Hiking with Children

Kyoto: Hiking from Kibune to Kurama

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The younger the child is, the more difficult the packing (except for ages four to six months when they have not yet learned to crawl). Younger than four months they don't yet fit in a pack, and after six, they take off as soon as they touch the ground. If possible, set up your tent before you put your child down; you will have a handy playpen to hold the child until you've set up camp.

Potty Matters

Until the child is toilet-trained, you must carry diapers—disposable or otherwise. You'll have to pack them in and out. Cindy Ross suggests cloth diapers which she and her husband, Todd, dry on the back of their packs so that they are lighter to carry. When the child has a bowel movement, you can simply bury her poop as you would your own, fold up the diaper and carry it in a sealable plastic bag.

Because one person is carrying the child, the amount of extra stuff a person can carry is limited. This means the length of your trip is shortened— though there are ways to get around that.

One option is to use the cache system and bury or hide extra diapers, food, etc. along the trail you plan to hike. Another option is to plan a hike where you know you'll be able to stop at stores often enough to pick up the items you'll need— more food and diapers. Yet another option is to send extra items to Post Offices along the way if you have steady access to them. Finally, there is the option of a support crew that meets you at road crossings with the extra things you need.

Feeding Baby

As for food, once the child has started on solids, it will make your trip a bit more difficult until she can eat what you eat without mashing, smashing, etc. If you plan meals that your child can eat, too, then you can bring along a hand grinder. Also, some health food stores offer dehydrated baby foods. Jars of baby food are a heavier option and will keep only a few days (less if it really hot outside) once the jar is opened.

If your child is still breastfeeding but not yet on solids, you're in a perfect situation for backpacking because you don't have to carry formula and bottles. Although difficult, formula-feeding is not impossible. Bottles can be heated on your cook stove the same way they would be heated on your stove at home-by warming them in water in your cook pot.

Keeping Kids Warm

As for clothes, you know your child. Griffin tends to stay on the warm side so we don't have to carry a lot of warm clothes for her when backpacking. Other babies stay cool and consequently the parents must bring extra layers of clothing for their child's comfort. Children can be layered as easily as adults. There are a lot of layering options for children. Many catalogs even offer miniature rain suits.

Since my child was due in the winter, I was anxious to find some warm clothes in a newborn size. I'll admit there wasn't much available, but I was able to find some red, cotton long johns. Less than 24 hours after Griffin's home birth, I dressed her in those very long johns for her first trip to the doctor. It was 20 degrees outside; the long johns were layered with a blanket sleeper and finally a fleece baby bag.

Special Concerns

Keep in mind that there are many things infants under six months of age cannot do— such as wear sunscreen or insect repellent. If you are hiking in the sun, they need a wide-brimmed hat or a screen on their backpack. If your infant will wear them, there are sunglasses available in infant sizes. While still an infant, Griffin successfully wore the Flap-happy Hat sold by Biobottoms of California. The baseball-style cap had a wide front brim and a protective"flap" of material that covered her delicate neck. Patagonia makes a similar hat for infants and children.

Sleep Time

When it comes time to bed down for the night, where do you put your infant? When Griffin was younger, I shared my bag with her but she is now too big for that. I have yet to find an infant-sized sleeping bag although some companies make bags designed to keep an infant warm that work well as sleeping bags. You may also want to try designing your own with a child-size down comforter or several blankets.

Some children, like Griffin, have no trouble falling asleep in a dark tent while others who wake to total darkness will freak-out. I always keep a flashlight handy should I need to comfort Griffin with a little light. Others may find the confining walls of a tent disconcerting and fuss, but usually they get used to a tent after a night or two.

Keep in mind that a two-person tent is too small for the three of you, while a three-person tent will suit you for a long time.

I am only mentioning one child at this point; unless your second, third, etc. child(ren) can carry their own pack or hike entirely on their own, your backpacking will be limited to day hikes. Though llama packing is an option in some areas.

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