Thanks to Pamela, I had no idea that a few of you may not be familiar with Backpacking, especially if you do not live in a mountainous area or if it is not a pastime among your children or grandkids. 

Backpacking is an adventure-filled hobby or sport, that requires pricey specialized equipment. It isn't camping!  To start with, you need a sturdy Backpack that you can carry on your back. Think of yourself as a pack animal. I'm not referring to a regular backpack. This should be a lightweight, but durable backpack with a frame, as you will be carrying essentials such as a tent, Sleeping Bag, bedrolls, food, water, extra clothing, a first aid kit, and whatever else is necessary for survival. The weight on your back usually ranges from 30-40 pounds.

An excellent pair of hiking boots is a must-have, and sometimes it's advisable to carry two pairs if you plan to be away for an extended period, like hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Extra socks too. A tent, which is different from the kind you use when camping, will weigh less than 6 lbs and I believe his tent is 3 lbs. The sleeping bag will be around 2 lbs. Plus there is a liner that offers extra insulation from the cold. There's a lightweight camp stove that weighs approximately 2 lbs, and special canisters of fuel that are also lightweight. 

Foodie carried the extra weight of snow shoes on his trip, but they don't count towards the weight if he wears them. However, if he is packing them, they are 6 lbs. He has a water purifier to ensure safe drinking water, and he also carries a GPS to navigate. 

He is very experienced and has been backpacking/hiking since he was around 12. My dad was an adventurer, backpacker, and mountain climber, so both sons inherited those genes -  I guess. I have them to a degree—a very small one as I get older. My husband, My husband in his younger days, also backpacked and mountain climbed. 

I usually am cool with it, but because this is the first time he is snowshoeing or backpacking in the snow, yeah, it has me alert. On his behalf, he has been researching this for months, so he doesn't go in blindly. Of course, anything can happen. I try not to worry about this because 9.99 times out of 10, I just wasted my time. I'll deal with whatever happens when it happens, God forbid. That's just how I choose to roll. 

So there you have it - 

Take Care

Debby