sapblatt
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- Oct 22, 2004
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After watching Daddy pack on so many Fridays that we share together, our son Aaron Rocco has developed an interest in hiking. I hope this remains his interest as I do want to expose him to the outdoors; I do not want to force him to hike. After a nice camping trip in June where he walked to the Crystal Cascades and also along the Trestle Trail we decided that he could attempt walking up his first mountain!
Gail and I packed up and found Aaron a hiking stick and we set out towards North Sugarloaf (Gris' suggestion) under cloudy, overcast skies. Aaron took right to it and moved along the river. We made the turn up the Sugarloaf Trail and he just kept going, albeit at the child pace of stoppng to look at everything! He was having a grand time!
As it got a little steeper he kept on going. At numerous spots we offered to give him a ride in the carrier, which he steadfastly refused (I wonder where he get this from?)
At other spots with blowdowns he insisted on climbing and at every tricky spot my wife Gail would suggest an easier way around the big rock - Aaron went right over them! It even started to rain, he did not care as he was having a great time.
Where the trail splits near the top we took the left turn for the north peak as we knew it was the easier one to do. Aaron continued along the narrow trail and went over a rock that was up to my mid thigh - only using my knee to propel himself up. We finaly broke out at the summit for some nice views and steady rain. Much to our pleasure, Aaron listened to us and did not go anywhere withinforty feet of the ledges. We had a quick snack and loaded him into the carrier for the ride down. He protested at first, but after a few minutes he was happy about it.
After asking everyone on the way up how the views were, he told everyone about them on the way down. We managed go by the huge boulders and touch the moss and have a nice ramble back to the car before dark. This was a great trip for the entire family and I really cannot believe a 2 1/2 year old did this so readily! What a great day!
Here are a few PICS.
Gail and I packed up and found Aaron a hiking stick and we set out towards North Sugarloaf (Gris' suggestion) under cloudy, overcast skies. Aaron took right to it and moved along the river. We made the turn up the Sugarloaf Trail and he just kept going, albeit at the child pace of stoppng to look at everything! He was having a grand time!
As it got a little steeper he kept on going. At numerous spots we offered to give him a ride in the carrier, which he steadfastly refused (I wonder where he get this from?)
At other spots with blowdowns he insisted on climbing and at every tricky spot my wife Gail would suggest an easier way around the big rock - Aaron went right over them! It even started to rain, he did not care as he was having a great time.Where the trail splits near the top we took the left turn for the north peak as we knew it was the easier one to do. Aaron continued along the narrow trail and went over a rock that was up to my mid thigh - only using my knee to propel himself up. We finaly broke out at the summit for some nice views and steady rain. Much to our pleasure, Aaron listened to us and did not go anywhere withinforty feet of the ledges. We had a quick snack and loaded him into the carrier for the ride down. He protested at first, but after a few minutes he was happy about it.
After asking everyone on the way up how the views were, he told everyone about them on the way down. We managed go by the huge boulders and touch the moss and have a nice ramble back to the car before dark. This was a great trip for the entire family and I really cannot believe a 2 1/2 year old did this so readily! What a great day!
Here are a few PICS.
