Don’t think that you have to start this as an all-or-nothing venture. We consider our gear closet an organic thing, it grows, it changes, it adapts.  If you’re wondering where to start, I’ve outlined what we bring, what it weighs, and what we love most about our gear.  Use it to help you decide what to bring, how to disperse it, and perhaps what pieces to start with.

Dad’s Pack: A nine-year-old REI Great Star, up to 6,116 cubic inches of volume (that’s REALLY big).  The pack is massive and can swallow all the gear we want it to, even for a family of six if we pack it right, but it is pretty heavy on its own and for that reason my husband retired it after this trip and picked up a new, innovative design from Mystery Ranch (more on that after we test it out).  
His pack topped out at 56 pounds of gear, water and food.  This sounds like a lot, but considering that he was carrying three sleeping bags, three sleeping pads, coats and rain gear for three, food for six (three meals, four snacks), stove, fuel, cooking gear, one set of extra clothes each for six, a tent big enough for the whole family and about 96 ounces of water, we had to make sure that every piece was as lightweight as we could manage: that means down bags for adults, REI Zigzag kid’s sleeping bags for a 20-degree rating and only 2 pounds 4 ounces each (the oldest two carried their own), carefully planned meals, and most importantly an amazingly light-for-the-size Black Diamond Guiding Light tent.

Mom’s Pack (me!): An eight-year-old Kelty Child Carrier with attached duffle bag underneath (I’m not sure what it’s called, they don’t make it anymore) and a Baby Bjorn front carrier.  Guess what was inside: a 24-pound, wiggly 2.5-year-old in the back and a 20-pound, wiggly 15-month-old in the front. In the duffle bag I had a two-day supply of diapers and wipes for two, 2 sippy cups, hats, gloves, two blankets, snacks for the trail, sunblock, diabetes supplies (my oldest is Type-1), first-aid kit, and 96 ounces of water.  I didn’t weigh my pack after it was fitted out with kids, but I easily had 55-60 pounds — no mean feat on my 5 foot 6, 122-pound frame. We are currently rethinking gear/kid dispersal and may try each taking gear and one child on the next family jaunt.

Oldest Daughter’s Pack: A new REI Comet pack, 2,250 cubic inches.  This is a great pack, with nice volume and sized for an older child, yet totally adjustable as they grow and get taller.  Our 8-year-old daughter is pretty tall for her age, so it fits her well.  She carried about 7 pounds of gear: her own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, coat, rain gear and 24 ounces of water, plus some contraband toys.  My only complaint is that the pocket for a water bladder (fitted with drinking tube) is on the right side, which makes the weight distribution weird—it would be a better design to have it centered on the inside back of the pack.  I’m going to be sewing in my own bit of fabric to make a pocket there for our next trip.

Oldest Son’s Pack: A new Deuter Fox 30 pack, 1,850 cubic inches.  For our 5-year-old this was a great choice.  The pack itself is smaller in volume than his sister’s, and the torso frame, shoulder straps and waist belt (all completely adjustable) fit him perfectly at their smallest.  He carried his sleeping bag, sleeping pad, jacket, and water, coming in at just over 5 pounds.

With gear, just remember to start where you can and refine your stash, piece by piece — you have a lifetime to get the perfect balance of weight, size and comfort.

For more on the trip be sure to check out the accompanying articles: Backpacking with Six in Capital Reef , and Backpacking with Six — The kids’ view of Capital Reef .

IF YOU GO:
Capital Reef National Park
Ranger Station: 435-425-3791
Nearest town: Torrey, UT

Directions from I-15:
Take US Highway 50 east at Scipio (exit 188) towards Salina for 30 miles. At the junction with Utah State Highway 89/259, turn right (south) and travel 8 miles. Turn left (east) onto Utah State Highway 24 towards Sigurd. Continue on Highway 24 for 82 miles to reach the park Visitor Center.

For more information go to the official park website: www.nps.gov/care/index.htm

Also, for gear information try the gear pages at www.backpacker.com, especially their Gear Finder tool, and the kid-specific gear and tips forum pages at www.backpacking.net/bbs.html , scroll down and click on the “Hiking with KIDS” topic.