Family Backpacking

So during a telephone conversation with my wife the other night, she mentioned trying to find something that we could do together to help aid in becoming more healthy. I had made a comment about needing to go to the next level of health consciousness to improve my overall well being (I've been under the weather more than I'd like lately) and she had apparently been considering this.

I half jokingly mentioned that we could all get into backpacking. The older boys and I already have a good bit of gear already, but my wife has never really been an "outdoor girl", so I it was as I said, half a joke. Well, she caught me off guard with a reply of "I've been thinking about that" (or something close to that). I still didn't think much about it until she sent me an email in regards to baby backpack carriers.....    So now I realize that she's at least seriously considering it!

I'm now looking into tents... The problem is that tents that can fit a family of 6 are not what I consider to be "backpacking" worthy with most of them weighing in at or above 20lbs. So what are some options? I suppose I could split the two oldest boys into their own tent and then carry two tents. That may be the only real option, but I was hoping to find a decent large tent for us all, even if we divided up the pieces among a couple of us. So what say y'all?

Any other thoughts on family backpacking with young children?

One thing to remember about ANY tent. If it says it's a 3-man tent, it's really only good for 2 and their boots inside. That being said, I've seen some decent-sized dome tents with a "bedroom" extension on each side. A bit pricey, but I doubt they weigh much more than 15 pounds, and would likely accommodate your whole family.

Build a lean-to no need for a tent...

RRCmdrBennett wrote:Build a lean-to no need for a tent...

Thanks Grizzly Adams!

I actually WANT her to go.

Ha! Good one Phillip.

Pick a good weekend weather wise. Not to hot not to cold. I would put two kids into a tent right next to your tent. The cheapo Walmart tents for about 20.00 will work fine for a good weather weekend.

Don't go to far. 1/2 mile in is good for entry level. Then base camp and day hike from there with day packs on.

Mark Jones

Your woman may surprise you!  Tell its good to go primitive in event of collapse.

She's already made lots of changes in the name of "prepping". I don't need to press my luck...

Phillip Gross wrote:She's already made lots of changes in the name of "prepping". I don't need to press my luck...

I'd love to hear about it in the new forum for prepping!

Phillip Gross wrote:She's already made lots of changes in the name of "prepping". I don't need to press my luck...

You're right.

My wife was good about Family Camping. In fact, she was often the "Pushing Influence" to get us to plan at least 3 campouts during the summer.

But...

She wanted a camp-ground with showers and flush toilets. She didn't mind if we went to a "Pack-In" Sight, as long as her amenities were within walking distance.

So I figured that if we were "80% Roughing It", then she would be able to figure out how to do the other "20%" if we had to in a Real-World Situation.

Claymore wrote:

My wife was good about Family Camping.  In fact, she was often the "Pushing Influence" to get us to plan at least 3 campouts during the summer.

But...

She wanted a camp-ground with showers and flush toilets.  She didn't mind if we went to a "Pack-In" Sight, as long as her amenities were within walking distance.

So I figured that if we were "80% Roughing It", then she would be able to figure out how to do the other "20%" if we had to in a Real-World Situation.

That's the direction I'm looking. I've always liked Jones Gap State Park in the upstate of SC. It's primitive style camping with sites ranging from a few hundred yards from the ranger station with bathrooms and showers, to miles away up the trail. It also holds great memories for me because that's where my dad took me as a kid.

Here is some gps tracks of the Jones Gap state park.

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/633428

Mark Jones

https://rangerchat.forumotion.com/t304-how-to-prep#4972

I split a couple comments to prevent myself from hijacking this thread. New topic link above.