Welcome to episode 59 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,

if eating more bacon is your new 2016 New Year's resolution. We're here to support you with five

creative ways for you to achieve your goal. Then if leaving your sleeping bag in the

morning is a real challenge, we have a unique solution

for you on the Summit Gear Review.

On the backpack, Hack of the Week, vegan alternative bacon is not as gross as it sounds. We promise and will share a recipe with you.

Then we'll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a guy who enjoys the good life.

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

Well, we are right in this little window of time here

where the kids have been out of school for,

I don't know, about a week and a half now and they still have more time off and that

means lots of free time lots of kids twiddling their thumbs wondering what to do and it's cold outside and it gets

dark really early and so we have kind of this recipe for disaster.

...