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.
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 ishuge! Then our SUMMIT Gear Review today is a 22 pound piece of gear…but hear us out…it’s 100% backpackable and incredibly fun!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
Today on the First 40 Miles, maybe you’ve posted a few pics of your backpacking trip on social media, and now everyone is asking you “So…How was your trip?” What’s the best way to respond? Then we have a listener story from Mason who let his adventures lead to creating a business that helps others experience adventure. Then we’ll share a hack that may just awaken you to a possible feature on your oven or toaster oven.
Today on the First 40 Miles, all of our backpacking gear is in moving boxes, sitting in the barn, waiting for us to unpack them! We’re keeping the podcast going through our move, and we couldn’t have done it without a few of our fabulous listeners who will be contributing to the show today.
Today on the First 40 Miles, so you’re convinced! Backpacking is your new thing and you’re headed out to buy the latest and best of everything from the packing list. Wait! We’ll share a few reasons to slow down before you buy. Then we’ve got a 4-in-1 piece of gear that will keep you warm and protected from the elements. For today’s hack, a simple paradigm shift that will give you the most psychological bang for your buck when it comes to using your stove.
Today on the First 40 Miles, we’ll talk about cowboy camping and why we tried it. Then a story from a listener about how she transitioned from car camping to backpacking. Today’s hack is a great way to repurpose an old towel, and we’ll wrap up with a little trail wisdom from someone who knew the answer to life’s question!
Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re live on the Pacific Crest Trail!
Today on the First 40 Miles, we get a little nostalgic whenever September rolls around. This week marks the 4 year anniversary of our first 40 miles—the trip Josh and I took together with friends around Mt. Hood. And even though we’ve been backpacking for a few years, there are still things that take us by surprise. Next, for today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, a headlamp that doubles as a flashlight and triples as a stand up torch. Then we’ll share a hack that will make your next trip to the bathroom r...
Today on the First 40 Miles, wilderness backpacking has the power to rewire your brain—and we’ll share the top 5 ways it’s changed us. Then, an epic way to stay clean while backpacking. Next a listener shares her one pound solution for oil painting on the trail. And we'll wrap up with a little trail wisdom from our good friend on the trail, John Muir.
Today on the First 40 Miles, when hiking or backpacking, our whole goal is to move forward, otherwise we’d just set up our tent in the parking lot. But what do you do when anxiety stops your progress? We have some tools that will help. Then we’ll share a hack that will cut your tent weight almost in half. Then we’ll wrap up the show with a quote that revives fire from the ashes.
Today on the First 40 Miles, I was wondering what today’s episode should be about… and then it struck me. Today we’ll chat about lightning safety. Nothing shocking. We promise to conduct ourselves appropriately. Then ya’ll get to hear a little story from Steve about his friend’s top secret backpacking spot. Next, we’ll test some backpacking energy bars and wrap it up with a great resource from National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) on everything you ever wanted to know about backcountry light...
Today on the First 40 Miles, this week we’ll talk about an upcoming weeklong trip and what we’re doing to prepare. Then, if you’ve got an itch to hit the trail, but you have no gear, we’ll hook you up with a company who can supply the gear for your first trip. For today’s Backpack Hack for the Week, Josh picked the perfect app for our upcoming backpacking adventure. And we’ll share a little trail wisdom from someone who didn’t do anything halfway.
Today on the First 40 Miles, if you think that men have the natural advantage on the trail, think again. Then for the Summit Gear Review, an STP device that levels the playing field when it comes to using the bathroom. Next, our kids’ favorite go-to site for looking up hiking and backpacking trails. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from the American Government.
Today on the First 40 Miles, we love getting audio recordings from our listeners—and today we have one from a new backpacker who figured out his own way of doing things. Then, on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a titanium tool inspired by a Japanese gardening knife. Next, a hammock hack that will turn any blanket or sleeping bag into an underquilt. And we’ll wrap it up with a little trail wisdom from the third best-selling poet of all time—right behind Shakespeare and Laozi.
Today on the First 40 Miles, sometimes life gets out of control—and when that happens, it’s time to get back to basics. We’ll talk a little about how to simplify your trip. Then, the Top 5 ways that backpacking can make you more effective, more productive, and less stressed. Next, if you’ve always wondered how Native Americans hung their laundry to dry before clothespins were invented, we’ve got something you might be interested in. Then we’ll share a simple, one ingredient backpack hack for you...
Today on the First 40 Miles, how would you do things differently next time? Today we’re talking micro improvements. Then on our Top 5 List, we’ll share why we prioritize backpacking. If you’re looking for a way to bring a game and lighten your load, we have a fun option for you. And, a hack that will make you rethink toilet paper.
Today on the First 40 Miles, what you may have thought of as an essential piece of backpacking gear isn't as indispensable as you think. Today, we’re going stoveless, and we’ll share some delicious ways to ditch the stove for your next trip. Then we’ll taste test a whole food, energy bar that has some sneaky vegetables added. And we’ll share a thru hiker’s go to container for soaking their meals.
Today on the First 40 Miles, what is real? Social media does a pretty bang-up job of convincing us that everything that’s posted is real, but we’re smart enough to know better. Today, we’ll call their bluff and prove that being outdoors is about as real as it gets. Then we’ll review a headlamp that uses a unique swipe gesture to boldly illuminate your path. Today’s hack is a cheap, easy way to store and access your ten essentials.
Today on the First 40 Miles, are you over 50, 60, 70 and wondering if it’s too late to begin backpacking? It’s never too late. We’ll share some wise words from an old mountain goat. Then, on the SUMMIT Gear Review, an unassuming flashlight that packs a ton of power, versatility and technology into 23 little grams. And we’ll share an easy way to cut your trash in half—mathematically.
Today on the First 40 Miles, still wondering what your first backpacking trip will be like? We think we can boil it down to five words. Then, we’ve found a solar charger that will not only power your electronics, but also rolls up to the size of a Payday candy bar. And a hack for all you hammock hangers out there—sorry ground dwellers.
Today on the First 40 Miles, I used to believe that trails just existed and that they were just the well-worn footpaths created by thousands of people walking those same miles over and over. Nope. Trails are made and maintained. Today we’ll talk about some things you can do to help. Then, if you’ve always wanted to pack a chainsaw for clearing fallen trees on the trail, but just didn’t have enough room in your pack…we have a solution. And we’ll share a hack that will upcycle your favorite old co...
Today on the First 40 Miles, within 24 hours we hiked a cumulative 25 miles, ate about 15 pounds of food, built three teepees and breathed in more campfire smoke than the Surgeon General would recommend. Today you’ll hear a trip report from our adventure with our friends who have never been backpacking before. And we’ll share a hack for DIY soap sheets.
