Trekking in the Alps with a toddler - should we stay in refuges or backpack?
My husband and I are working on section hiking the GR5, a long-distance trail that goes from Rotterdam to Nice.
We are going for two weeks with our 1.5-year-old daughter. I will be carrying her in the baby backpack...plus my water and something light and not dense, like diapers, my husband will be carrying everything else.
The trip involves 6 nights of either tent camping or staying in refuges (dormitory-style, no private rooms). We will be eating at the refuges so we don't need to carry as much food, and can dispose of dirty diapers :-) The rest of the nights we are staying in hotels (yes, I know hiking in Europe is cushy).
Any input on the decision to bring along our tent and sleeping bags or to stay in refuges? Other tips for trekking with a toddler would also be appreciated!
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1 answer
This isn't really a clear yes/no sort of question, I'm also pretty reticent to tell someone what would be best for their child. Aside from that hopefully someone will provide some information that will make your decision or others thinking of doing the same easier.
My first suggestion would be to work out which huts you are thinking of staying at or around and ring the guardians who are usually very helpful/knowledgeable!
I don't know how much you know about huts in the alps but some things to consider;
- some regions camping near huts is frowned upon.
- some regions camping near a hut is OK but using hut facilities is frowned upon.
- Most huts make their money on food, so some places are quite happy to have people who camp but buy meals
- Most water at huts comes from melt water near by so going to the toilet close to huts (especially uphill) is a bad thing.
- Many huts will not want to dispose of your rubbish for you as it will have to be lifted out by helicopter.
- It is quite likely there will be people getting up and moving around in the night which may or may not bother you, particularly climbers who must make the best of snow/ice conditions to make safe ascents of nearby routes.
- Even if people disapprove of camping near by there is not much anyone can do about it.
- A "reciprocal rights card" may save you money - uk example .
- booking a bed is often required at busy times of year.
- camping gear is heavy.
This sounds like quite the adventure, good luck!
This post was sourced from https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/a/8653. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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