Podcast: Download (Duration: 27:56 — 26.5MB)
Show Notes: Episode 201
Today on the First 40 Miles, we’ll talk about cowboy camping and why we tried it. Then a story from a listener about how she transitioned from car camping to backpacking. Today’s hack is a great way to repurpose an old towel, and we’ll wrap up with a little trail wisdom from someone who knew the answer to life’s question!
Opening
- What is Cowboy Camping?
- Why we did it
- Why we didn’t do it sooner
- Who inspired us
- What we’ve learned
- How it’s changed the way we backpack
- https://boundlessroamad.com/2018/01/17/the-art-to-cowboy-camping/
Top 5 Tips for Cowboy Camping
Pick a warmish, dry night
- Low 50s
- Dry
Pack a waterproof ground cover
- We used a patio window insulation kit
- $12
Pack warmer
- You’ll be missing the 5-10 degrees of warmth and wind protection that a tent provides
Plan for bugs
- Permethrin is a great way to treat clothes/sleeping bag exterior
- Ticks, mosquitoes
Have an emergency shelter on hand
- Something that can keep you dry in case it starts raining or snowing
- We brought the Appy Trails Mark V tent with us on our PCT Section hike so we could fit us and our two boys–just in case
NOTE:
Be sure to open your eyes in the middle of the night—the stars are amazing!
Story from Listener Michelle G.
Backpack Hack of the Week™: Terrycloth Cotton Towel Squares
- 3”x3”
- Repurposed towel
- Perfect for scrubbing feet at night
- Can be reused
Trail Wisdom
“The only question in life is whether or not you are going to answer a hearty ‘YES!’ to your adventure.”
—Joseph Campbell