Welcome to episode 79 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. this is the first 40 miles.

Today on the first 40 miles many of us go hiking and backpacking so that we can unplug.

When it comes to electronics, we are literally surrounded.

Then on today's top five list, you'll learn to look for the signs that tell you it's time to get outside.

Next on the summit gear review, a pillow that will perfectly cradle your cranium.

On today's backpack, Hack of the Week,

what three words are the best response when you hear an S.O.S. call?

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

from our good friend on the trail, Woody Hessessel Barth. All this and that's about it. Today on the first

40 miles. Many of us go out into nature to get away from it all. In fact, we just did an interview recently with Brett Trout from Smore Outdoor, who talks about the nature effect and how important it is, how critical it is to our everyday activities,

our creativity, our work, our interactions with others.

And I think it's interesting that another term that we use for getting away from it all is unplug.

And yet we are increasingly surrounded by electronics.

If you think about all the electronics that are available to you on the trail, you start to realize how

omnipresent electronics are in our lives.

Growing up as a Boy Scout, the rules were quite clear.

No electronics on Scout campouts.

And I think the rules were so clear and easy to implement

...