Taking a 14 month old into the backcountry?

[LJ Buck]

Just curious to what peoples thoughts were. It would be in WY in bear country somewhat (not many griz in the area) and be for 1.5 days so 1 night, during summer months. 2 adults one child.

Gear is not an issue and even have a SAT phone for an emergency.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

I wouldn't have any issues, we did. (float trips)
Just make sure you keep him/her WARM & WELL FED and all will be fine.
Their little bodies get cold much faster than our's do, so don't skrimp on the fleece PJ's!
Might suggest a shakedown test prior, close to rig.
Don't forget the smore fix'ns. It's all good around a fire when there are smores for the kids.
Hunt'nFish

 

[Jpeaston]

I wanted to, but decided against it. Too many things can go wrong that you don't need to test out yet. Allergic reactions at that age happen real quick. Take him/her car camping, they still get the experience, you can still hike, you still get cool pics to remember it by.

 

[WyoElk]

I wouldn't have any issues, we did. (float trips)
Just make sure you keep him/her WARM & WELL FED and all will be fine.
Their little bodies get cold much faster than our's do, so don't skrimp on the fleece PJ's!
Might suggest a shakedown test prior, close to rig.
Don't forget the smore fix'ns. It's all good around a fire when there are smores for the kids.
Hunt'nFish

I think if you follow this advice you will be fine. We used a boba or similar device to keep ours warm and she loved it. Our little girl was fishing above tree line when she was 10 days old. Just make sure you take precautions and you will be fine. Have fun.

 

[rhunter424]

You can do it as others have. Would I do it? Hell no.

Depends greatly on the baby too though. Points to consider:

- Switched over completely to table foods yet?
- Cloth diapers or throw aways? Whaddaya gonna do with 4-5 diapers a day?
- Sleeping arrangements? You hopefully have sleep training down pat by now so the baby can soothe themselves to sleep. Sleeping with them next to you may set you back some in that dept. Like I said, depends on the baby.
- While you're in the woods having fun, whats the baby gonna do? Hard to think back to 14 months, but thats probably around the time when their attention span is like 1 minute and they are constantly on the go and into things they should not be.

I +1 the dry-run maybe out in the backyard or something, acting as if you're unsupported. Realize we survived in caves back in the day but a caveman, we ain't.

Eddited to Add: I just saw the allergic reaction mentioned prior to my post. Definitely something else to consider. We had an episode that started out as a standard runny nose turn into nostral flaring trying to get oxygen in "asthama attack" in a day. Hospital ER cured it up with a nebulizer but it is nothing I'd want to do in the middle of the woods.

 

[Rick Leathley]

I personally waited tell they were potty trained as I didn't want to deal with poopy diapers. As long as you do not mind packing out the diapers, I really do not see any problem with it.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Done it quite a few times, just make sure your t's are crossed and your i's are dotted. All of my kids have really enjoyed the time "away".....carrying diapers out does suck though.

 

[Yellowknife]

My son spent ages 11-13 months living in cabins at remote fly out hunting lodges in Alaska. Took him overnight hunting at 14 months (near truck, but 100 miles from nearest town). Actually far easier in some ways back then than it is now that he's four and has the ability to think for himself!

Yk

 

[jmez]

Can't think of any reason not too really. Take them and enjoy your family.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I'm not even going to give advice on this as my first thought was 14 Month old DOG.... I was thinking "WTH? Why wouldn't you take a 14 month old dog into the back country with you?" haha sorry been a LONG monday!

Mike

 

[sojourner]

We've done it a few times and it was great. Even did it with a 2 1/2 y.o. and a 4month old together. Pretty sure diapers are the most fireproof element on earth (found that out the hard way) packing them out wasn't too bad. We used a two person bag and kept the little one between us- plenty warm.

 

[LJ Buck]

Thanks Guys!!!

 

[Browtine]

These two are a little older than 14 months, but I'm a believer in getting them out early and often!

 

[AK Troutbum]

I don't have much, if any, experience in taking any really young youngsters into the backcountry, but I have a fair amount of experience taking little ones on float trips including remote float trips. We took our now 11-year-old son on his first float trip when he was three months old, floated down into the canyon of the Kenai and camped out for several days. Our now six-year-old daughter has been floating since she was about six months old and the only reason we waited that long was because she was born in November and we had to wait for things to thaw out. I'm a strong believer in getting them started young.

 

[LandYacht]

Last year I scouted with my wife, 5 year old, 3 year old, and 11 month old. We had a great time!

The year before when my three year old was two he hiked in and out 2.5 miles with me to my water stash. I did carry him out the last bit on my empty pack, but he still did more than some of my adult friends ever want!

He also did about 6.5 miles turkey hunting with me

Start them young and they'll hike all day!

 

[Mtnboy]

I'd do it no problem. (and will next summer but baby will be about 16-18 months)

We live in such a pampered/controlled culture anymore, people have forgot just how rough we had it only a couple hundred years ago.

You're kid will be just fine overnight for one night.