Podcast: Download (Duration: 29:43 — 28.1MB)

Show Notes: Episode 194

Today on the First 40 Miles, if you think that men have the natural advantage on the trail, think again.  Then for the Summit Gear Review, an STP device that levels the playing field when it comes to using the bathroom.  Next, our kids’ favorite go-to site for looking up hiking and backpacking trails.  And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from the American Government.

Opening

• Men vs. Women on the trail
• Gear geared toward men (packs, shoe stays, sleeping bags, even logos and color choices, etc.)

Top 5 Advantages Women have Over Men on the Trail

Women are better at navigation via landmarks

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2138383/He-better-navigating-remembers-keys-Conference-highlights-cognitive-differences-men-women.html
• “However women are ‘better at remembering where things are’ and are more likely to navigate via landmarks rather than the generally male trait of navigating by sense of direction.”

Women have stronger immune systems

• “A study done by McGill University indicated that estrogen gives women an edge when it comes to fighting off infections. That’s because estrogen confronts a certain enzyme that often hinders the body’s first line of defense against bacteria and viruses.”

Women have a higher pain tolerance

• MythBusters did a test with ice water to see which gender had the greatest pain tolerance
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4kvpjQe8nw
• Members of both sexes submerge their hands in icy water. Women were able to endure the pain for a longer amount of time.

Women are better learners

• A study done at the University of Georgia and Columbia University found that women are better learners. According to these researchers, women tend to be more attentive, flexible, and organized.

Women are better endurance athletes

• Women will take longer to fatigue, but they’re faster to recover from physical exertion than men, regardless of the intensity of the effort.
• “All these guys will go out hot, and hours later I catch them,” says endurance cyclist Rebecca Rusch “They always ask, ‘Why do you start so slowly?’ And I answer, ‘Why do you finish so slowly?’ ”
• https://www.outsideonline.com/2169856/longer-race-stronger-we-get

SUMMIT Gear Review™:   Tinkle Belle STP Device

Structure

• Stand to Pee device for women
• Plastic and silicone funnel to direct the flow
• Foldable (fits in a dry bag)

Utility

• Use while fully clothed, allowing for minimal exposure
• Antimicrobial
• Because it’s hydrophobic, you can use it to squeegee any drips then shake off the Tinkle Belle
• No need for toilet paper

Mass

• Measures 9.25 inches (23.5 cm) long when it is fully extended.
• Folded in half, the Tinkle Belle is 5.5 inches (14 cm)
• Weighs 1.8 oz (50 g)
• The Tinkle Belle with the case weighs 2.6 oz. (75 g)

Maintenance

• Shake it off
• Store in the bag
• To store, fold back the soft spout under the hard shell and keep it in the supplied carry case. The spout can also be stored by folding it to the side, but it may maintain “fold memory.” You can fix this by pinching it to the opposite side a few times to straighten the spout.

Investment

• $28

Trial

• All ages can use the Tinkle Belle—which is great if you’re out with wee ones who may not have mastered the squat
• If you’re nervous about using an STP device, they recommend giving it a test run in the shower
• Foldable, compact, discreet and easily portable.
• #letpeedomring

Backpack Hack of the Week™: The Outdoor Project Website

• Their mission: To create the most intuitive, comprehensive, and inspiring outdoor adventure resource. Ever.
• They are doing it.  Shows the power of a mission statement.
• Specific location, region, activity type, near me, new
• Maybe you want other features, too. You can include those filters in your search
• Phenomenal, rich site that has just exploded with user generated content in the past year.
• Add items to your “to do” list or your “done it” list
• Printable field guide, driving directions, shows current weather forecast, nearby adventures,
• Social feature to find out who else wants to do it, who else has done it.

Trail Wisdom

“Imagine walking out your front door, getting on a bicycle, a horse or simply donning your backpack and within minutes of your home, setting off along a continuous network of recreation corridors that could lead across the country.”
—President’s Commission on Americans Outdoors

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