Karen's Question:

Is there a way to hike with a 2=-year-old?

We still have a baby carrier which carries up to 40 lb., but I just can't see hiking with her on my husband's or my back.

Karen Russell
Nashua, New Hampshire

Alice's Answer:

	Alice Cary Alice introduced her oldest child, Will, to the outdoors at a very early age by climbing New Hampshire's Mt. Washington—in winter—while pregnant. And she and her family haven't stopped experiencing the joys of outdoor adventure, even with newborn twins. Meet Alice Answer Archive Family Forums

Your strategy depends entirely on your goals.

If you actually want to cover some miles, even one or two, there's usually no way to hike with a 2 =-year-old, at least one that's self-propelled. Oh, you might cover some ground, but usually it takes quite a while because the child needs to stop and examine every pebble and puddle and stick.

Beasts of Burden
Personally, I like to get some exercise, so I expect that's exactly what my husband and I will be doing next summer when our twin girls will be two: lugging them around on our backs. I'm not exactly a weight-lifter, but I like the carrier phase much better than tailoring my pace to the toddler dawdle or the pre-school shuffle.

For the record, when our son, now 6, was 2, I let my husband haul him as much as possible, but with the twins neither one of us will get a break.

If you decide to carry a toddler, what's key is a quality backpack, one you'll have to shell out some dough for lumbar support for you and safety and padding for the child. I recommend the Kelty packs (www.kelty.com or www.llbean.com).

Big Wheels Keep on Rolling
So where does that leave you and your husband?

One possible solution is a jogging stroller. You can traverse gentle trails with a jogging stroller without burdening your back. You'll be more limited in the types of terrain you can cover: nothing with too much elevation or rocks and roots, but you can traverse some trails and your daughter can easily hop in and out, which isn't the case with a back-style child carrier.

Calling All Grandmothers
Another tactic-and I'm not being facetious-is to get a babysitter.

Of course you'll want to include your daughter on as many outings as possible, but it's great to take a break every once in a while and make an adult pace the focus of your journey.

Whatever you decide, don't despair. All of these phases pass more quickly than one would imagine.

Before you know it, you'll be running after your daughter!

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