Welcome to episode 95 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, 2, the couples episode.

If you're hiking or backpacking with your significant other,

there are some great benefits and some relationship pitfalls.

Then on the summit gear review will share a pair of shoes that will help you get through better or worse.

On the backpack hack of the week, a tweak to your sleep system that maximizes your heat output,

and we'll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom that just may save your relationship.

All this, and that's about it.

Today, on the first 40 miles.

So, husband and a wife are walking down the trail.

And this sounds like the beginning of a really bad joke with a terrible punchline, but it's what you and I do. We go hiking together and we go backpacking together.

And over the last couple of years, I've noticed great things that have happened in our relationship

because of backpacking together.

But then I've also noticed these struggles that we go through together on backpacking trips.

And I guess the best way for me to describe it is that both of us got into what I call

trail mode and spent a lot of time focusing on

recharging our own batteries while we were out in nature and it was so beautiful

and not really spending time focused on each other.

...