Episode 4 - The Big Three - Gearing up for Leadership

In this "Gear-Focused" episode of Trail Talk, Mr. Mielke takes listeners on a behind-the-scenes look at the essential gear he tested, toted, and trusted on the trail to Philmont—known in hiking circles as “The Big Three”: backpack, sleeping system, and shelter. But this isn’t just about zippers and straps. It’s a metaphor for leadership.

What "Gear" do you carry as a leader? What tools do you test, trust, and refine through experience? Using personal anecdotes about buying, borrowing, and breaking in his gear, Mr. Mielke draws parallels to the leadership traits that every Scout and Scouter must learn: integrity, communication, and vision.

This episode is about trial and error, about showing up with the wrong backpack—but walking out stronger because of what you learned. Whether you’re on the trail or leading a troop, this one reminds us that what you carry matters… and that sometimes, the most reliable tool is the one you’ve taken the time to understand.

With stories from Crew 712-C and lessons forged in rain, wind, and the high country of New Mexico, The Big Three is a practical, personal, and powerful gear guide for life on and off the trail.