Welcome to episode 104 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, usually your pack is lighter on the way home,

but not on our most recent trip and we'll tell you why.

Then on today's summit gear review, what do you get when you mix the coverage of an underquilt

with the structure of a sleeping pad.

Next on the backpack hack of the week, three tent stakes might be your ultra light solution for leaving your stove at home and we'll wrap up the

show with a little trail wisdom from a mononymous French philosopher.

All this

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

If you were following us over the summer, you know that we were really excited to get ready for a

backpacking trip to the Walaas in northeast Oregon. Part of why we were so

excited was because last fall when we were going to do that trip the

weather forecast turned and also there was a fire, a wildfire watch.

We ended up cutting that plan and going to the Redwoods in Northern California.

So we were really excited this year to actually make it to the Wallaas. And guess what? We didn't make it.

...