I chose a rock

This past October we took the kids backpacking to Bryce Canyon NP.  We did the "Under the Rim" trail.  It would be the first time when the girls would not have a privy.  We would have to do "cat holes".  I prepared the girls ahead of time and told them what we would need to do.  I told them you could use a rock, or a log, or just squat.  I knew this would be a learning experience for them.
Due to some unfortunate events - Nancy had to take the girls and her oldest boy down the trail without me, my husband and "the boy".  When they got to the nights campsite the girls need to pee.  So they checked out the area and found a good log.  The girls were informed on how to pee using the log.  Phoebe looked at the log and turned to Nancy and said - "I chose a rock.".  "Well, Phoebe do you see a rock around here you can use?" Nancy questioned her.  Then she surveyed the area.  "No."  "Ok then - we are using the log."

Kids Backpacks

Today I am contacting several companies that produce packs.  I am hoping to find a company that produces packs for smaller kids, kiddos who aren't scouts who are younger.  I would really like to get packs for my kids for our hike this year.   Hopefully there are a couple of companies that do and I can try them out.  I would love to review the packs for them and let you all know how they work out.

A few of the companies I am send the email to are: Osprey, Deuter USA, Gregory, REI, Kelty, Mamot, and The North Face.

Hope I get a good response.

Great News for Grand Canyon Hikers

For the past couple of years we have been trying to hike from rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon, but have been denied each time due to all the permits being taken.

The way they used to do the permits is they would take only so many permits early and then the day of they would hand out to the first-come first-served.  What would happen is tour companies would hire people to sit in line and pick up the permits for their future customers taking away from those of us planning and working so hard to get the permit.  So the National Park Service sent us a post card with great news.


"Effective February 1, 2010, backcountry permit requests made in person during the fourth month prior to the request trip start date will no longer receive immediate, priority consideration.  Instead, all of these permits requests will be placed together with the requests received by fax and mail and considered based on the date received."

So pretty much - chances are great for the "little man" or little backpaker to get a permit to do such an amazing place.

Happy Packing!

Back Country Permit

We got the back country permit for our summer backpacking trip.  It was our second choice, but at least we got it.  We are going to Yosemite National Park and doing a 3-4 day hike.  We are going to have to sit down and really look at what we are doing now that we didn't get our first pick.  The first step is down. Yeah!!! We have the permit.  The next step is getting camping sites next month.  My sister has a longer trailer and there is only so many camping sites that will fit it.  Here is hoping we get the campsites we need for her.  Getting very excited for this trip!

Trip to REI

Took my first frustrating trip to a outdoors store looking for backpacks for my girls.  I know I won't find one for the boy (4 yrs old).  Found a pack that will work for my oldest.  It is still on the big side even when we dial it down.  The great thing about REI is they will rent the pack to us.  I have found that Out-n-Back in Orem does the same thing.  Most of my gear has come from Out-n-back, I think they will be my next spot. 

On a brighter note, Nancy and I sat down and we went through our next two trips.  Escalate State Park for spring break and we are planning a three-day backpacking trip to Yosemite National Park in July.  Tuesday is the day to register for our back country permit. More to come on those. 

Why Oh Why

Why did we start this blog? Well, we have been taking our kids hiking for years. I don't want to say how old we are, my sister might not like that. But her oldest is in his 20's and my oldest is 10. I remember hiking with her kiddos. I started doing serious backpacking with my kiddos, and hers, a couple of years ago. We have taken our kiddos many places and wanted to share our camping, hiking, and backpacking adventures with other people that have younger kids.

I have also had a hard time finding real good gear for my younger kids. Backpacks just don't come with hip belts for a 4 year old and decent hip belts for 7 year olds. I remember reading a description of a "youth" backpack that said"...when your child is ready to carry their own gear..." the pack was for a 12 year old and older. I am ready for my child to carry some of their own gear when they are 5 and to be honest they want to as well.

I also want other parents to understand that just because you have little kids doesn't mean you can't take them out hiking and backpacking. It is possible, maybe just a little bit more preporation and a lot of patience.

Here is the first little tip I am going to share with you today. The most common question we get on the trail when other backpackers see my young kiddos backpacking -

How do you get them to carry their own packs? Simple...we start them out yearly.
When they were little little our husbands would carry them in a Kelty Child Carrier. (wow have those come a long way over the years). Then when they got too heavy to carry, they walk. We put a backpack on them a soon as they can do it. A small school backpack with just some snacks. I didn't start my youngest backpacking till he was 4.