[at-l] Taking mom hiking

[orangebug74@yahoo.com (Orange Bug)]

Depending on where your mother lives (New Mexico perhaps?), you might
want to first find out what her abilities are regarding terrain.
Backpacking usually involves carrying a backpack with gear, and does
not have to be terribly heavy. There is such a thing as slackpacking,
or having someone meet you with gear at a prearranged time and place.

I think you need to know what she means by "basic low mileage hikes"
and what climbs and descents she can manage. We can tell you a bit
about places to walk on the AT that are pretty tame and pretty wicked.
I've been to New Mexico, and know that you have some pretty broad
opportunities for hikes out there, also. However, the water situation
and snake/bug situation is a bit different from out east.

So, what terrain and how "crippled" is she?

Welcome to the campfire, BTW.

Bill...


--- aaron Vanwieren <aaronwv@unm.edu> wrote:
> My mother has recently let me know that she would love
> to see what backpacking is abuot.  So, when I go home for
> the summer she wants to go backpacking.  There is a catch,
> she had a car accident several years ago and has a crippled
> left knee.  This limits her heavily in walking, but she does go for
> basic low milage hikes.
> I was thinking abou trying a very low milage hike, maybe a mile
> for the first trip.  As well, she cannot really carry alot of gear,
> so
> I will probably have to carry the bulk of her gear.
> I really want to share my love of backpacking and backwoods
> camping with her, can anyone give me suggestions on gear I should
> get for  her and suggestions on things I can do to make this a
> pleasurable
> experience for her.
> Chatter
> 
> 
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