The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast

Show Notes: Episode 139 Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re on site at Heather Lake in Washington State with Rudy from the Cascade Hiker podcast.  We’ll talk about trail service and pulaskis.  Then, we’ll review a lightweight container than can hold your precious habanero flakes or a week’s worth of ibuprofen.  For the Backpack Hack of the Week, a quick flick of your foot may prevent a trail full of mug bogs.  And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom, from a nature writer of the 20th century. Opening * Interview with Rudy Giecek from the Cascade Hiker Podcast * Rudy’s interview of us on his podcast Top 5 Benefits of Doing Trail Service with an Organized Trail Crew You’ll find instant friends * People who share same values * Working together for the trails you love You’re maintaining and improving the trails you love * No more hiking thru muddy pits or scrambling over downed trees * Trail crews can clear mud bogs on trail You prevent long term damage caused by trail erosion * Erosion is caused by…water * Trails don’t have vegetation, so they’re susceptible to erosion if not graded and drained correctly * Interesting article about what the impact of different types of trail users. http://www.americantrails.org/resources/ManageMaintain/WKeenImpacts.html You probably won’t take trails for granted anymore * Once you’ve worked on a trail, you know how much work has gone into creating and maintain that trail! * Steps, downed trees, muddy spots, drainage, protected switchbacks, etc. * Hard work, respect for Mother Nature * We worked on a trail clean up where we were assigned to clear brush on the side of the trail…about 30 people working for 4 hours. Clearing a fairly small area with just protective gloves and our own muscles.  Humbling experience to see how tenacious and powerful nature is, and how weak and feeble we are. * Can you pull a 1 inch root from the ground without tools?? Underfunded trails –or heavily trafficked trails get the love they need * WTA * PNWT * Trail organizations SUMMIT Gear Review™: HumanGear GoTubb Structure * Small lidded plastic containers * Food-safe (FDA) and 100% BPA-free, PC-free, and phthalate-free. Utility * The lids for the GoTubbs are transparent, and each tub has a textured place where you can write the contents of the tub—so you can see through the lid * Open with one hand—which is great on the trail. Usually we’re understaffed…one hand is trying to light the stove, another hand is trying to balance a package of food, and we’re doing all of this while squatting and trying not to breath in the mostquito that’s been circling around our heads. Mass * Small GoTubb is .2 ounces or 5 grams (1.25 inches wide x 1 inch tall) 14 ccs * Medium GoTubb is .7 ounces or 20 grams (3 inches wide x 1.25 inches tall) 86 ccs Maintenance * To clean GoTubbs, hand wash in warm, soapy water. Investment * $6.99 for 3 pack of small * $8.99 for 3 pack of medium Trial * Not for storing liquids. Great for storing other stuff, like spices, ear plugs, pills or foot powder or soap or baking soda (which has a ton of great uses on and off the trail). * Can be opened with one hand, which is super handy Backpack Hack of the Week™: Draining Standing Water on Trails * A 5 second quick fix…either with your shoe or with a stick or trekking pole. * Dig a little trough on the side of the trail for the w...

Show Notes: Episode 138 Today on the First 40 Miles, The Geocaching Episode.  We’ll show you how to turn a simple hike into a bushwhacking treasure hunt and we’ll walk you through the steps to incorporate this fun activity into your next outdoor adventure.  Then, a feature-rich solar charger that can power your next backpacking trip.  On today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, a free app that will get you started Geocaching in minutes. Opening * Define Geocaching * What’s inside a typical normal-sized cache? * Logbook, pencil, in a plastic bag, trinkets of little value (plastic toys, marbles, foreign coins, old keys, bracelet…) * Typically in watertight containers, ammo boxes from army surplus stores * Appeals to kids and adults, can be done on any trip * Not in national parks * No trinkets needed (but if you take one you need to leave one) * Benefits: gets you outside, can be a zero day activity while backpacking—or you can do it along the way… * You can also start your own! Top 5 Steps to Get Started Geocaching www.geocaching.com/guide Create an Account * www.geocaching.com Download a Geocaching App on your phone * We use c:geo Download the caches for where you’ll be hiking * There are over 2 million geocaches throughout the world * Josh does geocaching on business trips, too Pick your cache * Caches rated by type, difficulty and size * Start simple…there are over a dozen different cache types * Go for traditional cache that is large sized * www.geocaching.com/about/cache_types.aspx Find the Cache! * You’ll have a rough idea of where it is based on GPS coordinates, what your phone is telling you, and maybe some clues that the person who placed the cache gave in the cache description * Once you find the cache, open it, sign the log book with your geocaching handle and the date, make the trade (take something and leave something) and don’t forget to log your cache find on geocaching.com * On rare occasion, you might not find the cache. People who hide them may have outsmarted you, or the cache may have been discovered and removed. SUMMIT Gear Review™: BioLite SolarPanel 5+ Structure * Hard plastic (not flexible) * High-efficiency monocrystalline panel * 360 degree kickstand to help position solar panel Utility * Has a great feature I haven’t seen on other solar chargers—a dot on clear plastic that makes a shadow right above some hatch marks. This helps you to determine if you’re getting direct sun. * Attach to a pack for external storage or to capture some watts on a hike * 5+ Model features a built-in 2200mAh battery so you can generate and charge on your own time. Pre-charge at home for a head start on your power supply. * Battery Status Button shows how much juice you have stored in your 2200mAh battery—this is what the “plus” in the 5+ is. The ability to store some power. * Also has an indicator light to tell you how charged the battery is * Comes with fiber wrapped micro USB cord Mass * Measures 8”x10” Maintenance * Pre-charge at home Investment * $79.95 USD Trial * Pre-charges and we love that–since sun can sometimes be unpredicatable * Love the sun dial so you know when it’s getting the most efficient charge * Kickstand is a great feature * Whether you use the kickstand or hang it from ...

Show Notes: Episode 137 Today on the First 40 Miles, how do you find people to hike with?  We’ll play a fun game today to see if we can answer that question.  Then we’ll review a 3 liter water storage reservoir that has a unique blasting feature.  On today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, have you ever made up constellation names just to impress your hiking mates?  Not only is that hilarious, but it’s also avoidable—and we’ll show you how.  Then a little trail wisdom from a man who wished to live deliberately. Opening * Letter from listener via Facebook about wanting a hiking group! * We have a built in social structure with our family—and that really satisfies my need for social interaction. * But what if you’re looking for ways to connect more? * More people! More group events! Service opportunities! * You can always invite! That’s a great way to introduce folks to hiking and backpacking Top 5 Opportunities to Build Your Hiking and Backpacking Community We’re going to try a little experiment today.  We have in one stuff sack, we have a selection of groups that hike socially.  In the other stuff sack, we have a US Map that has been cut into squares Hike it Baby BSA/Girl Scouts Hiking Club of (Location)  or Trail association of (Location) Hiking Clubs for Seniors Group hang on the Hammock Forum American Hiking Society SUMMIT Gear Review™: Hydrapak Trek Kit 3 Liter Structure * TPU, abrasion resistant, super tough * Screw on lid that can take tubing or close to be water-tight Utility * Holds 3 liters * Can take boiling water or freeze * Handle/loops on the side and on the top. * Slim and low profile * The entire water bottle/reservoir can be stashed in a pocket Mass * Weighs 7.2 ounces Maintenance * Flush * Clean with Bottle Bright tablet Investment * $40 Trial * We used this on our Ecola State Park trip * Great for when we needed a big sack of water to refill our bottles * Lightweight, durable, has fun feature that can be used to drive your hiking friends crazy or can be a fun way to deliver water to your parched mouth. * Not a filter but can work with with Katadyn BeFree water filter * Don’t lose the cap…if you do, you’ll have to buy a whole new trek kit or get another lid that doesn’t use features of the water blaster. Water blaster works without lid, but you have to hold the water bag up * Squirt feature—great for sharing water, cooling down, washing off gear. Backpack Hack of the Week™: Constellation Identification App: Sky Map * Sky Map (a Google app for Android devices) * Used to be called Google Sky * App that you can download for free * Hold it up to the sky and it will identify what you are looking at, constellations) Trail Wisdom I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartanlike as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness out of it and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience…. –Henry David Thoreau

Show Notes: Episode 136 Today on the First 40 Miles, a hiker, a backpacker and a biomechanist all walk up to a bar.  What they do next might just surprise you.  On today’s Top 5 List, we’ll talk about how another podcaster we listen to has changed—nay—revolutionized the way we move.  Then we’ll review some stretchy pants that allow freedom of movement along with the power of wool.  For today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, a movement hack provided by Katy herself. Opening * Katy Bowman is a biomechanist—and her gift to the world is that she makes the complex movements of the body easier to understand and she advocates for less sitting, more living * Nutritious Movement or Natural Movement * Exercise vs. natural movement * Natural movement is life—and our life has had the movement sucked out of it by the way of modern conveniences such as chairs, tv, cars, easy access to food, lack of community, etc. * Outsourced movement * Podcast/books/blog * Every Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Relief * “A hiker, a backpacker and a biomechanist all walk up to a bar. What they do next might just surprise you.”  They hang from the bar.  Hanging and swinging help with upper body strength. Top 5 Ways Katy Bowman Has Changed the Way We Move How is daily movement at home, at the office, at school relevant to backpackers?  Because the way we move at home is the way we’ll be conditioned to move on the trail. We incorporate more movement into our day * The first huge idea that Katy helped us understand is that our culture is sedentary—and people who think they are active are actually just as sedentary as everyone else. That didn’t make sense to me until she did the math:  1 hour of exercise + 23 hours of sitting= 4% of your day moving.  What are you doing the other 96% of your day?  You are 96% sedentary. * Incorporate more natural movement into our day. * Natural movement is any movement that you do that helps you accomplish something else. Exercise is any movement you do to extract the health benefits of that movement. * Walking is the best bp prep, not treadmill –great podcast episode on treadmills * Sit less, move more * Break up the sitting chunks (20 min sit, 3 min walk) * One salad a day can’t compensate for an otherwise nutrient-poor diet We now see the benefits of crunchy, wobbly, rough, steep trails! * No more complaining about roots, downed trees on the trail or steep calf-burning inclines * And here’s why: We need texture in our terrain to strengthen and use all our foot muscles and joints! All of our walking surfaces at home/work/school are flat, level, smooth—which presents very little challenge—therefore, we reap very little benefit from it, beside the benefit of working against the pull of gravity which helps maintain our bone density. * The modern surfaces we walk on is the dietary equivalent of drinking Ensure for three meals a day * Where’s the texture? Where’s the variety? Where’s that delicious movement? * Katy is pretty clear that we need texture to move around all the joints in our foot, we need walking that is in big chunks as well as broken up into little frequent chunks, we need to feel the ground, we need to strengthen our feet and bodies by giving them challenges We are trying floor sleeping * We thought since we sleep on the ground (with padding) while camping, is this something we should try at home to prep us for a future trip (get us “in shape’) * Adapt * Adds movement into our day. * Up and down, letting gravity work Changed the way we think about cold temps

Show Notes: Episode 135 Today on the First 40 Miles, if you’re planning your first backpacking trip, you may have some visions in your head about what it will be like.  We’ll help you prep for your dream trip.   On Today’s Top 5 List, you’ll learn the 5 things to keep in your car that will help you upon your return.  Then, on the Summit Gear Review, a battery that can charge your cell phone and your car!  Next, a listener shares a story of an unexpected incredible experience. Opening * You’ve Got to Have a Dream… If you Don’t Have a Dream, How You Gonna Have a Dream Come True? * Maybe your dream is just to take that first step on the trail and let the wilderness be your guide…or maybe you have been out backpacking, and you want to experience specific things or reach certain goals. * How do you dream? * Figure it out, by getting out there and tweaking each trip as you go. * This applies to people who have never been out as well as people who have gone on lots of backpacking trips! * What do you want? * What do you want to see? Who do you want to be with? What activities would you like to include? What would you love to have happen?  What do you want to learn? * Are miles and accomplishment important, or is the aura of the forest more important to you? * Where do you imagine setting up your dream campsite? Near water?  Near a ridge? * Once you have a dream you can start working toward it * Not every trip will be a dream trip…and even dream trips have parts that weren’t part of your dream * If you don’t have a dream, how are you going to experience the things that you truly want to experience on your backpacking trip? Top 5 Post-trip Things to Keep in Your Car Extra water * This is something that you should always have in your car, whether you’re a backpacker or not. Water is essential. * Great for drinking or doing a quick rinse of your face and hands, shoes if they’re muddy Instant food * Ready to eat food—no cooking required * Omeals: non-dehydrated food that comes with a heating pouch. * Monk Pack or other tubes of food (They don’t need heat, they’re healthy, and they don’t sit in your gut like a Taco Bell burrito) Clean up towels * Something as simple as a pack of baby wipes to just get your hands and face clean * Or something like a compressed towel: Lightload Towels (5 oz fullsize) size of a donut, opens to a full sized towel Large garbage bags * Garbage bags for muddy or dusty gear or wet gear of for spreading on your seat. * We also discovered a cool piece of multi-use gear from Crazy Creek called the Drop Sac. It is a huge waterproof circle, that has a cord laced around the outside,  So you can dump all you gear in the middle, grab the cord and it makes a big cinch sack that contains your pile of gear.  Can be used at home for gardening , picnics, toys, just anything where you have a big pile of stuff and you want to be able to gather it quickly.  Popular among rockclimbers, too. Power Bank * If your car is dead or phone is dead, here’s an option that wasn’t really an option before. However we found a portable charger that can stay in your car if you need to jumpstart a dead battery, or you can take it with you to power your groups devices. SUMMIT Gear Review: Weego Battery Charger 44 Structure * The Weego 44 Charger comes packaged in a lunchpail, and the contents inside also have a soft durable zippered pouch that is great for when you want to take the Weego on the trail. * IP65 certified for water, dust and dirt resistance * It includes a super-bright, tactical 500-lumen flashlight that lasts up to 14 hours in standard flashlight mode and up to 28 hours in SOS and str...

Show Notes: Episode 134 Today on the First 40 Miles, music on or off the trail is one of the great pleasures in life.  Today we’ll talk about how to incorporate music on your backpacking trip:  what to bring and what not to bring.  Then, a top 5 list that will help you plan your personal playlist.  Next on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a three stringed instrument, that’s trail worthy and is impossible to play wrong.  And our Backpack Hack has morphed today into Backpack Homework. To join us for the SOLVE Clean Up, register here: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/bald-mountain-cleanup Opening * Music on scout campouts * Incorporating music * Letting natures sounds prevail… * Want to start incorporating music on the trail, the simplest way to do it is to use your own voice, whistle, or use your body as a rhythm instrument. * Don’t have to gather everyone for a group sing along (that wouldn’t work in our family…) * Harmonica * Ukulele * Strumstick * Canjo * Mouth Harp * No external speakers   Top 5 Elements That Make a Great Campfire Song Easy to Remember * This usually means it a folk song or song from your childhood * “Day-o (The Banana Boat Song)” * “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” * “If I Had a Hammer” * “The Ants Go Marching”—for this one, if you can’t remember the words, it lends itself to making up new words Gives you that nostalgic feeling * “Home on the Range” * Country Roads “take me home to that place I belong” * “Don’t Fence Me In” * Have that “home” feeling Story in the song * “Waltzing Matilda” * “American Pie” * “Cockles and Mussels” * Takes some effort to memorize Strong chorus * Everyone can join in on even if they don’t know the verse * “This Land is Your Land” * “Threw it Out the Window” (The Nursery Rhyme Song) Shared culture * Religion: hymns like “Amazing Grace” or “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” * Patriotic songs or songs based on a shared location, “Deep in the Heart of Texas” * Songs of a movement or era: “We Shall Overcome” or “Blowin in the Wind” * Shared culture can even mean shared decades—feel free to pull from popular songs. “Riptide” was popular at Girls Camp last year, simple chords, simple tune, repetitive   If you’re looking for more folk-type songs: Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Peter Paul + Mary, Kingston Trio, Joni Mitchell, SUMMIT Gear Review: Strumstick D Structure * Spruce top * Three stringed instrument * Bright sound, steel strings Utility * No wrong notes * Simple to just play around on * Simple to tune (Superman tuning) Mass * 4 ounces * D Strumstick has a longer and wider body than that G Strumstick, so if ounces and grams matter, the G is lighter. Maintenance * Tuning, very simple * Keep protected from rain * Purchase carrying case separately Investment * $200 Trial * So fun * Lightweight * Easy to play, sounds great, little skill needed to get started Backpack Homework of the Week™:  Find a Few Songs * Bring a few songs in your brain worth singing on your next trip * Zero grams * These songs you select might take you back to your childhood or to a time that makes you happy, or they might take on new meaning as you hike and ponder the lyrics * No instrument needed * Save them for the campfire or bring them out on a lonely quiet stretch of trail

Show Notes: Episode 133 Today on the First 40 Miles, if a news story didn’t involve the latest political scandal or secret missile launch, it probably didn’t even make it above the fold.  Fortunately, we’ve found a handful of stories  that we think you’ll find twice as interesting as what’s on the front page.   Then, the Summit Gear Review will feature a handy waterproof stuff sack that can hold anything from muddy hiking shoes to all the fixin’s for a campfire dinner.  Just not at the same time.  Next, a simple way to give peanut butter a flavor makeover. To join us for the SOLVE Clean Up, register here: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/bald-mountain-cleanup Opening Today we share news that didn’t make the front page Top 5 Backpacking in the News Stories  Uptick in Ticks http://nypost.com/2017/04/04/us-is-facing-an-epic-outbreak-of-lyme-disease-experts/  Man who blew his left hand off accidentally http://www.ydr.com/story/news/2017/03/17/hikers-left-hand-blown-off-appalachian-trail-pa/99315188/ Some listeners pointed us to some further reports on this story. Hmm, we wonder what he was up to: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/police/mc-hawk-mountain-search-and-rescue-20170316-story,amp.html http://parkland.thelehighvalleypress.com/2017/03/22/fbi-bomb-squad-investigate-items-brought-hospital Cats for Search and Rescue  https://www.seeker.com/why-cats-could-make-skilled-search-and-rescue-animals-2277969871.html Bikepacking: http://www.foxnews.com/great-outdoors/2017/04/05/bikepacking-adds-dose-fun-to-backpacking.html Rainier’s Wonderland Trail  http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article142953894.html SUMMIT Gear Review™: Matador Droplet Wet Bag Structure * Silicone case shaped like a drop of water, with a slit in it, into which a small portable 3 liter waterproof drawstring sack can be stuffed * The silicone case also has a place where you can attach a carabiner so you can attach this bag onto the outside of your pack. Utility * Keeps the wet in or out. It’s not technically a “dry bag” because it doesn’t have a rolltop closure, but if you have wet gear that you want to keep separate, or something like a sketchbook that you want to keep protected from the rain…this will do the job—and your gear will still be accessible. * Not submersible * Droplet is reusable (and can take the place of gallon ziptop bags in a lot of cases) and can keep the wet in, or keep the wet out depending on your needs. Mass * Weighs 0.5 ounces ( 15 grams) * When the stuff sack is removed from the silicone case, it measures about 8 1/2 x 11 inches—the size of a piece of paper * When it’s stuffed in its case, 2×1 1/2 inches Maintenance * Hand wash, hang dry * Keep out of reach of children—it’s a waterproof bag, and that’s a risk with children Investment * $15 Trial

Show Notes: Episode 132 Today on the First 40 Miles, remember that BLM land we talked about in episode 131—we have some exciting news to share!  A clean up group in Oregon has scheduled a clean up there—and you’re all invited!  Then, we’ll teach you how to get street cred on the trail without having to roll up your pant leg and show any raccoon bite marks. Next on the SUMMIT Gear Review, will the inflatable insanity ever end?  And a Backpack Hack that will keep you clean. To join us for the SOLVE Clean Up, register here: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/bald-mountain-cleanup Opening Our secret spot is the target of a clean up! Bald Peak Clean Up—Perfect timing Inviting all our FFM to come out! http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/bald-mountain-cleanup Click “Register Now” and join the group “The First 40 Miles”   Top 5 Ways to Get Street Cred on the Trail Do your homework * This one caught Heather on our last trip…She didn’t read anything about the hike we were going on and was surprised at some of the challenges * Have recent data and 2nd hand info about the trail (have the map or photo of trail) Don’t complain * Complaining is the #1 thing that kills trail cred * This is the time for proactive problem solving Be open to suggestions * Before or on the trail * If you’re trying to build some street cred, asking for someone’s opinion or asking for their advice goes a long way toward building that mutual respect that is such a foundation of our trail experience Help your camp mates/other hikers * Whether it’s gathering wood for a fire, offering to pump water or just offering information to other hikers about trail conditions ahead… * We had quite a few people pass us as we were hiking in to the hiker camp at Ecola State Park, and each one gave us the mud update * “Hey, these are cool people…” Be observant * You can learn a lot in a little amount of time by quietly observing * What have you observed by watching other hikers/backpackers? * What have you learned by observing your surroundings? SUMMIT Gear Review™: Dumbo AirChair Structure * The AirChair is made out of a specially formulated nano-nylon that doesn’t require a liner on the inside – this means it’s lighter and easier to inflate than the original Dumbo. * TPU lined * Two parts, the main seat, and a detachable pillow * Comes with a carrying string bag Utility * There is one air chamber—as opposed to other inflatable hammocks we’ve seen that have two * The buckle that secures the AirChair and keeps the air from seeping out is a locking buckle * The maximum recommended weight limit is 500lbs Mass * Weighs 21 ounces * Pillow weighs 4 ounces (and is detachable—or you can just leave it at home!) * About 2/3 the size of the inflatable hammock we reviewed in episode 116 (WindPouch) Maintenance * Fill with air by running a little then closing and rolling the stiff closure down 3 or 4 times. * Not for jumping on… Investment * $70 Trial * The new AirChair is super light weight, and is super easy to use * Lighter than the other inflatables we’ve tried * Light enough to be considered a backpacking luxury item * Because of its construction it’s less likely to lose air, it’s smaller than the popular inflatable hammocks, and lighter. * Perfect for a weekend trip

Show Notes: Episode 131 Today on the First 40 Miles, everyone needs a favorite backpacking spot—and you know what makes it even better?  If it’s a top secret backpacking spot.  On today’s top 5 list, we’ll break down our plans to make our off-grid backpacking Shangri-La even better.  Then, a collapsible cookware set  that takes up about a tenth of the space that a traditional set would.  And we’ll answer every backpacker’s burning question about whether or not to bring your Snuggie on your next outdoor adventure.  The answer is no.  But we’ll give you an equally good option on today’s Backpack Hack of the Week. Opening * We had a goal when we first moved to Oregon to do monthly hikes. The next year we decided to do quarterly backpacking trips.  But we wanted something different this year. * Find a top secret backpacking spot * Close to home, easy to access, short trail * Why do we want a secret spot? Go-to place for last minute trips, familiar, opportunities for foraging perhaps Top 5 Things We’re Going to Do With Our Secret Backpacking Spot Navigate Our Way to a Suitable Camp Site * That doesn’t mean we’re going to physically bushwhack it * We just need to become familiar enough with the area to be able to navigate back to our same secret spot each time. * Source our water * Scout for tent sites and hammock hangs Clean up Other People’s Fun * Entire dead dear carcass, a dear head, shotgun shells, beer bottles, broken glass, junk food wrappers.  The trash of a rough life.  And the longer the mess stays there, the more the area will be abused.  The broken window theory: * James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling first introduced the broken windows theory in an article titled Broken Windows, in the March 1982 The Atlantic Monthly. * “Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it’s unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside. Or consider a pavement. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of refuse from take-out restaurants there or even break into cars.” Explore for More * After we’ve hit our secret spot a few times, it’ll be time to find a new secret spot maybe in the same area Get Data on It * Maps, miles, GPS coordinates, history, etc. * Identify plants and animals Not Keep it Stealth * Maybe invite some friends to come with us * It’s no fun to have a secret camp spot unless you can share the secret with someone! SUMMIT Gear Review™: Sea to Summit X-Set 32 Structure * Sea to Summit X-Set 32 is a set of cookware: a collapsible 1 liter teapot, a collapsible 2 liter pot, and an 8 inch skillet or frying pan. * This is just one of the X sets that Sea to Summit has in the X line. The entire line is collapsible silicone dinnerwear and cookware. Utility * Both the teapot and the 2 liter pot collapse down and nest inside the frying pan (which is not collapsible). That makes this set very compact. * Any one of the pieces of this set can be used on their own * Built in strainer on the 2 liter X-pot * Instead of the cookware having long handles that get in the way, the frying pad has short silicone handles on both sides that fold down when not in use, the X-pot has soft flexible silicone handles and the teapot has two handles that fold up for when you want to pour water out. Mass * All three together weigh 29 ounces * This set of cookware all nest snuggly together and end up being no...

Show Notes: Episode 130 Today on the First 40 Miles, we lost both our camera and one of our kids on a recent hike—and we’ll share how we got one of them back.  On today’s top 5 list, how to incorporate bread into your backpacking meals, without ending up with a bag of crumbs.  Then we’ll review a tent that uses trendy buzzwords like hybrid and compact.  Next we’ll share a hack that will help others identify your lost camera and get it safely back to you.  And we’ll wrap up the show with a poem of mysterious origin. Opening * Lost and Found * God’s Thumb hike * Son and camera…lost * “Did you lose something?” * Son found! Camera gone. * Repurchased camera. Sony RX-100  Top 5 Breads to Take Backpacking Pita Bread * The brand of pita bread we buy doesn’t have a pocket. This pita is more like a fluffy, flatbread.  Fatter than a tortilla.  Different than pita bread from the 80s.  We’re talking about soft pita bread of the 21st * Lasts for days in your pack. * Can be eaten plain, dipped in soup, smeared with pb, or can be used as a makeshift utensil * We like Papa Pita Whole Wheat Pita Bread * 78 calories/ounce Flour Tortillas * These are the go-to bread choice of backpackers. * Bombproof bread, dense, fits perfectly in the bottom of a bear canister. Can last for days and days without refrigeration. * Find it in many sizes and varieties: whole wheat, white, gluten-free, ancient grains, * Sizes: burrito, fajita, taco cart sizes. * 88 calories/ounce Bagels * These are great because they come in a variety of flavors and sizes. * Perfect for breakfast paired with a 1 ounce packet of cream cheese and a foil pouch of salmon or a squeeze of jam. * 73 calories/ounce Wheat Thins or Triscuits * Good for snacking – when you want something to eat, but you don’t want to commit to an entire tortilla. * No flavors added (however we LOVE the Cracked Black Pepper Triscuits) * Sharable * Fairly sturdy * 133 calories/ounce Pretzels * Lots of shapes and flavor varieties * Snyders makes a flavored pretzel that’s honey and mustard that weighs in at 140 calories an ounce. * Plain pretzels are more versatile, can be dipped in peanut butter, Nutella or eaten with cheese. SUMMIT Gear Review: Kelty Horizon 2 Tent Structure * One piece construction, permanently attached to tent body * This tent has one entrance—and the entrance has an awning/vestibule—which we thought was clever. It can either be staked down as used as a vestibule—so it’s a great place to store gear that you want to be protected, but you don’t want to sacrifice precious square footage in your tent. * The vestibule can also unzip on the sides and convert into an awning as long as you have something to prop it up with like two trekking poles or two nice looking sticks. * All-in-one hubbed pole design. It means that the poles are all connected to make one big x-shaped pole structure.  You put each end in a corner and pop the tent up. * Kelty Hug Clip—this was something that I haven’t seen in any other tent we’ve looked at. Instead of the tent clips just clipping onto the tent poles, they are s-shaped so that you twist and it clicks on.  Much more secure, won’t come off in a wind storm. Utility * No-see-um mesh ceiling, door and vent * Did you know that no-see-ums are an actual pest? It’s not just a term for bug that lands on you that you can’t see but they bite you anyway.  No, no-see-ums are biting midges.  They are a family of small flies (1–4 mm long). They are also known as midgies, sand flies, and punkies. * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratopogonidae

Show Notes: Episode 129 FORTIFY: The Pre-Trail Nutrition Episode Today on the First 40 Miles, the time to build a solid nutritional foundation is now.  We’ll share how we got back on track and improved our off-trail nutrition.  Then we’re mashing up the top 5 list and the SUMMIT Gear Review to share 5 ways to get food into your mouth without spilling too much on your hiking pants.  And we’ll share a free resource that will inspire you to take the next step in your nutritional health. Opening * Pre-trail nutrition. * Trailside Kitchen 4 week group class * What helped us change * We also took a couple nutrition classes as a family * Is there a way to healthify your trip? Take shorter trips and include more fresh foods.  I’m working on a cookbook that will help answer this question.  What if I want my outside (backpacking) diet to be congruent with my inside (at home) diet? TOP 5 LIST + SUMMIT Gear Smackdown Top 5 Ways to Eat Your Food Plastic ware * The Ubiquitous Light My Fire Spork (plastic and titanium) * HumanGear Uno/Duo * HumanGear Uno looks similar to the LMF spork, but with a little more structure * HumanGear Duo is a separate spoon and fork that hook together * Very sturdy compared with something like a disposable plastic spoon CRKT Eatn Tool + CRKT IOTA * These both win the award for being the smallest functioning eating utensil on the planet * They can attach to the outside of your pack or onto a belt loop * Ultralightweight * The Eat’n tool has tools on it: Bottle opener, carabiner, spork, emergency screwdriver blade, 3 hex wrenches, cost $5 * the CRKT Iota: Spork, bottle opener, 1/4″ wrench, package and whatever-opener, stainless steel * If you want a handle: Columbia River Knife and Tool 9110C X-Large Eat N’ Tool Chopsticks * Titanium or bamboo or plastic or silicone or ebony and stainless steel * Some even come with a sweet little carrying pouch. * GSI Outdoors Titanium Kung Foon—a spoon that’s handle is a set of chopsticks * SnowPeak Chopsticks, Grand Trunk, GSI * Great think about chopsticks is that the bamboo ones are 100% reuseable and compostable Long Titanium spoon * This is my favorite option * It’s slightly flat at the bottom so you can stir your meal or scrape the burned bits off the bottom of your pot. * $10 * Won’t melt, super lightweight, strong * There’s also a long handled titanium spork Eating Food With Food * Frito Scoops make a great spoon * Also, sturdy crackers like Triscuits or Wheat Thins, bagel chips * BTW…did you know you can make your own bagel chips? Get a non pre-sliced bagel, slice it into thin strips with a serrated knife and put it in the oven at a low temp until it dries out. * Eat food with food? Tortillas, drink from bowl, pita, bagel chips, etc, crackers) but you’re going to need something to stir your food…even if you don’t use it to eat your food. Backpack Hack of the Week™: Pre-Trip Nutrition Recipes at Trailside Kitchen * Free recipes specifically designed to support the active people * Trailside Kitchen’s website * Trailside Kitchen also offers group classes and one-on-one support * “Is your performance inconsistent? One day you are killing it and the next…not so much. Are you constantly hungry every hour or two?

Show Notes: Episode 128 Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re on the trail in a hiker camp at Ecola State Park.  We’ll get input from the kids on our Spring Break adventure.  Then we’ll head back home and review a piece of gear we brought with us on the trail.  And we’ll share a backpack hack that will turn leftover dinner into dessert. Opening Recorded on site Ecola State Park, overnight family backpacking trip 4 miles, very muddy Top 5 Things the Kids Liked About This Trip Recorded on site at the Hiker Camp at Ecola State Park by our four children plus a friend that we brought with us SUMMIT Gear Review: NiteIze Radiant 250 Rechargeable Headlamp Structure * Light is attached to a fully adjustable elastic band (even down to a child’s size—16″ circumference is the smallest size, 24″ for the largest size). Fully expanded and stretched out it can expand to 44″—which means this can be worn around your waist as well. * The light can be fully removed from the headband—which is great if you ever wanted to clean the dirt and sweat from the band. * At its brightest, the flood on high glows 250 lumens * Rechargeable: lithium polymer battery Utility * Dual switch for five modes: * – White LED switch: high/low spot, and high/low flood * – Red LED switch: flood mode * Hold the non-textured side for three seconds and it turns on the red lights * 90 degree tilt angle, tilts down * Will not turn on while charging * Run time up to 43 hours in low mode Mass * Weighs 3.2 ounces (91 grams) * Light measures: 2.68″ x 1.57″ x 1.57″ Maintenance * Recharges with micro USB * Small red light indicates that it’s charging * Takes two hours to charge fully * Battery indicator light turns red when battery life has 10 minutes remaining on high * Weather resistant * Impact resistant (drop proof to 2 meters) Investment * $50 Trial * Red Light for Preserving Night Vision: https://backpackinglight.com/00202-2/ * Son used it on backpacking trip * We love that it’s rechargeable Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Instant Chocolate Rice Pudding 1/2 cup cooked instant brown rice (leftover from dinner) 1 package hot chocolate mix (with or without marshmallows) Pour powdered hot chocolate mix over cooked rice.  If a creamier texture is desired, a little water can be added. Trail Wisdom Man and other civilized animals are the only creatures that ever become dirty. –John Muir

Show Notes: Episode 127 Today on the First 40 Miles, leaving a trail of bread crumbs didn’t work out so well for Hansel and Gretel, so is there a better way to mark the trail that won’t conflict with Leave No Trace principles?  Then Josh will share the top 5 things he does on every backpacking trip.  Next, we’ll share a way to text, even when you’re days from a cell tower.  For today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, a ridiculous zero-gram trail game that will keep you entertained for hours. Opening * Hansel and Gretel * How to communicate on the trail * Sometimes it’s tricky to find the trail…it can peter out or divide, leaving you wondering where to go * …and it can be even trickier if you’re lagging behind. Where did your group go? * Most common way of trail marking is cairns or mound of stones, although they can be controversial * Do not remove cairns or destroy them * Other methods * Don’t forget to undo what you do   Top 5 Top 5 Things I Do On Every Single Trip (JOSH) * Spot clearing dance * Side trips * Photography * Help kids learn * Last and final sweep of camp SUMMIT Gear Review: GoTenna Structure * Pretty rugged * State-of-the-art cognitive digital radio creates 100% off-grid signal and coordinates with other units within range so you can text privately — 1-to-1 or with a group — or broadcast openly to any nearby goTenna * Flash memory good for 100’s of messages * Rechargeable Lithium-polymer battery * Bluetooth-LE data interface * Status indicator lights Utility * How to use: charge your goTenna, then you download the goTenna app onto your phone, then hang the goTenna off the back of your backpack, turn it on, and have your friend do the same. * 2W VHF which means it will propagate rather well even without line of sight (LOS) though LOS will enable even better range * Claim about a 4 mile range…which is backpacking terms is about 8 hours away from the other person. * Private messages 1-to-1, or you can broadcast a message to everyone in the whole area who has a goTenna * Apps include detailed offline maps — free to download for any region in the world — so you can locate yourself and others while enjoying the outdoors, travel, and crowded events or even during emergencies. * goTenna’s LED light indicates multiple functions. It will flash a long, slow blink when the device is activated. It will blink repeatedly at one-second intervals while waiting to pair over Bluetooth (and will stop blinking once paired, this is important to note, a working and paired goTenna will NOT have any lights on, this is normal and it’s done to save battery). goTenna will also blink the instant a message is sent or received. * Nylon attachment strap * Only works with: iOS (8.4+) or Android (4.3+) devices Mass * Weighs about 1.8 oz or 52 g * About the size of a candybar Maintenance * Charges with micro USB * Not waterproof, but they claim it’s weatherproof and water-resistant. Ok to get wet, but not submerged. It’s dust proof. Investment * Sold in pairs * Pair costs $150, so $75 each * 15% military discount on their website Trial * Our set up experience * “Free trial!” * In city, in forest Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Game: Are You a Tree or a Pinecone? Fun trail game.  Simple.  Has kind of a Rorschach undertone to it.  It’s also one of those no winner no loser games.  What makes this game great is that you can keep it going on the trail. So you ask your hiking friend: Are you a tree or a pinecone?  And they answer with the one that best matches who they are.

Show Notes: Episode 126 Today on the First 40 Miles, a little small talk about small backpacking gear companies.  Then we’ll share some benefits of buying from cottage gear manufacturers.  Next on the SUMMIT Gear Review, we’ll review a piece of gear we found by accident then we’ll share a hack that will reduce your productivity at the office today by 20 percent. Opening * Cottage gear refers to micro to small companies who make backpacking gear that is not typically sold in big box stores or chain outdoor stores. Finding these cottage gear companies can be like finding a hidden treasure. * Not all cottage gear companies are the same: * Sometimes these cottage gear makers have a full time job (or they’re retired), and they just want to make one product just for fun. * Sometimes they make specialty gear that may not appeal to the general population—like maybe a company who makes backpacking gear for animals * Cottage gear may mean experimental gear…like a hiker who has found a way to repurpose worn out wool socks into a pot cozy…and now he’s marketing them * Cottage gear could be gear that would be cost prohibitive if sold in a retail store with retail markups… An example of this is the QiWiz Titanium Big Dig Trowel. * Cottage Gear often means made in America, and to be more specific, made in America in someone’s garage on a table that’s set up right next to boxes of Christmas decorations, their kids bikes, and a non-working 92 Ford Tempo.  Garage grown gear is real. * How do you find cottage gear? * Forums * There’s a newish company who is trying to help small gear businesses. It’s called Garage Grown Gear * Kickstarter * http://hikingthedream.blogspot.com/p/cottage-backpacking-gear-companies.html * http://blackwoodspress.com/blog/12378/cottage-backpacking-gear-directory/ Top 5 Benefits of Buying from Cottage Gear Manufacturers You’re supporting the American dream * These cottage gear manufacturers keep it small—not because they can’t grow bigger, but because they often are family owned, sometimes operating out of their home or a small shop in town. * They came up with some idea for clothing, packs or a tent that the big guys weren’t doing and decided to throw their hat over the wall and put their time, creativity and resources into what they’re doing…often inviting friends and family into the happy mess. Your purchase allows them to continue innovating * Pushing their creative resources toward things that larger companies may not have an interest in You typically have more connection with the company * That means that if you email the company, you might just get a response from the owner…not a customer service agent thousands of miles away. * It also means that your suggestions go straight to the top. You may be able to order customized gear * Not all cottage gear manufacturers can customize their gear, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. You’re going to get something that can’t be found in a large outdoor store * High quality—because their name is attached to product—with a touch of handmade charm. * Unique  Downsides… * These are small operations and they’re often swamped with orders—so if you order it may take a while * Sometimes you bump into these companies COMPLETELY BY ACCIDENT. They don’t have a competitive advertising budget…so they advertise by word of mouth * And, sometimes cottage gear companies disappear… SUMMIT Gear Review:

Show Notes: Episode 125 Today on the First 40 Miles, DRIP: The Rain Episode.  Don’t let the rain keep you from getting outside!  We’ll have some great gear recommendations for your next drippy trip.  Then, a 3 layer rain jacket designed to sock it to Mother Nature.  For the Backpack Hack of the Week, a way to keep your maps from disintegrating in a downpour.  And we’ll leave you with a little trail wisdom from a man who is known for his humor…or wisdom… we can’t tell the difference. Opening * Whether you live in a drier climate or a soggy climate, rain can affect your hiking and backpacking experience. * Risks of rain—it’s not just an inconvenience! (flash floods, lightning, hypothermia) * Rain can vary by region * Hiking in Utah in the rain: flash floods * Hiking in New Mexico in the rain: often bursts, warm, accompanied by thunder and lightning * Hiking in New York in the rain: rainstorms w/ lightning * Hiking in Oregon in the rain: drizzly, tiny/misting rain that soaks quickly, can rain for hours * Challenges and blessings of rain * Staying dry vs. staying wet (Redwoods trip and Josh’s feet…) Top 5 Things You’ll Need for Rainy—nay, Soggy—Trips Rain gear * Rain gear has improved over the past 30 years! Of course you can still find the yellow Polyvinyl Chloride rain slickers, but they’re heavy and will make you sweaty. * There are some great lightweight options: * One we’ve talked about before: FroggToggs. We’ve tried their cheapest and their mid-range rain gear. * Rain kilt (https://www.antigravitygear.com/shop/clothing/antigravitygear-rain-kilt/) a long apron type of clothing that covers your pants area, great for hiking in warm rain, UL * How about rain gloves? Maybe we don’t really think about our hands when we’re considering rain gear, but hands that are soaked with rain, can get cold really quickly, and that can make it hard to do simple tasks like pump water or set up a tent.  If you value your finger dexterity, then Hanz makes waterproof gloves (and waterproof socks for that matter) and recently Hanz has come out with their next gen of their waterproof knit gloves: Hanz Waterproof Tap-Knit Touchscreen Gloves.  The Hanz waterproof gloves (both the touchscreen version and the original version) are stretchy, slim fitting (like skinny jeans for your hands), comfortable, {waterproof , wicking and breathable}.  Really, for what they do, they are thinner than you’d expect and allow you to have full dexterity. * Your clothing doesn’t have to be waterproof, but make sure that you’re wearing either synthetic clothing that will dry out quickly or clothing that retains its insulation power even when wet (alpaca or wool). * “Wool is warm when wet” It’s true…as long as the water doesn’t go above 35 percent of the weight of the wool clothing.  So if your shirt is 200 grams, you can have about 70 grams of water soaked into the shirt and still be warm.  So about 1/4 cup of water.  So about 1,334 raindrops. * If you’re insulating layer of clothing is filled with down—be careful! Waterproof Map (and paper!) * Many maps are waterproofed now—yay science! They’re made of a super thin, paperish material.  Lighter than paper, tear-proof, and very durable. * Green Trails Maps * National Geographic Maps * Pocket Profile maps sold by AntiGravity Gear (JMT, Sections of AT—or the whole AT which is 22 small maps)