Welcome to episode 113 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 packing trip can sometimes look like the aftermath of an REI rummage sale.

Gear everywhere. We can't help you with that, but we'll share some tips for packing that will make your trip go a little smoother.

For today's summit gear review, a load of insulation for your next winter adventure.

Next, the backpack hack of the week will show you a sleeping bag hack for all you claustrophobes out there.

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

You know our house just looks like a mess whenever we're preparing for a backpacking trip. I veto that intro. You didn't

like the pregnant pause? Our house looks like an REI rummage sale when we're packing for a trip.

It's really that bad.

And it would be better if we could consolidate everyone's gear into one room, which I tried doing. I really did. But the gear has a life of its own and it

migrates, and sometimes people put away gear that's not clean, and so it migrates up to the laundry room and we really do have

gear in every room of the house when we're packing for a trip. And for each trip the

stuff we decide to take is a little bit different and so usually what happens

is all of it comes out and then some of it makes it into our packs and then of course we're

anxious to hit the road and get to the trail.

So then there's this pile of leftover gear that didn't go into our packs that's just sitting on the floor all over the house.

...