Summary: Today on The First 40 Miles, what are those last minute things you need right before a trip? Believe or not, there are five pre-trip incidentals that will help with pre-trip prep! Next, on the SUMMIT Gear Review, we review a tent that we purchased not, once, not twice, but three times. The Backpack Hack of the Week is a simple way to mark maps without leaving a mess. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a man with a van.<br> Show Notes: Episode 045<br> Opening<br> <br> * Anniversary of my first 40 Miles<br> * Purpose of the meeting<br> * Firm up schedule<br> * Go over route<br> * Talk about risks:<br> <br> * Risk of nearby forest fire<br> * Do we reschedule the trip?<br> * Comfort level with risks<br> <br> <br> <br> The Top 5 Pre-Trip Incidentals<br> Sharpie permanent marker<br> <br> * Write on gear, plastic bags, food<br> <br> Quart Ziploc Bags<br> <br> * Great for separating out food<br> * Can be reused<br> <br> Cash<br> <br> * Ones and fives–not twenties<br> * Coins in the car may help for showers or vending machines off the trail<br> <br> Reports<br> <br> * Trail Reports<br> * Weather reports<br> * For our upcoming trip, we’ve also been checking fire reports<br> <br> Baking Soda<br> <br> * Can help with stinky gear<br> <br> SUMMIT Gear Review™: <a href="https://www.rei.com/product/810115/rei-passage-2-tent">REI Passage 2 Tent</a><br> Structure<br> <br> * Floor fabric: Coated nylon taffeta<br> * Rainfly fabric: Coated polyester taffeta<br> * Mesh<br> * Double walled tent, which helps reduce condensation<br> * Aluminum poles (if you haven’t purchased a new tent recently…poles go toether smoother when they’re new!)<br> * Adjustable ceiling vents<br> <br> Utility<br> <br> * Rectangular floor<br> * Mesh pockets; hang loops; included gear loft<br> * Fast Pitch: Save weight and create a minimalist shelter by using just the rainfly, footprint (sold separately), poles and stakes<br> * Dual entry tent (benefits of having two doors)<br> * Vestibules<br> * Has a handy pocket in all 4 corners for small gear like glasses<br> * Over head removeable gear loft (for throwing a headlamp into)<br> * Gear loops inside tent<br> * Sets up quickly<br> <br> Mass <br> <br> * 5 lb. 5 oz.<br> * Josh and Heather split it up…so 2lbs 10 oz each<br> * Packed size 5 x 22 inches<br> * Floor dimensions 90 x 54 inches<br> * Floor area 75 square feet<br> * Vestibule area 75 square feet<br> <br> Maintenance<br> <br> * Sprayed it with Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® to help it last longer<br> * Keep dirty shoes out<br> * “Tent over your head” trick for cleaning it out<br> * Put it up to dry out when you return home<br> <br> Investment<br> <br> * $150<br> <br> Trial<br> <br> * Bought one for our Mt Hood trip last year<br> * Then took the family out…while on that trip, the kids tent broke…<br> * We liked our tent so much that we bought two more.<br> <br> Backpack Hack of the Week™: Washi Tape for Map Marking<br> <br> * Washi Tape for map marking (mentioned this in episode 8)<br> * Write on it with permanent marker or pencil.<br> * Take notes, mark trails, plan route<br> * It’s 100% removable, repositionable<br> <br> September 26<br> National Public Lands Day<br> Trail Wisdom<br> “Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.”<br> ― Vincent van Gogh<br>
