The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast

What’s the view like out of a motel room window? We bet any tent view can beat that! Next, if today’s Top 5 list doesn’t work, then maybe some well-placed duct tape over the mouth will. The SUMMIT™ Gear Review will review The Weather-Proof Paper that Wasn’t. The Backpack Hack of the Week™ will show you a simple solution that will keep your your muddy shoes from deteriorating your valuable gear. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little Trail Wisdom from a well-known doctor.

Sometimes the hardest part of a hike is the eight hours when your feet aren’t moving. Learn some tried and true tips for sleeping while on your next backpacking trip. The Top 5 List will give you some great insights for “hiking your own hike” to maximize personal growth. Next, Heather and Josh review a lightning fast way to boil water for your next freeze dried meal. Then, the humble dollar store liquid laundry detergent bottle comes to the rescue to help banish the dreaded 'trail stank'.

Heather and Josh share some innovative backpacking gear from Kickstarter.com. Next, you’ll learn about the top 5 pack messes and how to avoid them. Then we’ll review a pair of socks made by some hard-working worms. The Backpack Hack of the Week™ features an easy way to keep a lid on leftovers.

In this episode, we’ll talk about common fears on the trail and how to deal with them. Then we’ll share some high calorie trail snacks from a specialty food store that has been nicknamed “The Backpackers 7-Eleven.” The SUMMIT™ Gear Review will review a trail luxury that will keep you pumped up (without caffeine!). Next, the Backpack Hack of the Week™ will show you a sweet and simple way to add fuel to your internal furnace.

The Shake Down: a trendy new dance move or a backpacking pre-trip? Next, learn a few tricks from the Boy Scouts from their iconic Merit Badge Pamphlets. Then, the Leglers revisit some rain gear that went through some blackberry vines and lived to tell the story. Lastly, Heather has invented a perfect solution to the messy bar of soap—and we promise it doesn’t use nylon stockings! You’ll love it!

Would you give a six year old child a box of matches and some stove fuel? The Leglers talk about how they decided what went into each of their children’s packs. Then, you’ll learn five recipes that will get you fueled up without unpacking your stove. We’ll review a multitasking piece of clothing that will change the way you keep your head protected! Then, we’ll share a no-cook breakfast recipe that comes in at 1,058 calories!

Learn how to outwit pesky, hungry trail rodents without dangling your food from a tree. Then, we’ll expose five ridiculous ultralight fails (HINT: Bubble wrap is for heirloom vases and vintage china). Next we review a lightweight, super durable map that would leave Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea a little jealous. And you’ll learn the trick to making unscented hand sanitizer that costs less than the gel hand sanitizer you keep in your glove box.

Recent research by a Kansas State physicist proves that petite folks have the advantage on the trail. Next, be sure to pack an umbrella (is this a joke?) on your next backpacking trip. On the SUMMIT™ Gear Review, we review a basic hat that left Heather’s ears out cold. And you’ll learn how to make a simple breakfast that will take you back to your idyllic childhood in the Swiss Alps.

Are you planning on bringing a musical instrument on your next backpacking trip? This episode may have you rethinking that “unitasker” harmonica. Next, backpackers grab an unusual piece of wood to burn to stay warm while they wait to be rescued. We'll review a women's pack, then end with the perfect calorie-dense trail dessert: chocolate!

Buying backpacking gear can be confusing, but it doesn't have to be! Learn the one trick that will help you buy great gear. Next, find out why you need to pack a one ounce bottle of alcohol your next trip (Hint: It's not what you think). We'll review a piece of clothing that would make your grandma jealous. And the Backpack Hack of the Week™ features a must-have item that pairs perfectly with your tube of sunscreen.

When was your last hiking or backpacking adventure? We'll talk about how to close the gap between your last adventure and your next one. Next, learn the secrets to avoid losing your backpacking gear on the trail. We'll review a low cost, lightweight piece of truly breathable rain gear. And you'll learn how to make a high calorie Mediterranean favorite on the trail that will go perfectly with that smashed pita bread in your pack.

Get ready to lose some excess pack weight--and then add it back a few grams at a time. We'll also review a budget sleeping pad and find out how it actually worked on a recent camp out. If you're planning on making your next backpacking trip a creative retreat, then stay tuned to learn how to make an ultralight DIY Plein Air Watercolor Kit to toss into your pack for when creativity strikes on the trail!

In this episode we talk about trail magic and surprising places to find hiking and backpacking stuff. We'll also review a waterproof hiking shoe that won't give you "squeaky toes". The show wraps up with a super fast recipe that will keep you fueled up on the trail.

If you’re new to hiking and backpacking then this podcast is for you. We’ll talk about the essentials, how to lighten your load and how to make the most of your time on the trail. This episode features the top 5 things you can leave home on your next backpacking trip, we'll review a piece of survival gear that should go with you on every outdoor adventure, and you'll learn how to make a trail essential out of something from your recycle bin. Welcome to The First 40 Miles!