Well, we did it! We completed our first summer family backpacking trip, and it was a tremendous success. Learning how to be comfortable for multiple days in the outdoors is a skill that takes patience and practice. This trip was good because it included both warm sunny weather and cold wet weather giving us the opportunity to test our gear in a variety of conditions without pushing us beyond our limits. We are always learning something new, and this trip was no exception. The following is a summary of some of the successes and failures we experienced on the trail:

• Success - Kids baselayer underwear: We recently purchased Nike Pro sleeveless shirts and compression boxer-briefs for our oldest two children (they kicked-in some money of their own as well). Nike Pro base layers are made out of a light-weight Lycra fabric designed to be worn as either underwear or stand-alone athletic wear. The theory behind this purchase was multi-purpose: to keep them warmer and more comfortable in inclement weather, and to be worn alone in hot weather or as a bathing suit for splashing in rivers and lakes. The theory actually worked. The kids loved them and never took them off all weekend. In the cold rain they added more layers over top, in the heat they stripped the outer layers off, and after swimming they dried very quickly. The kids love them so much that they almost never take them off at home either.
• Failure - Ray-Way backpack: Celine and I sewed her a backpack using a pattern and kit supplied by Ray Jardine. While she loved the backpack from a size, weight, and functionality standpoint, she hated the fit. It didn't take very long on the trail before she found the shoulder straps very uncomfortable. We tried taking the sternum strap off of my pack and putting it on hers, but that didn't help matters much either. I ended-up having to carry her pack for her for most of the trip. On the way back home we stopped-in to a local outfitters and had her try on a couple of different packs. She really liked the fit of the Golite Jam pack, so we will probably buy her one of those in a size small in the near future.
• Success - Minimal footwear: Our whole family wore minimal footwear for the entire trip. I wore the Feelmax Niesas and brought my Vibram FiveFinger KSOs as backup (but didn't use them). Renee wore her FiveFinger KSOs, and the kids wore their Teva Protons. All of us wore wool socks. They all performed great on the trail.
• Failure - Cilogear 45L Worksack: We purchased this pack for Renee early on this past winter for our winter camping trip to Camden Hills State Park. We had high hopes for this pack because it is very well designed and incredibly versatile. Unfortunately for Renee, the fit ended-up being problematic after an extended period of time. She had uncomfortable pressure points along the back of her hips which made it quite painful by the end of our trip. Looks like we will be on the hunt for a new pack for her as well. (Anyone interested in purchasing a barely used Cilogear 45L Worksack?)
• Success - Injinji Outdoor socks: Both Renee and I use these socks for hiking. They fit well in both the FiveFingers and Feelmax shoes. Having separate toes, they prevent abrasion and blistering. Being constructed with wool, they dry quick, provide great temperature regulation, and thanks to the anti-bacterial properties keep the stink at a reasonable level.
• Failure - Injinji Outdoor socks: Although these socks are great for hiking, they are not good for around camp. While having separate toes is of benefit while on the move, your toes are insulated from each other which makes it difficult to keep your feet warm when standing still. Plain-old wool socks worked much better for hanging out at camp in the cold and wet conditions we experienced.
• Success - Rocky Gore-Tex socks: Wearing regular wool socks under a pair of Gore-Tex socks in my Feelmax shoes was a great combination for keeping my feet comfortable in camp shoes. My feet stayed dry and warm despite the 45 degree rainy weather.
• Failure - Flip-flops: My daughter chose to bring flip-flops as her camp shoes. These did not work well because she couldn't wear warm socks with them on the cold/wet days.
• Success - The route: The route we picked for our first backpacking trip was perfect. The distance, elevation gain, and destination all made for a very pleasurable first experience despite having a very rainy Saturday. Having a shelter nearby and meeting AT thru-hikers made-up for the fact that we had to hang around camp during the storm.
• Failure - Tent platforms: Although not a complete failure, pitching the tent on the designated wooden platforms proved to be difficult. Our tent is not self supporting and relies on tent stakes to keep it erect. The wooden tent platforms do not allow for the use of tent stakes. I was completely unprepared for this and therefore had to get a little creative. I ended up having to use guy-lines attached to the stake-out loops so that I could use tent stakes in the ground surrounding the platform. The wooden platform did have steel hooks/eyelets screwed in at various points around the perimeter, but they were at all the wrong places making it difficult for me to be to attach to them. Needless to say, it took me a very long time to set-up the tent. I am going to have to figure out a better solution to this in the future, because I don't want to have to go through all of that hassle again. (Does anyone have any experience/advice/words of wisdom to offer?)