Welcome to episode 155 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 we've talked about foraging for food of the leafy green variety, but what about foraging

for the creepy-crawly variety?

We'll talk about edible bugs and try to make it sound delicious. For today's summit gear review, a true

backpacking classic finds its place in our pack.

Then, instead of jumping at every twig snap you here in the forest,

we'll teach you how to be the one doing the twig snapping.

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

Well this episode is coming out on Halloween day a day where we celebrate gross stuff

just like everything gross you can think of just right out there on the front lawn. It's a holiday that completely

confuses me. But in keeping with this odd American tradition, we're going to see how much Halloween appropriate material we can cram into today's episode.

We can promise parasites, nematodes, bacteria, bugs, crackling sounds in the woods, and of course blood.

Hmm, it just sounds great.

And we're wearing our Halloween costumes today while we're recording. I'm dressed up as a middle-aged woman.

A middle-aged man. Oh, we're so cute. It's matching costumes. I love it.

Okay, well, we obviously put a lot of effort into our costumes. What about

bugs? Have you ever tried eating a bug or like accidentally? Have you ever accidentally eaten a bug?

Oh, I'm sure I've accidentally eaten bugs, probably in fruit and vegetables and hopefully not meat.

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