I want to take my 11 yr old backpacking for a week.

1) What would be the best shelter for her and I? Lightest weight etc

2) if wife and younger daughter want to join us? What wold be the best shelter set-up for 4 people?

Thanks!

A tarp would probably be lightest. Do you need bug protection? Would your daughter feel comfortable not enclosed in a tent like structure? I use an oware 10x10 mid for my wife and daughter and it works well.

Edited by catalyst81 on 06/19/2012 22:07:21 MDT.

Where do you live? Where do you plan on hiking?
The best shelter might be no shelter, considering it's summer. Cowboy camping is the best. A tarp can provide rain protection.
If there are bugs, then that makes things more complicated.

If you want them to love the outdoors and make it a part of their life forever get a tent. Make it comfortable. Make the trip easy and fun.

Light weight means nothing if everybody hates it.

Back when I started with my kids I carried a 110 L pack to play Sherpa, but they loved it. I slowly added more to their packs and less to mine. Now I just did a trip on the SHT last week with an Exos 58. (See pic below.)

For 4 people the lightest you are going to find in a double-wall is the Hogback that I know of. That is what we took on that trip. Hmm, can I do two pics?

Edited by rayestrella on 06/19/2012 23:20:09 MDT.