re: Heading to the Appalachian Trail for a 51 mile trek ...

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You do what works. We do a lot of car camping with the boys (I have 2) and a canoe camping trip every once in a while. She's happy with that and I won't push her into backpacking if it isn't for her. I've just been testing it to see if she can handle the physical abuse. My 9 year old has done a 20 mile hike with me and performed like a champ (with 18 pounds on his back). Still a few years away for my youngest to get on the trail with a pack.

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Yep. My wife abhors all camping because of multiple horrible experiences as a child. Fair enough.

I started backpacking at the age of 5 and loved it. Started all of my sons at around the same age, was very careful about the first few trips I took them out on so they wouldn't become death marches, and they really enjoyed it. So we do our thing, and she does hers and everyone is happy.

And it sounds like your 9 year old has a great start.