Challenging my kids to try a 21 day backpack (each is experienced with weekend hikes only.) I want to put a distance minimum . . . what is reasonable? I’m thinking 11 miles per day with one planned rest day for my HS senior (F)or 220 miles. Thinking 13 miles per day with a rest day for my college senior son (260 miles). Want this to be both a physical and mental challenge. Comments?
Shuda
What? What is reasonable? How about 21 days away from deadlines, 21 days away from planned forced hikes, 21 days away from people telling when, how, what and how to do things, 21 days away from people giving them mental challenges. I thought the Great Santanni died in a plane crash. What is reasonable is to let your kids be kids. If I was the kid I would take off on the 21 days and keep on going, that’s what would be resonable to me.
Bilko
No reason a HS senior can’t hike as far as a college senior, all things (health, etc.) being equal otherwise.
For many, 21 days without email, internet, girlfriends, is hard enough… but, 11-13 miles/day average is pretty easy, unless they are grossly out of shape or pack heavy or you are force marching them through some steep mountains… how about letting them set a pace of their own, and picking them up at a set location on a set date???
-xtn
airferret
Are you trying to prove something to yourself or provide a quality experience for your kids? 20 days of 11-13 miles might seem a breeze for those that have completed a through hike but I am sure the average thru-hiker did far fewer in his first 20 days from Springer Mountain. Hell, 1/3 of the thru hikers quit at Walasi-Yi some 35 miles down the trail.
Set up a flexible end point and let them set the pace. They may surprise you and do more but there is no need to make them feel like they have “failed” because they didn’t make YOUR targets. The pace is not the goal. Being on the trail with your kids will be the reward.
steamboat
Why allocate a distance minimum? Allow the kids to form their own tribes as some will want to hike fast while others will want to take in every plant,flower,vista,sunrise/sunsets. Their bodies will require snacks at different intervals and each hiker needs to enjoy his/her hike by hiking their own pace. The beauty of hiking the trail is the freedom to explore oneself in the natural world. Allow them the freedom to make their own choices.
Ladybug
I totally understand the arguement that you should enjoy yourself while hiking. What I don’t understand is everyone being dead set against planning a hike and setting goals. I think it is a great idea to have kids set goals and meet them, even if it does become a bit of a challenge, or god forbit a little work. I’m sure they will look back on it and appreciate their accomplishment. My take on this is that 11-13 miles is very reasonable provided no one is terribly out of shape. Might want to chedule at least one, maybe two or three zero days, especially for inexperienced hikers. Go for it, and have fun!
http://www.geocities.com/joegamehike
jersey joe
Just hike for the 21 days. Plan a little for food stops but let that be the only plan other than water. You know stopping, talking and just taking it all in is as important as distance. Especially if your there with them.
Virginian
On the weekend hikes, did the kids do 11-13 mile days? When was the last time they hiked? Do they like hiking? Are you hiking with them? What type of “one planned rest day” have you planned?
Wild Hare
I think having a plan is a good thing especially if the children are involved in the planning. This is an activity that helps bring families together. It is good with children to have clearly defined goals to reach. Everyone should be aware that this is just a plan and you will be flexable to change it at any time. Every day you should all sit down through out the day and talk about what’s coming up and how you are going to approach it. At the end of the day you can discuss the next days activities. This can be a great learning experience for all involved.
Big B
Just go out and have fun, let the kids help decide how far they want to go each day, where you end up you end up.
Make it as fun as possible, because if you don’t, they will not want to do a long hike again. So in short make your goal to be:
“JUST HAVE FUN”
Stop to see things along the way.
Who cares how far you get.
Just think FUN!!
Have a great time.
POOH-BEAR
POOH-BEAR
witht he exception of maybe 1 person, you have all criticised him. If his sons are 18 and 22 (about the age of seniors in high school and college) they are plenty old enough to decide if they want to do this, and what they want to do. Yes, some people like to go slow and smell the roses, but at the same time, some DONT. It is perfectly natural for 3 males to be in competition. If they want to have a race of sorts, who are any of you to tell them no. I am ashamed at almost all of you. I know youve heard the term “hike your own hike” well dont tell him how to hike his hike.
Shuda,
Im 20, a little overwheight, and can do between 15 and 20 miles a day. if you want to have a competition of sorts, I would suggest a daily competition, so you can stay at the same place most nights. keep an elapsed time tally, day by day.
have fun,
Hammock PhD.
HYOH :cheers
HAMMOCK PhD.
Dear Hammock PhD~
If you re-read Shuda’s entry, you will find that Shuda asked for comments. Therefore you need not be ashamed of anyone who was kind enough to respond. Criticism can be constructive, helpful advice depending on the maturity of the reader. I thru-hiked the trail in '04 and also have a high school senior, a college junior, and a college senior.
I have spoken to many groups since my return home.
My reply was experienced-based and not written for your scrutiny. It was written to Shuda. A daily competition for 21 days between siblings is a bizarre way to experience the trail and much will be lost in the process. I stand by my original post.
Ladybug
Hammock, If the three of them decide they want to have a competition thats fine. Thats what the THREE of them decide. For Dad to decide what the goal is and dictate that to his sons is not HYOH.
steamboat
seriously,
he was asking for comments on what you thought good mileage would be. Not to be criticized by people who dont know him. Who are you to say that much will be lost if they try to push themselves. Have you ever tried something liek this??? How do you know that you wont enjoy it more?? just because somebody hikes a different way then you doesnt mean they are doing it a “bizarre” way as you stated. It probably means they are doing it their way. Hence the “HYOH” thing
I also stand by my original post, and am still ashamed at you guys, especially you Ladybug.
:cheers
Hammock PhD
He asked what was reasonable and the answer he got was it was not reasonable (in the opinions of the responders) to expect his sons to enjoy 11-13 miles in 20 out of the first 21 days they are hiking. That wasn’t criticism it was a response to his question. I think virtually everyone that has responded here (including me GA-ME 02) have tried something like this. As I said in my original post, few thru hikers did anything like that pace in their first 21 days.
steamboat
Shuda, I have section hiked the AT in VT, NH, and GA. After many hundreds of trail miles, I am only comfortable doing about 8-10 miles per day. I am a slow hiker, and if I went any faster I wouldn’t enjoy it as much. On the other hand I am a thirty something woman whose usual exercise is biking. If you and your boys are generally athletic and energetic, then 13 miles a day seems fine. At the same time, don’t think you can’t alter your plans mid-hike. Sometimes a nice swimming hole pops up and calls to you. Enjoy!!
latte
There’s no way this thread is genuine. Who would post an anti “HYOH” thread on a forum made entirely of “HYOH” people. It’s a stir things up post.
Cheers
Cheers
Dont be ashamed of me hammock doc. Just come down from your soapbox. My opinion is just that. Mine.
Virginian
May I point out to you that Shuda’s 18 year-old is female?
Therefore, the male competition thing doesn’t work, now does it? For the record, I have done the high mileage days and I am a strong advocate of hike your own hike, hence, my response to Shuda.
Ladybug
This is a tad off subject but… I’m kind of taking a different approach when my son accompanies me this Sunday on his first backpacking trip. He’s going about 4 days with me, heading home when we get to Hot Springs. He’s never experienced the mountains before but insists on doing the hike his way. He’s bringing a 6 pack of propel (heavy sugar water and a 6 pack of budweiser along with a bunch of peanut butter jelly sandwiches(I did talk him out of the grill and steaks) He also says he’s doesn’t plan to use the hip belt of his pack which I find insane but after discussing it with him a few times, I just gave up and sighed. I figure we can work this stuff out on his own terms and I’m hoping the experience will be a positive one where we will have time to talk and take in the beauty of the AT. Planting a few seeds so I’ll have an experienced hiking partner next year with a lot of funny stories about his first hike 
We’ll both probably learn a few things next week.
HotFoot