204: So, How Was Your Hike?

Show Notes: Episode 204

Today on the First 40 Miles, maybe you’ve posted a few pics of your backpacking trip on social media, and now everyone is asking you “So…How was your trip?”  What’s the best way to respond?  Then we have a listener story from Mason who let his adventures lead to creating a business that helps others experience adventure.  Then we’ll share a hack that may just awaken you to a possible feature on your oven or toaster oven.


  • I want to hear about your trip! “It was good.”
  • How do you respond?
  • What do people want to hear?
  • I always want to keep my responses short, which is kind of funny, because if someone is asking it means they want to know.

Top 5 Responses to “So…how was your hike?”

 “It was great!  Do you mind if I show you a few pics?” 

  • Share 2-3 pics
  • Quick one line description for each pic
  • Then get on with the non-scrolling part of your life.

“What part you want to hear about…the terrain, the food, Kelly’s blister collection?”

  • Everyone’s interest is going to be piqued by something different.
  • If you give a few themes, it’ll help the conversation
  • They may have some great follow up questions for you

“Have you been hiking there or near there before?”

  • Yes: find common ground, and take them there mentally…
  • No: Quick geography, then a quick anatomy of the trip

You would have loved the (fill in the blank)!

  • Fill in that blank with something universally beloved, like fresh alpine streams, tall mountains, sunshine…
  • Relate the trip to what they want to hear about and help them feel like they were there.

One solid story

  • Jump right in with a story

Listener Story from Mason

Backpack Hack of the Week™:  Convection Oven Dehydrated Food

Lots of people think they need a dedicated dehydrator to make homemade beef jerky or dried apple slices, however you might have everything you need to dehydrate backpacking food right in your kitchen.

Some full sized ovens and counter-top toaster ovens have a convection feature.   This means that instead of the heat radiating around the food, the process of cooking is sped up using fans and heat.  This means you can dehydrate backpacking food quickly, using the convection feature in your oven.

Trail Wisdom

—Nelson Mandela
