Podcast: Download (Duration: 31:19 — 29.6MB)
Show Notes: Episode 188
Today on the First 40 Miles, are you over 50, 60, 70 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 into 23 little grams. And we’ll share an easy way to cut your trash in half—mathematically.
Opening
- It’s never too early and it’s never too late…
- Wise words from a mountain goat
- How do we stay active so we can keep hiking?
- What’s the secret to getting active or preparing for a trip when you’re over 70?
Listener words: Jim Klopovic
Older People Can Backpack!
- Honest Backpacker…book about hiking when older
- Theme of book…get out, have fun, be safe, make memories.
- Gateway to health, well-being, happiness.
Preparing to hike is preparing for life
- Being prepared for a trip doesn’t just benefit you on that trip
- You increase your capacity
- You develop friendships
- You create memories
Body is a temple
- If you want to be active, do the things that healthy active people do
- Health: diet, exercise, no refined sugar, no refined oil, no refined flour
- Exercise is important
Vigorous, vital and vertical
- Three things you want to be as you age
Three keys for backpacking as you get older
- Walk slower, longer and lighter
Structure
- Broad-beam lens: soft, even beam for close-up illumination
- Hard-anodized, anti-abrasive finish
- Made of aircraft-grade aluminum
- Twist switch
Utility
- High: 85 Lumens (Ni-MH: 1 hour; Alkaline: 45 min.)
- Mid: 25 Lumens (Ni-MH: 4 hours 15 min.; Alkaline: 4 hours 15 min.)
- Low: 8 Lumens (Ni-MH: 14 hours 30 min.; Alkaline: 15 hours)
- Waterproof to IPX-8 standard. 30 minutes under water to 6.5 feet/2 meters
- Capable of standing up securely on a flat surface to serve as a candle
Mass
- Weighs: 23 grams (or just under an ounce)
- Measures: .63in/66.5mm (Length) x .6in/15mm (Diameter)
- compact
Maintenance
- Uses one 1.5V AAA Alkaline battery, inexpensive and widely available
- Manufacturer suggests using a Ni-MH battery—which has high current discharge capabilities
- Avoid cheap batteries…which may corrode, rust or have electrolyte leakage.
Investment
Trial
- I love flashlights that preserve battery life and don’t blind you. This has three brightness settings—it defaults to the lowest setting.
- The other brightness settings are easily accessible. All you have to do is twist the flashlight off and on quickly and it will cycle through the three brightness levels.
- The highest brightness level is 85 lumens…after 3 minutes it will digitally and automatically dim to the 25 lumen setting.
- Comes in blue, black or purple.
- Can easily be attached to your pack with a carabiner
Backpack Hack of the Week™: One Piece Trash
- Our kids learned this from leaders at the Philmont Scout Ranch
- Whenever you’re opening something, don’t tear off the corner or rip off the top. This creates two pieces of trash. Instead, open the package in such a way that there are no small corners or tiny pieces of micro trash.
- This mathematically cuts the pieces of trash you produce in half.
- Consider it a challenge or a game.
Trail Wisdom
“You don’t have to say everything to be a light. Sometimes a fire built on a hill will bring interested people to your campfire.”
-Shannon L. Alder
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