What is it that drives you out in to the mountains, on to the water, or in to the storm?
This is a question that I ask myself a lot. And my answers are usually different depending on the day.
But this day, in July, my reason to load on a 40+ lbs. backpack and hit the trail was for these women. All 13 of them, but specifically these two, my mom and my daughter.
How often do three generations of girls get a chance to head into the backcountry together??
I wanted to share this experience with my mom, and I wanted to introduce my daughter to what I love most about the mountains.
Below is a gallery of our time in the Sawatch Range of Colorado:
All 14 women loading up and headed into the Sawatch backountry for three nights.
She kept saying, “Wow, look how big the mountains are!”
Every year, 14 women from Colorado and Utah come together to tick one (or a few) 14ers off the list. This year the main goal was Huron. This would also be my daughter’s first attempt at summiting a 14er.
The Big Agnes Jack Rabbit SL4 is a great family backpacking tent.
The best part is the relationships made along the way.
The next day we woke up at 3 a.m. to hike Huron Peak. My daughter was instantly ill, but in a spirit of toughness she still made it to 12,000 ft. But we knew making it to the summit was not going to happen when she couldn’t keep any food down. I am amazed by her resilience.
Hiking to Lake Ann, Sawatch Range, Colorado
She brought with her a child-like enthusiasm that brought many smiles.
Every night she watched, studied and helped make dinner and carry water up from the river.
She watched our friend Tracy paint the landscape surrounding us. And even got to try her own.
We all remembered that more than a goal or objective, it is the people who are with us that matter most.
Have you gone on a multi-generational trip? What was your favorite part?