backpacking books and merch, check out thefirst40miles.com/shop.  We’ll see you next time on The First 40 Miles.

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 Review, a titanium tool inspired by a Japanese gardening knife.  Next, a hammock hack that will turn any blanket or sleeping bag into an underquilt.  And we’ll wrap it up with a little trail wisdom from the third best-selling poet of all time—right behind Shakespeare and Laozi. Opening * We love getting audio from our First 40 Milers! * Inspiring, unique, relevant, beautiful and authentic. * If you want to share your story, go to TheFirst40Miles.com/story * I want to share Libi’s story because I believe there are some interesting takeaways from it. Top 5 Takeaways From Our Libi’s Story Start with what you have The first step… Learn from mistakes Don’t give up Share your story with others SUMMIT Gear Review™: Vargo Dig Dig Tool Structure * Serrated edges cut through ground and roots * Made from strong, lightweight titanium Utility * Dual use trowel and tent stake * Ergonomic design for digging ease and efficiency * Comfortable rolled handle Mass * Weight: 1.25 ounces (36 g) * Length: 8.1 inches (20.5 cm) * Width: 1.7 inches (4.4 cm) Maintenance * Has a hole at the top end so you can attach some cordage or a small carabiner Investment * $25 Trial * Love the rolled-edge handles, nice feel, doesn’t dig into your hand when you use it * The serrated edges—inspired by the hori hori Japanese gardening knife. Gets the roots. Backpack Hack of the Week™:  DIY Hammock Underquilt Hack * If you want to sleep comfortable and warm in a hammock, you need either a nice big sleeping pad like the Klymit hammock pad, or you need an underquilt that goes on the outside of the hammock that keeps you insulated. * We’ve always just brought regular sleeping pads because we don’t have an underquilt—but one of our boys decided to try something different * He used a Rumpl Down Comforter and some twisty tie things from NiteIze to attach the quilt onto the underside of his hammock * You can get the same results with a sleeping bag or other quilt. Just find a way to attach the quilt or bag under you.  Hair ties, rope, small bungee cords—whatever.  Just make sure it’s secure under your hammock. Trail Wisdom “Solitude is a silent storm that breaks down all our dead branches. Yet it sends out living roots deeper into the living heart of the living earth. Man struggles to find life outside himself, unaware that the life he is seeking is within him. Nature reaches out to us with welcome arms, and bids us enjoy her beauty; but we dread her silence, and rush into the crowded cities, there to huddle like sheep fleeing from a ferocious wolf.” —Kahlil Gibran If you’re looking for fun backpacking books and merch, check out TheFirst40Miles.com/shop.

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 way to bring a game and lighten your load, we have a fun option for you.  And, a hack that will make you rethink toilet paper. Opening * Micro Improvements * Every trip… “How can I improve?” * Benefits of frequent, shorter trips * Pencil and paper on trips * What would you do differently next time? Why? Top 5 Reasons Why We Prioritize Backpacking It’s not a “once in a lifetime” vacation * It’s affordable fun * Budget friendly * Have you ever come home from an expensive vacation feeling fleeced? It connects us by disconnecting us * It’s a way to disconnect from screens * Backpacking is both quality time and quantity time * Quality Time vs. Quantity Time: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-q-and-a/parenting/quality-time-vs-quantity-time-in-parenting * We spend time together, work together, discover together Simple fun * Simple fun, with trees, sticks, rocks * It’s hard to explain how things that are so simple can be so fun! Once you have the basic gear, the trails are waiting for you! * It’s like discovering a new band and binging on one album, then finding out they have, like 30 other albums that you’ve never heard before. * You can start with one trail, then branch out to discover all the trails All ages * No matter your age, experience level, your physical condition, the trail can teach. * We’ve seen what it’s done for our family * All ages are welcome on the trail SUMMIT Gear Review™:   Pack O Games by Perplext Structure * Microgames, the size of a pack of gum—literally * Each game has only 30 cards * 2+ players Utility * Pure fun Mass * Weighs .9 ounces (25 grams) Maintenance * Keep in a zip top plastic bag Investment * $7-9 per game Trial * Heather loved LIE (probably because she won it the first time she played it with Josh…) * If you learn games by watching instead of reading rules, go to their website and watch how to play. They have a video for each game that teaches you to play in 3 minutes or less * SHH (2-4 players) * SPY (2-4 players) * RUM (2-4 players) * LIE (2-6 players) * Lightweight, small, easy to learn, fun to play, perfectly backpackable, 25 grams of legal, family friendly entertainment, worth the weight. Backpack Hack of the Week™: Counterintuitive Toilet Paper * Common sense says soft toilet paper. * But use a smooth rock instead for the first couple of wipes, then go in for the clean with TP. Got this idea from Andrew Skurka.  Love the smooth rock idea.  Pinecones and leaves always leave a trace behind if you know what I mean… Trail Wisdom “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” ―Vincent van Gogh

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 bluff and prove that being outdoors is about as real as it gets.  Then we’ll review a headlamp that uses a unique swipe gesture to boldly illuminate your path.   Today’s hack is a cheap, easy way to store and access your ten essentials. Opening * What is real? * Social media vs. reality * We try to be authentic—but no matter how hard we try, you just can see the full picture over social media or any media—and that’s the nature of media. It’s never going to give you a 360 degree, 100 percent accurate view. * Consuming social media tends to be very passive, whereas anytime spent outside is active, fulfilling. Top 5 Reasons Social Media Buzzwords that Belong Outside Smart Content * Define: Content that is intelligently personalized to your needs * Content that’s relevant to your life. * Social media outlets may claim that they are trending toward content that’s intelligent, personalized, and targeted…but nothing can replace those micro lessons you learn when you’re outside—lessons that seems to be custom-tailored to you. * Have you ever wondered why it is that you can learn something new about yourself on every backpacking trip? Or how a group of you can go out backpacking, and even though you’re all in the same forest you each get something completely and uniquely satisfying?  Or how you can go out to the same place year after year and be amazed every time. * The backcountry is loaded with smart content that is divinely and intelligently personalized to your needs. Ephemeral * Ephemeral content is short-lived, disappearing content, usually active only for 24 hours before it’s deleted. Someone may post pictures of an event and if you miss that disappearing content, you’ve lost your chance …Creates a sense of urgency, flightly, FOMO. * If you’re the type of person who craves ephemeral content, social media is the wrong place to get your fill. * You’ll find heeps of soul satisfying ephemeral content in the wilderness. A fuschia and orange sunset, summer’s last hidden patch of snow melting before your eyes, the flicker of a fire, a darting fawn, the list goes on.  The forest is filled with non-stop ephemera—to the extreme.  Don’t settle for Instagram stories of your brother-in-law setting off a firework inside his barbecue. Trending * Can you imagine if we used this term every time the seasons changed? Oh look robin eggs are trending.  Glacial runoff is trending.  And yet, nature has her cycles and you can watch for those “trends” as you immerse yourself in the rhythm of nature. Live * Live is a funny social media trend…because even though the content may be streaming to your device in real time, it’s never truly * Live definition: of or involving a presentation in which both the performers and an audience are physically present * If it were live, you would be experiencing all the smells, sounds, temperature changes, the ground rumbling, and off screen side shows. * Social Media can never replace an actual experience. Live isn’t live unless you’re there. Authentic/Vulnerable * Social Media may claim to be sharing things that are honest, behind-the-scenes, and raw—but I think we all know the truth. To put it bluntly, there is very little about your social media experience that isn’t curated, targeted, or even a little staged. * You know, the photos that we share, you’ know you’re not getting the full picture—what’s beyond the edges of the photo. * If you want to live life beyond the edges of a photo, get outside, and YOU be the one who is authentic,

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 power your electronics, but also rolls up to the size of a Payday candy bar.  And a hack for all you hammock hangers out there—sorry ground dwellers. Opening * Dad requests book on Trail Wisdom * The power of collecting quotes, poems and other trail wisdom Listener Audio: Alex and backpacking with his Father Top 5 Words That Might Describe Your First Backpacking Trip Surprising * What did you expect? * You might be surprised at the things that happen/don’t happen * Surprised that it was easier than you expected, surprised by what the real challenges actually were… Empowering * It takes a lot to actually get out on your first trip backpacking, especially if you’re taking other people along, too. * But when you finally make it to the trail head, then to your campsite or to a view or a lake, or you overcome a frustrating challenge like accidentally leaving a piece of gear at home—you should be proud of yourself. * You did it! You can do hard things!! Overwhelming * There’s so much you don’t know yet… * You may have thoughts like “There’s no way I’d ever sleep in a hammock, or bring my kids, or try going stoveless or learn any knots.” * Some things seem hard to a beginner, but after you have small successes you’ll be ready for learning new things…line upon line. Exhausting * “I thought I’d sleep better” or “I didn’t think it would take this long to put up a tent or figure out how to make dinner” * You may be exhausted, frustrated, and sore, but I promise it gets better. Liberating * No matter where you go, there are no walls * Very freeing feeling * It’s a feeling you’ll want to experience again and again. SUMMIT Gear Review™:  LightSaver USB Roll-up Solar Charger – Battery Bank    Structure * Flexible solar panel (not rigid) * Has a power bank * USB Utility * Charges itself while it charges your device Mass * Weighs 5 ounces * Lightest weight solar charger on the market Maintenance * Manufacturer recommends full sun charge * You can also charge at home with USB Investment * $100 Trial * Love how it’s a battery bank, too—you can pre charge it before your trip * We took the LightSaver out on our backpacking trip to the Metolius River * Often when we’re hiking, we don’t have full sun—we’re under a canopy of trees or a covering of clouds, which means it’s harder to get 6 hours of full sun–the manufacturer says that partial sun can still charge the battery pack–just not as fast as full sun. * The battery pack means that you can “top off” your electronics, then charge the battery pack when you have access to full sun * Best for cell phones, headlamps, mp3 players, and other light-drain electronics. * Compact, flexible, lightweight, easy to attach to a pack Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Hammock Tree Straps as Gear Storage Hammock hack: tie your boot laces together loosely and hang them over the hammock’s tree straps.  That will keep them off the ground and reduce the chance that they’ll be carried off or filled up.  You can also take a carabiner and hang your pack or other gear off the tree straps. Trail Wisdom The hills ahead look steep and high, And often we behold them with a sigh;

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.  Today you’ll hear a trip report from our adventure with our friends who have never been backpacking before.  And we’ll share a hack for DIY soap sheets. Opening * Our weekend trip with newbie backpacking friends? Success! * Overview of weekend * Anything you wish you could do over? Top 5 Things our Friends Learned on their First Backpacking trip SUMMIT Gear Review™: Pairs from HipPocket Games  Structure * 55 card deck * Pyramid deck (1×1, 2×2, 3×3, 4×4 etc.) Utility * At the start of the game, shuffle the deck, then remove five cards from play. Deal one card face-up to each player. * In this game, points are bad and getting pairs is bad. * Whoever has the lowest card is the first active player. * On your turn, you can do one of two things: She decides whether to “hit” — that is, be dealt another card — or forfeit the round. If she hits and is dealt a card that doesn’t match a card she already has in front of her, then the next player clockwise becomes the active player; if the card does match, then the round ends, she keeps one of these matching cards as penalty points, then everyone else discards their cards and a new round begins with each player being dealt a card. * If the active player forfeits the round, the round ends and she takes the lowest-valued card visible on the table as penalty points, then a new round begins. Penalty cards remain set aside, even if the deck is shuffled to continue play. If a player acquires more penalty points than the predetermined threshold, then the game ends and this player loses. (Alternatively, players can use coins to track scores between games, with the loser paying everyone one coin, paying her score in coins to the player with the lowest score, etc.) * You can play Pairs with this deck, or, you can play 30 other games with this same deck. Mass * Weighs: 3.1 ounces (88 grams) Maintenance * FREE Booklet of 30 more games to play with this deck Investment * $10 Trial * This is a press your luck game * Simple to learn, and quick to play. Easy to teach.  Not a lot of rules.  Perfect for a quick after dinner game.  Light and fun. * All ages can pick this up * Free printable book of other games that you can play with this deck… some are variations of Pairs * There are 21 different Pairs decks—they all play the same—but the art ranges from vintage fruit to fantasy art to cartoon space monsters. All Pairs decks have the same numbers, but different art. Backpack Hack of the Week™: DIY Soap Sheets * cooling rack (like you put cookies on) * parchment paper or waxed paper (not regular paper) * unscented, biodegradable liquid soap (like Seventh Generation) * scissors or paper cutter Take a 12 x 12 piece of wax paper or parchment paper Pour a squiggly swirl of unscented liquid soap or unscented dish soap on the parchment paper or waxed paper Coat both sides of the paper with liquid soap using your hands or a paint brush. Set the paper on the cooling rack and let it dry completely. Cut your soap sheets into 2×2-inch squares and staple them together. I went a step further and cut a piece of cardstock to go over the soap sheets, like a matchbook, and stapled them at the bottom. Now you have instant, biodegradable, single use soap sheets,

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 a listener story about his introduction to the wild woods.  For Today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, a ten-card, 17-gram microgame that will provide minutes of fun on your next backpacking trip. Opening * Planning to take a family out with us…four adults, six kids, what’s our plan? * We’ve wanted to do this! * Help others get out on their first backpacking trip Top 5 Things We’ll Do To Ensure a Successful Trip With Our Friends Gear loans * We’re planning a low elevation trip, close to the trailhead trip, which means, we don’t need to plan for snow or really difficult conditions * We’ll make sure everyone has what they need and loan whatever they don’t have Fire * All they wanted was a fire… * We went up to the BLM spot that we’re going to and stashed some wood under a cedar tree. Hopefully it’ll stay dry until the trip out there * Most likely, we’ll use the fire to cook food. Memorable food * Checked on allergies and food preferences * Mom is GF, but no other allergies * Last time we went up to our family backpacking spot , we roasted dough on a stick, which was ridiculous amounts of fun. * We also roasted old fashioned doughnut holes, which was a regrettable mistake… they’re not any better roasted. Underwhelm them * The hike we picked isn’t breathtaking, but I think there’s some wisdom in this. * It proves that amazing memories can still be created be just being outside * Short, close, re-creatable Something for everyone * On this trip we’ll have four adults and six kids ranging from 7 years old to 15 years old. Is it possible to ensure that everyone is having a good time?  And what does it mean to have a “good time” when you’re in the wilderness? * Something for the 7-year-old, the two 10-year-olds, the two 13-year-olds, and the 15-year-old kids. This might mean bringing a few zero day activities like a deck of cards, or an extra hammock… Trail Talk from Jim Ball He was inspired to get out because of someone he met in Houston, TX.  Love this! Backpack Hack of the Week™: Divide and Conquer (A Micro Game) This quick and easy game is played with ten cards pulled from a standard 52 card deck. You’ll need numbers two through ten, plus the queen (which acts as a 12).   Divide the ten cards evenly, giving each player five cards.   Players hold cards in their hand.  They each decide which card they will play against the other player, and simultaneously play the card they have chosen. The player with the high card wins, unless that card can be divided evenly by the opponent’s card.  In that case, the player with the low card wins! For example, player one plays a ten, and player two plays a five.  Even though ten is higher than five, five gets a point because ten can be divided evenly by five. You can keep track of points by turning the winner card face up and the losing card face down.  This is important because after the first round, you switch hands with your opponent, so they get a chance to play the marvelous hand you were dealt—or have to struggle with the horrible hand you were allotted. I love the hand-switching element of Divide and Conquer, because it gives a little more fairness to the game.  It also gives you a chance to prove that it’s skill and strategy that win, not the luck of the draw.   I also love the subtlety of this game.  You are trying to out-guess what your opponent will play, since they know that you know what they have. Trail Wisdom “We need the tonic of wildness–to wade sometimes ...

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 we’ll talk about how to raise the next generation of strong hikers and backpackers.  Then, if you’re looking for a way to introduce backpacking to new readers, we have the perfect book for you.  For today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, an instant food option that can fill a tortilla and feed a crowd. Opening * Resilient children * “Resilience is that ineffable quality that allows some people to be knocked down by life and come back stronger than ever. Rather than letting failure overcome them and drain their resolve, they find a way to rise from the ashes. Psychologists have identified some of the factors that make someone resilient, among them a positive attitude, optimism, the ability to regulate emotions, and the ability to see failure as a form of helpful feedback. Even after misfortune, resilient people are blessed with such an outlook that they are able to change course and soldier on.” —Psychology Today Top 5 Ways to Teach Resilience While Backpacking With Children Develop a strong relationship with your child * Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child says this is the number one determining factor in building resilience in children. * “The single most common factor for children who develop resilience is at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver, or other adult. These relationships provide the personalized responsiveness, scaffolding, and protection that buffer children from developmental disruption.” Encourage proactive behaviors * “I’m hungry” “I’m tired” “I’m bored” * “What can you do to fix that?” * Or even “That’s ok.” Because it’s ok to be hungry, tired or bored. Let out the leash * How can you expect a child to solve their own problems if they never have problems? * Letting the leash out and giving your children a larger, more potentially dangerous playground * Opportunities to get hurt and recover, to take a risk, fail and try again, * Tricky balance for parents… * Children must be allowed to take risks if they are going to develop resilience Develop your own cultural traditions * Harvard Center on the Developing Child also said that another key to resilience is cultural traditions * Giving children sources of faith, hope, and cultural traditions. * What traditions are a part of backpacking? * Rhythm of the trail * Even just creating an outdoor culture in your family Take time for recovery * Article from Harvard: The key to resilience is trying really hard, then stopping, recovering, and then trying again. This conclusion is based on biology. Homeostasis is a fundamental biological concept describing the ability of the brain to continuously restore and sustain well-being. Positive neuroscientist Brent Furl from Texas A&M; University coined the term “homeostatic value” to describe the value that certain actions have for creating equilibrium, and thus wellbeing, in the body. When the body is out of alignment from overworking, we waste a vast amount of mental and physical resources trying to return to balance before we can move forward. SUMMIT Gear Review: Backpacker ABCs by Heather Legler Structure * Short ABC book to help children get into backpacking Utility * Meant to help children get to know the trail * Coloring book, website with resources Mass * Paperback: 3.3 oz; eBook: 0 oz. Maintenance * Share with your friends Investment * $10.

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 good reason to knock marshmallows off your packing list.  And we’ll wrap up the show with some wisdom from a man who was no dummy. Opening Our Spring Break trip to the Metolius River Top 5 Things We Loved About This Trip SUMMIT Gear Review: UCO Air Lithium Ion Rechargeable Headlamp Structure * Rechargeable headlamp: 170 mAh Li-Ion Battery * Standard Micro-USB (not included) * Soft, adjustable strap with hook & loop adjustment Utility * Beam Projection: 154′ on High * LUMENS: Up to 150, plus it has a red night vision mode if you turn the dial backward Mass * Weighs: 1.6 oz. (45 g) Maintenance * 48 mins on High/1.5 hours on Medium/5 hours on Low * Rechargeable! 170 mAh Li-Ion Battery * IP Rating: IPX4 Investment * $35 Trial * Plenty of power * Liked that it has a dial that starts on lowest setting, adjustable light. * Using dimmest setting first has two benefits—it preserves your battery and it preserves your night vision. * Breathable mesh over the neoprene, so you don’t get sweaty under your headlamp. * The headlamp strap is not elastic-no give at all—which means it has to be adjusted every time your head size changes—when you put on a hat, a hood, or put your hair in a pony tail, you’ll need to readjust the fit. * One of the benefits of the Uco Air having a neoprene strap is that it doesn’t tighten around your head like elastic does and it won’t stretch out or become tired like elastic does. * Light tilts down so you can direct it toward a map and adjust it so it won’t blind others. * The headlanp strap is looped through a plastic buckle pretty tightly—but there’s an easy hack for that–if you want an easier time adjusting the size of the strap, remove it from the buckle and just loop it once through the buckle instead of twice. * Lightweight, rechargeable, bright and comfortable. Backpack Hack of the Week™: Roasted Starbursts Unwrap Starburst candy, place on end of a stick.  Rotate over coals or fire until it begins to bubble.  Remove from fire and let cool slightly.  A perfectly roasted Starburst will have a thin crunchy candy shell and a gooey, warm inside. Trail Wisdom “Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.” – Isaac Newton

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 today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, a monthly subscription service that will keep you excited about backpacking all year long.  Today’s hack will help you repurpose a Pringles can.  And we’ll leave you with some Trail Wisdom from our favorite mountain goat. Opening * Our beginners conversation… * Where to start? * What our listeners want * https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-beginners.html Top 5 Things Beginner Backpackers Worry About Choosing the “Right” Gear * Easy to get hung up on researching the perfect pack, the perfect sleeping bag and the perfect tent * We are tricked into believing that the better the gear, the better the hike. * The truth is that perfect gear doesn’t equal the perfect backpacking experience. * If choosing the perfect gear is your number one priority, then stop. * Make “getting out on first trip” your number one priority. Cost * Wait, isn’t nature supposed to be free? * Cost of gear, cost of travel, cost of food… Making Mistakes * Why is so important to with a friend Getting Lost * That freedom makes you feel incredible * Start small, build navigation skills “What if…?” * Which is why beginners tend to over pack * Bear spray, guide books, solar shower, extra clothes beyond what you need SUMMIT Gear Review:  Cairn Subscription Service Structure * Cairn is a subscription gift box service * Each box comes with a newspaper called Cairn Scout, that gives you information about the things in the box and how to use the discount codes. Utility * Items in a Cairn Subscription Box…in this specific box we received gear from Uco, Hydrapak, and Skout. * Mass * “Up to 6 amazing outdoor products”, but realistically, around 3 to 4 things will be in the box. * Depending on your interest, they try to suit the box to your type of outdoor activity. Maintenance * Your card will be automatically billed unless you cancel * Earn points for reviewing your new gear. * Redeem your points in the Cairn Shop for apparel, free boxes, and gifts for friends * Sometimes, Cairn will throw in a surprise gift to your box that no one else gets Investment * $30/month for the monthly service (free shipping only applies if you have a subscription) * $250/quarter for the premium “Obsidian” quarterly service (5–10 premium products—up to $350 value—quarterly) Trial * We’ll be reviewing the items in the Cairn Box over the next few weeks Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Muffins in a Pringles Can Have you ever tried to bring homemade muffins on a backpacking trip, only to have them end up in a smashed crumbly mess at the bottom of your stuff sack? Did you know that homemade muffins fit perfectly into an empty Pringles can? You can fit 5–6 homemade muffins in the can. Muffins are great because you can make them savory or sweet. * Bran * Cornbread * Cheddar Bacon * Carrot * Zucchini Chocolate * Apple Oat * Blueberry * Coconut * Pumpkin Pie * Cinnamon Streusel Muffins * Double Chocolate Muffin * Maple French Toast Muffin * Molasses Bran Walnut Raisin * Cranberry Apple Walnut * Coffee Cake * Lemon Cream Cheese Poppy Seed

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, and leaves your gear looking cooler, by far, than your friend’s gear.  And we’ll share a hack from one of our listeners, Paul. Opening * Backpacking is better with friends * Backpacking with family is fun, but there are things you learn from friends that you may not learn from your family Top 5 Reasons Backpacking is Better With Friends Shared experience that strengthen or develop friendship * We get together with our friends after trips to watch slide shows, we ask about upcoming trips, etc. They’re you’re “on-site search and rescue” * Solo is a gamble * You may be fine… * I’d rather be with a group who will have my back Efficiency—in gear and food * Share a stove. share a tent, share a water filter, share extra food * A little risky, but there are things you can do to mitigate that risk. * Stick close together Better decisions–perhaps * Everyone can contribute to problem solving * Beware of groupthink, though. * Not everyone in your group is a genius, and sometimes the most outspoken and persuasive one can be the biggest risk-taker. Learn things from each other! * This is the biggest upside of all. * It means you’ll have this library of collective knowledge and experience. SUMMIT Gear Review: Noso Puffy Patch Structure * Shaped, colorful patches of nylon * Permanent adhesive on back that repairs your gear * Sleeping bags, down jackets, tents, tarps, anything made of nylon Utility * Clean damaged area with isopropyl alcohol * Remove loose threads * Remove paper liner from patch * Center patch over damaged area * Apply pressure from center to outside edges * To make the patch stick permanently, you need to apply heat Mass * Maybe a gram, if that… Maintenance * No special treatment once the patch is applied. * They say it withstands repeated washings, but this isn’t something we’ve tested yet. Investment * $5-15 Trial * They say “The patches adhere better to fabric than tape and don’t gum up on the sides. Once the adhesive has been activated, nothing will pull them off.” * They keep your gear going * I had a cut in my Enlightened Equipment backpacking quilt. It looked like a knife cut.  I patched it with a Noso Puffy Patch. Backpack Hack of the Week™:  A Map for Everyone Hack from our listener and friend, Paul: Always bring enough paper maps so that everyone has one.  Bringing different maps is a good idea: one will give the elevations of lakes and major junctions, one will show forest cover, another will show trails that may not be on the other maps… Trail Wisdom We have the peculiar privilege … the freedom to walk this earth, see its beauties, taste its sweetness, partake of its enduring strength. –Hal Borland

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.  Then we each share one of our favorite “must-have” backpacking items.  Next, a super-healthy, super-crunchy trail snack that can be ready in minutes.  And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a couple of nutty backpacking podcasters.  Opening * Backpacking ABCs children’s book * Future children’s chapter book series about backpacking * Kids have the power to inspire adults Top 5 Things We Want to Include in Future Episodes Wilderness First Aid Episode * It’s important to know first aid * It’s also good to have a first aid refresher if it’s been a while since your last class Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Report * Hope to find great backpacking gear to share on the show Foraging while Backpacking * Almost gave up on foraging… * We’re recommitted to finding interesting “trail food” on the trail while backpacking this summer Steve’s Oregon Section of the PCT (and our section of that hike with him) * Our friend is taking a long walk on the Oregon section of the PCT * We’ll join him for part of it Beginner Questions * Is there something we need to revisit? Something we haven’t fully explained? * What’s it like for beginner backpackers? What are things you would like to know? * Weather issues, things to expect on your first trip… SUMMIT Gear Review: Justin’s Nut Butters and Ozark Trail 9-led Mini Flashlights * For today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, Heather issued a challenge to share something (anything) that comes on every backpacking trip. * JOSH: Justin’s Nut Butter packets. They’re convenient.  Calorie dense.  Easy to pack.  No mess.  Lots of different flavors. * HEATHER: The cheap $1 flashlights from Walmart. She gives them to her kids.  They come with batteries, they have 9 super-bright LEDs, they’re easy to use, grippy material on outside. Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Veggie Crackers Recipe from Trail Grazing * 2 Tablespoons chia seeds * 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed * 2 Tablespoons water * 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast * 1/2 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend (like Mrs. Dash) * less than 1/4 teaspoon salt Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and wait 5 minutes until water is fully absorbed.  Take dough ball and roll between two sheets of 8×8-inch parchment paper until dough is a 7-inch circle.  Remove top piece of parchment paper.  Score dough using a knife or pizza cutter. Place parchment with the uncooked dough on a microwave-safe plate.  Microwave for 2 minutes.  Remove plate from microwave and break crackers along score lines. Return to microwave for another 30 seconds. Crackers will crisp as they cool.  If they are not crisp, return to microwave and cook for an additional 15 seconds until crisp.  Be careful not to burn. This recipe is from our book, Trail Grazing: 40 High Energy Snacks to Fuel Your Adventures. Trail Wisdom Josh:  Keep hiking while you’re getting older and you’ll be able to hike when you’re older Heather: Life is better outside than inside

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 one of the best subscription boxes we’ve found, that will help you hone your survival skills into a craft.  Next, a backpack hack that’ll prepare you for surviving laundry. Opening * Our winter so far… * Ape Caves Adventure * Overnight backpacking trip * Christmas tree from our 4th grader’s Every Kid in a Park pass Top 5  Survival Essentials (a.k.a The 5 C’s) Cover * Cover is important because it protects you from nature and the elements * More than just a tent or tarp—this survival essential is also about having the proper clothing and first aid essentials Cut * Knife * One of the 10 Essentials * Knife is a first aid tool, a meal prep tool, a problem solving tool, a fix it tool, and a self-defense tool. * Is your knife adequate? Cup * Cup can mean more than just a water bottle… * Sierra cup for boiling water, means a secondary form of water purification * Dry bag in your pack can serve double duty as a way to haul water. * What else can a cup be used for? Cordage * Rope, string, paracord, guylines, etc. * What do you use cordage for? * leverage/tools/projects * Clothing can be cordage Combustion * Combustion is just another word for power * What if I don’t want to have a fire? Do I still need a method of combustion?  Yes!  You still need a way to start a fire and you still need light, even if you think you won’t actually use them. * Consider bringing a charger if you plan on using electronics. SUMMIT Gear Review™:  Apocabox Subscription Service Structure * Bi monthly subscription survival box * Things come in reuseable drawstring bags * Meant for wilderness survival—and focuses on teaching skills and outfitting you for outdoor survival * It’s not a box filled with samples of the latest granola bar, a bottle opener and an acrylic beanie. * For each box, Creek Stewart makes a video that helps you through the skills challenge * Exposed to new ideas, types of carving methods, ancient ways * Education centered, project centric. * Meant to inspire you to get out, do something, be in nature, and challenge yourself. Utility * Incredibly useful items that beef up your outdoor skills * Items offered in the past: books, mini manuals, kits to make an outdoor survival item, resin for repairing things, handcrafted items, multi-use items, “ancient ways” stuff, * To get an idea of past boxes, we went to YouTube and watched some videos Mass * Box has a variety of items, no box is ever a “repeat” Maintenance * The Apocabox is a subscription service created by someone who doesn’t want you to feel trapped by a subscription service. You can order just one box as a gift to yourself or to someone else.  No problem.  There are other options as well.  You can start a subscription and keep it going.  Cancel any time.  No tricky weird stuff. * You may receive a box with a trap in it, but this subscription isn’t a trap. * FEBRUARY: Billing Date: 2/1, Shipment Date: 2/15 * APRIL: Billing Date: 4/1, Shipment Date: 4/15 * JUNE: Billing Date: 6/1, Shipment Date: 6/15 * AUGUST: Billing Date: 8/1, Shipment Date: 8/15 * OCTOBER: Billing Date: 10/1, Shipment Date: 10/15 * DECEMBER: Billing Date: 12/1, Shipment Date: 12/15 Investment * $50 a box $12 shipping (in the US)

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 down puffy?  Then we’ll review a sleeping bag that not only harnesses the power of down, but also uses a unique closure system.  And if you’ve avoided down because of allergies, we have a simple trick that just may save you a box of Kleenex. Opening * Down is incredibly insulating and has a great warmth to weight ratio * Ounce for ounce, down is the warmest insulating material available * In the United States, Federal Trade Commission regulations require that any product labeled “100% Down” must contain only down feathers, while products labeled simply “Down” can contain a mixture of fiber and feathers. * Down insulation is rated by fill power, which is the number of cubic inches displaced by a given ounce of down (in3/oz). To measure fill power, an ounce of down is placed into a graduated cylinder, and a small weight is dropped in on top of it; the volume below the weight indicates the fill power. * Eider down has the highest fill power, at 1200. However, even down with a fill power as low as 550 still provides reasonably good insulation. Higher fill-power downs will insulate better than lower fill-power downs of the same weight. Insulation in most outdoor equipment ranges from about 400 to 900 in3/oz (230–520 cm3/g). Down rated 500–650 in3/oz (290–375 cm3/g) is warm enough and light enough for most conditions, and 800–900 in3/oz (460–520 cm3/g) fill is used for very lightweight and/or very cold-weather gear. * A fill rating is from the number of cubic inches that one ounce of down will fill. * Down is warm, lightweight and packable. If well cared for, it retains its loft up to three times longer than do most synthetics. * When it is wet, the thermal properties of down are virtually eliminated. Down forms clumps if exposed to dampness or moisture, and will mildew if left damp. In addition, it will absorb and retain odors. * Water repellent down Top 5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Down Insulation But Were Afraid to Ask Where does down come from? * Primarily ducks and geese for outdoor insulation (coats, vests and sleeping bags) * When baby ducks and geese are born they are covered only in down–but the down in your jacket did not come from plucking all the feathers off of a baby duck. * Duck and geese have down throughout their life—in fact when they go through the molting process, they cyclically lose their down and it gets replaced. However, this shed down is probably not what’s in your jacket either, although, that would be convenient to just harvest the down that’s shed naturally. * The down that’s in our insulating gear like jackets and sleeping bags is the down from underneath the outer feathers, primarily in the chest. * What makes these angel soft pieces of insulation for valuable than the outer feathers? They do not have quills. If you’ve ever owned an inexpensive comforter or jacket that has feathers, you’ve probably noticed that every once in a while something will be poking you.  You pull it out, and it’s a feather with a hard, sharp quill. * No mystical down making machine…however companies like Primaloft and 3M are working hard to come up with an insulating puff that has the power of down, the compressibility of down, the lifespan of down. They’re getting closer with every winter. How is down harvested? * The duck’s life or the geese’s life ends—and probably for the food industry. While we don’t eat much duck or goose in North America, it’s very popular in China. * The feathers and down are then hand-plucked or machine-plucked from the dead bird

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 sleeping pad with a 4.4 R-value that is a win for budget minded backpackers.  And we’ve got the perfect hack that will make your sleeping pad stay in place. Opening * Audio of packing for winter trip * May be some rain–prepare for that * Things we’re going to bring Top 5 Reasons We Decided to Prepare for a Short Winter Backpacking Trip Tension Headaches * A few weeks ago Josh said his tension headaches were increasing…so  we looked for ways to reduce tension.  Getting out in nature is a great place to start. Heather wanted to share the load of trip planning * Usually I leave the trip planning to Josh…in fact this is sometimes to my detriment because I’m not as prepared as I could have been. For this trip that we took, it didn’t  require much planning… To kick Date Night up a notch * Friday…and the question is “What should we do for date night?” * Movies, eating out, entertainment, shopping—so many date night options are expensive and leave you feeling heavy, slow, fat, poor and tired. * Getting outside leaves you feeling, refreshed, “good” tired, relaxed, connected and happy. To prove to myself that winter is rich and wonderful * …I just need to learn to appreciate it The calendar says we’re too busy * And if we were to look at the calendar for a convenient time to get out on a trip, it would never happen * Sticking it to the calendar… SUMMIT Gear Review™:  Klymit Insulated V Ultralite SL Sleeping Pad Structure * Fabric 20D Durable Polyester * Chambers filled with lofted synthetic insulation * Nozzle that locks in place (pull to open, push to close, twist to lock) Utility * Inflation: 10-15 Breaths * R-Value: 4.4 * Rolls up easily Mass * Weights 15.9oz / 450g * 72″ x 20″ x 2.5″ * Packed size 4.5″ x 7″ * Pad tapers at end, not only to match your body shape, but to save weight Maintenance * Comes with a patch kit * Can be repaired in the field Investment * $119.95 * Klymit Lifetime Warranty Trial * Great value for high R-value pad * Easy to inflate * Great customer service when we had to send a pad back * V-chamber design traps heat without adding weight or insulation Backpack Hack of the Week™:   How to Stay on Your Sleeping Pad * Do you spend a lot of the night trying to keep your sleeping bag on your sleeping pad? Is it a constant struggle to keep from sliding off? * Solution: Slide your sleeping pad inside your sleeping bag. * This works with any pad in any sleeping bag. And the bonus benefit is that you get to use the insulative properties of your pad as it curves up around you in your sleeping bag.   When you use the sleeping pad underneath your sleeping bag, that insulative square footage goes to waste–but when it’s in your bag, it adds to the insulation around your shoulders and legs. * Only use this hack if you know it will be a dry night—because your pad is not only air tight, but water tight as well and protects you from moisture. Trail Wisdom “I believe the best lessons can be learned by failing and flailing, and I believe those are the lessons that settle in deepest, right in the spot where it matters.

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 you may run across in your reading.  Then we’ll review some dreamy socks that are getting a cult following among thru hikers.  And we’ll give you access to the secret government code book to decipher trip reports. Opening * Creative Trip Report Writing… * How can I decode some of the buzzwords on trail reviews and get a REAL sense of whether this is worth the attempt? * Great lines from trip reports: * http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/enchantment-lakes Top 5 Types of Words I Ran into While Reading Trip Reports Worlds that describe the ecosystem * Give you the big picture of what to expect in terms of plant life, animals, temperature ranges, exposure, and features * An ecosystem describes the connection of all the elements * Sub-alpine, wetlands, rainforest, desert, grasslands, temperate forests Words that describe the geology or earth shape * Earth is shaped by erosion, glaciers, volcanoes, wind, water, wind, earthquakes, plate tectonics…and much of the evidence of these forces can be seen on the trail * Avalanche chute, basin walled by rugged peaks, rock formation, summit, dome, ridge, pass, shoreline, alluvial, pluvial lake * These words pain the picture of what you’ll see as you hike * These features could be a hundred miles away, or right in front of you. Words that describe other living matter * Dense growth of sedges, wildflowers, Indian paintbrush, western anemone, lupine * Mountain goats, elk * Even insects are frequently mentioned in trail reports, as well as fungi Words that describe manmade structures * Boardwalk, rustic log bridge, bear pole, camp sites * Understanding these features will help you to appreciate man’s desire to return to the wild and find solitude, beauty and peace. * Many of these features have minimum impact, use local resources, and are created to be long lasting. Words that describe trail features * Switchbacks, elevation gain, left branch/right branch, T-junction, forks * Understanding these words can help you to navigate successfully SUMMIT Gear Review™:  CloudLine Socks Structure * 63% Ultra Soft Merino Wool, 33% Nylon, 4% Spandex * Reinforced cushion zones for durability and comfort * Anti-microbial * Long lasting softness Utility * Merino wool wicks moisture, regulates temperature, and resists odor making this the perfect sock Mass * Weight varies by size and sock Maintenance * Machine washable Investment * $15-24 depending on size and weight * Hiking sock with medium cushion is $22 * “THE CLOUDLINE LIFETIME GUARANTEE: You can be confident that you are going to love these hiking socks as much as we do. Or your money back. That’s our guarantee. If they don’t live up to the abuse of the wild, your money back. If there are any defects, your money back. If a bear eats them whole, well, consider yourself lucky. But we think you get the picture.” Trial * What do you love about Cloudline socks? * https://www.cloudlineapparel.com/ * They will win awards for comfort…super soft * Kept calling them Cloud 9 socks…but they’re Cloudline socks Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Outdoor Glossary Glossary from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service