The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast
The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast
Heather Legler
133: Cats, Wonderland, and Ticks
29 minutes Posted May 30, 2017 at 6:00 am.
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Show notes
Show Notes: Episode 133
Today on the First 40 Miles, if a news story didn’t involve the latest political scandal or secret missile launch, it probably didn’t even make it above the fold.  Fortunately, we’ve found a handful of stories  that we think you’ll find twice as interesting as what’s on the front page.   Then, the Summit Gear Review will feature a handy waterproof stuff sack that can hold anything from muddy hiking shoes to all the fixin’s for a campfire dinner.  Just not at the same time.  Next, a simple way to give peanut butter a flavor makeover.
To join us for the SOLVE Clean Up, register here:
http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/bald-mountain-cleanup
Opening
Today we share news that didn’t make the front page
Top 5 Backpacking in the News Stories
 Uptick in Ticks
http://nypost.com/2017/04/04/us-is-facing-an-epic-outbreak-of-lyme-disease-experts/
 Man who blew his left hand off accidentally
http://www.ydr.com/story/news/2017/03/17/hikers-left-hand-blown-off-appalachian-trail-pa/99315188/
Some listeners pointed us to some further reports on this story. Hmm, we wonder what he was up to:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/police/mc-hawk-mountain-search-and-rescue-20170316-story,amp.html
http://parkland.thelehighvalleypress.com/2017/03/22/fbi-bomb-squad-investigate-items-brought-hospital
Cats for Search and Rescue 
https://www.seeker.com/why-cats-could-make-skilled-search-and-rescue-animals-2277969871.html
Bikepacking:
http://www.foxnews.com/great-outdoors/2017/04/05/bikepacking-adds-dose-fun-to-backpacking.html
Rainier’s Wonderland Trail 
http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/article142953894.html
SUMMIT Gear Review™: Matador Droplet Wet Bag
Structure

* Silicone case shaped like a drop of water, with a slit in it, into which a small portable 3 liter waterproof drawstring sack can be stuffed
* The silicone case also has a place where you can attach a carabiner so you can attach this bag onto the outside of your pack.

Utility

* Keeps the wet in or out. It’s not technically a “dry bag” because it doesn’t have a rolltop closure, but if you have wet gear that you want to keep separate, or something like a sketchbook that you want to keep protected from the rain…this will do the job—and your gear will still be accessible.
* Not submersible
* Droplet is reusable (and can take the place of gallon ziptop bags in a lot of cases) and can keep the wet in, or keep the wet out depending on your needs.

Mass

* Weighs 0.5 ounces ( 15 grams)
* When the stuff sack is removed from the silicone case, it measures about 8 1/2 x 11 inches—the size of a piece of paper
* When it’s stuffed in its case, 2×1 1/2 inches

Maintenance

* Hand wash, hang dry
* Keep out of reach of children—it’s a waterproof bag, and that’s a risk with children

Investment

* $15

Trial