thanks for another great expert council.

Thanks for the advice!

The advice to do a trial hike to a primitive campsite before going on a multi-day backpacking trip was gold. As a former wilderness guide I 100% agree and recommend taking the gear you plan to use for the big trip (packs, shoes, tents, etc) and practice with it. Set up and tear down camp a couple times, pack your pack multiple times and carry it around for awhile, practice throwing a bear rope, starting your stoves, maybe even practice helping each other out in 1st aid scenarios. Have fun!!!

I have an HSA with a DPC practitioner. We are able to pay our DPC with the HSA account. We put her fee plus the difference between the old plan and the HSA into the HSA account and now pay for all OTC and scripts with the HSA and are building funds for future major medical issues. That is a long way of saying we are saving buy using a high deductible insurance plan.

For hiking, building up core strength is just as important as leg strength. remember that even if you are in good shape, it takes a couple weeks to get your hiking legs, so take your time. i saw a documentary on the AT and decided to thru hike the next summer. i did this without practice hikes and only trained about 12 hours per week. For most people practice hikes will help quite a bit. if you are on the southern end i like the roan mountain area for a tough and rewarding practice run

Great show!

I heard you censor yourself when you said sickness and illness industry... you almost said care.... don't be afraid to call it what it is it's not care it's actually abuse...