Backpacking - Getting Ready

Preparation is always half the battle. When backpacking with our children we find that if we are prepared with good gear everything seems to go so much smoother. In an effort to be useful to those of you just starting to backpack with your family here is our list of must have items.

1. Good water filter - reduces the amount of water you have to carry and therefore reduces weight
2. Down sleeping bags
3. Sleeping pads
4. Backpacks with padded hip belts
5. Backpacking stove
6. Cooking pot
7. Fuel for stove
8. Lighter
9. Lightweight backpacking tent
10. Headlamp
11. Walking sticks for kids...it does wonders:)
12. Extra underwear
13. Extra socks
14. Extra set of clothes
15. Spork
16. Toothbrush and toothpaste
17. Thermals if it is going to be cold at night
18. Down jacket (they compress small and are lightweight)
19. Trail snacks...a plethera of trail snacks (food does wonders for little tired people)
20. Dehydrated meals
21. Toilet paper
22. Shovel
23. Plastic bags for garbage and to carry out what needs to be carried out...like used toilet paper :)
24. Chaco or keen sandals for camp
25. Sunglasses
26. Sunscreen
27. Bug repellant
28. Camera
29. Good sturdy hiking boots
30. First Aid kit containing mole skin for hot spots or blisters
31. Chapstick
32. Nalgene water bottles
33. Dice game
34. Biodegradable soap
35. Hand sanitizer
36. Rope to string up wet clothing or food in bear country

We often take our GPS and go geocaching along the way or when we are at camp for a fun activity. The kids love it and it lends itself to some exploring.

Most of all, when the kids need a break, we take a break. It is that simple. A great time is had by all when the kids are happy. 

Backpacking The Box in Escalante

We took our family backpacking to The Box in Escalante, Utah. This particular trip requires a vehicle shuttle. We started at the top and backpacked down. The shuttle is needed to retrieve the vehicle at the trailhead.

This canyon starts off in an alpine environment and half way down switches to a desert landscape. The trail follows a river the entire trip. This is fun for the kids as we crossed the river maybe 30 times or so. Your feet will most likely be wet when you finish. One of my boys, with the help of a walking stick, was able to avoid getting his feet soaked.

Rock cairns like this one mark the river crossings.

Crossing the river.

All the data we read on this canyon said that it was about 8.5 miles long. We found it was closer to 11 miles by the time our GPS calculated all the river crossings into the mix. It was all downhill which is nice for a beginning family backpack trip. A 7 year old, 5 year old and an 8 year old all carried their own packs and made it just fine.

Taking a break and smelling the trees... 

We proved it to be true. Ponderosa pines smell like butterscotch!

We camped at 6-6.5 miles in. The camping sites are few (we only saw about 3 good sites) and are trailside. There was plenty of water to filter. The next morning we hiked the remaining 5 miles out.

All in all everyone was happy and well.

Favorite Products for Women

Favorite Products for Women

I love it when a friend finds a product she loves and shares with me. I often end up loving the product also. This post is dedicated to sharing some of my favorite products for women.

My most recent finds fall in the category of personal protection items, and cute ones at that.

1. The first one is pepper spray. Besides the cute colors, this pepper spray can reach up to 12 feet, is UV dye colored for up to 5 days after being sprayed and is small enough to tuck in your running shorts, biking jersey or to hook on your key chain. It is only $10....hardly anything to pay for a bit of extra security. Great gift idea.

2. My next favorite thing is the Tiny Takedown Stun Gun. At only $40, this thing packs a non lethal punch! It is hand held size and small enough to fit nicely in your purse or on your person. I like it because it is a tool that can empower women to not be fearful.

3. Phloretin CF is my next favorite. I found this product after looking in the mirror one day and realizing all the sun damage my skin has had. I had brown spots on my forehead. I started using this product and started seeing great results. It works to protect against the effects of the sun, increases cell renewal and improves signs of aging. Click on the link to read more. Prices vary..I pay about $120 a bottle.

4. DoTerra Oils. I joined this company as a rep because I found out by using the oils that I love the product. I currently do not actively sell the oils, I do however use them. There are certain oils like lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, melaleuca and lemon that I like to take with me wherever we go. It is y own personal medicine cabinet when my kids need something for allergies, headaches, coughs, ear aches and bug bites to name a few. If you want more info send me a message and I can help you. Prices vary depending on the oils you choose.

5. Go Girl. If you are at all outdoorsy you will love this. I often think it unfair that men need just stand to pee. Now, with the go girl women can too. When will you use this you ask? Hiking, camping, canyoneering, biking and traveling to areas without adequate facilities...you name it. It is not as gross as it seems, actually it tends to lessen the grossness:) It is only $9.95.

These are my current favorite products for women. 

What are your favorite products? Please comment.

Backpacking with Kids

Miles 23-30.5 in our 100 mile hiking challenge

Trailhead Marker

So we decided to take our kids on a backpacking trip to the Uintas to add to our miles hiked this summer. This is the first time we have ventured to take all of our boys. We were a little scared, but now realize what fun it was for them and for us as a family. We chose to go to Hoover Lake via the Fehr Lake trailhead off Mirror Lake Highway.

Fehr Lake

The total hike in to our camping spot was 1.5 miles to Hoover Lake. We dropped our packs and set up camp. The kids got right to fishing while we fixed dinner. This was a perfect distance for our 6 year old. He carried his own pack, while not heavy it was still 10% of his body weight.

Shephard Lake

Maba Lake - We camped between this and Hoover Lake

I couldn't get enough of the Lily pads on this lake...beautiful!

The next day we explored and found Marshall Lake as well as a few geo-caches along the way. We hiked about 6 miles total. The first day was all downhill and the return to the car was all uphill. The kids didn't seem to have any trouble on the hike out and went about the same speed as on the way in. The youngest in our group was 4 years old.

To find Marshall Lake you will need a GPS as it is bush-whacking and there are no trails leading to it from Hoover Lake. On this trip we saw 4 beautiful lakes and a small pond. All within 1.5 miles. It seemed very secluded after passing the first 2 lakes. We saw only one other party of 2.

Stay tuned for my tips on backpacking with kids:)