Welcome to episode 188 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 Josh Legler and this is the first 40 miles

today on the first 40 miles are you over 60, 70 years old and wondering if it's too late to begin backpacking?

It's never too late.

We'll share some wise words from an old mountain goat. Then on the summit

gear review, an unassuming flashlight that packs a ton of power, versatility, and technology all into 23 little grams.

And we'll share an easy way to cut your trash in half, mathematically. All this, and that's about it. Today on the first 40 miles.

Well Josh and I are both in midlife.

The glamorous midlife.

It's better than I expected.

It's way better than we expected. But of course we're looking forward to the future. We're looking

ahead to the future and looking forward to the future just kind of wondering like what is it going to be like to be old like to maybe

lose some of the function or the mobility that we had back when we were younger?

Is it guaranteed that we'll lose mobility?

Like do we have to slow down? Do we have to get weak and all hunched over and decrepit and wobbly. Is that just part of growing old or can we remain

vibrant and active for the rest of our lives?

I think it's a question that has a complex answer.

I wish that I could just say that if I do this amount of exercise

...