It is hard to believe that one summer many years ago we experienced a camping trip that failed so abysmally, we emerged proclaiming that camping - in any form - wasn't for us. A year later with our hearts softened to giving it another go, we found ourselves purchasing a tent and some sleeping bags. Fast forward several more years and we are now scheming ways to push our family backpacking into the winter months.

After having mastered our goal of getting out and hiking one-day-a-week, we have sought to work towards a new goal:  one multi-day trip a month.

Working towards one trip a month has brought with it new challenges. Preparation, gear, weather, scheduling... The challenges, while similar in nature to those we encounter with weekly hikes, are definitely a step-up in difficulty.  It hasn't been easy, and we aren't there yet but we are getting closer every year. The two biggest issues that hold us back are:

• Experience: Being safe, comfortable, and confident as a family in winter backcountry conditions wasn't something Renee or I experienced as children. We are having to learn as we go and we are mostly on our own. There is a lot of information available for adults, but very little on how to do it as a family.
• Gear: Along with experience comes gear, the two are virtually inseparable. The better experience you have, the more fine-tuned you can be with gear. Purchasing gear can be of considerable expense for a single income family. Learning how to be safe, comfortable, and light-weight in all seasons while keeping expenses manageable is not trivial. It takes experience.

It is our desire that as we learn these things, that we can be a resource for other families who want to do the same.

In addition to the usual creation of checklists and spending time preparing in advance, here are some things that have helped us along the way:

• Learning to be comfortable outside in all seasons: Getting out for our weekly hikes in all weather conditions has really helped us to feel more comfortable and confident in a variety of situations. Adding an overnight element to the outing is less of a stretch when we are comfortable during the day.
• Gradually pushing further in each season: Starting in the summer, then gradually adding later trips in the fall and earlier trips in the spring has been a good way to progress. We haven't had any disaster trips (yet!, knock-on-wood!) and it has really helped to boost our confidence.
• Knowing the limits of our gear: It is not uncommon for us to practice with gear in the back yard. Knowing the limits of tents and sleeping bags close to home before venturing out in cold weather has helped to build experience and confidence. Some people in the family require more insulation than others. Learning the ins and outs of this has been really valuable.
• When the weather is outside of our comfort zone, we look for alternatives: Using wood heated cabins in the winter and 3-sided shelters in the spring has helped us to venture out in conditions beyond what we felt comfortable doing in a tent.

One of the more difficult aspects to getting out on a monthly basis has been figuring out how to fit it into our lives. A multi-day trip takes time for both preparation and clean-up, not to mention the time it takes for the trip itself. This time has to come from somewhere, and if (like us) your days are already full, it can be difficult to figure out how to make it fit. We have been learning how to shift priorities and find the balance in our life that makes it work without undue stress. Every trip has gotten easier and we look forward to streamlining the process even more.

Our goal is to make being in the outdoors a normal part of our life, not just an activity that we pursue. For us, getting out on monthly trips moves us in that direction.

What do you do towards that end?

Artwork: Laurent Tougas