050: Secrets, Vampires, and Fake Spiders

Show Notes: Episode 050 Today on The First 40 Miles, how to hoard massive amounts of simple carbs for your next backpacking trip. On the Top 5 List, we’ll share the top five secrets you should never keep from your trail mates. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review, an ultralight backpacking staple that will cut both your pack weight and your pack volume. Next, on the Backpack Hack of the Week, you’ll learn how to dry your fly. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a man who loves adventure. Or maybe he doesn’t. Opening * In the ideal diet, we focus on lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, lean meat in small quantities, and small amounts of fats and sugars. * But, backpackers need calorie dense food that can be accessed quickly and that provides energy. * Halloween= Simple carbs + Fat * Great time to get some prime backpacking trail snacks * Snickers * Payday bars * Hard Candy or Chewy Candy (esp. if sealed completely, not just with the ends twisted) * Mounds or Almond Joy * Raisins in boxes * Be sure to grab any spider rings. They make for great pranks in about 6 months… Top 5 Secrets You Should Never Keep From Your Trail Mates Bad Trail News * Washed out bridge that changes the route * Avalanche warning * Thunderstorms, snow storms * Predatory Bear * Wildfire * Especially if you’re the one planning the trip * You need to communicate to your group * Everyone needs to do their homework before a trip If You Have an Intuitive Gut Feeling * If you have the uncanny ability to sense when things aren’t right, you need to share that—even if it’s wrong! * When the hair on your arm stand s up, or you get that nagging pit, say something * Share your thoughts then let the group talk it out If You’re Recovering From an Injury * Most of us don’t want to be the one that’s holding the group back * But going full speed ahead as if nothing happened, may make things worse * Take it slow * For a heart attack, there are early warning signs (although these may differ depending on the person) * Chest pain, shortness of breath, light-headedness http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com/2012/11/06/what-to-do-if-having-a-heart-attack/ * Chew up and swallow an aspirin. It could help keep the clot in your artery from getting worse. Heart meds, too. * Lie down and try your best to relax. Reduce the amount of physical and mental stress on your heart. Increase oxygen if you can. This may mean going down in elevation. * Try to stay warm. The body doesn’t function as well and uses more energy if you’re cold. * Send for help, but don’t leave anyone alone (in camp or on the trail) If you have Broken /Lost/Forgotten gear * Don’t suffer needlessly * Even if it’s a major piece of gear and you know you’ll never live it down * Backpackers are ingenious creatures, and something can be rigged up using combined resources, skills and ideas. * Backpackers are famous for helping out friends and strangers equally * Not letting your buddies know is just irresponsible… BONUS! If you are a vampire or werewolf * One full moon, or one first aid incident can really wreak havoc on your campsite and lead to trust issues on future trips. SUMMIT Gear Review™: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Dry Sack Structure * Unique compression idea - allows air to be pushed out to compress, but water can't get in because of the waterproof, air permeable eVent® fabric base * Made with Ultra-Sil 30 Denier high tenacity Cordura (nylon fabric) * Waterproof seams - double stitched and tape sealed * Roll-top Hypalon watertight closure, which you roll 3 times then click the buckle closed * Reinforced stitching on all stress points