All posts by Heather

088: Setting Reasonable Expectations

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 30:58 — 31.2MB)

Today on the First 40 Miles, we’ll talk about setting reasonable expectations—and why it will make your trip even better!  Then, our Top 5 List will give you some great ideas for how to say happy birthday on the trail—without the mess of confetti or balloons.  Next on the SUMMIT Gear Review, an upgrade for your Nalgene water bottle that will save you the embarrassment of spilled water in your lap.  For today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, learn the trick for getting closer to one more birthday.

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087: Scoutmaster for a Day

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 34:45 — 34.7MB)

Today on the First 40 Miles, you have one hour to teach half a dozen 12-13 year old boy scouts a handful of backpacking basics.  Where to begin…?  Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a day pack that has the potential to fit a few extras for an overnight out and back.  On today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, a little variety goes a long way—and we’ll show you the best place to stock up on a load of trail worthy snacks.  Then we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from Sheridan Anderson.

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086: BUDGET: The Spending Episode

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 36:34 — 36.3MB)

Today on the First 40 Miles, BUDGET: The Spending Episode. Does a budget truly limit us, or does it save us from stupid purchases we would make if we had unlimited resources? Today you’ll hear how Josh and Heather work through budgeting decisions when it comes to backpacking gear. For today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, if you want easy access to 7 liters of M&Ms, we’ve got the perfect pack for you. Then on today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, seventeen cents doesn’t go very far in today’s world, but on the trail it gets you through another day. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from our good friend on the trail, Horace Kephart.

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085: MacGyver Moments

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Today on the First 40 Miles, if you’ve ever been involved in a wild international caper involving Caribbean terrorists, a stolen helicopter, and a roll of duct tape, you might be MacGyver. But if you’ve ever eaten a freeze dried meal with a titanium tent stake, you might be a backpacker. Then on today’s Top 5 List, we’ll help you with a simple numbers decision. For the SUMMIT Gear review, we’ll be reviewing a tent that is light—literally! On today’s Backpack Hack of the Week, we’re going to talk about something that is simply bulgar.

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084: Nature is the Birthplace of Creativity

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 34:26 — 34.4MB)

Today on the First 40 Miles, if necessity is the mother of invention, then nature is the maternity ward. Then on today’s top 5 list, we’ll share the 5 types of YouTubers that you should check out before your next trip. On the SUMMIT Gear Review, one of the ten essentials just became a little more compact. Next on the Backpack Hack of the Week, a zero gram trail game that will keep everyone entertained around the campfire. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a guy who looks and talks exactly like Henry David Thoreau. No wait, no, that is Henry David Thoreau.

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