This weekend was one of turning around early. West wasn’t having it. Even though we hiked and snowshoed in some pretty places, both adventures were tainted by a whining and crying 20 month old.
Both were cold excursions, under twenty degrees.
One we pulled him in the Burley sled while we snowshoed.
The other we sought drier ground in the high desert nearby and had him in the pack.
Mode of transit did not matter though. Either way the kid was discontent.
We chalk some of it up to cold hands and feet, in the never ending saga of finding boots and mittens that work well. I will say we are fond of our North Face Toddler Alpenglow II Boots. They are easy to put on, waterproof, and West moves in them well. Cold toes are a hazard of cold temps, when you aren’t moving your feet all that much. But mostly I think he was just exerting the famed toddler independence and saying he wanted to move on his own.
Finding a new balance
We are learning to balance all this. The pace is different. I find myself yearning for more movement.
We often find ourselves crunched for time. Sure we could still hike 8 miles, but we would need all day, in order to let West get out and explore frequently.
In the summer, we can find that time. In the winter, our ability to stroll all day is limited by the cold. The kid also likes his afternoon nap and frankly so do I… so we squeeze in cold, morning adventures.
This weekend was not the only time we aborted the mission
Once when West was around seven months we turned back on a hike to a pass, as the ground shedded below us, the risk of slipping was real and that risk is less acceptable with a little guy on your back.
Another time, we turned in the mountains of Idaho when West was six months, when a scrambling maneuver felt too precarious. These failed adventures are not unusual in the outdoors.
It is what makes adventure. Nothing is given. Nature rules. You adapt. I believe the ability to adapt is one of the greatest lifelong skills that outdoor pursuits build in us. Kids build adaptivity as well.
A willingness to change course is important. The ability to embrace that new course is a gift.
That day we turned back from the pass, we ended up eating lunch in one of the many stunning mountain cirques where we live. The weather was warm, the flowers were excellent. We had more time to appreciate them. Maybe it wasn’t our first choice, but it was a darn good second choice.
