Welcome to episode 74 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, a hiker, a horse and a cyclist walk into a bar.

Is there a punchline or is there a trail protocol?

On the top five list you'll learn why titanium isn't just for aircraft.

Then on the summit gear review we'll review a water bottle that has all the right features.

For today's backpack, Hack of the Week, a simple compostable cutting board and food prep area.

And we'll wrap up the show with a guy who cannot stop talking about how beautiful the

wilderness is.

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

About a year ago we took a family day hike at Milo McIver State Park in Oregon and we were out on the trail, got to this point where I saw, I think I saw a spider web up above me, you know, kind of centered over the trail.

And I thought, oh, that would be cool to get a picture of.

So I stopped and held our camera up at arm's length, you know, pointed at the spider web and was trying to get it to focus on that, you know, just the fine strands of the spider web, make sure my picture would come out okay, and I was kind of unaware of some sounds coming from behind me.

Commotion I guess you could say. I think all the rest of the family noticed it before I did. Yeah, we were on the other side of the family noticed it before I did.

Yeah, we were on the other side of the trail and you were just standing there waiting

to take the picture and all of a sudden we heard people yelling at us.

Yeah, and I was completely oblivious because I'm focused on this

picture that I'm taking. So finally it sort of caught my attention and they were

...