Advntr Together (2024)

01/05/2023

Food packed. Diapers Packed. Extra Clothes Packed. Car locked.

But my child won't go in the carrier. Now what? How do these parents get to summits with their kids in carriers?

Rework your planning to give your babe a half hour to an hour to hike or explore the trailhead. They just got out of the car and need to move their bodies. Then, put them in the carrier.

Attach a stuffy, teether or toy for them to play with. Give them a snack to eat. Time it with their nap.

What other questions do you have about carriers?

16/01/2023

Since there are a lot of families visiting Lake Tahoe right now, I thought I’d share my favorite locations around the lake.

South Lake Tahoe:

Emerald Bay - Free parking at the turnout. Cross the highway and follow the trail to the rocks above Emerald Bay. You can also pay to park at the State Park.

Baldwin beach - Park at the turnout and snow shoe in

Nevada Beach from Kahle Drive - free parking and 0.75 flat trail out to the beach

Marina at the end of Ski Run at Riva Grill - easy to park and enjoy stunning views of the mountain range and lake.

Heavenly Gondola - view of Lake Tahoe as you go up the Gondola

The Beacon Restaurant - only restaurant in town directly on the beach

West Shore:

Eagle Rock - free parking at turnout. Hike/snowshoe up 0.75 miles to the top for a 360 view of the lake and mountains. There are cliffs, so no goofy kids up there.

Sunnyside Restaurant - Hula pie and a cocktail

North shore:

Incline Bike path to Hidden Beach - pay to park

East shore:

Spooner Pass Snow Park - big free sledding hill

Sand harbor - Enjoy the views and sunset. Pay to park.

Bonsai Rock - Google map the location, park at the small turnout and hike down a steep trail north to the beach. Beautiful boulders at the beach with the iconic “bonsai” in the rock in the water.

Enjoy!

16/01/2023

“Out with Dad”

“Snow.”

“Snow?!”

“Yes, snow.”

I’m in Arizona close to the border of Mexico. What an unexpected surprise for our summer-in-winter tandem bike ride. I was about 12 years old, and my dad and I left California for Arizona to go on a multi day bike tour through southern Arizona.

Waking up to snow was quite the surprise. Since we are on a tandem road bike, we didn’t bike that day. Instead, we played in the snow and drove out to the location we were initially going to bike to.

That trip is so iconic in my mind. It was just my dad and I. We saw beautiful sites including the cacti my dad would bring back from work trips. I saw Mexico, which was a big deal since I had never left the country before. I rode 70 miles in a day, which was more than I thought I could do. I learned how to look over my shoulder without shifting the weight on the bike. I was out exploring a new area, having new experiences, and sharing in something my dad loved. I was out on an adventure with him, and to this day, this is my one really strong memory with him.

Do you do trips with just you and one of your kids? If not, would you want to and what would you do together?

For me, I want to backpack. Make a yearly backpacking trip with each of my kids. Having multiple kids now, I feel like I miss out on the amazingness and the one-on-one time with my eldest. I’m ready to have that connection with her again.

Written and 📷 by Leslie Advntr Together

16/01/2023

"Oh P**p"

I’ve had to change a p**p diaper for a p*e soaked diaper, wipe p**p off my hiking pants, and warm up frozen wipes in my hand. Because of these experiences, my diaper bag set up has changed a myriad of times since having a child, but now I have a set up that works well for me. It’s easy and can easily switch from stroller, to car, to hiking pack. It’s the double zipper diaper dry bag.

One zipper pouch is for all my diaper supplies: diapers, wipes, butt paste, hand sanitizer, and sunscreen – yes I know sunscreen doesn’t go on butts, but this works really well for me to carry the family sunscreen. I'll also stuff a second outfit in there if I'm not taking another bag. The second zipper pouch is for all the soiled diapers, wipes and sometimes clothes.

Diapers: I usually pack 6 diapers for a trip or about one for each hour I think I’ll be out.

Wipes: Pack a package that is about a third full. The weight of a full wipe container is unnecessary for adventuring for the day.

Butt paste: Because we don’t want red butts or a cranky baby in the pack.

Hand sanitizer: Because you have to eat with your hands too.

Sunscreen: Makes it easier that all the tubes of products are in one spot.

Second outfit: When this is my only bag, I’ll squish in a shirt and pants.

When I get home, I reload my diaper bag as well as check it before I head out on another adventure. Sometimes I have to add a few diapers if I wasn’t able to reload the previous day or if we are going out on a true all day adventure. This check and restock is fast – 30 seconds to 2 minutes. I don’t have to start from scratch, search the house for the items and pack everything all over again.

Note: I now also carry extra diapers, wipes, and one outfit per child in the trunk of my car.

What things do you take with you on every adventure? Is there a simple, lightweight way for you to pack and carry them?

Written by Leslie Advntr Together

16/01/2023

Lake Winnemucca

“You can ski with her on your back?” I asked my husband. “Yes,” he replied.

The first time we did this was on a groomed intermediate ski slope before the lifts opened. I was just amazed watching him go down the slope with her on his back in the carrier. (Side note: my husband is an expert skier and ski patrolled at Mammoth mountain for 6 years, so he is strong on skis – unlike me).

Snowshoeing is my favorite winter sport, and I was ready for an adventure up to our favorite area: Carson Pass to Lake Winnemucca at the base of Round Top Peak. It’s gorgeous.

It was such a neat experience to trek up the hill to the base of Lake Winnemucca and the unexpected surprise of the moon rising over the hill. It’s a trip I’ll always remember. We were out there doing what we love together as a family.

And Buckles the whale came too 😄

Details:

In the late spring, you’ll find wildflowers along the trail especially on the Woods Lake trail. In the winter, the path from the parking lot is well packed down. However, you need to have navigation skills as people will make their own paths once the terrain opens up a bit. You want to be familiar with the terrain and/or navigation to get to the lake you want to get to (Frog Lake or Lake Winnemucca).

It’s located at the summit of Carson Pass on route 88. There is a maintained parking lot at the trailhead which needs a permit year round. May 31 - October 31 bring cash for parking or buy online and print out. November 1 - May 30th online and print out. You can also check the Amador District office. There are day and season passes.

Frog Lake is 3 miles roundtrip with about 350 elevation gain. Lake Winnemucca is 5 - 5.5 miles round trip depending on how far around the lake you go and turn back with 600 ft elevation gain.

Check the weather before you go as storms hit this area before entering Tahoe.

📷 : Leslie + John

16/01/2023

"The Unexpected Hike"

I dropped my car off to have my snow tires put on, and I was going to shop at the store attached to it, but it was closed. The mechanic offered to have me sit in the chair that was sandwiched between the desk and a row of tires, but I didn’t want to stay there especially with a baby. I asked for my key back, so I could get my carrier out of the car. I decided I’d walk to the next shopping center, which was a half mile away. Thank goodness for always keeping a carrier and a full body snow suit in the car so we could walk in 27°F.

We started out on our walk. When I got to the main road, which is more like a highway, the sidewalk ended. I checked my map app to see if I could find a trail up the dirt hill, but didn’t find one. I scanned the hill and found a single track that I’m guessing has been made by people just like a deer trail since there isn’t a sidewalk. I looked for a way to get to the trail and carried on.

We got to the grocery store I decided to go to. This may not sound so exciting to you, but I really enjoy grocery stores. I have liked grocery stores since I was a kid and even watched the “Supermarket Sweep” game show. I also enjoy taking my kids to the store every week probably because I love food. The grocery store my baby and I stopped at today is full of snacks and yummy frozen goods that I don't normally get, so I bought myself, and my family, some treats and headed back to pick up my car.

As I was walking down the dirt trail, a sense of independence and freedom came over me as I breathed in the crisp cool air, ate my chocolate covered pretzels, and looked out at the snowy mountains to my left and the brown desert hills to my right. It was so nice to have this time in my day to hike, something that I decided a few days ago I wanted to do everyday. And then I realized I did the same thing with my first child when she was a baby. I brought my car to the mechanic, and not having a way to transport her without the carseat, I crossed the street and went for a hike.

How can you bring your love of the outdoors into your daily life in unexpected ways?

Written by Leslie Advntr Together

16/01/2023

And there it was, with the pink alpenglow on the peaks.

Some friends of mine had mentioned Alabama Hills, CA to me as a great place for winter camping, so I decided that’s where the next family camping trip would be.

It’s our norm to head out to new locations and find remote camping along the way. We pulled up at night, and we were having a tough time finding camping. I thought at the end of winter, we would be able to find a spot with the 34F nights, but having never been here before, I didn’t realize the popularity. We found a pullout to camp but after setting up our tent, we realized it was too close to the road. My husband took the truck and went exploring again. He was successful, so we packed everything up - tent, pads, sleeping bags - and moved to another location.

The morning was a sight to behold.

Mt. Whitney.

A dream of mine.

Mt. Whitney was the first mountain that really sparked my interest in big mountains. In my mid twenties, my boyfriend at the time showed me a picture of his tent in the snow with a massive mountain behind it. I fell in love. Coming from the city, this was a new site to behold. I always get excited when I see photos of Mt. Whitney.

So when my daughter decided it was time to get up for the day, and I’m ready to sleep another two hours, I groggily looked out of my tent and was instantly filled with joy. From our dirt parking lot, my mountain that I had no idea was here was staring me right in the face. I jumped out of the tent and watched as the pink alpenglow traveled up the peaks as the sun rose.

I think I’ll be adding Mt. Whitney to my 2023 trip list with kids in tow. What big adventures are you thinking about for next year?

Written and photographed by Leslie

16/01/2023

The hot drink after snow play has been a game changer for not only my daughter but also for me. I love going out in the snow, playing, and then coming back and getting toasty warm again while sipping on a hot drink. Here are some fun drink ideas for you:

Hot chocolate with marshmallows - if doing this on the trail, keep the marshmallows separate or they will dissolve - We are a fan of steamed milk with melted chocolate chips.

Atole for the warm cinnamon and vanilla flavors

Hot Apple Cider - can also be made with apple juice or low sugar apple juice

Maghrebi Mint Tea because mint and sugar is delicious. Added touch with a fresh mint leaf to smell.

What hot drinks do you love?

📷 : Leslie

16/01/2023

The hot drink after snow play has been a game changer for not only my daughter but also for me. I love going out in the snow, playing, and then coming back and getting toasty warm again while sipping on a hot drink. Here are some fun drink ideas for you:

Hot chocolate with marshmallows - if doing this on the trail, keep the marshmallows separate or they will dissolve - We are a fan of steamed milk with melted chocolate chips.

Atole for the warm cinnamon and vanilla flavors

Hot Apple Cider - can also be made with apple juice or low sugar apple juice

Maghrebi Mint Tea because mint and sugar is delicious. Added touch with a fresh mint leaf to smell.

What hot drinks do you love?

📷 : Leslie

16/01/2023

Hi I’m Leslie, mother, explorer and wife. I have glacier mountaineered in Alaska, white water rafted in Chile, explored the Great Ocean Road in Australia, scuba dived in Roatan, and have a true love of hiking, snowshoeing, and backpacking.

Why did I include the last photo? Because my husband and I snowshoed/ski toured up a mountain 2.5 miles with our two year old in a back carrier with our 8 year old dog, set up a tripod and took this photo as the sun set. So let’s get out there and have fun with our families. We are more capable than we may think.

16/01/2023

We loved the outdoors before kids - doing big ski trips, riding wild rapids, and setting sail. Now with kids we are like, “Uhh, how do I do this with my kids?” We face new challenges with kids in tow, but we eagerly want to feel the freedom of the outdoors.

Advntr Together's seasonal magazine is coming this spring featuring parents’ stories and experiences outside with their families to inspire you as well as give you resources and tips to make your adventures easier and more enjoyable with your kids.

Enjoy your adventure today ~ Leslie, founder of Advntr Together

📷 : Leslie Advntr Together

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