Matthew's Question:
Matthew and little Harper
hit the trail
|
I have an 18-month old daughter whom I would love to take on a backpacking trip. I also am married to a wonderful woman who does not enjoy backpacking — and who is now pregnant with our second child. I also don't have any friends who are backpackers who could help carry a backpack full of gear while I carry my daughter in her backpack.
Harper (my daughter) really enjoys being outside. I think I would be able
to keep a good eye on her in a campsite that was open enough for me to see
her wander around while I set up our tent and get dinner going. Would it be possible to pare down the gear I would need to a bare minimum so that I could carry it all
plus her on my back, while still keeping Harper safe, warm, and dry (and me
relatively so)?
Matthew Bolz-Weber
Ephrata, Washington
Alice's Answer:
I greatly admire your tenacity. You sound like an extremely dedicated father and outdoors person. Harper is one lucky girl to have you willing to go to such efforts to take her with you. And I always say that where there's a will, there's a way.
I have a couple of suggestions, but trying to pare down so much that you carry both Harper and overnight gear sounds tough, if not impossible. I have twin 16-month old girls, and I know that toddlers this age aren't exactly featherweights. What's more, those child carriers take up a lot of valuable back space, so even packing up the gear and putting it on your back would be a true challenge.
The best way, in my mind, is to have another adult with you. That way you have another person to help haul and watch Harper or help with camp chores. I know you don't have anyone readily available, but do keep looking. Consider hiring a hardy teenager to go along, or to at least help get you to a campsite, if possible.
Here are a few more suggestions. But before you head out to the backcountry with Harper, I suggest you car camp solo with her, if you haven't done so already, to make sure you can do all the necessary camp chores while keeping an eye on her without help. Frankly, I know I would find this difficult with my own little ones.
The Beast of Burden
Sounds to me like a llama or a pack goat would be ideal for you. You could load up your four-footed friend and head out. See if any are available in your area for weekend trips. I've heard families rave about pack animals, and I'd like to try this method myself.
The Jogging Stroller Method
If you can find a relatively flat trail, you can put Harper in a jogging stroller and load up your backpack to the max. You're off! You're restricted trailwise, but this method will work in certain areas.
The Easily Accessible Base Camp
If you're bound and determined to do this yourself, then try to find a backcountry site that's close to a trailhead, say a half mile or mile away, so you and Harper can make multiple carrying trips to get everything there. You might carry the tent and sleeping bags at first, then go back one or two times for the rest of the gear. That way you don't have to skimp.
A Word of Caution
Of course you can't pare down your daughter's gear too much. She needs plenty of diapers (now there's some weight, especially the used ones!), warm clothing, food, and water. You'll need sunscreen, a first aid kit, and infant fever reducer in case she develops a fever.
And you really shouldn't pare down your own gear too much on such a family outing. If you don't take proper care of yourself, you won't be able to look after Harper.
Help Matthew Out
Hey GORPERS! Have any of you tried such a backpacking outing with a toddler? Got any suggestions?
Let us know in the GORP Family Forums.
Matthew, please let us know what you decide to do and how it works out. Best of luck!
Return to 
Top
