Hiking with a 5 year old is all about pacing yourself and keeping it his speed. I let Gabe pick the snacks he carries in his back pack so he is really excited to take breaks during the hike, take off his back pack and dig into his snacks. Our last trip to Talapus Lake Gabe stuffed the following items in his snack pockets:

- Gummy Bears
- Cheez-its
- Fruit bar
- Raisins

These items lasted the 2.2 miles we hiked to our camp site at Talapus Lake. We take a break every 1/2 mile or so where we drop our packs and take rest as we snack and talk about what's around us. Along the way we also take short pauses where we discuss different topics including first aid, plants/animals, hiking safety and other stuff we can come up with. I think we actually average about a half mile an hour when you figure in all the breaks and slow downs, but it really is the best time ever!

Gabe is really looking forward to doing a 3 day hike! I've got something in mind and I'm looking forward to making it happen soon....

This year for fathers day, my wife took Gabe to REI in Issaquah and they picked out the best gift ever! Part of making things fun for a kid means they need to be as involved as they can. You can let your kid make "guided" decisions so they are able to be a part of planning which makes them more vested into the adventure. Adrienne and Gabe picked out a back pack for Papa, as well as a kid sized back pack and sleeping bag for Gabriel. I wish you could've seen how excited he was to give me my fathers day gift. It gave him the motivation and excitement needed to get started planning our first backpacking adventure together.

Gabe's back pack is an REI Tarn 18 Youth pack which cost $39.50. It has an 1,100 cubic inch capicity and weighs just over a pound which is perfect for a 5 year old to carry a small sleeping bag, a change of clothes and some small items. One of his favorite parts of the back pack is on the waist belt where he can store snacks that are accessible while walking with the pack still on his back! I let him pick the snacks he carries with him so they are HIS favorites.
 
Gabe got to use his pack for the first time on our overnight trip to Beaver Lake last week! We're both looking forward to our next trip coming up!

Let me start by saying that I love backpacking! Car camping is great, but there's something about getting out on the trail and going places you can only access on foot. Bringing only what you can manage to carry on your back. Going from the sounds of the city with all the car noises, airplanes, people noises and walking until all you can hear are the sounds of nature.

I haven't been backpacking at all over the past 7 years, let's just say that life gets busy and priorities change. My son is now 5-1/2 this summer. He's been pretty active in sports and last month I was at the track running laps with him when I realized as he was on his sixth lap that he could totally walk a trail with me now! It's time to get back outdoors and get this little guy groomed into the ultimate backpacking buddy of all time!
 
Now it's gonna be all about making it happen at this early age in a way that will be fun and exciting. Something he will want to do again and again. My goal is to get him involved in every part of the process and make this a fun adventure that will build a foundation that will set him up for the years to come......

Leave a comment and share your experience, I'd love to hear your experiences. Subscribe and follow along as the summer progresses.