babies in the mountains?

[mtnhiker10]

i'm hiking from the adirondac loj on the weekend of sept. 16. where i plan on hiking to, has been up in the air ever since i planned the trip. basically because i wasn't sure of who would be joining me and how many would be joining me on the trip. my newest obstacle is that one of the couples that wants to go on the trip, wants to bring their 3 month old daughter with them. they have a baby carrier, and they're in good shape. my ? is , are there any mtn trails in the eastern high peaks that are " easy ". to where we could take our time. stop every two hours and feed the baby , and still have a nice mtn view? any tips and advice on taking a baby into the mtn's would be greatly appreciated. i'm still a beginner my self with only lyon , snowy. jo, and colden, under my belt, so any info would be helpful. thank-you

[percious]

I just did Phelps with my 2 year old son Colden about 2 weeks ago. That would be a great mtn, because you could stop at marcy dam to feed the infant. I have been hiking with Colden since he was 6 weeks old.

Keep in mind, they really should be using a front carrier. The back carriers are only safe for a baby over 6 months, because of the developing spine. An upright back carrier will be very uncomfortable for a 3 month old.

The bonus of a front carrier is that you can feed the baby as you hike. I did this many times, and found that Colden would fall asleep soon after his feedings.

Hope you have a great hike, and have fun with it!

-percious

[adkdremn]

Last week I hiked up Cascade Mt. There was a couple with a 4 month old and they ended up turning around. They passed us, then we caught up with them at one point because they stopped to feed the baby. So they turned around due to the baby, but also because it was a little more than they had anticipated themselves. I would say the parents have to know the limits of their baby and make a decision based on that. You never know what a baby is going to do, especially at that age. The first long trip I took a baby on was Alqonquin and my daughter was 18 months old at that time. So I guess she was more of a toddler. That trip went great with no problems. As far as trails from the Loj maybe you could check out Rocky Falls, nice spot with a lean to. No views though. If you want a mountain and don't mind driving to the trailhead check out Cascade. The trail head is only like a mile and a half away from the Loj once you're out to the main road.
Just talk it through with the parents, make sure they know their babies limits and don't try to push things too hard. Hope this helps.
There's others here with hiking with baby experience so I'm sure you'll get some responses!

_______________

[adkdremn]

Keep in mind, they really should be using a front carrier. The back carriers are only safe for a baby over 6 months, because of the developing spine. An upright back carrier will be very uncomfortable for a 3 month old.

This is really important for the babies comfort!
Comfortable baby=happy baby......usually.

[redhawk]

You say these people have decided to "join you".

My question would be exactly how much hiking experience that have, especially where ascent and descent is involved.

I'm not trying to be discouraging here, but cautionary. It might be a good idea for the four? of you to sit down and talk aboput everything involved before finalizing it.

Might even be a good idea to consider a "flat" hike for the first time with an infant to see how everyone, including of course the baby, deals with it.

Regardless of choice, I would choose a destination that is not to far from the trailhead in case one has to bain out.

[adkdremn]

Might even be a good idea to consider a "flat" hike for the first time with an infant to see how everyone, including of course the baby, deals with it.

That's why I suggested Rocky Falls from the Loj. If the couple aren't hikers, or haven't done a whole lot of hiking, they may not enjoy hoofin' it up a mountain, especially with a baby. Rocky Falls has some nice spots for swimming or dipping your feet and the lean to for feeding the baby or a picnic lunch. It's a beautiful area and most of the time I've been there, there has been no one else around. Or another flat walk in that same direction that's a little longer would be Scott's Clearing and Scott's Dam. There's a lean to there as well. Also very picturesque from the dam with views of Wallface Mt. and Indian Pass. Another good spot for soaking feet in Indian Pass Brook.

If either of these sound interesting let us know and someone can get you started in the right direction!

[redhawk]

Rocky Falls would be good. I have been there but not to the other you mention so I don't know.

[mtnhiker10]

i swear, this web site is the best . everyone on it is great. the couple that i mentioned only have a couple "pre-child" mtns in them. that's why they want to go so bad but don't want to leave their child at home w/ a sitter. i don't blame them there. i just want to make sure they know what there in for. a "flat" hike was what i was triing to avoid, but if it means an enjoyable hike for everyone, then i would definitly give in. after all, i just enjoy being anywhere in the mtns. maybe some more information about rocky falls or other flat hikes might change my mind, i will relay the information about the front carrier vs. the back carrier. again, you guys are the greatest, thank-you so much.

[Dick]

We lived in Colorado when our two boys were born (their in their 20s now), and took the older one on hikes at about 6-7 months (we moved to NY shortly after younger one was born). We carried all of the necessary stuff, and all went well. Though the trails we took him on were far from flat, they were ones that we knew were not muddy, had no ledges or rock hops, and so forth, and we went quite slowly (even slower than I usually hike!). A simple slip could be quite dangerous. In retrospect, I think we went too far (I forget the exact distance, probably 4 miles or so, and we probably shouldn't have done it. At least that is my view now, and I'm speaking only for myself. The only advice I'd offer is, if they do decide to go, know the trail you will hike on, take your time, check the weather thoroughly, and be prepared to turn around.

Dick

[adkdremn]

Here's some info on Rocky Falls. Leave the Loj as if you were headed to Mt. Jo. Once you pass the turnoff for Mt. Jo you'll come to a trail register. You will just continue following this main, well used trail all the way to Rocky Falls. You'll know you're getting close when you reach a trail junction for Indian Pass which goes to the left. The path will lead straight out to a rocky brook. The lean to is on the far side of the brook upstream a little ways. There are various side paths leading up the brook or you can rock hop up to the lean to. The falls aren't huge, but it's a nice area with some big pools for swimming or whatever. It's a little over 2 miles to Rocky Falls.

Scott's Clearing and lean to would be accessed by the same route except that you would make a left hand turn at the Indian Pass trail junction I mentioned earlier. Scott's Clearing lean-to would be reached at 3.8 miles and then Scott's Dam would be located at 4.1 miles.

There is a certain amount of preparedness (is that a word?) that goes into hiking with a baby, which I know you've already heard. You're a good friend to even be willing to attempt it, most kid free friends would leave their parent friends in the dust.

[Boreal Chickadee]

Please keep in mind a three month old has greater difficulty regulating their body temperature and has no way on their own to warm up or tell you when the chill is bordering on hypothermia.

Don't hike with an infant in rain or a windy day. A simple slip for an adult can be fatal for a baby.

Change diapers as soon as they get wet in this chillier weather. Which means an extra blanket to cover the baby with during the changing. Mom or Dad can get chilled, get up and walk to get warm again. Baby can't.

Stay closer to the car than without a baby. Your car is your safety net of dryness and warmth.

Front carriers are necessary. The downside to either carrier is the legs are separate. Think gloves versus mittens for keeping your own fingers warm.Those little feet need to stay very warm and hanging in the carrier may reduce circulation to the legs if you're not careful with padding.

Now, I took my son everywhere and in town walked him every day throughout the winter so I'm not afraid to take babies out in the cold. Just that you MUST take extra precautions.

Good luck,
Mom who took all three kids into the woods.

[percious]

If you are worried about keeping the child warm, bring 2 extra pair of thick wool socks. If he/she gets cold, slip the socks over the babies feet (including shoes) and hands. The socks will go right up to their hips and arm pits, but it helps them stay warm. I have taken Colden out down to 20 degrees by bundling him up well. This was when he was well over a year old though.

Definitely be prepared to turn around, especially if the Mom decides it's time to go. Mom's usually know best.

-percious

[adkdremn]

Make sure you let us know what ends up happening, where you go and how things turn out!!

[kingof14ers]

I'll bite

I'd agree with everyone else has mentioned.
I would recommend (having a 5 month old ourselves) to try and hike around their neighborhood just to get a taste how the little one would react to being in that position for any length of time. If they start crying right away, maybe they're not seated right or the harness may be causing leg abrasion.

I'd agree with percious on the whole 6mo/ older on the backpack style carrier. Along that note though, I won't go up anything other than foothills with our little guy with a front carrier. On a descent, if I trip and land face down on my hands....need I say which carrier would be safer in the mountains.

I was asking the pediatrician about things like extreme altitude on young systems and any other concerns as to when to take an infant on a mountain hike. She responded with the altitude isn't a problem as parents are the one's putting in the effort, but to be sure they can hold their head up for the length of the hike with comfort.

Certainly a 3 month old can hold their head up, but for how long of a period of time? I'd say though (even though I'm unfamiliar with the Adirondacks)that your flat hike sounds like a splendid idea. They get their outdoors itch scratch while mitigating some danger with peaks. It'll be a great experiment for sure.

[mtnhiker10]

i will definitley let you all know what becomes of this. My friends are still undecided on what to do. Again, i thank you all for your help.