To firmly resist dh's plan to carry all the camping equipment on the three day hike he has planned for the BH?

[ScribblyGum]

Dh has planned an adventure for this weekend. He wants the family to walk a three day 34 mile trail, camping for the two nights, carrying all the stuff. Dh is strong and fit. Dd1 (14) has just done bronze Dof E so she is up to the task. Dd2 (13) is used to doing long walks but hasn’t done a two or three dayer carrying her stuff. The dog (8) will be fine. I am reasonably strong and fit, I walked for seven hours last BH but I've got a dodgy back, a dicky hip and two crunchy knees.

I can do this walk but I'm not sure I can do it carrying a back pack of stuff.

I just packed my rucksack with the two man tent, a sleeping bag and roll mat, put it on and thought FUCK THIS IS HEAVY.
I’ve got to threedays of approx six hour walks carrying it, holding the dog and I haven’t added water, pants, snacks and deodorant in there.

Do you think it would be unreasonable of me to insist that we transport the camping stuff by car (ie use two cars and there and back drop of thing in the morning)?

Oh Scribbly I would love that, just man up and carry that damn bag, it is character building. Think how cool you will all look striding into each campsite each evening, you, your DH and your cool DC's. Rain is not a problem, wearing your waterproofs means less to carry. Enjoy!

He can carry the heavy stuff. You should be carrying as little as possible.

I would love that weekend, but you could suggest they you run a support role, they leave in the morning you pack up tent into the car, meet them for lunch, then drive to the next campsite and set up the tent and await their arrival.

OP I think the plan sounds wonderful. Admittedly it's not some people's idea of fun but I would love it and I think it is particularly great that your DC are really up for it too.

I totally understand your problem regarding your pack. Sounds like DD has come to the rescue at least in part.

Do consider walking poles. They are a godsend on the knees.

I know from experience that a heavy pack can make a huge difference to your walk and cause your knees, hips back and feet to become more painful, more quickly.

I find carrying the pack as high as I can on my back, using the shoulder and waist straps does help a little.

I'd go for it. Albeit with your family understanding that you are not able to cope with a very heavy pack.

Also, make a plan B, and maybe even a plan C. Research Sherpa companies and bus routes, get taxi numbers and consider taking two cars just in case you need to resort to using them. FWIW I don't think the Car plan sounds that faffy.

Have a wonderful adventure!

Are you camping on sites or randomly during the walk. Can you not drive to the site, leave all the camping stuff, and then drive back to the start in car 2, to walk towards your tent? It's the faff of doibg it each morning, but shouldn't take too long should it?

I have always objected to any sort of walking where you have to carry any more than a day sack and though he likes that sort of thing, DH knows my position is clear. DDs feel the same as me. So we go camping, take a big tent in the car, put it up and do walks from there, but no expeditions with huge rucksacks. I am strong and fit, but I don't regularly carry weight on my back so would find it knackering and horrible. If DH wants to do an expedition he can go with his friends. He would never be stupid enough to attempt to inflict it on the family.

Also if you are eating in pubs for dinner, what about breakfast and lunch?

Also I think your DH is being daft and unreasonable to even suggest it when he knows you have a bad back and dodgy knees.

You couldn't rope in a friend to drop your heavy stuff at the campsite for you? If I was local I'd happily do it for you Wrecking your hips would spoil your happy family memories!

My brothers labs wear backpacks & carry own food & water

How cute - who knew that you could get little backpacks for dogs?! Wouldn't the smell of Pedigree Chum rations for the whole day wafting around just behind their heads drive them wild, though?

Depending on the roughness and hilliness of the terrain, could you compromise by getting a robust camping trolley to shove it all in? You could then take turns to pull it and stop frequently for breaks.

Wouldn't the smell of Pedigree Chum rations for the whole day wafting around just behind their heads drive them wild, though
We have dogs that carry their own foldable bowls and food (water we supply at stops). The food is in sealed air tight bags so no smells to distract them.

Op, i think you might accidentally sprain your ankle today, maybe missing a step carrying holiday stuff downstairs.
Minor sprain only needing ice elevation and rest.

I'm having similar problems, DH wants to go on an old sailing boat and weather rubbish, trying to put him off or say we just go for the day. Not looking forward to it to be honest, and that isn;t even with a pack! I know it is the BH, but I'm encouraging him to look at the weather and maybe go another weekend.

I think you driving to the next stop with stuff and getting taxi to meet them sounds the best choice.

Just spoken to dh, expressed my concerns and HURRAH HURRAH he thinks the two car plan (although faffy) is the best compromise as he really wants us all to do the walk together but doesn’t want me to be sore and grumpy. Day packs for us all it is then!

Thanks for all the advice and for the encouragement to do it. Will maybe work up to carrying heavy packs for a future trip.

Your update sounds better, but am I the only one wondering what your contingency plan is if your waterproofs leak so you have to go to bed in wet clothes??? [Disclaimer: sister and I did survival weekend in 2008 on the weekend that the OMM was called off because of the horrendous weather - being constantly damp round the edges at best was utterly miserable!)

Oh good - post crossed and your last update sounds SO much better - plenty of room for a change of clotehs and emergency jaffacakes in the cars

The two teenagers can split their equipment between themselves.

DH carries most of your stuff.

Sorted.

Yey! Great update, well done, OP.

And have a lovely pain free time. Hope it doesn't rain.

Just spoken to dh, expressed my concerns and HURRAH HURRAH he thinks the two car plan (although faffy) is the best compromise as he really wants us all to do the walk together but doesn’t want me to be sore and grumpy. Day packs for us all it is then!

Huzzah!

Glad that is sorted.

Waterproofs are pretty robust nonevernotever, we frequently camp in North Wales, so, yeah... they’re up to the job . New plan allows for change of clothes too in lovely dry car

Ooh I love a walk of a bank holiday weekend. The stroll from the sofa to the fridge, the exhilarating climb to the upstairs loo, the breathtaking views of Netflix 😂

Yay! Now you can just look forward to a nice family weekend with no worries.