Podcast: Download (Duration: 31:11 — 31.4MB)
Show Notes: Episode 063
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. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from our good friend on the trail, again, Mr. Emerson.
Opening
The Outdoor Retailer Show is a twice-yearly show in Salt Lake City, UT where
Funniest line from the keynote speaker, someone asked her as she was walking down the street, “Do you know what’s going on here? Everyone looks so healthy and happy!”
Top 5 Themes at the Outdoor Retailer Show
The Next Generation
- Every organization always wonders in the back of their mind, how they will be relevant to the next generation.
- Trees, dirt, sunshine and fresh air are just as appealing to the rising generation as they were to the past generations!
- Every Kid in a Park
- Parks4kids.info
- You can search by state and donate to a project that will affect your community.
Our Collective Narrative
- Power in the collective narrative. Patterns begin to emerge, we feel closer as a country and as a culture, and we connect.
- That’s what the National Parks Service is doing this year as they collect stories that celebrate our love for America’s National Parks. It’s called “Find Your Park.”
- About Find Your Park and how to share your story.
Environmental Tiptoeing
- It doesn’t make sense to produce an item that is intended for outdoor use, and then dump chemicals from production of that gear into streams.
- It seemed to be a topic that came up more as I spoke with European companies. The standards for environmental waste are very strict in Europe.
Being an Activist
- The Keynote speaker for the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show was Terry Tempest Williams. And she spoke about the importance of activism.
- You don’t have to chain your kayak to a bridge to be an activist.
- An activist is someone who actively lives what they believe…so if you believe that public lands are important, you are an activist just by using them.
Purpose of Public Lands
- To make us happy
- To recreate
- To have fun
- To play
SUMMIT Gear Review™: Gerber US1 Pocket Knife
Structure
- Jimping on spine for better grip and more control when using
- Black blade
- Handle material 30% glass-filled nylon with rubber overmold
- Blade style: Fine edge with a drop point blade
- Made in the USA
- Has a finger choil
- Ergonomic handle design
- Folding pocket knife
Utility
- Thumb grip or nail nick, in center of spine, not too far down
- Large finger notch
- Lanyard hole
Mass
- Weighs 1 ounce
- Blade length: 2.6˝
- Overall length: 6.1˝
- Closed length: 3.5˝
- Thin and lightweight
Maintenance
- WD-40
Investment
- $25
- Lifetime Warranty
Trial
- Lightweight, great details that you would expect in a much more expensive knife
- Replaces Josh’s big knife
- Size: big enough to actually use on the trail
Backpack Hack of the Week™: Scratch Your Can
- How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?
- How many minutes does a fuel canister burn? How many cups of water will it boil? No one knows!! Not even Mr. Owl.
- You can choose to mark boiling time or number of cups boiled
- Mark it by scratching the paint on the outside of the canister with a safety pin, diaper pin, metal zipper pull, or knife tip. Be careful not to puncture the can!
- You can also mark the bottom with a Sharpie or keep notes on some paper.
Trail Wisdom
“The influence of fine scenery, the presence of mountains, appeases our irritations and elevates our friendships.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson