I share with you the list of things we brought on the trip.  This trip is suggested for families who have already traveled successfully in the desert on an extended trip.  It is also for families who have already tried tent camping with their children.  The list of gear is for a three day backpacking trip.  If you want a list for car camping it is in a previous blog.  I will add packing lists for different activities as the summer goes by.

We checked the weather and there was going to be no rain so we did not bring a ground sheet to save weight. I only recommend this for people who are experienced in hiking in the desert. You could also bring no tent, but you need to make sure it is not bug season (which it was when we were there).

This is a list to be light, cheap and fast.  We don’t usually buy instant foods but we did this time so that Erik would not have a heavier pack and so that cooking could be kept to a minimum. Also, I take pride in giving my daughter only organic whole foods but on this trip she drank plenty of juice crystals.  Since temperatures hit the 100’s she needed to stay hydrated and I wanted to make drinking as appealing as possible to her. This was a health decision.

I carried:

Small child (23 lbs)

Kelty baby backpack

Water system like camelback, watersource, MSR (2 quart bag with tube)

Bug netting for both adult and small child

Lunch and snack for the day

Any diapering items if small child needs this or change of underwear with wipes

If Adult or small child has a life threatening allergy this adult should carry the appropriate medication for that child/adult

Total weight of this pack: 35 pounds

Erik Carried:

One backpack

One tent (light as possible)

One backpacking stove

One fuel bottle

One pot

One stir spoon

Three eating spoons

Three eating bowls (we use one small disposable Tupperware for small child and we use a Stanley insulated mug for us adults, it separates into two mugs)

One lighter and one pack of matches

One small repair kit for stove, backpack, etc

One small first aid kit (minimum would be: Ibuprofin, high end pain killer, benedryl, mole skin, duck tape, bleach)

Sun screen,

Bug nets x 3

Food see bellow

Two thermarests or equivalent

Two sleeping bags

Knife (0ne with a few tools on it is great if you need to do repairs to the stove or if you have pliers they help to remove cactuses)

 Erik also carried the Clothing:

Backlava ( hat/scarf blend), mitt x 3

Two pairs of socks per participants. One for hiking one for sleeping

One quick dry pants per participant

One quick dry top per participant

Underwear x 2 per participant  one to hike in one at night

Long sleeve warm top per participant

Warm bottom per participant

If you must one pair of shorts and t-shirt per participant but they are not practical since you get sun burned and are useless at night for cold or for bugs.

Bug net

For small child: If you are lucky to have a child who likes sleeping bags bring a bunting. If not bring

Fleece pants, fleece top, Wool socks, winter hat, mitts and turtle neck. Put on your child over a cotton pajama.

Coralie is potty trained so we did not bring diapers. Make sure you put easy access clothing on your child for diapering or to expose bottom for a quick 1 or 2

Erik also carried the food:

Breakfast:

Two ½ bagels with half tub cream cheese ( placed in zip lock (lighter))  x 2

Pockets of instant chai  x 4

1 ½ cup Oatmeal with powdered milk ( three table spoons and small bag of sugar ( two teaspoons)

Lunch: x 2

1/3 brick of cheese, about 5 crackers per participant, salami or equivelant.

Dinner:  x 2

Mac and cheese 1 ½ box  with a packet of chicken ( counter  stable) found by tuna

Packet of instant chicken noodle to hold off small child while cooking.

One table spoon of butter, two table spoons of instant milk

Snack:

One cup of GORP per participant.  We make our own with things we like and a few things the baby can eat.

One granola bar per day per participant

Bag of instant juice. We buy lemondade mix and use only 1/5 of the recommended dosage and add salt to the mix. This is an inexpensive sport drink.

One fruit leather per participant per day

Three large carrots (one for each day to share)

Total weight of this pack: 70 pounds.

I realize that backpacking can be a challenge with children. You need to be current on your wilderness first aid and have previous experience. I also realize that the lists I am providing are a middle of the road list. Some people can backpack with much less food and only an emergency blanket; others like to prepare gourmet meals. Remember to always keep everyone happy and safe on your trips.

If you have not done any backpacking with your children I highly recommended it. First, go on a car camping trip for a few days. On a next trip, go on a hike to a lake or nice place to camp.  Set up camp for two nights and try out wilderness camping and hiking with your children. Then, try a short trip like this one.

If you want to look at pictures or maps of the area we were in check out these sites:

http://baconphoto.com/travel/2000-dom/index.shtml

http://www.outdoorguru.com/maps/dominguez-canyon.htm

http://home.mesastate.edu/~jerry/guide/g3.htm

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=HGR205-020

http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo/recreation/camping.html

Heidi