Comments on: Hiking and Backpacking With Kids http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/ Green and Natural Parenting Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:28:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tiffany http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-15998 Tiffany Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:46:00 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-15998 Central Ohio Central Ohio

]]> By: Autumnwear http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-15990 Autumnwear Thu, 24 Mar 2011 23:45:00 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-15990 Where in OH are you? I live in OH as well and am a naturalist here. I know of many many areas to hike/camp, I could suggest. :D Where in OH are you? I live in OH as well and am a naturalist here. I know of many many areas to hike/camp, I could suggest. :D

]]> By: Eric http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8540 Eric Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:58:44 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8540 It has nothing to do with the big bad world. Not hiking alone or not alone with the kids is a matter of planning for the expected .... And don't relay on a cell phone. For you own safety and for your kids safety, hike with another responsible adult. It has nothing to do with the big bad world. Not hiking alone or not alone with the kids is a matter of planning for the expected …. And don’t relay on a cell phone. For you own safety and for your kids safety, hike with another responsible adult.

]]> By: suzannah http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8539 suzannah Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:47:31 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8539 i live at a summer camp and am blessed to have acres of private trails for hiking. i took my baby girl out in a back pack today--they make hiking with a pre-walker very comfortable! i'm intrigued about your idea to hike the AT with your little ones--what wonderful memories to create together:) i live at a summer camp and am blessed to have acres of private trails for hiking. i took my baby girl out in a back pack today–they make hiking with a pre-walker very comfortable!

i’m intrigued about your idea to hike the AT with your little ones–what wonderful memories to create together:)

]]> By: Mon @Holistic Mama http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8538 Mon @Holistic Mama Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:15:25 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8538 I'm also a hiker, or rambler. I'm licky to be soon moving to our homestead that is up a mountain. We have various trails there. I'll be taking a look at the Camping & Backpacking with kids book. Good luck working out your own hiking routine. I’m also a hiker, or rambler. I’m licky to be soon moving to our homestead that is up a mountain. We have various trails there. I’ll be taking a look at the Camping & Backpacking with kids book.
Good luck working out your own hiking routine.

]]> By: Robin http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8537 Robin Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:39:19 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8537 Have done a lot of hiking w/ our young children...even on vacations to AZ, CO, NM & UT at all the national parks. The girls love it! Enjoyed A Walk in the Woods, but did not find it an inspiring book as far as hiking the AT. Have done a lot of hiking w/ our young children…even on vacations to AZ, CO, NM & UT at all the national parks. The girls love it!

Enjoyed A Walk in the Woods, but did not find it an inspiring book as far as hiking the AT.

]]> By: carrie http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8536 carrie Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:42:32 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8536 Hiking the Appalachian would be great with the family. I think it is very important to get the kids out and enjoy the world around them. No better way to do that than a good old fashion hike! I hope that you do get around to the 6 month hike! Hiking the Appalachian would be great with the family. I think it is very important to get the kids out and enjoy the world around them. No better way to do that than a good old fashion hike! I hope that you do get around to the 6 month hike!

]]> By: Donna E http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8535 Donna E Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:53:41 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8535 OH yeah,I loved A Walk in The Woods,it was very entertaining,and I also entertain the notion of thru hiking the AT with my little posse,my dh thinks I'm daft,but who knows we may make it one day. I know other families have! OH yeah,I loved A Walk in The Woods,it was very entertaining,and I also entertain the notion of thru hiking the AT with my little posse,my dh thinks I’m daft,but who knows we may make it one day. I know other families have!

]]> By: Donna E http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8534 Donna E Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:44:00 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8534 we LOVE hiking as well,being in the north east,we have many wonderful places to go. I got a geat book for my area,best hikes with children Me,Vt,& NH. It rates how easy or difficlt it will be,and the terrain,height,time round trip (roughly),there are also over night back packing trips in it.The info is wonderful,and you know most all you need to before heading out.We also have a 50 Hikes book for our area,but it is geared more towards adults,so keep that in mind when they say a hike is easy.We have 2 sets of twins,so 4yr olds hike on their own we carry the 16montholds in our Sherpanni packs. Found 2 books that looked good for Ohio,but not sure if they'll be helpful as not sure they're your area but here they are,Cleveland on Foot:50 Walks & Hikes in Greater Cleveland by Patience Cameron Hoskins,and this one sounds good for possibly all around,not sure. Kids Love Ohio:A Parents guide to exploring fun places in Ohio with children all year round! by George A Zavatsky.Hope these are helpful. we LOVE hiking as well,being in the north east,we have many wonderful places to go. I got a geat book for my area,best hikes with children Me,Vt,& NH. It rates how easy or difficlt it will be,and the terrain,height,time round trip (roughly),there are also over night back packing trips in it.The info is wonderful,and you know most all you need to before heading out.We also have a 50 Hikes book for our area,but it is geared more towards adults,so keep that in mind when they say a hike is easy.We have 2 sets of twins,so 4yr olds hike on their own we carry the 16montholds in our Sherpanni packs. Found 2 books that looked good for Ohio,but not sure if they’ll be helpful as not sure they’re your area but here they are,Cleveland on Foot:50 Walks & Hikes in Greater Cleveland by Patience Cameron Hoskins,and this one sounds good for possibly all around,not sure. Kids Love Ohio:A Parents guide to exploring fun places in Ohio with children all year round! by George A Zavatsky.Hope these are helpful.

]]> By: Valerie Otto http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8533 Valerie Otto Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:21:53 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8533 Ah, lol. that was meant to go on the sinupret blog. Sorry! Ah, lol. that was meant to go on the sinupret blog. Sorry!

]]> By: Valerie Otto http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8532 Valerie Otto Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:21:16 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8532 I stumbled it I stumbled it

]]> By: Anita http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8531 Anita Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:57:27 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8531 I so love hiking. When I lived in Hamilton we had the Bruce Trail right outside our door and as soon as my girl was born - we were out on that trail even thought it was January. Since then we've been out with the Kelty as well but she is getting to the point now - at close to 35 lbs that it's tough to do any serious hiking. She winds up on our shoulders for some of it and then a wee bit of actual walking as well. I so love hiking. When I lived in Hamilton we had the Bruce Trail right outside our door and as soon as my girl was born – we were out on that trail even thought it was January. Since then we’ve been out with the Kelty as well but she is getting to the point now – at close to 35 lbs that it’s tough to do any serious hiking. She winds up on our shoulders for some of it and then a wee bit of actual walking as well.

]]> By: Monica http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8530 Monica Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:55:58 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8530 Thanks for reminding me I also love hiking. I'm in Ecuador so we have lots of mountains around and my son keeps asking when are we going to the Cotopaxi again. Hiking alone? Never done that, even when I wasn't a mom (now I'm a more needed person). That's why I keep procastinating our trips, since I'm single I need to ask a friend or my brother to come along with us. Thanks for reminding me I also love hiking. I’m in Ecuador so we have lots of mountains around and my son keeps asking when are we going to the Cotopaxi again.
Hiking alone? Never done that, even when I wasn’t a mom (now I’m a more needed person). That’s why I keep procastinating our trips, since I’m single I need to ask a friend or my brother to come along with us.

]]> By: Tiffany http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8529 Tiffany Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:08:51 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8529 Thx for the info jdp! As for the other question...NO I never hike with kids alone and almost never hike by myself alone unless it is a well traveled day hike trail. It is one of the most important rules of serious hiking....don't go alone. Hubby and I go together and often with groups. Thx for the info jdp! As for the other question…NO I never hike with kids alone and almost never hike by myself alone unless it is a well traveled day hike trail. It is one of the most important rules of serious hiking….don’t go alone. Hubby and I go together and often with groups.

]]> By: jdp http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8528 jdp Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:45:29 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8528 I don't know where in OH you are but might I suggest some overnight trips to Allegheny National Forest, Cooks Forest, Clear Creek State Park or my most local favorite for hiking: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/oilcreek.aspx If you like Rails to Trails Bike trails we have great ones. :) My son (5), his friends, my niece and nephew all love these places. My nephew calls it visiting Aunt D in the mountain jungle rock place. I don’t know where in OH you are but might I suggest some overnight trips to Allegheny National Forest, Cooks Forest, Clear Creek State Park or my most local favorite for hiking:

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/oilcreek.aspx

If you like Rails to Trails Bike trails we have great ones. :)

My son (5), his friends, my niece and nephew all love these places. My nephew calls it visiting Aunt D in the mountain jungle rock place.

]]> By: Lia Mack http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8527 Lia Mack Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:18:43 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8527 I don't think there is anything guilty about it. As one of the cardinal rules of hiking, you are NEVER supposed to hike alone. It's a safety thing. Now, do most people follow this rule? Probably not. However, when you have small children who not only fall half the time, but go at a snails pace (or slower), it's SMART to have more than one adult. And a cell phone. And plenty of water and trail mix ;) I find it's hard to locate other moms who want to go at the same pace as my herd does. We cover about a 1/4th mile in 30 minutes. Ugh! for me. But the kids, it's the best time of their lives. My son, almost 5, loves to take the lead. And my 2yo is a trail runner! Amazing balance. As for the fear, I'm more afraid of the human animals than of the wild ones. You KNOW what a bear or a deer is capable of doing. But a human...you don't know their nature. It is too bad we live in a world of so many "What if's" that we can't even just enjoy the great outdoors with our children...but hasn't it always been that way, in one way or another? I don’t think there is anything guilty about it. As one of the cardinal rules of hiking, you are NEVER supposed to hike alone. It’s a safety thing. Now, do most people follow this rule? Probably not. However, when you have small children who not only fall half the time, but go at a snails pace (or slower), it’s SMART to have more than one adult. And a cell phone. And plenty of water and trail mix ;)

I find it’s hard to locate other moms who want to go at the same pace as my herd does. We cover about a 1/4th mile in 30 minutes. Ugh! for me. But the kids, it’s the best time of their lives. My son, almost 5, loves to take the lead. And my 2yo is a trail runner! Amazing balance.

As for the fear, I’m more afraid of the human animals than of the wild ones. You KNOW what a bear or a deer is capable of doing. But a human…you don’t know their nature. It is too bad we live in a world of so many “What if’s” that we can’t even just enjoy the great outdoors with our children…but hasn’t it always been that way, in one way or another?

]]> By: Linda M http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8526 Linda M Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:20:39 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8526 I feel for Lia. We have hiking around us but my worries get the best of me with hiking alone with small children. (And even hiking alone without my kids!) It's sad we live in a world that fear keeps us away from doing such fun natural activities. But I'm so guilty of it :( I feel for Lia. We have hiking around us but my worries get the best of me with hiking alone with small children. (And even hiking alone without my kids!) It’s sad we live in a world that fear keeps us away from doing such fun natural activities. But I’m so guilty of it :(

]]> By: Lia Mack http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8525 Lia Mack Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:46:57 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8525 Excellent!!! I love hiking and we get out once in a while, but I really am not comfortable hiking alone with my two kids. I just don't feel comfortable. Do you hike alone (aka, you're the only adult). Lia Mack Excellent!!! I love hiking and we get out once in a while, but I really am not comfortable hiking alone with my two kids. I just don’t feel comfortable. Do you hike alone (aka, you’re the only adult).

Lia Mack

]]> By: Janelle http://naturemoms.com/blog/2008/10/28/hiking-and-backpacking-with-kids/#comment-8524 Janelle Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:01:28 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=1554#comment-8524 "Walk in the Woods" is a really good read. Pretty sure I don't have what it takes to walk the trail, though. “Walk in the Woods” is a really good read. Pretty sure I don’t have what it takes to walk the trail, though.

]]>