21 Days of Hiking

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#21

That’s right, never challenge your kids to do more than they think they can do. Let them do what they want at all times. Praise all their efforts no matter what.

Later on, just don’t be surprised when they give up at the first sign of difficulty with anything they try. That’s a great way to have your basement permanently occupied.

Personally, I think it’s great that this father is taking three weeks off (each?) with his kids. And I have met plenty of competitive women who might relish the challenge to “do in” both the old man and an older brother (I’m the father of one such daughter).

Now to answer the question, the daily mileage would greatly depend on the terrain but I don’t think those daily miles are out of the question as long as all involved are all trained up for them. I assume the weekend hikes have been of a similar distance and have been occuring on a regular basis? If you’e going to do this you will need to be ready to do it.

I assume the plan is NOT to hike 10 days, resupply on the rest day, and then hike 10 more days. It’s pretty hard for anyone to carry 10 days of food. Maybe two rest days? Or, if not stopping, at least arrange for resupply along the route. Is this Mom’s role?

You WILL need to be flexible. As the military folks say, “No plan survives contact with the enemy”.

And tyger deserves a punch in the nose for saying that about another man’s daughter.

Locomotive Breath

#22

Actually, I am simply challenging my kids. I’ve given them 8 options and it they choose to do any one of them there is a financial reward involved. They can very simply choose to NOT participate and that is fime. My daughter may want to try one thing and my son something completely different. I want each option to be a physical and mental challenge.

Here is their challenge:

Mxxxx and Lxxxx:

How about a little friendly challenge? This is all about setting a goal and then working hard to accomplish it. No pressure, but if either of you would like to win $xx cash, all you need to do is your choice of the following:

· Run a marathon -

To make things somewhat equal, Lxx would need to finish in 5 hours 45 minutes or less. Mxx would need to finish in 5 hours or less.

· Run a 10k a Day for 18 of 21 days -

Pretty simple. Any time 10k finish will do . . . .just no walking.

· Backpack -

You choose the trail! To make things somewhat equal, Lxx would need to hike 180 miles. Mxx would need to hike 230 miles. From start to completion, must finish in 21 days including any breaks or rest days.

· Ride a bike across North Carolina -

Camping is part of this challenge. The trip must total at least 560 miles and be completed in 25 days including any breaks or rest days. You actually can choose your own route . . . it doesn’t have to be across NC!

· Swim the English Channel -

Okay . . . it doesn’t have to actually be the English Channel but you do need to complete 21 miles. You can do this over a 21-day period and you can do it around here (pool, lake, etc)

· Swim 5 miles -

Do this at one time and you can take two ten-minute breaks . . . no other breaks. No time limit.

· Complete a Triathlon -

The Triathlon will need to have a 10K run, a 1-mile swim and a 15-mile bike ride or some similar distances . . . I must approve the race you select! To make things somewhat equal, Lxx would need to finish in 5 hours 45 minutes or less. Mxx would need to finish in 5 hours or less.

· Kayak Trip -

Paddle the inter-coastal waterway, camping along the way . . . 21 days maximum to complete 210 miles.

· Kayak Marathon -

Paddle 21 miles in eight hours or better. Simple . . . right?

· Write a book -

300 type written pages double-spaced pages minimum. Any topic.

Sorry, you can only get paid for one! This offer is open until December 31, 2005. I’m sure both Mom and I will be glad to help if you need and assistance! GOOD LUCK!

That’s pretty much it.

Shuda

#23

Ladybug background: Nice lady however slack packed every chance she could, to include riding to the top of a mtn in mass and slacking down each dirrection. Competition obviously isn’t her cup of tea. By the way, no prob. with the ocassional slack just don’t do it all the time esp. on a fund raiser. If you want to slack the AT call warren doyle!!!

Anonymous

#24

Shuda,

Are you willing to pay for the trip and then reward for the job well done? or do the kids have to front the money for the adventure and then you pay when they finish? If you pay both sides I will be happy to talk about adoption.

boagus

#25

Please remove anonymous’tale about me. It is hurtful and not true!
Ladybug

Ladybug

#26

Your comment about me is fiction. How does one slack down a mountain each direction? I had a scorpion bite on my buttocks which was extremely painful and when that occurred, I did not carry my pack b/c it rested (and hurt) on my behind. I also had several visits from my husband and the CEO of my charity. On those occasions, I carried less than normal as did all of my hiking buddies. My charity hike was a HUGE success of which 100% of the proceeds went to the charity. As for me being competitive? I played 2 college sports and was MVP in one of those. I ran 70 miles/week…won a marathon (yep…26 miler at 3:09!)…
won the oldest triathlon in the country and… I’m climbing Rainier in June at 49! I also own a successful business. I can assure you, anonymous, that I am competitive. Your were accurate about me being nice, though.
While out on the AT, my husband and I provided much trail magic to fellow hikers.

Ladybug

#27

Any chance of adopting a soon-to-be 31 yr old son? :slight_smile:

I can’t swim worth crap, but the running and hiking stuff I can do! Suspect I could do the biking. I can cook too, have all my shots…and moms love me! :wink:

Mags

#28

Shud: This is an interesting challenge. Some of these seem easier than others (like swimming 21 miles over 21 days).

As far as your question, both backpacking trips are extremely doable. My son and I averaged just over 11 miles a day in Maine’s 100 mile wilderness on a trip in which he turned 13, and we both carried 13 days of food (for those who know that stretch, this was the summer that White House landing opened to the AT, and we were unaware of it when we headed out). He turned 14 on a trip that covered 150 miles of the Maine AT (monson to Grafton Notch) and averaged better than 14 miles a day, with plenty of time to swim, rest and play, - this over fairly rugged terrain. He waited for me much more than I for him (I waited for him to get ready to go in the morning, while he did the waiting on the trail) He usually had to wait up for me. I think both trips were great for him!

I don’t know your kids, or how you’ve been raising them - but if they are reasonable fit and motivated it should be a fair challenge. I trust the task is consistent with who your kids are and how you have been raising them.

pedxing

#29

if they are going out alone, and are in good shape those peramaters are completely reasonable. i think that would be easy. 11 to 13 is a good workout in the first seven days, but if they have your agressive and competitive genes, and are packing light, by week 2 they will be pulling 15-20. they could do the last 100 miles in 5 days, then just hang out and party on your checkbook. thats what i would do. i think they would crush that challenge.

although i do think expecting more would be unreasonable.

milo

#30

Anonymous’ background report on Ladybug is ludicrous and
weak in character. (I suppose that’s why he did not sign his name…?) Ladybug is a great athlete and super competitive. The fact that she chose to honor her sister’s memory while providing to a charitable organization is noble. She is a brilliant woman and beautiful inside and out. Those of us who were lucky enough to have the opportunity to hike with Ladybug know that she is a very special woman.

Ladybug’s partner

#31

FWIW Shuda, when I did the Long Trail the first time, I did it in 18 days. That is a 270 mile trail that is arguably has some of the most rugged trail miles of any long distance hiking trail.[1] Was 23 years old, presumambly about the age of your son.

Sounds like your children are in much better shape than I was overall and I carried 30lbs base packweight then. (ouch!). I had one “nero” day of 5 miles on this trek. I think your children should have no problem doing that pace (if they want to). Assuming your children are in shape, are going light and have the motivation,think the challenge is do-able. Also, as I said, if you want to do adopt a 31 yr old son, let me know. :slight_smile:

Mags (hey…why do people care if someone is athletic of super competitive? It is hiking afterall. Just have fun!)

[1] I honestly believe the northern stretch of the LT has more rugged miles than anything else I’ve hiked. There is an aptly named side trail off of Mansfield called PROFANITY TRAIL. Yes, indeed!

Mags

#32

Maybe if you payed them more money they would love you more and do what you what from them.Isn’t what this is all about?

OLD & IN THE WAY

#33

I think this is a great way to get your kids to do something out of the ordinary and to get them to push the boundaries of what they know is possible. None of this sounds brutal or excessive to me. There’s nothing wrong with the payment- it’s just the best way to get a kid to commit. All of these choices are difficult enough that they will have to commit and push themselves a bit. I think that this is great for your kids. I’m 23 and have fairly recently broken free of my parents (mostly) and become independant. They didn’t have to exactly push me to hike a lot because I already knew that I loved it, but the encouragement, support, and trust were there and I’m extremely grateful for that. I feel that you are just trying to encourage your kids to keep from being too domesticated, lazy, and used to modern comfortable life like most young people today.

The mileage for the hiking is totally reasonable although pack weight is a major consideration. If they are hiking fairly light 20 lbs. base weight or less the mileage should be totally fine if they are fit. If it’s much more than that, it’s still doable but will be considerably harder (and less enjoyable) for your kids. So, weight is important but you’ll have to buy more expensive gear if you’re going to really focus on that.

zach attack