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nastynate
05-08-2014, 19:39
Thought I show a couple pics of how I pack for an overnighter with my 5 year old. He carries his homemade quilt, pillow, small stuffed animal, and water bottle. Pack weight is right at 3 lbs which is right at 10% of his body weight. I carry my quilt, both pads, sit pad, extra first aid, both sets of rain gear, extra clothes, camp shoes for him, all the food, cook kit, water filter etc. I haven't weighed it completely, but its under 16 lbs before food and water. He is carrying an REI Sprig 12, and I have a ULA Ohm 2.0. Only thing I would have to add for a trip up to 5 days is more food. And maybe bourbon.

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kayak karl
05-08-2014, 20:12
be prepared to carry both packs and child if necessary. it could happen!

nastynate
05-08-2014, 20:29
Been there done that! We went on a 3 day trip last year. 3 miles back out to the car the last day, with my pack on my back, his pack on my chest, and him on my shoulders. And it was my greatest 3 day trip to date! 8 total miles, tons of play time, in camp early each day to goof off and nap. And he's been begging me to go again all spring.

jimmyjam
05-08-2014, 20:51
be prepared to carry both packs and child if necessary. it could happen!

Bring a light child.

Alligator
05-09-2014, 01:44
Consider rearranging what you and the child carry. First thing I let my child carry besides water was rain gear, warm clothes, and a couple snacks. If you somehow get separated, you've got his rain gear.

HooKooDooKu
05-09-2014, 02:01
My boys have always carried their sleeping bag, sleeping pad, all their cloths, and a small water bottle. However, I didn't start camping with them in the backcountry until they were about 7yo. At that age, they could handle the aforementioned load and keep the weight below 20% body weight.

I carry the tent, food, cooking gears, 1st aid, toiletries, water filter... basically everything else. As they get older, I've slowly started to distribute some of the load of the shared items.

FarmerChef
05-09-2014, 09:09
That looks great. I would chime in with the rain suit possibly going in your son's pack. Though, if weight is a concern consider a disposable poncho as a safety measure for very little weight penalty.

Sounds like your son has a great time hiking with his dad. Keep it up!

hikernutcasey
05-09-2014, 09:26
Love this thread as I just took my 5 yr old on his first overnight trip 3 weeks ago. We parked at Massie Gap and walked up the AT to Wilburn Ridge and camped just below the rocks. He had a blast! I asked him the other night if he wanted to go camping with daddy again and he said yes if we could go see the ponies again :)

I put an REI flash day pack on him with some snacks, his ipad and his camp clothes. He seemed to do well with it.

Can't wait to go again.

nastynate
05-11-2014, 20:30
We had a blast. Lots of wildlife and the rhododendron were just starting to bloom.
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Feral Bill
05-11-2014, 21:56
We had a blast. Lots of wildlife and the rhododendron were just starting to bloom.
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Teacher & Snacktime
05-11-2014, 23:30
The first hike I took my 5yr old grandson on was 4+ miles and he carried a drink, snack and hat & mittens in his pack. One mile before the finish he laid down across the trail and announced "I Quit". After my husband and I finished chuckling, we told him to get up and get moving....being carried was not an option. He did, and good-naturedly "skipped" along for the last mile. Now he's a pro, and never "quits".
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