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ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Not many families do long distance hiking together. Why do you think that is?
- How do you plan to overcome these challenges?
- What do your kids think about your thru-hike plans?
- People do long distance hikes for their own personal reasons, usually along the lines of "self-discovery, a deep nature experience, or to have a challenging outdoors experience". What are your family's reasons?
- As an editor of Backpacking Light we know you value a lightweight philosophy. What are your thoughts on lightweight family backpacking?
- How do you manage to just "pull out" of your life for six months and hit the trail?
# WORDS: 1170
# PHOTOS: 7
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Companion forum thread to:
Beyond Our Boundaries: The Story of a Family of Five Thru-Hiking the AT in 2014
That is just cool as you know what.
Also, I spy a BPL Absaroka pack.
Very awesome. I am jealous.
I'm really excited to follow along.
Damien, what will be your family's "philosophy of dropping," if you will? Meaning, what kinds of things would take you off the trail?
Edited to add: Nevermind, I just needed to finish reading through your Kickstarter page to find out (eg, "Risks and Challenges"). :)
Godspeed!
@John: Yes, that is a BPL Absaroka pack (on my youngest daughter), it has been her pack for a few years now. It's not the one she will be using for this hike though, she will be using a Golite Jam as she needs something with a little more volume.
@Ron: No problem, glad you found your answers :-) I would be happy to answer any additional questions you have either here or on the Kickstarter page. Thanks!
Hell yes I will support this! I'm not sure how much I can spare, but I guarantee you're getting some of my money.
@Daniel: Your enthusiasm is much appreciated, thanks for your support! BPL is a great community.
I try to support a good idea whenever I can. I helped with the packrafting series, even though I don't plan on packrafting. I'm just really stoked on people getting out there and making stuff happen.
I have much respect for those who figure out how to parent creatively like this. An experience like the AT will have a much bigger impact on your kids development and confidence than school, camp, or the many sedentary ways kids spend their summers. I'm looking forward to following this, and hoping to glean some inspirations for outings with my daughters.
Aw crap! I screwed around and missed the funding deadline. Stoked to see the project got funded even without my help! I added myself to the contact list on the website, so let me know when the video is ready for purchase. Good luck on your hike!
In the Barefoot Sisters book they hiked the AT with a family.
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