You might be feeling overwhelmed with the idea of backpacking with a baby. We are members of online groups that encourage and support backpacking with children and some common themes are stress about the first time going out and stress about gear (which often leads to over packing!). After thru hiking the GDT with our … Continue reading Tips and tricks for extended backpacking trips with a baby
One of the most common questions we got on trail (other than "does he enjoy it?") is why? So why thru hike with a baby? We never really considered the alternative We assumed right away (before Toothless was even born) that we would thru hike with our child. We do that together so why not … Continue reading Why did we thru hike the GDT with a baby?
Okay, stay with me here. Natasha and I used to each carry 12 lb base weight. By having a baby we added about 5 lbs of gear to our packs. So 24 lbs + 5 lbs = 29 lbs. Let's call that an even 30 lbs. 30 lbs / 3 people (Natasha, Toothless and I) … Continue reading How having a baby reduced our base weight..
It's been about a week and a half since we got off trail and we are in that weird time between the thru and going back to our regular lives. So how are things after the thru? Physical Health COVID19 This will probably be the last time I bring it up because it wasn't a … Continue reading GDT 2021 thru hike with a baby – the aftermath
Mileage: ~13.5km We wake up to a dry tent for the first time in ages. No condensation to worry about when wrangling Toothless to get him dressed for the day! Dry tent to pack up! Toothless still gets dressed in his rain gear though as his carrier is still damp and the first part of … Continue reading GDT Day 56 – A not so grand finale
Mileage: 17.8 km (ish) We woke to sun! It was beautiful this morning. A real treat after the grey skies and wet brush yesterday. We had random camped with great views of Mount Moren and Mount Mahood and the clear skies really let us take it in today. The ground was mostly dry, but my … Continue reading GDT Day 55 – wet feet and killer views
Mileage: 17.1km Today started off better than expected - no rain overnight and no rain when we started off on the trail! This didn't last for too long though and we got just enough rain to wet all the brush that lines the trail. I think the calorie deficit is catching up to me and … Continue reading GDT Day 54 – “Waterproof” boots
Mileage: 28.8 km (1 km Bighorn Alley, 1.1 km main route, 1.5 km pipeline, 3.3 km main route, 4.9 km pipeline, 17 km main route) We got packed and checked out of the hostel pretty quickly today. I was pleased with our efficiency. However we stopped off at Cocos for breakfast (to go) as we … Continue reading GDT Day 53 – 🎵this is a highway, and I’m gonna walk it all day long🎵
My ankle has improved. Resting before starting the section, using K tape early on and taking a tonne of Advil seems to have helped a lot. Sometimes I slip and pull something in it, but I can keep that from getting bad with the above. One person in front helps fend off people when Toothless … Continue reading Section E Reflection
Mileage: ~18km Last night felt like our coldest night on trail. I don't think it actually was, but going to bed cold and wet, surrounded by snow, and sustained off and on precipitation through the night didn't create any warm cozy feelings. Kyle slept with his puffy jacket and rain jacket on; I kept on … Continue reading GDT Day 51 & 52 – Aftermath of bad decisions
Backpacks & Bike Racks 