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Show Notes: Episode 123
Today on the First 40 Miles, each of us are in a constant state of learning, and we’re all on different paths. Today we’ll share a few things that we have learned recently. Then, a spikey way to stay on the icy, snowy trails. For our Backpack Hack of the Week, a listener shares a tip he learned from another hiker.
Opening
- One of the great things about life…we learn as we go
- This is such a fun journey…learning and experimenting
- We learn as we go, and that’s been one of the great things about hearing our listeners backpacking stories! You’re learning as you go!
- Happy Spring! Spring is Here! Shoulder season!
- May have snow, may be limited to lower elevation hikes, but everything is waking up, and it’s a great time to be outside! When the world wakes up from winter, it kind of feels like outdoor school is in session. Time to start learning again!
Top 5 Things I’ve Learned Recently
Store your gear in bins
- Mice: they don’t just live in the fields and forests—they love suburban garages, too.
Backpacking has its seasons…
- This was a cold, wet, icy, unusual winter for us here in the northwest.
- We had about a 4 month stretch where we didn’t get out on a backpacking trip.
- It’s nothing to feel guilty about—it just makes us realize how much we enjoy being outside, with our family
If you don’t schedule a trip, it won’t happen
- Block out time on the calendar
- We had to look for gaps in the calendar…and hope that they matched up with decent weather
BLM is where it’s at (blm.gov)
- We love the Bureau of Land Management. We have BLM land all over the western United States.
- BLM is great. The land is backpackable, accessible, rustic, and there are very few rules.
- In an upcoming episode we’ll be talking about our family’s top secret BLM spot that is our go-to, drop-everything-and-go-backpacking spot!
Everyone has a valuable lesson to share
- Stories we’ve collected, our own stories, we learn from every person we meet!
Structure
- Kahtoola Microspikes are a traction device that you slide over the bottom of your shoes.
- The MICROspikes® feature 12 spikes per foot, with 8 spikes at the forefoot and 4 spikes at the heel.
- Each spike is 3/8″ long, and the spikes are made from heat-treated stainless steel for excellent durability and corrosion resistance.
- Chains and links are also made from stainless steel, and the chains are welded, even further increasing durability. These hold our crampons and ice spikes in place firmly.
Utility
- The stretchy part of Microspikes that go over your shoe, is comprised of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) which means they fit perfectly without any tightening or fidgeting with clasps.
- They have a tab on the back that makes putting on the Microspikes really easy
- Easy to put on, stretchy elastomer that stays pliable to -30 degrees F
- Packable—they even come with a tote sack
- These can be used on ice, rock, snow and a mix of all three.
Mass
- MICROspikes® pack down to roughly 5″ x 3″ x 2″ in their tote sack, and weigh between 11 and 14 ounces per pair. They easily fit into a pocket or pack, making them convenient to take on any winter adventure.
Maintenance
- No maintenance that we’re aware of–but just be aware that the Kahtoola Microspikes can’t prevent all slips and falls, so maintain an awareness of the trail… don’t be dumb.
Investment
Trial
- Helped Heather get to car in a completely iced-over PDX parking lot
- Kahtoola also makes NANOspikes for runners
- Reinforced eyelets, welded chains, durable, give you a little more safety on icy trails, and expand your ability to tackle trails in the winter and shoulder season.
Backpack Hack of the Week™: Delayed Camp Set-up
One of our listeners shares a story and a Backpack Hack of the Week.
Delaying camp set up until after dinner might give you a better idea of what the site will be like. You might also get a few more miles in after dinner.
Trail Wisdom
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
– Margaret Atwood, Bluebeard’s Egg
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