Podcast: Download (Duration: 31:01 — 31.2MB)

Today on The First 40 Miles, what are those last minute things you need right before a trip? Believe or not, there are five pre-trip incidentals that will help with pre-trip prep! Next, on the SUMMIT Gear Review, we review a tent that we purchased not, once, not twice, but three times. The Backpack Hack of the Week is a simple way to mark maps without leaving a mess. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a man with a van.

Show Notes: Episode 045

Opening

• Anniversary of my first 40 Miles
• Purpose of the meeting
• Firm up schedule
• Go over route
• Talk about risks:
  • Risk of nearby forest fire
  • Do we reschedule the trip?
  • Comfort level with risks

The Top 5 Pre-Trip Incidentals

Sharpie permanent marker

• Write on gear, plastic bags, food

Quart Ziploc Bags

• Great for separating out food
• Can be reused

Cash

• Ones and fives–not twenties
• Coins in the car may help for showers or vending machines off the trail

Reports

• Trail Reports
• Weather reports
• For our upcoming trip, we’ve also been checking fire reports

Baking Soda

• Can help with stinky gear

SUMMIT Gear Review™: REI Passage 2 Tent

Structure

• Floor fabric: Coated nylon taffeta
• Rainfly fabric: Coated polyester taffeta
• Mesh
• Double walled tent, which helps reduce condensation
• Aluminum poles (if you haven’t purchased a new tent recently…poles go toether smoother when they’re new!)
• Adjustable ceiling vents

Utility

• Rectangular floor
• Mesh pockets; hang loops; included gear loft
• Fast Pitch: Save weight and create a minimalist shelter by using just the rainfly, footprint (sold separately), poles and stakes
• Dual entry tent (benefits of having two doors)
• Vestibules
• Has a handy pocket in all 4 corners for small gear like glasses
• Over head removeable gear loft (for throwing a headlamp into)
• Gear loops inside tent
• Sets up quickly

Mass

• 5 lb. 5 oz.
• Josh and Heather split it up…so 2lbs 10 oz each
• Packed size 5 x 22 inches
• Floor dimensions 90 x 54 inches
• Floor area 75 square feet
• Vestibule area 75 square feet

Maintenance

• Sprayed it with Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® to help it last longer
• Keep dirty shoes out
• “Tent over your head” trick for cleaning it out
• Put it up to dry out when you return home

Investment

• $150

Trial

• Bought one for our Mt Hood trip last year
• Then took the family out…while on that trip, the kids tent broke…
• We liked our tent so much that we bought two more.

Backpack Hack of the Week™: Washi Tape for Map Marking

• Washi Tape for map marking (mentioned this in episode 8)
• Write on it with permanent marker or pencil.
• Take notes, mark trails, plan route
• It’s 100% removable, repositionable

September 26
National Public Lands Day

Trail Wisdom

“Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.”

― Vincent van Gogh