Podcast: Download (Duration: 29:14 — 27.7MB)

Show Notes: Episode 128

Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re on the trail in a hiker camp at Ecola State Park.  We’ll get input from the kids on our Spring Break adventure.  Then we’ll head back home and review a piece of gear we brought with us on the trail.  And we’ll share a backpack hack that will turn leftover dinner into dessert.

Opening

Recorded on site

Ecola State Park, overnight family backpacking trip

4 miles, very muddy

Top 5 Things the Kids Liked About This Trip

Recorded on site at the Hiker Camp at Ecola State Park by our four children plus a friend that we brought with us

SUMMIT Gear Review: NiteIze Radiant 250 Rechargeable Headlamp

Structure

• Light is attached to a fully adjustable elastic band (even down to a child’s size—16″ circumference is the smallest size, 24″ for the largest size). Fully expanded and stretched out it can expand to 44″—which means this can be worn around your waist as well.
• The light can be fully removed from the headband—which is great if you ever wanted to clean the dirt and sweat from the band.
• At its brightest, the flood on high glows 250 lumens
• Rechargeable: lithium polymer battery

Utility

• Dual switch for five modes:
• – White LED switch: high/low spot, and high/low flood
• – Red LED switch: flood mode
• Hold the non-textured side for three seconds and it turns on the red lights
• 90 degree tilt angle, tilts down
• Will not turn on while charging
• Run time up to 43 hours in low mode

Mass

• Weighs 3.2 ounces (91 grams)
• Light measures: 2.68″ x 1.57″ x 1.57″

Maintenance

• Recharges with micro USB
• Small red light indicates that it’s charging
• Takes two hours to charge fully
• Battery indicator light turns red when battery life has 10 minutes remaining on high
• Weather resistant
• Impact resistant (drop proof to 2 meters)

Investment

• $50

Trial

• Red Light for Preserving Night Vision: https://backpackinglight.com/00202-2/
• Son used it on backpacking trip
• We love that it’s rechargeable

Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Instant Chocolate Rice Pudding

1/2 cup cooked instant brown rice (leftover from dinner)

1 package hot chocolate mix (with or without marshmallows)

Pour powdered hot chocolate mix over cooked rice.  If a creamier texture is desired, a little water can be added.

Trail Wisdom

Man and other civilized animals are the only creatures that ever become dirty. –John Muir