Welcome to episode 81 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 backpackers spend their time in the backcountry but your first outdoor experiences were probably in the front country.

We'll explain the difference.

Then on today's top five list, you'll learn the key factors for making perfect popcorn on the trail a

skill that I do not take lightly. On the summit gear review we're trying a

twist on the Classic Buff.

Next on the backpack Hack of the Week, learn a simple first aid hack that will change the

way you look at your fast food garbage.

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

Back in April Josh and I did an interview with Brett Trout on the Smore Outdoor Podcast, and it's all about the importance of getting outdoors and having that time to recharge.

And one of the things that drove me to backpacking was that I wasn't quite

getting the experience that I wanted from my outdoor experience you, where you set up a tent and you sleep on gravel and there are people all around you and there's a bathroom and running water and that really wasn't the experience that I wanted I wanted to have a more I couldn't really define it but a more separate or more apart experience where I could be away and I would try and express these

feelings to Josh and he would say something like well to get that experience you

need to hike in a couple miles at least and all the people disappear.

...