Welcome to episode 24 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'll take a

peak at the magical time between peak season and off-peak season.

On the summit gear review, you'll meet the short powerful cousin of the Jet Boil Flash stove.

Next, if you've always wanted to try Canadian cuisine, but we're afraid to ask, we'll give you the perfect recipe on the backpack hack of the week.

On the backpacker's Q&A, Mike from Utah has some questions about packs for all ages.

Then we'll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from our good friend on the trail,

writer and outspoken man with a beard, Edward Abbey.

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

Well, if you're a backpacker, there's a good chance you subscribe to Backpacker magazine.

And it's so inspiring, especially during the off season when you're not getting out much and you get to peruse

through the pages and look at the beautiful photos and read the stories of what

people are doing so it's pretty cool. So we recently got the gear issue and this is where they review all of the gear that they've been testing for the last year.

Yeah, this comes out every April and it's just packed with gear reviews.

Well, I was looking at the tents section

and to give a little background,

years ago, what, 10 years ago,

we bought a tent at Shopco that actually fit our entire family at the time.

...