Today on The First 40 Miles, is backpacking just a summer fling? We’ll talk about the challenges of winter backpacking, and how to remain thermally neutral. Then, if you’ve ever dreamed of wrapping your legs in merino and baby alpaca fiber, then your dreams are about to come true on today’s SUMMIT Gear Review. Next, on the Backpack Hack of the Week, the forest has no lost and found, but it does have some handy free stuff laying around that you can use if you lose some gear. And we’ll wrap up the...
Feb 02, 2016•28 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, what happens when thousands of outdoorsy people get together in one place? A city full of happy and healthy people. Then, on today’s top 5 list, we’ll share the top 5 themes that have tree-huggers, peak-baggers and hill-hikers all excited. Next, on the SUMMIT Gear Review, you’ll find out which knife replaced the heirloom that Josh has been carrying since he was a scout. On the Backpack Hack of the week, you’ll learn how to use your fuel can to track fuel consumption....
Jan 26, 2016•31 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, is the pack half full or half empty? How you answer that question may determine your experience on the trail. We’ll share five tips for new backpackers that will help ensure that your next trip will be even better than your last! Then, on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a solution for hikers who don’t want to waste a minute fumbling with shoelaces. On the Backpack Hack of the Week, an “Oh Duh!” solution to keep your homemade meals from tipping over. And we’ll leave you today...
Jan 19, 2016•29 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, are you looking to persuade a friend or family member to come backpacking with you? We’ve got the perfect gateway activity to start them off with. Then, if you haven’t found the perfect knife from the wagon of the village peddler, we’ll give you an even better place to start. On the SUMMIT Gear Review, a multiuse piece of gear that can go from pack to trail and right back to pack. Then on the Backpack Hack of the Week, 420 calories and no mess. And we’ll wrap up the ...
Jan 12, 2016•27 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, if you’re scared to take your brand new gear out into the rough and wild wilderness because you think it might get damaged, have no fear! This episode is dedicated to making sure your gear stays in top form, regardless of the elements. You’ll learn the top 5 things you can do when good gear goes bad. Then, the SUMMIT Gear Review turns into the SUMMIT Gear Hospital, as we search and rescue gear that has flatlined. On the Backpack Hack of the Week, learn the critical p...
Jan 05, 2016•34 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, if eating more bacon is your 2016 New Year’s Resolution, we’re here to support you with five creative ways for you to achieve your goal! Then, if leaving your sleeping bag in the morning is a real challenge, we have a unique solution for you. On the Backpack Hack of the Week, vegan bacon is not as gross as it sounds—we promise! Then we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a guy who enjoys the good life.
Dec 29, 2015•34 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, if you’ve ever listened to the Christmas story from the Bible and felt some connection, we’ll share some good reasons why you may feel that way. On the SUMMIT Gear Review, we’ll show you a simple way to deal with the moody weather of December. For the Backpack Hack of the Week, find out where we dig up all our best backpacking stories. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little Christmas yuletide.
Dec 22, 2015•28 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, we’ll tackle an issue that no presidential candidate has had the courage to tackle—and we have the numbers to back it up. Then on Today’s Top 5 list, a whimsical wish list of impossible gifts. On the SUMMIT Gear Review, a 100 year old piece of paper that can withstand a winter rainstorm or blizzard. Next on the Backpack Hack of the Week, a simple, kinda embarrassing way to keep your feet dry.
Dec 15, 2015•32 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, 'tis the season for Christmas parodies! Then on today’s Top 5 List, we’ll share some fun ways to present your gifts. Next, on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a piece of gear that will leave you feeling as fresh as a snowdrift. On the Backpack Hack of the Week, a one dollar solution that will help you feel a whole lot smarter and lighter! And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from one of the most quotable men in history.
Dec 08, 2015•29 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, GIVE: The Gift Giving Episode! If you’ve ever wanted to give the 12 Days of Christmas, we have the whole thing planned out for you—minus the Lords a Leaping and other weird gifts! Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a pad that can take you through all four seasons of backpacking! On the Backpack Hack of the Week, a simple way to wrap a gift for the backpacker in your life. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a little girl who loved adventures....
Dec 01, 2015•21 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, if you’re looking for a way to avoid eye contact with raisins, we may have the perfect breakup option in our Top 5 List today! Then, the SUMMIT Gear Review turns into the SUMMIT SMACKDOWN…which is kind of dangerous this time because there are knives involved. For the Backpack Hack of the Week, you’ll learn about a great resource for cheap backup eyeglasses to bring on the trail. And we’ll leave you with a little trail wisdom from someone who tries to make the road a ...
Nov 24, 2015•33 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, is it possible to pack an entire Thanksgiving Dinner in your pack? Nope. But there are a few things you can pack that’ll get you pretty close to it. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, you’ll learn about a unique way to light your camp space. On the Backpack Hack of the Week, we’ll share a secret ingredient that will make all of your backpacking dinners palatable. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from Roethke.
Nov 17, 2015•27 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, there are times when shortcuts are a bad idea, and times when they’re a great idea! We’ll help you figure it all out in today’s Top 5 List. Then, on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a light, lightweight way to deal with microorganisms in your drinking water. Next, on the Backpack Hack of the Week, we’ll show you a great resource you can take advantage of that will improve your outdoor skills and knowledge. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a guy named...
Nov 10, 2015•33 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, HEEL TO TOE: The Sock Episode! On the Top 5 List, we’ll share the top 5 non-traditional hiking socks. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, the socks have invited a special guest to join them on the show. Next, on the Backpack Hack of the Week, what to do if a forest creature takes off with your socks. We have a Backpacker Q+A about compression socks. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a Russian who probably knew a thing or two about Portyankis....
Nov 03, 2015•28 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, how to hoard massive amounts of simple carbs for your next backpacking trip. On the Top 5 List, we’ll share the top five secrets you should never keep from your trail mates. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, an ultralight backpacking staple that will cut both your pack weight and your pack volume. Next, on the Backpack Hack of the Week, you’ll learn how to dry your fly. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a man who loves adventure. Or maybe he do...
Oct 27, 2015•29 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, Heather’s mom celebrates a milestone birthday and gets the spotlight! We share a letter she wrote to Heather that has some great backpacking advice. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, play music for days without recharging! On the Backpack Hack of the Week, you’ll learn how to use a common bathroom item to prep for your next trip.
Oct 20, 2015•26 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, what are those crazy backpackers up to next? We’ll find out when we check the news for stories. On today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, find out what happens when we ditch the traditional mummy bag. Then, on the Backpack Hack of the Week, we’ll teach you an ultralight hack for shoes to wear around camp. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a poet who must have spent a little time on the trail.
Oct 13, 2015•33 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, what do a diminutive military leader and a thousand pound grizzly bear have in common? Today’s Top 5 List may have the answer. Then in today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, a simple knot along with bullet proof fabric that can protect your food. Then on today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, if you’ve seen bear scat with bells in it, then we have the zero gram solution for you. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from our good friend on the trail, Craig Childs....
Oct 06, 2015•29 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, when dreams of a toasty fire turn to sour grapes, what’s a backpacker to do? You’ll learn 5 ways to deal with cancelled campfires. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, instead of reviewing the latest piece of gear, we’re bringing back a 20 year old classic that’s trail beaten and is still trail worthy. For the Backpack Hack of the Week, the ugliest snack. Ever. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a guy who apparently does not own a van, we found out...
Sep 29, 2015•24 min
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.
Sep 22, 2015•31 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, you may be prepared for your next backpacking trip, but are you prepared for a natural disaster? You may be more prepared than you think! Then, we share the top 5 benefits of leaving behind one of my favorite pieces of gear. On our Ready for Adventure segment, we prep for a hypothetical trip with two friends and the kids for a fun 24 hour trip. Next, get out your x-acto knife and get creative with your closed cell foam pad!
Sep 15, 2015•33 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, learn about the upcoming trends in backpacking gear. Then, on The SUMMIT Gear Review, the headlamp that illuminates without a lot of complicated button pushing. Next, the Backpack Hack of the week will show you how to sleep like a baby. Then, we’ll wrap up the show with very little humor and a bit of trail wisdom.
Sep 08, 2015•29 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, fire has met its match. Learn five ways to light a fire that you may not have heard of before. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, Heather’s obsession with stoves is fueled with a piece of gear that not only burns sticks, but burns smoke as well. On the Backpack Hack of the Week, learn how to make a cotton ball into a charpuff that can be the slow-burning nucleus for the perfect fire. Then we’ll leave you with a little trail wisdom from a man of few words— six words to b...
Sep 01, 2015•31 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, whether you lost your food to a hungry chipmunk, or you got a flat tire at the trail head, there are good people out on the trail who want to help. We’ll show you five ways you can pay that kindness forward. On the SUMMIT Gear Review, you may want to think twice about what insects you allow in your pack—especially the FireAnt. For the Backpack Hack of the Week, Revlon has 72 glamorous ways to make sure you never lose a tent stake again. And we’ll wrap up the show wit...
Aug 25, 2015•30 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, we’re celebrating our 40th episode!! The 40th episode isn’t typically a great achievement or milestone for most podcasts out there, but since our show is the First 40 Miles, then you bet your potatoes our 40th episode is exciting for us! We decided to do something a little crazy and different today, and give you an unedited, raw footage episode of The First 40 Miles. You’ll hear the behind the scenes chatter, the outtakes as they happen, and the odd noises from Subar...
Aug 18, 2015•31 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, what kind of backpacker are you? Find out your type! Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a ten essential basic that may require a little educating to use. On the Backpack Hack of the Week, you’ll learn how a simple pinch may save your life. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a man who would probably spur some fascinating discussions around the campfire.
Aug 11, 2015•35 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, GRUB: The Food Episode! We’ll give you 5 great ways to protect yourself and future hikers in your outdoor kitchen. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a squirrel would have to be nuts to try to chew through this amazing food sack. On the Backpack Hack of the Week, we’ll teach you how to stockpile your arsenal of high calorie grab-and-go foods for your next trip. We’ll share some info on the good kind of dehydration in our backpackers Q+A, and we’ll wrap up the show with ...
Aug 04, 2015•34 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, the Top 5 Questions Every New Backpacker Should Ask. On the SUMMIT Gear Review, you’ll find a nice budget option for keeping your ten essentials in perfect order. Then, on the Backpack Hack of the Week, tenemos un pastel que es muy delicioso y es perfecto para mochileros ! And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from the most quoted man in the woods.
Jul 28, 2015•30 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, The Top 5 backpacking tips from some hearty Americans who lived in the days before ibuprofen (1961), freeze dried food (1905), or even the zipper (1893). On the SUMMIT Gear Review, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the minimalist hiker’s dream stove. Then, the Backpack Hack of the Week will send your arteries running with a to-die-for Cheddar Bacon Bannock, And we’ll wrap up the show with some “You Might Be a Backpacker” jokes and a piece of Trail Wisdom.
Jul 21, 2015•25 min
Today on The First 40 Miles, the Top 5 Things You Need to Know to Beat the Sun. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, we’ll show you the perfect pouch that will help you transport your grandma’s famous jalapeno jelly to your favorite outdoor spot. Then our Backpack Hack of the Week will either singe your fingers or melt your gloves—all in the hope of having rope that won’t unravel! And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from our good friend on the trail, British Historian, Sir George Tr...
Jul 14, 2015•24 min
