A Father’s Day weekend trip with my buddy Josh and his two sons.

For the past two years, my buddy Josh and I have taken his son Avery out on a backpacking trip for Father’s Day weekend.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, I am very close to this family. The children refer to me as “Uncle Mags” and, I’d like to think, spoil them accordingly. 🙂

This year, the youngest boy Elijah would be joining us. At five years old, he is already an experienced camper. He recently hiked Sanitas with a very small day pack in anticipation of this trip.

We left Friday night and made our way to the Lost Park TH just outside of Jefferson.  A quick campsite was made off the FS road for the evening. The boys were rather enamored with all the shell casings in the area. Their mother would not be as enamored on Sunday when she found about…..

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Another adventure with Avery and Josh on a child friendly backpacking trip. This time to Mohawk Lakes.

Last year, I was asked to help my buddy Josh out on Avery’s first backpacking trip.

This past year, I was again asked to accompany my friend and his son on a backpacking trip.

At this point in Avery’s life, he is very comfortable with being outdoors. Whereas I had to be introduced to the outdoor lifestyle later in life, Avery and his brother Elijah were introduced to the outdoors quite literally since infancy.

Camping, skiing, hiking and backpacking are as normal to their everyday life as playing the Atari was to Josh and I in our childhoods.

Again this year, Josh researched a child friendly backpacking place.  A route that would have waterfalls, mining ruins, great views and a relatively easy hike in.  Perfect for any boy!    My role in this?

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A Father’s Day weekend trip where my buddy Josh and I took Avery for his first backpacking trip.

There are certain friends who help shape, influence and become part of your life over years. Where it goes beyond grabbing a beer or taking a trip together.

Back in Rhode Island, I am fortunate to have friends who have shared many important events in  my life with…and more than a few beers. 🙂  With an upcoming wedding, it is not a question of them being able to make it to Colorado. They will be there to share in this event.

Likewise, I’ve been able to form some close friendships with some people in Colorado.

Among them is my friendship with the Zapins

Over the years we’ve shared outdoor trips together, holidays, helping each other out with problems big or small and generally being there for each other.  Josh is even going to officiate the wedding for someone and I.

Continue reading Backpacking – The Next Generation at PMags.com.