Show Notes: Episode 214 Dear First 40 Milers, It has been a delight to share our wilderness backpacking journey with you! You’ve learned and discovered right along with us. We’re deeply touched by all the kind words and the stories that you’ve shared with us over the past four years. We hope we get a chance to cross paths again. Love, Heather and Josh Legler Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re wrapping up production of The First 40 Miles with today’s final episode. We’ll share some of our ideas for podcasts we’d love to see started, talk a little about what it’s been like to share our backpacking adventures with ya’ll, then wrap up with a little trail wisdom that brings it all full circle. Opening This week marks the 4 year anniversary of The First 40 Miles, and today is also our final episode. We have loved producing this show for you each week. Thoughts…? Top 5 new outdoor podcasts I’d like to see in the next year (that can replace The First 40 Miles) An outdoor, on site...
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/ S...
Show Notes: Episode 212 Today on the First 40 Miles, who says you can’t have type one fun and type two fun on a backpacking trip? Today’s episode explores games on the trail and how to make memories without bringing Monopoly. You’ll learn 5 super fast, super fun games that you can play on your next wilderness backpacking adventure or use to break the ice at your next board meeting. Then, we’ll review a love it or hate it nano game that, for mere grams, will earn its spot in your pack. Opening * Why games? * Diversion, make memories, pass the time, springboard for conversation and connection. * If you’re thinking, I’d never bring Monopoly or Risk with me on the trail, then it’s time to think outside the box. * Lots of games are UL, nano games, micro games, card games, dice games, physical games, mind games, pencil and paper games, feats of strength games, balance games, conversation games. Top 5 Super Quick Games to Play on the Trail Fortune Cookie * Two or more players * Your...
Show Notes: Episode 211 Today on the First 40 Miles, we love our listeners! And we love hearing their stories! Then, even if you never plan to do a thru hike, you can still scam some of their best gear hacks and incorporate them into your next overnighter. Next, a gear review that will outfit you in the toughest clothes on the planet. And a hack that as easy as sticking a piece of tape to a tent pole. Opening Matt’s Story Top 5 Thru Hiker Staples Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter * Lightweight, cheap, easy to use, easy to maintain * Many thru hikers prefer the Sawyer Squeeze to the Sawyer Mini Smart Water Bottles * Cheap, ubiquitous, versatile * Sawyer squeeze screws on top Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol * Easy to set up, lightweight, indestructible, can be cut down, under $40 * 2.6 R value * Can’t be compressed Top Ramen * Fast, easy, cheap, never disappoints (because it’s such a basic food) The Uniform * Shorts + trucker hats + minimalist running shoes (Altras, Merrels, or other zero drop u...
Show Notes: Episode 210 Today on the First 40 Miles, maybe you want to eat like royalty on the trail—but you don’t need a 15 piece place setting to make that happen. What does it take to shovel food from your cook pot to your mouth? Then we’ll talk about our top 5 favorite post trip meals. Then, what are our recommendations for backpacking gear that can go seamlessly from trail to off-trail lunchbox? And we’ll wrap things up with a quote from our favorite Dutch Post-Impressionist painter. Opening * Battle of the Utensils: Pros and Cons of each type of utensil * Fork, knife, spoon * Spork * Sponifork * Long-handled spoon * Chop sticks * Plastic/titanium/bamboo * What works? Top 5 Favorite Post Trip Meals Fried rice * Gem Lake hike when we were dating * Fast easy, prep before trip * Rice, frozen mixed veg, an egg, and some ham or bacon… oil and soy sauce. Taco soup * Fast, filling, warm * Can of corn, diced tomatoes, black beans (rinse and drained), taco seasoning or chili powder...
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 ...
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, what do you do when a trail mate is injured, sick or fatigued and can’t carry the load. For the SUMMIT Gear Review, something that will change the way you think of transporting your gear. And we’ll teach you how native peoples transported goods using a few sticks. Opening * Whenever people find out that I’m the host of a backpacking podcast, I get two general responses: * “Carrying everything on your back? I could never do that.” or “I could do that kind of thing when I was young, but not any more…” * Carrying 30 pounds of gear on your back is challenging * Are there other options? * We’ve had trips where people needed help. It’s not uncommon to lighten a load for a fellow hiking buddy Top 5 Ways to Carry Someone Else’s Pack Divide their load * Even if you ...
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 couga...
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, for the Backpacking Dinner Challenge. Can we each create a unique meal with just the pile of ingredients in front of us? We’ll find out. Then we’ll eat dinner. * Dinner Challenge * We each get a stove, a knife, water and a sierra cup. * Select at least 3 ingredients * Meals will be rated on flavor, how easy it is to make, and the whim of the host. Smokey Cheesy Tuna Dip Spanish Rice
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…