Welcome to episode 45 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 what are those last minute things that you need right before a trip?

Believe it or not, there are five pre-trip incidentals that will help you with trip prep.

Next on the Summit Cure 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 up maps without leaving a mess and we'll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a man with a van.

All this and that's about it.

Today on the first 40 miles.

Well, exactly a year ago today,

I was starting out on my very first backpacking trip. The one where I had the

gear, the map, the vision, a group of people to go with, and that was our trip around Mount Hood.

This time we're heading to the Willowas and the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Northeastern Oregon.

So last month we got together for a planning meeting.

Anyway, we met up at Steve's house

and he made his famous dark chocolate brownies.

And we all gathered around a table that had a big map on it, and he went over the route with us and

showed us exactly where we would be staying and how long and what the mileage was, what

the elevation was,

some of those key details.

...