Summary: Want to avoid muscle soreness? It may be preventable! Next, on the Ready for Adventure segment, we’ll see if TSA is ready for Heather’s backpacking trip to Tuscon. On the Backpack Hack of the Week™ you’ll learn the French word for “Pony” and why it matters on the trail. Then we’ll answer a REAL listener question in Backpackers Q+A. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little Trail Wisdom from an American poet who must love you very much.<br> Show Notes: Episode 016<br> Opening<br> <br> * April 18-19, 2015<br> opening weekend of National Park Week<br> * <a href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm">Entrance fee is waived to all National Parks</a><br> * Other fees like reservation and camping fees will still apply<br> * Only 127 of our country’s 407 national parks charge an entrance fee, but not on April 18 +19, 2015!<br> * <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/travel/america-s-worst-national-parks-c1422474452206.html">The Nation’s Worst National Parks </a><br> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USInterior/posts/786940984692918">Dept of Interior comeback photos</a><br> * If you’re planning a trip that includes multiple national parks, you might consider the $80 annual pass that provides entrance to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and many other Federal lands-more than 2,000 in all.<br> <br> Top 5 Ways to Prevent Muscle Soreness on Backpacking Trips<br> It’s happened to all of us. You wake up the next morning after a day of hiking, and your body aches. Is the suffering preventable? We think so. Here are our top five ways to prevent muscle soreness on backpacking trips.<br> <br> * Do a shake down hike 2-3 days before the trip. This gives your body a chance to recover and be ready for the exact same activity—which you’ll be better prepared for!<br> * Stretch. After about 15-20 minutes on the trail, when you’re ready to grab your water bottle, stop, take off your pack and do a full body stretching routing. Start at the top and work your way down.<br> * Protein is the building block of tissue, so be sure you’ve planned protein into your meals. (Beans, tuna, chicken and beef jerky) Along with protein, be sure to hydrate.<br> * Vitamin C (already in lots of drink mixes): It’s essential for the restoration of collagen, which helps to rebuild muscle tissue that has been broken down.<br> * Rub muscles with arnica salve. <a href="http://www.sierrasageherbs.com/">Sierra Sage</a> makes a dreamy <a href="http://www.sierrasageorganics.com/arnicasalve.aspx">Arnica Salve</a> just for backpackers to use on those sore spots (everyones sore spots are different!)<br> <br> Medical disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and I am not dispensing medical advice. I’m just sharing general information that is relevant to backpacking.<br> If you have methods you use to prevent muscle soreness on backpacking trips, we’d love to hear what works for you.<br> Ready for Adventure: Gabe Zimmerman Trail<br> You’re flying out to Tuscon Arizona for a two day business trip. You’ve wanted to do some desert exploring, and this trip to Arizona provides the perfect opportunity for an overnight backpacking trip. You found a short section of the recently completed (Dec 16, 2011) 800 mile <a href="http://aztrail.maps.arcgis.com/apps/OnePane/azuretwitter/index.html?appid=53323fce969f4654acb4693fdf97ccb4">Arizona Trail</a>, called <a href="http://webcms.pima.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=6152">The Gabe Zimmerman Trail</a> and it goes north to <a href="http://www.colossalcave.com/welcome.html">Colossal Cave Mountain Park</a>. About 4 miles in, 4 miles back out, according to locals.<br> <br> * Bring a 40-45 liter pack so I can use it as a carry-on<br> * A small two man tent, a sleeping bag liner or fleece sleeping bag, 10 essentials (including sunscreen and sunglasses)<br> * Bandana to keep cool, wool buff to keep my hair from getting dusty or to keep dust o...
