Summary: Show Notes: Episode 093<br> Today on the First 40 Miles, if you’ve ever met someone on the trail who sounds like they were named by cartoon characters, you have discovered trail names! And today we’ll share everything you need to know about this fun trail tradition. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a piece of gear that will make you 10% more attractive, 30% smarter, and 98% protected from harmful UVA/UVB rays. On today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, a simple mnemonic for what to do during a bear attack. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from our good friend on the trail, Henry David Thoreau.<br> Opening<br> <br> * What’s up with Queen Moonracer? Trail Names?<br> * Fun tradition from thru hikers that can be applied to any trail experience<br> * Part of the “leaving it all behind” feel you have on the trail.<br> * Part anonymity, part equality, part camaraderie<br> <br> Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Trail Names<br> Trail names are part of the thru hiking culture<br> <br> * Thru hikes start at point A and end at point B (some of the most famous thru hikes being the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail –which make up the “Triple Crown”)<br> * But even section hikers or the weekend backpacker can participate in this tradition.<br> * Thru hikers use their trail names to sign in at the shelters<br> * Fun tradition, sense of belonging, leaving it all behind, new identity<br> <br> A great trail name has a backstory<br> <br> * A trail name is the ultimate ice breaker—because usually there’s a story to go with it<br> * Many times that story reveals a blunder or mistake or something that we can all laugh about now, but maybe when it happened it wasn’t so funny<br> * SkeeterFeeder…the hiker who camped near a lake without mosquito repellent or netting and woke up with 273 mosquito bites.<br> * John Manure…the guy who kept stepping in every form of squishy stuff out there<br> * You might have it bestowed on you<br> * Heather also earned the name “Tyvek” when she forgot to bring rain gear, but a trail mate had a big sheet of Tyvek that Heather wrapped around her waist to keep dry during a sideways rainstorm<br> * Pocahontas<br> * Mary Poppins<br> * Blind hiker known as Zero-Zero to indicate his eyesight<br> * There is a twist of creativity, self-deprecation and humor in many trail names<br> <br> You can pick it yourself<br> <br> * Many hikers agree that trail names come organically on the trail from the people we hike with, but there’s no rule that says you can’t pick it yourself.<br> * Find inspiration from your heritage, your hometown, your interests or your skills<br> <br> It’s fine to go without a trail name<br> <br> * Either you can use your own name that your parents gave you, or you can go out without a trail name<br> * If you’re going without a trail name because you can’t think of one, then that’s fine too<br> * You can go out and let something emerge from the experience<br> <br> If you get one you don’t like, don’t answer to it…<br> <br> * The whole purpose of trail names is to have fun<br> * If someone tries to pin a name on you that is just embarrassing or not appealing, shake it off and move on. Either the name will fade, or it’ll actually grow on you and you’ll come to enjoy it.<br> * Short, unique, and ideally representative<br> <br> <a href="http://www.soundsofthetrail.com/?p=98">Sounds of the Trail podcast episode 4: What’s in a Name</a><br> SUMMIT Gear Review: <a href="http://www.tilley.com/us_en/ltm6-airflor.html">LTM 6 Tilley Airflo Hat (a.k.a The Classic Hiker Hat)</a><br> Structure<br> <br> * Hat made from 100% supplex nylon<br> * Mesh from 100% polyester<br> * Made in Canada<br> <br> Utility<br> <br> * Excellent sun protection, rated UPF 50+, the maximum rating given<br> * Fabrics of all Tilley Hats are certified to block 98% of har...
