What an inspiring trip. I'm about 20 years behind you, with a 10, 9, and 4 year old and 11 month old. All enjoy appropriate levels of camping, hiking, backpacking and scrambling. I only hope that my kids retain the love for the outdoors as young adults that yours seem to... and the patience to let their old man tag along for trips now and then. Keep it up!!
Thank you. All I can say is, you've got a lot to look forward to with four of them. You've exposed them all to the outdoors so I daresay they'll always retain an affinity for it. I envy you because I'd love to do the years you're getting into all over again.
First off, thanks for writing such a great article. It addresses a very pertinent question for many people who spend time outdoors. Our family has recently added backpacking to our family trips (my younger brothers are now old enough to carry full packs) and this summer we climbed Longs Peak in between a three day loop and an overnight backpack. My brothers, dad, and I had a blast, but my mom hated the exposure and stopped just past the Trough, she felt she couldn't do the Homestretch. It made for some tense moments, but in the end it worked out.
Thanks for posting.
You've brought up an interesting issue related to my general theme: when a family member isn't as passionate about the activity or more precisely in your case your mom didn't like the exposure. Hopefully, your future family outings can be tailored to include everyone's comfort level although, at some point, different abilities and desire for challenge will mean that not eveyone can undertake the same activiity. Thanks for commenting.
Augie Medina - Oct 21, 2008 11:57 am - Hasn't voted
My kids are all in their middle 30's now. They survived my wild years when they were much younger. I made some mistakes with them, I was learning too at the time. We all scared the hell out of each other more than a few times. Now they are all grown up, we still spend at least a few days in the Sierra every year in fact one of them who now lives full time in Mammoth, met me to go exactly where you went just 2 weekends ago, it snowed just shy of a foot while we were back there. Bottom line is the memories we have of the adventures we had when they were little and or young are the fodder of dinner and campfire stories today. Though I certainly wish I had done a few things differently we all survived and learned but most of all had times together we all will never forget, experiences that way too many dads and kids will never have. No one (except me) remembers the skinned knees, sunburned neck (we didn't know much about sunscreen then) or any of the difficulties, only the great times. Now I am much older and they still invite me to come out and play in the backcountry every time they go. I wouldn't miss a single invitation for the world. Good luck to you and your kids, I hope for you and for them to enjoy every minute now and forever with them. Be well, be happy.
Augie Medina - Oct 27, 2008 9:51 am - Hasn't voted
Re: It's all good
Thanks for sharing. Yes, the experiences outdoors with family are unique.
Nice Article Augie. I totally don’t know how this one got by me. I think cuz I was in the middle of writing an article as well and had the blinders on. Great story and experiences with you kids.
jimsiff - Sep 29, 2008 1:56 pm - Voted 10/10
Great report!!!What an inspiring trip. I'm about 20 years behind you, with a 10, 9, and 4 year old and 11 month old. All enjoy appropriate levels of camping, hiking, backpacking and scrambling. I only hope that my kids retain the love for the outdoors as young adults that yours seem to... and the patience to let their old man tag along for trips now and then. Keep it up!!
Augie Medina - Sep 29, 2008 7:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great report!!!Thank you. All I can say is, you've got a lot to look forward to with four of them. You've exposed them all to the outdoors so I daresay they'll always retain an affinity for it. I envy you because I'd love to do the years you're getting into all over again.
woodsxc - Oct 2, 2008 11:46 pm - Voted 10/10
Family MountainsFirst off, thanks for writing such a great article. It addresses a very pertinent question for many people who spend time outdoors. Our family has recently added backpacking to our family trips (my younger brothers are now old enough to carry full packs) and this summer we climbed Longs Peak in between a three day loop and an overnight backpack. My brothers, dad, and I had a blast, but my mom hated the exposure and stopped just past the Trough, she felt she couldn't do the Homestretch. It made for some tense moments, but in the end it worked out.
Thanks for posting.
Augie Medina - Oct 3, 2008 2:50 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Family MountainsYou've brought up an interesting issue related to my general theme: when a family member isn't as passionate about the activity or more precisely in your case your mom didn't like the exposure. Hopefully, your future family outings can be tailored to include everyone's comfort level although, at some point, different abilities and desire for challenge will mean that not eveyone can undertake the same activiity. Thanks for commenting.
Augie Medina - Oct 21, 2008 11:57 am - Hasn't voted
Re: The proof is in the smile...Alec,
Thank you very much for that kind comment.
Best,
Augie
todabenstr - Oct 27, 2008 2:57 am - Hasn't voted
It's all goodMy kids are all in their middle 30's now. They survived my wild years when they were much younger. I made some mistakes with them, I was learning too at the time. We all scared the hell out of each other more than a few times. Now they are all grown up, we still spend at least a few days in the Sierra every year in fact one of them who now lives full time in Mammoth, met me to go exactly where you went just 2 weekends ago, it snowed just shy of a foot while we were back there. Bottom line is the memories we have of the adventures we had when they were little and or young are the fodder of dinner and campfire stories today. Though I certainly wish I had done a few things differently we all survived and learned but most of all had times together we all will never forget, experiences that way too many dads and kids will never have. No one (except me) remembers the skinned knees, sunburned neck (we didn't know much about sunscreen then) or any of the difficulties, only the great times. Now I am much older and they still invite me to come out and play in the backcountry every time they go. I wouldn't miss a single invitation for the world. Good luck to you and your kids, I hope for you and for them to enjoy every minute now and forever with them. Be well, be happy.
Augie Medina - Oct 27, 2008 9:51 am - Hasn't voted
Re: It's all goodThanks for sharing. Yes, the experiences outdoors with family are unique.
Deltaoperator17 - Jan 19, 2009 1:44 pm - Voted 10/10
Very NiceNice Article Augie. I totally don’t know how this one got by me. I think cuz I was in the middle of writing an article as well and had the blinders on. Great story and experiences with you kids.
All my best,
Steve
Augie Medina - Jan 19, 2009 7:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Very NiceSteve,
Thanks very much for taking the time to read and comment.
Best,
Augie