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199: REFLECTIONS: The Four Year Anniversary of Our First Backpacking Trip Together

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Today on the First 40 Miles, we get a little nostalgic whenever September rolls around.  This week marks the 4 year anniversary of our first 40 miles—the trip Josh and I took together with friends around Mt. Hood.  And even though we’ve been backpacking for a few years, there are still things that take us by surprise.  Next, for today’s SUMMIT Gear Review, a headlamp that doubles as a flashlight and triples as a stand up torch.  Then we’ll share a hack that will make your next trip to the bathroom rock.  And we’ll leave you with a little trail wisdom that will help you understand your human connection with nature.

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198: Rewired Backpacking Brain

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Today on the First 40 Miles, wilderness backpacking has the power to rewire your brain—and we’ll share the top 5 ways it’s changed us.  Then, an epic way to stay clean while backpacking.  Next a listener shares her one pound solution for oil painting on the trail.  And we'll wrap up with a little trail wisdom from our good friend on the trail, John Muir.

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197: Anxiety on the Trail

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Today on the First 40 Miles, when hiking or backpacking, our whole goal is to move forward, otherwise we’d just set up our tent in the parking lot.  But what do you do when anxiety stops your progress?  We have some tools that will help.  Then we’ll share a hack that will cut your tent weight almost in half.  Then we’ll wrap up the show with a quote that revives fire from the ashes.

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196: Lightning Safety

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Today on the First 40 Miles, I was wondering what today’s episode should be about… and then it struck me.   Today we’ll chat about lightning safety.  Nothing shocking.  We promise to conduct ourselves appropriately.  Then ya’ll get to hear a little story from Steve about his friend’s top secret backpacking spot.  Next, we’ll test some backpacking energy bars and wrap it up with a great resource from National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) on everything you ever wanted to know about backcountry lightning safety.

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195: A LONG HIKE: Prepping for a Weeklong Trip

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Today on the First 40 Miles, this week we’ll talk about an upcoming weeklong trip and what we’re doing to prepare.  Then, if you’ve got an itch to hit the trail, but you have no gear, we’ll hook you up with a company who can supply the gear for your first trip.  For today’s Backpack Hack for the Week, Josh picked the perfect app for our upcoming backpacking adventure.  And we’ll share a little trail wisdom from someone who didn’t do anything halfway.

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