It was about a summit...but not really. Having a two year old son myself I can imagine how proud you must have been of your boy. Thanks for posting, this was an enjoyable read.
Thanks. Being a dad and taking your son hiking is not always easy. Just last summer, I tried to take my son up his first 14er (Mt. Sherman near Leadville). It seemed like a reasonable hike... it's barely a 14er (14,036') and only 2 miles to the top (only 2100' elev. gain). But I set too fast of a pace (which seemed reasonable if not slow to me) and he got sick to his stomach and vomitted at 13,000'. I let him rest and I then turned us around and we went down. (It'd be pretty stupid on my part to go higher if my child is already sick at that point.) I realized when we got down that he probably got sick because he ate too much food at the trailhead right before we started. (There were too many mosquitoes at our camp to eat breakfast there before we drove to the TH.) He simply got sick because he was working too hard with too much food in his stomach. That was our only attempt at a 14er last year. And unfortunately, for a year he had to live with the disappointment that he didn't make it, even though I explained to him repeatedly that it was my fault for having him eat right before the hike and for setting too fast a pace. But still he was disappointed that he only got to 13,000'. I promised myself I wouldn't make those mistakes again on White Mtn last week. And it went well and he felt great about it.
Thanks again, and I wish you all the best hiking with your son in the years ahead.
Really enjoyed reading this! I've always been into the sciences and through school found I am naturally good at math. My childhood was filled with science (heck I watched more Nat. Geo than cartoons). Great to hear a fun project on quite a successful hike!
WoundedKnee - Jul 2, 2008 1:36 pm - Voted 10/10
A TR with a different perspectiveIt was about a summit...but not really. Having a two year old son myself I can imagine how proud you must have been of your boy. Thanks for posting, this was an enjoyable read.
395guy - Jul 4, 2008 9:34 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: A TR with a different perspectiveThanks. Being a dad and taking your son hiking is not always easy. Just last summer, I tried to take my son up his first 14er (Mt. Sherman near Leadville). It seemed like a reasonable hike... it's barely a 14er (14,036') and only 2 miles to the top (only 2100' elev. gain). But I set too fast of a pace (which seemed reasonable if not slow to me) and he got sick to his stomach and vomitted at 13,000'. I let him rest and I then turned us around and we went down. (It'd be pretty stupid on my part to go higher if my child is already sick at that point.) I realized when we got down that he probably got sick because he ate too much food at the trailhead right before we started. (There were too many mosquitoes at our camp to eat breakfast there before we drove to the TH.) He simply got sick because he was working too hard with too much food in his stomach. That was our only attempt at a 14er last year. And unfortunately, for a year he had to live with the disappointment that he didn't make it, even though I explained to him repeatedly that it was my fault for having him eat right before the hike and for setting too fast a pace. But still he was disappointed that he only got to 13,000'. I promised myself I wouldn't make those mistakes again on White Mtn last week. And it went well and he felt great about it.
Thanks again, and I wish you all the best hiking with your son in the years ahead.
RenoGregory - Aug 11, 2016 2:53 am - Voted 8/10
Thats Awesome!Really enjoyed reading this! I've always been into the sciences and through school found I am naturally good at math. My childhood was filled with science (heck I watched more Nat. Geo than cartoons). Great to hear a fun project on quite a successful hike!