Carrying your weight
Toby went camping with his scout troop a couple weeks ago. On thursday evening we started packing and realized that it was a backpacking trip not a car camping outing. Now Toby is a small boy: he barely weighs 60 pounds at 13 years old. When backpacking, it is generally suggested that you should care only 20% of your body weight. That's all fine and dandy for a bigger person. But when 20% only equals about 12 pounds you really have to prioritize the items you can bring. Just carrying the neccessary water would take up most of that weight!! So we made a last minute trip to REI to get some more appropriate items for Toby. Did you know that they make backpacking packs for kids? Well they do. So Toby is now the proud owner of a pack, an aluminum water bottle, and a backpacking tent (only 5 pounds). Luckily it was warm enough to not need a decent sleeping bag and he got away with a fleece sack. But he had a great time. The next day Nate joined them and they knocked out an 11 mile hike! Toby's a trooper! (So is Nate.)
Toby went camping with his scout troop a couple weeks ago. On thursday evening we started packing and realized that it was a backpacking trip not a car camping outing. Now Toby is a small boy: he barely weighs 60 pounds at 13 years old. When backpacking, it is generally suggested that you should care only 20% of your body weight. That's all fine and dandy for a bigger person. But when 20% only equals about 12 pounds you really have to prioritize the items you can bring. Just carrying the neccessary water would take up most of that weight!! So we made a last minute trip to REI to get some more appropriate items for Toby. Did you know that they make backpacking packs for kids? Well they do. So Toby is now the proud owner of a pack, an aluminum water bottle, and a backpacking tent (only 5 pounds). Luckily it was warm enough to not need a decent sleeping bag and he got away with a fleece sack. But he had a great time. The next day Nate joined them and they knocked out an 11 mile hike! Toby's a trooper! (So is Nate.)
Good gear makes a Big difference!! Way to go Toby!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Toby! And way to go Betsy on your relay! WOW!! I'm impressed. Also loving your blog music! Are you coming to Utah at all this summer? I know trips to Utah are always too busy, but if you ever have a minute, we'd love to see you! E-mail me if you are!
ReplyDeletedid you get it all in under 12 lbs? Also, props to toby, because he forced you to buy all the latest alpine hi-tech gear. "no mom, i told you, i need the titanium frame!"
ReplyDeleteI remember having an overloaded backpack when I was a skinny little boy scout. Dad probably has a better memory of how overloaded it was. It was either 45lbs or 45% of my body weigh or possibly both at the same time :)
ReplyDeleteI remember carrying cans on a 20-mile hike. That was when I was like 12, and we had no idea what we were doing.
ReplyDeleteThe best, though, was our Varsity Coach who brought the Dutch oven on a five mile hike.