Welcome to episode 154 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. this is the first 40 miles.

Today on the first 40 miles if you've ever had a plan go awry this episode is for you. We'll talk about trip planning and why

it's such a critical part of backpacking. For today's summit gear review, we'll

share a valuable book for beginners along with a hack straight from page

104. And we'll wrap up today's show with a little trail wisdom from someone who understood

the power of planning.

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

Well, after celebrating my birthday recently, I kind of went on this personal self-improvement

kick and started checking out books from the library on how to establish habits.

And one of the books that I checked out was called Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin,

and it's all about how to set and maintain healthy habits.

And in one of the chapters she shared some wisdom

by Dwight D Eisenhower who said,

In preparing for battle,

I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.

This reminded me of another quote.

I don't know who said it.

I'll attribute it to myself I suppose in preparing for

...