134: MUSIC: Songs on the Trail

Today on the First 40 Miles, music on or off the trail is one of the great pleasures in life.  Today we’ll talk about how to incorporate music on your backpacking trip:  what to bring and what not to bring.  Then, a top 5 list that will help you plan your personal playlist.  Next on the SUMMIT Gear Review, a three stringed instrument, that’s trail worthy and is impossible to play wrong.  And our Backpack Hack has morphed today into Backpack Homework.

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133: Cats, Wonderland, and Ticks

Today on the First 40 Miles, if a news story didn’t involve the latest political scandal or secret missile launch, it probably didn’t even make it above the fold.  Fortunately, we’ve found a handful of stories  that we think you’ll find twice as interesting as what’s on the front page.   Then, the Summit Gear Review will feature a handy waterproof stuff sack that can hold anything from muddy hiking shoes to all the fixin’s for a campfire dinner.  Just not at the same time.  Next, a simple way to give peanut butter a flavor makeover. 

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132: Wanna Clean Up The Forest?

Today on the First 40 Miles, remember that BLM land we talked about in episode 131—we have some exciting news to share!  A clean up group in Oregon has scheduled a clean up there—and you’re all invited!  Then, we’ll teach you how to get street cred on the trail without having to roll up your pant leg and show any raccoon bite marks. Next on the SUMMIT Gear Review, will the inflatable insanity ever end?  And a Backpack Hack that will keep you clean.

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131: Our Secret Backpacking Spot

Today on the First 40 Miles, everyone needs a favorite backpacking spot—and you know what makes it even better?  If it’s a top secret backpacking spot.  On today’s top 5 list, we’ll break down our plans to make our off-grid backpacking Shangri-La even better.  Then, a collapsible cookware set  that takes up about a tenth of the space that a traditional set would.  And we’ll answer every backpacker’s burning question about whether or not to bring your Snuggie on your next outdoor adventure.  The answer is no.  But we’ll give you an equally good option on today’s Backpack Hack of the Week. 

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130: Lost and Found

Today on the First 40 Miles, we lost both our camera and one of our kids on a recent hike—and we’ll share how we got one of them back.  On today’s top 5 list, how to incorporate bread into your backpacking meals, without ending up with a bag of crumbs.  Then we’ll review a tent that uses trendy buzzwords like hybrid and compact.  Next we’ll share a hack that will help others identify your lost camera and get it safely back to you.  And we’ll wrap up the show with a poem of mysterious origin.

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