Welcome to episode 56 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 tis the season for Christmas parodies. Then on today's top five list we'll share some fun ways

to present your gifts. Next on the summit gear review a piece of gear that will leave you feeling fresh as a snowdrift.

On the backpack hack of the week, a $1 solution that will help you feel a whole lot smarter and lighter.

And we'll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom

from one of the most quotable men in history.

All this, and that's about it. Today on the first 40 miles. I don't know where

ideas come from sometimes. Sometimes, you know, if you have one thing on your mind and then it gets

kind of bumped into by another thing that's equally strong, you know like backpacking

had been on my mind for months. And then Christmas came, and my mind was still, you know, on fire with backpacking, and Christmas and backpacking kind of collided in my mind and the ideas just started

flowing for this poem based on, it was the night before Christmas.

And so you sat down in your bed.

Yes, my bed slash office.

I do most of my creative work.

I sit there on my bed and have a little notebook and pencil or sometimes I use the laptop.

I started just kind of thinking, t'was the night before Christmas and all through the camp and the ideas just started

flowing and when you get one of those creative grooves you don't want to leave the groove and so I stayed

there I sat on my bed kept working the family was all kind of buzzing around the

...