Welcome to episode 145 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, are you a fair weather backpacker? This was a question I was seriously asking myself on our last trip and I think I figured out the answer.

Then we'll share the top five features we wish our gear had. Nothing too crazy, I promise.

Next we'll share an inspiring listener's story. Then you'll learn the simple steps to make your

own whole grain flatbread for your next trip.

All this, and that's about it. Today, on the first 40 miles. We love going on backpacking trips when the highs are in the

lower 70s and the lows are in the upper 50s, but those golden trips are so rare. And it's really left me wondering, you know,

after so many rainy, cold backpacking trips, am I a fair weather backpacker?

And I've been really bothered by this question for a while. Am I a fair weather backpacker? Well I can tell you what my

answer was on the last trip that we took while my legs were being soaked by rain-drenched ferns, and my glasses were fogging up, and my

waterproof shoes were filling up with water, and my hands were losing their feeling from being so cold and wet.

It just felt like it was another trip where every single piece of gear would have to be unpacked

and dried out at home by being draped over every single piece of furniture that we own or

spread out in the garage.

So after that trip I just kind of wondered, am I a Fairweather backpacker?

Well, I know that if I had stayed home,

then none of that would have happened.

But if I had stayed home,

none of this would have happened. Our family arrived at our secret

...