Learning Experience

It is quite a challenge to take two boys under six backpacking.  It is also very rewarding.  Some of the times backpacking with the kids can be a painful car ride, or a trip to the dentist.  But, it is worth it when on the way home the four year old says "that was the best trip ever!"

I am going to list a few of the things that we have learned so far:
1.  Do not think you can ultralight a trip with kids.  Pack-weight of about 45lbs with food is about the norm.
2.  Keep the distance short.  With a four year old, we keep the hike in under 2 miles and plan on adding miles with day-hiking.
3.  Know where you are going.  Kids do not enjoy getting lost.
4.  Lots of snacks and sugary incentives.  Sugar is not a big part of the kids diet, but we keep the candy and sweets for times when they just need a little help getting over the next hill.
5.  Do not plan on cereal for breakfast.  Messy, stick to bars.
6.  Freeze dried coffee is a decent alternative to the lightweight backpacking coffee gadgets.

This is it for now, I will add more to the list as we learn.  We have only been on 3 trips with the boys so we have a lot to learn.
-Tree  

Just the Beginning...

We are twenty-three days into a lifetime of adventure...  My husband Matt and I connected over our love of the outdoors and especially backpacking.  The story of how we met is amazing, but is not why I am here today.  Let's just say that when we re-connected in Fort Collins, Colorado, we shared a passion for waking up to crisp mountain air in the morning, majestic views of night skies glittered with stars, and quiet solitude only backcountry camping can provide.

Somehow life took us out of Colorado for a time, back to the Midwest.  There we did what married folks do.  Had babies...  Two of them.  Jack and Gus.  As Midwesterners, we dreamed of backpacking in the mountains and longed for the day we could return to the freedom and solitude we so loved.  But here is the question...  How do we do this with two kids in tow?

We made the big move back to Colorado twenty-three days ago.  And so begins our adventure.  We have created this blog to share our backpacking experiences with you.

Our goal as a family is to raise our boys with a love for backpacking.  Our goal for this blog is to encourage you to give it a go with your family.  We will see you on the trail!

- Mama Bear