Welcome to episode 200 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 we are on site on the Pacific Crest Trail.

We just took a little detour though,

and we are at the Big Lake Youth Camp, sponsored by the Seventh Day Adventists.

There's a nice little PCT Welcome Center here for all the PCT hikers that come

through on the trail.

We just spent one week on the Pacific Crest Trail. We were

accompanying our friend Steve who's doing the entire Oregon section of the

trail and we joined him along with two of our sons for one week. We did about 70 miles and we've just wrapped up those 70 miles.

Every year I take a group of friends backpacking and last year I decided that I wanted to do the Oregon Portion Pacific Crest Trail.

And so I went to my friends and said, hey, I've got a stupid idea.

And they said, yeah, it is stupid, can we join you?

And so for each week, the five weeks I'm on the trail,

I have friends joining me.

This week has been the leglers.

And it's been quite fun hiking with them, learning a lot, enjoying their company.

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