Lydia finishes the 4K list - 4 years old editted

[peakbagger]

https://wokq.com/scarlett-little-foot-hikes-all-48-of-nhs-4000-footers

Alex and Sage has some competition

 

[Ear Drum]

That's an old news story, published in 2022. She has gone on to do her Winter 48, finishing this past season.

She also just finished her Spring 48 this week. There's a post on her account, which says she's now seven years old:
https://www.instagram.com/little_foot_hiking_adventures/

She's out there hiking all the time it seems, participating in the recent Alzheimer's fundraiser, and helping with trail maintenance.

 

[NHChris]

This is exactly the problem, all these darn kids tramping all over the 4Ks!

 

[DayTrip]

This is exactly the problem, all these darn kids tramping all over the 4Ks!

Need to install one of those ruler signs at all the trailheads like you see at carnivals: "You must be this tall to hike this trail".

 

[peakbagger]

Finally found a link to the one about the 4 year old completing the list

https://www.concordmonitor.com/4-Year-Old-Becomes-Youngest-to-Summit-All-48-4000-55650527


And an interesting counterpoint https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/active-families/kid-toddler-outdoor-records/

 

[dug]

Unpopular opinion, but I'm never in fan of any "youngest" or "oldest" records. The eventually of all of them is they will end up in a tragedy. I started hiking young, doing my first peaks only a little older than her when she completed. It's an incredible accomplishment for her, not trying to take anything away from it. I couldn't imagine doing some of them that I did later on when I was so young.

However, at what point does someone try as a 3-year old? 2? As soon as they are walking? Are they really walking? Same with aging out....Being the oldest to do something just means the bar is set for someone else to try, and at some point they will fail. And, the "well they died doing what they loved" can be a selfish take.

Just me...

 

[TEO]

Unpopular opinion, but I'm never in fan of any "youngest" or "oldest" records. The eventually of all of them is they will end up in a tragedy. I started hiking young, doing my first peaks only a little older than her when she completed. It's an incredible accomplishment for her, not trying to take anything away from it. I couldn't imagine doing some of them that I did later on when I was so young.

However, at what point does someone try as a 3-year old? 2? As soon as they are walking? Are they really walking? Same with aging out....Being the oldest to do something just means the bar is set for someone else to try, and at some point they will fail. And, the "well they died doing what they loved" can be a selfish take.

Just me...

I agree. I also question how much of the goal is the parents' versus the child's. Getting kids outside is essential, but is turning them into peakbaggers before kindergarten a healthy way to do so?

 

[DayTrip]

I agree. I also question how much of the goal is the parents' versus the child's. Getting kids outside is essential, but is turning them into peakbaggers before kindergarten a healthy way to do so

I think you nailed it when you ask if it is the goal of the child or the parent. I think it is definitely the parent's goal, using the opportunity to brag on social media in the age of "look at me". Let's face it. The kid is probably getting carried a lot, doesn't carry gear, etc. So exactly what kind of accomplishment is it really? I think it's kind of ridiculous actually, maybe even irresponsible.

I'm sure there has been no study of any kind done but I wonder how many of these kids who are dragged all over creation stay with hiking or burn out. All the driving, the walking, bugs, rain, hot sun, sweating, etc, etc. I could see most kids getting sick of this pretty fast with the kind of volume they are exposed to.

 

[dug]

I think you nailed it when you ask if it is the goal of the child or the parent. I think it is definitely the parent's goal, using the opportunity to brag on social media in the age of "look at me". Let's face it. The kid is probably getting carried a lot, doesn't carry gear, etc. So exactly what kind of accomplishment is it really? I think it's kind of ridiculous actually, maybe even irresponsible.

I'm sure there has been no study of any kind done but I wonder how many of these kids who are dragged all over creation stay with hiking or burn out. All the driving, the walking, bugs, rain, hot sun, sweating, etc, etc. I could see most kids getting sick of this pretty fast with the kind of volume they are exposed to.

I'm the parent of a competitive athlete in college currently and I've seen that type of attitude often over the years. Kids who were pushed really young more often than not faded out earlier. At some point kids need to do what they want to do and no amount of pushing can make that happen. The difference is there is a possibility of a carrot at the end of the journey through financial relief in college, so too many chased that through any means possible. They forgot the #1 rule: have fun.

 

[Peppersass]

Not a fan of real little legs making it up ALL 48 and there’s no way a small child is doing it because they want to complete the list. Little kids don’t make those decisions. I typically don’t share my views on this - don’t want the pushback.

 

[NHChris]

.... The difference is there is a possibility of a carrot at the end of the journey through financial relief in college, so too many chased that through any means possible. They forgot the #1 rule: have fun.

Sadly many kid athletes will not get a bite of that carrot because they are merely good, not great.

 

[akafuzzjones]

I like what that author wrote about celebrating the youngest, but not the 12 year old who put away the video games and did their first hike or finished a list. The ones though that drive me the most crazy are the celebrations of speed and repetition. Maybe because I’ll never have it, but who cares. Certain on-line celebrities will post about doing a route in less time (or more times) than anyone else and they get a thousand likes, then someone who overcame something monumental in their life and does the same route, just not as fast or as often, and barely anyone acknowledges them. Especially not the self obsessed “look at me” types that are more worried about their next item of self promotion.

I think too many people focus on and celebrate the wrong things, and miss noteworthy accomplishments of others. Heck, I might be the fattest person to finish the 48 Grid, and I know that I’ll be the fattest one to finish the 67 Grid (if Baxter ever allows the bunch of us stuck with just two left in the park in November) but I don’t think anyone is clamoring to celebrate me.

 

[DayTrip]

, then someone who overcame something monumental in their life and does the same route, just not as fast or as often, and barely anyone acknowledges them.

This ^. You absolutely nailed it. There are amazing personal stories associated with these lists. The story is the achievement, not the checkmarks or the patches. I immediately thought of the woman not so long ago who finished the list in honor of her son who died right after they started the 4k list together (I think it was on PBS on that old guy's show whose name I can't recall; Mike Cherim from Redline Guiding had a role too I believe). I love the "Paul's Boots" story too of a few years back and the people associated with that on the AT. I'm sure a lot of those people finished the AT but I suspect they reflect back on their "part" with Paul as a noteworthy part of their through hike.

Give me more of these stories. I appreciate this far more than bragging and shaming.

 

[sierra]

There is a young kid who has been out there for awhile now, very popular and is followed by quite the entourage. I was vilified and received a barage of post and instant messengers when I questioned her ability to really grasp what she was doing at 6 years old. My main contention was her efforts are clearly not her own, yes she is walking up and down each peak, BUT, she is surrounded 10 adults while doing it. It is my contention that the girl is being fawned over by 10 to 12 adults who are spoiling her rotten and this kid like any other kid would is eating it up like candy. Without the safety or aid of the group, this kid has none of her current accomplishment, zero. I soloed winter peaks at 15 years old, I froze, got in trouble, but I did it all on my own, risking my life in the process back in the 80's when it was fucking quiet out there, so yes, it's personal to me. I don't comment on this child's post anymore, frankly they can build a statue for her for all I care. She wants my respect, she can go and solo the 4ks in a winter, then I'll be impressed, a little.

 

[Peppersass]

I had to bribe my two grandkids with candy and gifts to get them to summit. It was clearly about what I wanted them to accomplish. I started this practice after polling other parents to see how they got kids to reach the top. Not every kid is dying to get to the top!

 

[isaacnewton]

There is a young kid who has been out there for awhile now, very popular and is followed by quite the entourage. I was vilified and received a barage of post and instant messengers when I questioned her ability to really grasp what she was doing at 6 years old. My main contention was her efforts are clearly not her own, yes she is walking up and down each peak, BUT, she is surrounded 10 adults while doing it. It is my contention that the girl is being fawned over by 10 to 12 adults who are spoiling her rotten and this kid like any other kid would is eating it up like candy. Without the safety or aid of the group, this kid has none of her current accomplishment, zero. I soloed winter peaks at 15 years old, I froze, got in trouble, but I did it all on my own, risking my life in the process back in the 80's when it was fucking quiet out there, so yes, it's personal to me. I don't comment on this child's post anymore, frankly they can build a statue for her for all I care. She wants my respect, she can go and solo the 4ks in a winter, then I'll be impressed, a little.

I’m glad you got to explore when it was quieter. But I totally disagree that the only way to learn is to do dangerous things the way you did it. These kids are out enjoying time in nature, and doing it with people who are more experienced and that might help reduce the risky experiences and help everyone get home safely. That’s a win.

We can go back and forth about whether the safer version is the same kind of adventure (or whether it’s an adventure - Chouinard said the adventure begins when things go wrong) but I’m fine letting everyone travel these routes and get what they want out of the experience, especially if it doesn’t get in the way of my own fun.

 

[dokipen]

I like what that author wrote about celebrating the youngest, but not the 12 year old who put away the video games and did their first hike or finished a list. The ones though that drive me the most crazy are the celebrations of speed and repetition. Maybe because I’ll never have it, but who cares. Certain on-line celebrities will post about doing a route in less time (or more times) than anyone else and they get a thousand likes, then someone who overcame something monumental in their life and does the same route, just not as fast or as often, and barely anyone acknowledges them. Especially not the self obsessed “look at me” types that are more worried about their next item of self promotion.

I think too many people focus on and celebrate the wrong things, and miss noteworthy accomplishments of others. Heck, I might be the fattest person to finish the 48 Grid, and I know that I’ll be the fattest one to finish the 67 Grid (if Baxter ever allows the bunch of us stuck with just two left in the park in November) but I don’t think anyone is clamoring to celebrate me.

I'm celebrating you! You may be the fattest now, but I'm gunnin' for ya.

~ Bougie Bob

 

[sierra]

I’m glad you got to explore when it was quieter. But I totally disagree that the only way to learn is to do dangerous things the way you did it. These kids are out enjoying time in nature, and doing it with people who are more experienced and that might help reduce the risky experiences and help everyone get home safely. That’s a win.

We can go back and forth about whether the safer version is the same kind of adventure (or whether it’s an adventure - Chouinard said the adventure begins when things go wrong) but I’m fine letting everyone travel these routes and get what they want out of the experience, especially if it doesn’t get in the way of my own fun.

I have zero problem with the kid being out there, nature is for everyone. My issue is, they are throwing her out in every group with every accomplishment like she's doing them on her own, she is not, that's my point. Without 12 adults surrounding her, every one of those accomplishments goes away. I even heard she's going to write a book. Another book on doing the 4ks, someone else I know( an adult) also plans to write a book. I'm all set with the new books, your personal story is really no interest to me. It's hiking, it's been done before.

 

[skiguy]

I have zero problem with the kid being out there, nature is for everyone. My issue is, they are throwing her out in every group with every accomplishment like she's doing them on her own, she is not, that's my point. Without 12 adults surrounding her, every one of those accomplishments goes away. I even heard she's going to write a book. Another book on doing the 4ks, someone else I know( an adult) also plans to write a book. I'm all set with the new books, your personal story is really no interest to me. It's hiking, it's been done before.

This broadcasting of her accomplishment is a prime example of how social media has changed hiking in general and not for all the best reasons. Some have a need to be in the spotlight and need attention to be fulfilled with whatever they do in life. Whether they attract that themselves or accomplish it through others. Some do not have that need. Not to diminish her accomplishments at all but hopefully this young child returns on her own someday and realizes the joys of self sufficiency that hiking within that paradigm brings.

 

[Grey J]

We live in a culture that is often defined by attention seeking, self-promotion, and self-congratulation. Social media has definitely played a role in stoking this development. I did not even begin to record my hikes until the mid 1980s when someone showed me the list of the 48. There are no surviving photos or documentation of any kind for most of my 70s and early 80s hikes. I didn't take a camera. They happened nonetheless, and I don't really care if anyone thinks they "count" or not.

Today, if you don't post your hike somewhere and you don't have an obligatory summit photo, then it didn't really happen. I'm all for this kid climbing the mountains and experiencing the outdoors, but let's be honest about the fact that adults are driving this quest. And we should probably hold off on any Viesturs or Shackleton comparisons and chill out before we start casting the movie.