Today on the First 40 Miles, If you’re planning your first overnight backpacking trip, we’ll talk about a few things that might surprise you.  Next on our SUMMIT Gear Review an all-American pair of socks from a company who set out to create the best sock ever.  Then, this week’s hack will get you outside, then inside, then back outside again!  And we’ll wrap up with a little trail wisdom from Mr. Frost.

Today on the First 40 Miles,  each of us are in a constant state of learning, and we’re all on different paths.  Today we’ll share a few things that we have learned recently.  Then, a spikey way to stay on the icy, snowy trails.  For our Backpack Hack of the Week, a listener shares a tip he learned from another hiker.

Today on the First 40 Miles, is it possible to go out into the wilderness with a crusty loaf and a canteen of water—and then derive everything else you need from the land?  We’ll share our experiences with foraging.  Then on today’s Top 5 List, we’ll share the top 5 things that Heather does on every single trip.  Next, we’re skipping the SUMMIT Gear Review and having a little story time instead.  Today’s Backpack Hack of the Week is a little creepy, but super useful

Today on the First 40 Miles, your car has a mechanic, but when it comes to good body mechanics, it’s all up to you.  Find out how to prevent injury in today’s top 5 list.  Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a piece of backpacking clothing that goes before the base layer.  Next, a zero gram solution that will support your lower back while you’re taking a quick break.  And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from the Bible.

Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re not made of titanium (well some people are) but most of us experience injury that can sideline us from even getting out on the trail.  We’ll share some ideas that will turn that recovery time into valuable trail prep.  Then, on the SUMMIT Gear Review, Katadyn rocks the water filtration scene with a collapsible, ultralight, dead-simple filter.  For today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, you’ll learn how to get your knife sharp enough to split a hair or a log…

Today on the First 40 Miles, we’ll talk about a rare but real plague of the trail—the baditude.  And we’ll offer some easy solutions for how to combat it.  Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a piece of gear to go with your down jacket, down sleeping bag or down booties.  Next, on the Backpack Hack of the Week we’ll show you how turn your plastic spoon into a weapon—no, just kidding.  We’ll just show you how to extend the handle so you can eat your freeze dried food without getting your hands dirty. 

Today on the First 40 Miles, RUBBISH: The Backpacking Trash Episode.  We’ll answer some questions about trash on the trail, then share our top 5 favorite pieces of trash that we’ve found over this past year while hiking and backpacking.  Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, we’ll let you in on a fisherman’s secret for containing little bits of refuse.  For today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, a quick hack that will keep your pots, pans and mugs clean.  And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from someone who considers all trail experiences to be gifts.

Today on the First 40 Miles,  we have three stories we want to share with you today—of women on the trail—plus our takeaways from their experiences.  Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, an inflatable hammock that may not make it on your 40 miler, but might find a way onto your weekend two mile out and back packing list.  Next, we’ll share the real recipe for a healthy, simple trail snack that almost everyone makes incorrectly.  And we’ll leave you with a little trail wisdom from a guy who has strong opinions about one piece of backpacking gear.

Today on the First 40 Miles, Heather is back from the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City with tales of what she saw!  Next,  today’s SUMMIT Gear Review features a buttery soft, ultrastrong + ultralight hammock.  For today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, you knew that a hammock had to do more than just rock you to sleep—and we’ll confirm your suspicion with today’s hack.  And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a guy who has some wise insight about backpacking.