Welcome to episode 194 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

the essential 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 if you think that men have the natural advantage on the trail, think again.

Then for the Summit Gear Review, an STP device that levels the playing field when it comes

to using the bathroom.

Next, we'll share our kids' favorite go-to site for looking up hiking and backpacking trails,

and we'll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from the American government.

All this and that's about it.

Today on the first 40 miles.

Well traditionally backpacking has perhaps been thought of as a men's activity, something the guys do. And maybe there's a few reasons for that. Men are bigger and have more muscle mass. And

backpacking may be seen as an activity that benefits from being strong.

You know, the stronger you are, the better backpacker you are. And it's

outdoorsy. Perhaps in our society we've had some periods where we think of

men as outdoorsy and women as indoorsy. There's no reason for that because back in the hunter-gatherer days

everyone was outdoorsy and they traveled many miles together and both women and men had different

skill sets in the outdoors that were advantageous to survival.

Yeah, you know, even gear companies have perpetuated the male advantage in the outdoors.

Traditionally, gear has been made for men and then maybe they tweak it a little or change the color to have a women's design or a women's version of the product.

Shrinket and pink it?

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