Welcome to episode 127 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,

leaving a trail of breadcrumbs

didn't work out so well for Hanseling Gretel.

So is there a better way to mark the trail that won't conflict with leave no trace principles?

Then on today's top five list Josh will share the top five things that he does

on every backpacking trip. Next we'll share a way to text your hiking partner even when you're both days away from a cell tower.

And for today's backpack, Hack of the Week, a ridiculous zero-gram trail game that will keep you entertained for hours. All this and that's about

it. Today on the first 40 miles.

So Josh, do you remember the story of Hansel and Gretel?

It's actually one of the, I think it's one of the worst grim stories.

It sure is.

Weird.

So they wander out into the woods, right?

Because they ran out of food and the stepmother was like wanting to get rid of them.

And so the father says, okay, I'll get rid of them and so the father says okay I'll get rid of my kids and sends them out into the

...