Last weekend, Anders and I went backpacking. It was the four-year-old hiker’s first backpacking experience. He’s hiked, he’s camped, but this was a whole new game.
I know a lot of people backpack with babies, but since ours are just 18 months apart I could never figure out the logistics of carrying two kids and four people’s gear. And I was definitely not backpacking with a baby while pregnant.
I haven’t been backpacking since before I was pregnant with Anders and was very excited to get into the mountains. I promised Anders that when he could reliably hike 5 miles, we’d go. Well, that happened last November, but between then and now there has been way too much snow.
I chose the West Boulder for our first trip since it is just 35 minutes from here and the hike in is only three miles. I wanted to be able to bail if we needed to.
On the hike in Anders’ comments vacillated between “This is too hard for me!” and “I am having so much fun!” We even turned back once, walked down three switchbacks and then he decided to keep going…back up the three switchbacks and to the West Boulder Meadows.
The spot is gorgeous. A lazy river running through a huge, long meadow. The mosquitoes were ridiculous. As soon as we got there we set up the tent and jumped in. I even made Rigby join us for awhile; his snout was swollen with bug bites.
We made one journey out to jump in the river. After about two minutes I made Anders put his clothes back on because I couldn’t keep the mosquitoes off him. Back to the tent. We read books, made up games with tent stakes and tried to count the mosquitoes on the netting. Other than a bathroom trip to two, setting up the bear hang and cooking dinner (me only) we stayed there until the next morning. Even when I left the tent in the middle of the night I came back with bites. They were voracious.
In the morning I gave Anders an energy bar–no warm breakfast that day–and told him we were going to have to make a run for it. In full rain gear we packed up the tent and our packs in record time and hit the trail.
It wasn’t the best backpacking trip, but I am so glad we went. We proved that I could carry almost all our stuff (thanks to Finn’s training regimen), Anders was comfortable sleeping in the backcountry and that we could survive a little adversity with mostly good attitudes. If it had been a perfect trip, we might be disappointed next time. Now we know we are tough.
A couple days later Henry took the boys to a coffee shop and was talking to our friend, Rob.
Rob: The mosquitoes really like me, too. Do you know why they bite us?
Anders: Why?
R: Because we are so sweet.
A: No, it’s because they need the protein in our blood to lay eggs.
So, the trip was educational, too.
More…..
Can’t wait to read about other times I’ve been attacked by mosquitoes? You don’t have to.
Mosquito bites and scotch tape
Oh how I admire you, my friend. I am taking the boys car camping for the first time next week (with a friend & her kids, but no hubbies) & thought I was all that. Thanks for keeping it real.
So Cool! I’m proud of Anders for sticking it out. Just wait, he’ll be all gung ho in no time and you won’t even need to carry his stuff.
I’m sorry to hear about Rigby’s age. We just acquired a British Bull Mastiff puppy (he’s actually 1.5, but still growing and learning) and hiking with him is WAY more work than The Barracuda.
We’ve had our share of less than ideal trips but they all are memorable and worth it in hindsight.
@Debi- I think camping with two can be more challenging than backpacking with one. One kid is SO easy! (My friends with three kids tell me how easy two little ones are..)
@Granola Girl- The mosquitoes sucked (literally), but Anders rocked it anyway. And poor Rigby, I don’t know how many backpacking trips he has left. Congrats on your new family member!
@Renee — I actually think it was a great first trip. We proved we could do it and the next trip will be all that much better. Plus, the stories are so much better than stories from trips where nothing happens.