If you think the negative reactions here to taking a youngun hiking is strange, look at some of the environmental threads on this and other hiking sites. Fully half the responses are from “backpackers” who are zealously in favor of repealing all environmental protections and paving over the wilderness for corporate profit. Strange world, it is.
Editorius
Wow! You’re right. Do you think those are really “backpackers” or are you telling me those are imposters trying to teach backpackers a thing or two? I hadn’t thought of that before. Obviously I’m new to this message board thing.
Thanks for your opinion OnlyOne. You stated it with respect and dignity to us both. Well said and I will definitely take it into account.
Leslie
I’m really at a loss as why you find so much hostility to environmental protection on hiking forums. My best guess is that most of the pro-pavement diatribes are from weekenders or others who have not developed a connection to nature. They see backpacking as a form of recreation that should be subject to regulation and restriction just like any other form of recreation. This attitude spills over into their views of the environment, that the earth is “ours” and we should not deprive ourselves of “prosperity” and urban comforts for the sake of a few weekends of frivolous pleasure.
I’ve heard that thru-hikers come to develop an appreciation of the enviroment they hike in, and are less apt to buy into the Greed Is Good and Bulldozers Are Better mentality. But you never know. People are strange.
Editorius
Leslie,
I always hike solo - think it is the reason I get such immense satisfaction from the Sierra. One of the few situations in life where every decision is yours - there is no one else to credit or blame for the adventure.
Having said that, to me the real risk of a young child on the PCT is the isolation in certain sections. Sometimes you are days from any kind of help.
Although the risk is small, bears, mountain lions and rattlesnakes are there. I’ve come face to face with a bear on several occasions, been stalked by a mountain lion (they tend to favor smaller females and kids), and seen rattlers every year. Once, in a late day hiker’s trance, I nearly (very nearly - probably set some kind of long jump record) stepped on a rattler minding his own business in the middle of the trail. Then there’s always the possibility of leg / ankle injuries - not as serious since you can just wait for help - although I’ve been on the PCT south of Forrester Pass and didn’t see anyone for over two days.
Enjoy yourself - just be aware of and evaluate the risks. The PCT north of Kennedy Meadows is pretty remote and demanding.
Booger