Welcome to episode 44 of the first 40 miles.

If you're new to backpacking, or if you're hopelessly in love with someone who wants you to love

backpacking, then this podcast is for you. We'll talk about the essentials, how to lighten your load,

and how to make the most of your time on the trail. I'm your host Heather Legler.

And I'm Josh Legler. And this is the first 40 miles.

Today on the first 40 miles, you may be prepared for your next backpacking trip, but are you prepared for a natural disaster?

You may be more prepared than you think.

Then we share the top five benefits of leaving behind one of my favorite pieces of gear.

Then on the ready for adventure segment,

we prep for a hypothetical trip with two friends and the kids

for a fun 24-hour adventure.

Next, get out your exacto knife and get creative with your closed cell foam pad.

All this, and that's about it today on the first 40 miles.

September is National Preparedness Month, and while it's not a festive holiday where we light up a tree and big special treats or anything,

it's part of a government effort to strengthen the United States preparedness.

One of the things they recommend is that you have emergency kits stocked and ready to go in your home,

and in your car as well. So they usually talk about these being 72 hour kits. So having

a kit that has enough stuff in it so that you can survive for three days just out of that kit.

And so quite a few years ago, we put together our 72 hour kits

and basically had a bag for each member of our family. And had various things you know water food and a

change of clothes and so the idea was that we could grab those in case of an

evacuation or even if we were not evacuating just had to stay home

...