084: Nature is the Birthplace of Creativity

Show Notes: Episode 084 Today on the First 40 Miles, if necessity is the mother of invention, then nature is the maternity ward. Then on today’s top 5 list, we’ll share the 5 types of YouTubers that you should check out before your next trip. On the SUMMIT Gear Review, one of the ten essentials just became a little more compact. Next on the Backpack Hack of the Week, a zero gram trail game that will keep everyone entertained around the campfire. And we’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a guy who looks and talks exactly like Henry David Thoreau. No wait, no, that is Henry David Thoreau. Opening * Nature is the birthplace of creativity * Stanford study about walking and creativity * Getting outside boosts your creativity * Being outside demands creativity (which is why we have the Backpack Hack of the Week) * Ideas, problem-solving, creative connections, cobweb sweeping, seeing clearly, complexities become simplified Top 5 Types of YouTubers that Backpackers Can Learn From Bushcrafters * These are hard core guys and gals who can go out into the forest with a camo tarp, a knife, flint and steel, and a canteen and have a great time. * They are a wealth of info * It’s not about weight or packability of gear, it’s about what you can do with what you have. * Survivalist mentality, pioneering, etc. * Recommendations on firestarting, knives, water collection * Paul Kirtley Ultralight Backpackers * They may look like backpackers, but they have a specific goal—and that is to go as light as possible, either by reducing the weight of individual pieces of gear or by eliminating unnecessary items. * It’s an extreme but exciting thought for beginners * The right way to do ultralight—the safe way Preppers * They put together a “bug-out-bag” * Three day supply of food and water and a plan * “Plan for the worst, hope for the best” * Focus on food, water, fuel (same as backpackers) * Difference: they tend to also focus on ammunition and firearms Historical Buffs * These are the folks who do historical war reenactments * They’re under similar constraints that backpackers are under as far as food preservation and food preparation goes. * 1805 Primitive American Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/jastownsendandson Glamping Campers * If you already are into backpacking, then you have the outdoor basics. And that allows you to bulk up and do a little car camping, or if you want to go even further, glamorous camping, AKA glamping * That means that more is provided: a tent or yurt, or cabin, running water, * It may be a great option for a family reunion, newlyweds, * Before you scoff at the idea of “glamorous camping”, it really does fill a need. It makes it possible for folks who love the outdoors, but who may be struggling with health issues or other things, to at least get out, and enjoy being outside. SUMMIT Gear Review: Popticals Structure * Popticals are high-performance sports sunglasses that collapse down to fit in your pocket. * The frames have a track with stainless steel pins that make it so the lenses slide together–parallel to each other–for compact storage. * When you’re ready to use the glasses, you slide the lenses apart from each other, then a magnet attaches the connecting pieces in the bridge of the frames. * Frames are made of Grilamid TR-90, which is a homopolyamide nylon with an extremely high alternative bending strength,