Welcome to episode 142 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 Tix the parasitic arachnid episode.

If you grows out easily when people are talking about blood-sucking parasites,

we give you full permission to skip this episode.

However, if you're kind of curious about ticks,

how to keep them away, and what to do

if you end up being a host, then listen on.

Then on the Summit Gear Review,

we'll share an innovative way to remove ticks.

For today's backpack Hack of the Week,

an item you may already have in your first aid kit that will ensure a quick and easy way to say goodbye to any hitchhikers.

Plus we'll dispel some dangerous myths that are still circulating about how to remove a tick.

All this, and that's about it.

Today on the first 40 miles. Today we're talking about ticks, which is about as

disgusting as it gets. I mean I think ticks are even lower on the gross animal totem pole than mosquitoes.

Nobody likes mosquitoes.

...