I am planning a one week hike in July with my step daughter. She just turned 11. She is very atheletic and active. Her class came back from a camping trip where she did 8 miles (bragging rights for her). She ahs been wanting to hike the Trail with me for sometime and this maybe the best window for her to come out with me.
We have been lookking at backpacks for youths, and looks like we maybe settling on a Deuter 35 or 40 FOX. My girlfriend and I both have Deuter. Mine a 65 +10 and hers a 50+10. The FOX is a youth version and this will be her first backpack.
This will also be her first backpack trip so I am leaning towards South Mountain from Penn Mar to Harpers Ferry. Of course I can do the trip a lot quicker but with her, I want to take it easy and let her fully enjoy the Trail without being rushed. I have been reading the maps and guide book for this section and I have done parts of it on over nights, namely the southern half.
What are your comments about this as a first for an eleven year old? I know kids have done the trail many times and even thru hiked with parents. But this is my first with a child and wanting to have it run smoothly.
Graywolf