033: Show America Some Love

Today on The First 40 Miles, the Top 5 ways to show your love for America’s public lands. Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review we’ll show you how to sleep in pure comfort on a pad the size of a Nalgene bottle. Then ditch the toothpaste and try this simple DIY option for a clean mouth. Then we’ll leave you with a little trail wisdom from a brilliant German theoretical physicist. Show Notes: Episode 033 Opening * This week’s backpacking trip! * Our Challenge: Finding a backpacking adventure within 30 minutes of our house * Nestucca River area of Oregon * Flying by the seat of our pants again…with stories to tell in future episodes! Top 5 Ways to Show Your Love for America’s Public Lands Go to Volunteer.gov (http://volunteer.gov/) * America's Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal * You can find volunteer opportunities in your state Use the Land! * Get out and use the land * Use it or lose it! Be a Good Steward * Follow the rules of the trail * Pick up after yourself * Leave it better than you found it * Read trail signs to find out about do’s and don’t’s Teach and Inspire the Next Generation * Check out Episode 029, SHORT + SWEET: The Children + Backpacking episode * Volunteering with Boy Scouts of America (http://www.scouting.org/) or another youth serving organization Learn about the Different Public Lands Near You * BLM, National Parks, National Forests, National Recreation Areas, National Wildlife Area, Wilderness, etc. * Tribal Lands * State Parks * Private Lands are also an option for day use (Weyerhauser, tree farms) SUMMIT Gear Review™: Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad (http://www.klymit.com/index.php/static-v2.html)  Structure * 30D Polyester Top/75D Polyester Bottom * Called the V-shape chambers limit air movement and heat loss * Springy Green (looks like the color from new growth on Douglas Fir) Utility * R-Value 1.3, which makes it perfect for summer * Compresses down really well and really quickly * Chambers evenly distribute the air for great comfort * Static V pad can be inflated with just 10 - 15 breaths * Easy-to-use push valve allows for super quick deflation… * Tons easier to deflate than the Thermarest self-inflating pads Mass * 4 x 8 inches (size of a Nalgene water bottle) when packed in its stuff sack * 33 ounces * When it’s inflated: 72" x 23" x 2.5" * Won’t be knocking people off the trail with your huge closed cell foam pad strapped to the back of your pack Maintenance * Repair kit included * Always the risk of puncture with open cell pads—bring repair kit Investment * About $60 Trial * Really did inflate with 15 breaths! * Easy to deflate * Very comfortable * Low R-Value means this is a summer pad * A piece of gear for women who get bruised hips from closed cell foam pads. Klymit has an Insulated version called the Insulated Klymit V (http://www.klymit.com/index.php/insulated-static-v.html), 25 ounces (just 9 ounces more), 4.4 R Value, $90 Backpack Hack of the Week™: DIY Tooth Powder * Baking Soda…and mix with a few drops of essential oil. Put in a teeny screw top lidded plastic jar. * Definitely for the brave hearted! I love it! * To use: Just wet your toothbrush, dip it in and brush away! * FYI, essential oils are strongly scented, so pack your tooth powder with your food so animals won’t try to chew through your pack to get it. * You can also just leave the baking soda unscented Trail Wisdom “Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are a part of the mystery that we are trying to solve.” -Max Planck