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I started taking my son camping when he was just three months old - out the back of a car and used a large two person mountain tent for most of our trips. He was happy in the carrier and I used to joke that the base weight of my baackpacking kit weighed less than he did, so it was good practice. He's now five and the last time I took him camping I used my Hex3, bought with him in mind. I have thought about doing short over night trips with him this year.
Using lightweight kit is essential - after all at some point on the trip you'll hear that dreaded word 'Shoulders' and you'll have to start carrying your offspring :(
In years passed I did bivvies with my three kids and a couple,of kids' friends and maybe a dog or two at Red Tarn under Helvellyn. I always did this is settled high summer weather and I used standard sleeping bags with "arctic covers" for bivi bags which I got from Keswick army navy stores for £7.50 each. I have to say that we had a fab time. Some kids stayed up all night gazing at stars whilst others snored and dreamt of the special sausage butties we would cook in the morning. If you have children, you really must do something like this if you can. This is a formative experience for everybody and - AND, they will probably mention it at your funeral. This is very important - you really have to do it. (or something like it anyway...) If it rains, bail out.... There is some slight danger of food poisoning (Health and Safety Notice)
I don't have a nest for the Hex. We were in the south of the country and there were no bugs to bother us.
He was worried about a fox getting in but a flashing red beacon (Petzl e*lite) placed at the door reassured him until he fell off to sleep. The Hex is plenty big enough for two adults and a nipper.
I used a Baby Bjorn carrier initially, lightweight and packable. The baby's held snuggly to the front and when old enough can face outwards. Watch for those swinging legs though :(
Aye, congrats indeed Dave! Word's out that my own pack became 7lb 7oz heavier on March 16... blimey, she's into her second month - don't they grow fast!
You said it John. Emily is 23 months, 13kg, walking, talking and throwing, amongst other things, tantrums. Holding Benjamin now its hard to imagine Emily was ever that small. Savour every minute of it, it goes by in a flash!
When I was small my dad used to take me fishing. Much of this involved camping from a static base. We seldom had a proper tent, and we used tarp type shelters or home made tents, made from rope and polythene (which were so bulky that the tent alone filled an army kitbag). As long as the kids are warm enough they should be happy.
