[pct-l] more thoughts on nimblewill

[Tim Umstead]

As to young kids and hiking.  My kids have hiked every year of their
lives.  They are currently 16 and 20.

When they each turned 5 we took them on a 50 mile loop around the Three
Sisters.  It was the first trip they got to carry a pack.  It was a small
day sack with their clothes and a bit of food.  A five year old has
plenty of endurance.  We did about 10 miles a day.  I would say that at the
end of the day we would have to empty all the sticks and rocks out of my
son's pack.  He collected throughout the day.  Kids are tough and they can
go a lot longer than we can.

My daughter was 7 when she did the JMT for the first time.  She carried all
the normal gear we did, clothes, sleeping bag, insolite pad, half the tent
she and her brother used, cook kit and food.  It is easy hiking with them.
They have no fear.

For completeness, the kids have over 10,000 miles backpacking experience.
They both have completed the Triple Crown.  PCT in 2015 (ages 10, 13), CDT
2017 (12, 15) and AT in 2019 (14, 17).

Get them out young.
Start them hiking.
They will go forever.

Papa Raven