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20090309 Monday March 09, 2009

1st Hike of 2009 This past Sunday, the kids and I loaded up our camelbaks and headed out for a hike to the top of Dakota Ridge Trail. We parked in the Green Mountain parking lot next to C-470 and trekked up the west-side of the mountain.

Ready to go Hiking Jack Heading up Dakota Ridge

First of all, I was impressed with their enthusiasm. Granted, it was a beautiful Denver spring day, but still - you know how 4 and 6 year olds are. I'm not sure how far it was, but I'd guess somewhere between 1 and 2 miles. Abbie was gung-ho the entire way up, while Jack kept saying he was tired and wanted me to carry him. I never broke down, kept encouraging him and they both made it to the top without any issues.

While at the top, they did some exploring and Abbie gathered a whole backpack full of rocks for the trip down. By the time she was done filling it, it must've weighed around 20 pounds. Even though it was pretty darn heavy, she carried it all the way down - stopping every-so-often to empty a few rocks out. We weighed it when we got home and discovered it was 10 pounds. I was very impressed with her strength and perseverance.

Well done kids!

Jack on Dakota Ridge Collecting Rocks On the top

How old do kids have to be before you take them up a 14er? ;-) Posted in General at Mar 09 2009, 10:28:20 PM MDT 4 Comments

Comments:

Nice work Matt! Get them trained early so they can carry your gear into the backcountry. :)

Posted by Foster on March 10, 2009 at 06:49 PM MDT #

I was 10 or 11 when I did my first 14er, Grays Peak. It was a great introduction to the high peaks in CO.

Posted by Dan Moore on March 12, 2009 at 01:44 PM MDT #

Hi Matt

I've been a follower for this your web log, I see you talk about java, your family and other stuff.

This message is about your family. I have seen lots of pictures about your kids, some for your parents, but rarely about you and/or your wife, why is it so?

Posted by Carlos Adolfo Ortiz Q on March 14, 2009 at 08:02 AM MDT #

> I have seen lots of pictures about your kids, some for your parents, but rarely about you and/or your wife, why is it so?

Because I don't have a wife. ;-)

The kid's mom and I split up in summer 2007. We're still good friends, have a family dinner once a week and share equal time with the kids. We're both much happier now.

Posted by Matt Raible on March 14, 2009 at 08:53 AM MDT #

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