To think you're not really that adventurous if you have your husband with you

[GigglingSid]

I'm part of a group for families who enjoy travel, nature, camping, outdoor pursuits, both in the UK and abroad. It's not a very single parent friendly group, some of the advice given, particularly around my budget for certain holidays has been very rude. There's been a lot of women commenting 'well my husband will always drive/ put up the tent/ plan routes/ bugger off cycling all day and leave me with the kids.
I've been away this week and have been chatting to various people on the group about hiking routes, camping spots etc. It suddenly struck me that many of these families have credit cards with limitless amounts on them, expensive cars, tents and camping equipment worth thousands and they are also nearly all heteronormative couples. What a different experience trekking though the Sahara as or with a large white man with you compared to my experience as a short, mid thirties woman?
I feel like I've been conned a little bit into thinking I wasn't able to be part of this elite club as I wasn't savvy enough at reading a OS map or that great at kayaking.
But maybe actually being a woman on her own, with two kids, £200 and an Aldi tent makes me the most adventurous of them all?

I assure you that when I am being 'adventurous', I am not necessarily having a good time a chunk of the time. It can be very hard work and not fun at all in that moment. However, the sense of accomplishment at the end is great and worth it.

I hope everyone has a good weekend adventuring in whatever way is meaningful for them (or not). I'm off to do some very non-adventurous reading (though I've discovered a new favourite author, so maybe that's adventurous?) in my non-adventurous detached house.

I think it would be reckless for any lone parent to take children into the wilds without a thorough backup plan / standby support.

Have fun! Bring a torch. I learned that one the hard way even though it all worked out. lol. Now I'm educated and know what I'm doing. ;-)

I agree absolutely, having travelled a lot both alone and with DP. You are being more adventurous and taking bigger risks, OP. But looking back, I was foolhardy taking some of the risks I took while travelling alone, so you are wise going with a group.

I wish you a wonderful time and a safe return!

I can do anything a man can do, and I’m a tall, heteronormative white woman. So does that make me the most adventurous of all?

Single woman here and agree that travelling on your own is a very different experience, even when travelling with friends.

Bravery is about doing something without knowing the outcome or safety net. Travelling on your own- very brave

The implication of your title is really condescending and I'm not sure why that was needed. Yes travelling is easier if you do it with another adult ,maybe in some areas with a man. If you have a bigger budget you can make different choices. I'm.not sure about more or less adventurous, I think that's the wrong word. I admire woman who travel solo as I would not have the confidence to.

Would you think the same about two females going camping or are you just looking to shit on straight married women? Now I’m not straight so I’m not taking offence but that’s a bloody weird generalisation

You’re misusing the term heteronormative, OP.

My DH is short and not white. Does this mean that I’m More Adventurous than a woman married to a tall, white guy?

I've not read the whole thread but I totally agree with you, OP.

I've been both single and coupled over the years, and adventures are so much easier with a partner. Doing it on your own takes extra competence, physical strength and courage.

And also, expensive kit makes things easier too - to do stuff without the posh kit definitely increases the difficulty of a given adventure.

Not sure why people have got so offended by your post. I’d say it’s pretty obvious that most things are easier with another adult around to help.

YABU

Reverse snobbery at it's finest.

Undoubtedly as a single woman without advantage of physical strength, whether that comes in the form of your own abilities or a man in tow, you will have a harder time of it with physical stuff. Less money makes it harder. You are doing a great job OP. However as a general rule, self praise, especially when it comes with negative comparison with others, tends to get peoples back ups so and will likely end with you being roundly told off and your endeavours minimised, which I'm sure is the opposite you're hoping for. People can no doubt see for themselves its harder for you if they have any intelligence at all, and will acknowledge or praise as they see fit.

Wow, amazed you manage any of that with that big chip on your shoulder.

Depends whether the other adult behaves like a spoilt 5 year old

can be easier when they fuck off

Reading an OS map used to be taught in school. But my parents got there first - I could read one before I left primary school. Ask one of your group to help you.

Agree with you OP. Having more than one adult on a trip makes things massively easier in terms of spending power, safety, and logistics.

Not sure that translates as more adventurous, but definitely harder and you have to be more on the ball.

I don’t 100% get the point of your post OP. Are you miffed as random people from the group are coming up to you proclaiming their own adventurous spirits and you are saying they are frauds? Surely people are just their for the camping or whatever not in a competition with other group
members about who is the most hardcore?

I get what you mean, that big credit card and extra pair of hands means there is so much less planning and such a bigger safety net. People with both are having a different experience.

What is a PLB?

What does who you have sex with have to do with how adventurous a camper you are?!

What's the problem with that? Should they go travelling only if they can't get home quickly and live somewhere disadvantaged?

If you want to think you are the most adventurous of all to make you think better, there. You are more adventurous than everyone.

It's a pity if you don't do things because you actually enjoy them but because you think you are in a competition. It's your own space and your own time you are wasting.

Is there a competition for 'most adventurous' and a decent prize at the end of the season? If not, what does it matter?

I could tell you many stories about my travels through Europe when I was in my 20s. Many instances certanly qualify as 'adventurous'. I didn't make those choices because I wanted to get a medal though - I was simply poor and single.

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