The Netteburg Expedition
The Netteburg family redefined family travel by undertaking extensive thru-hikes, including the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2023 during a challenging
snow year, with their youngest member being just two years old. Their journey began not as a mere hobby but as a lifestyle, stemming from a desire for experiences over material possessions and deeper connections. This family of seven, easily recognizable by their matching yellow sun hoodies, covered over 20 miles daily. Their prior experience in Chad, where they worked as doctors, and a previous thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2020, meant their children were already accustomed to homeschooling and self-reliance. By 2022, when they tackled the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail (CDT), they welcomed their new addition, Piper, who was only eight months old and took her first steps at the trail's northern terminus. Completing the 'Triple Crown' – the AT, CDT, and PCT – in November 2023 was capped with a celebratory trip to Disneyland. Post-thru-hike, they've settled in Michigan, with older children Lyol (16) and Zane (14) in high school, and Addison (11) and Juniper (10) attending a forest school. Olen works as an ER doctor, while Danae cares for Piper, now four, but the trail memories remain vivid, with children recalling singing 'Veggie Tales' and swimming in waterfalls.
The Chisholm Adventures
The Chisholm family, inspired by conversations with thru-hikers while summiting peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains, decided to embark on their own long-distance hiking adventures. Asher, then ten, brought up the idea with his mother, Jennie, and his three brothers. Their confidence stemmed from regularly hiking their home state’s 4,000-foot peaks since they could walk, with Asher's nineteen-year-old brother Brody noting their early immersion in hiking. Thru-hikers assured them that if they could handle the Whites, they could manage the AT, provided they were prepared for extended periods of being wet, cold, and un-showered. Asher, now sixteen, recalls readily agreeing to the challenge, and his brothers were also on board. The family, consisting of Asher, Elliot (17), Brody, Ben (20), and Jennie, began the 2,200-mile AT in the spring of 2021, with Asher being eleven at the time. Their initial hike involved heavy, waterlogged gear, slower progress, and frequent encounters with hunger, cold, and rain. Ben Chisholm highlights learning to accept adverse conditions, stating, 'just being OK with it, whether it’s raining or cold or we are hungry or whatever’s going on.' Brody emphasizes embracing 'small wins,' like finding a break in the rain. By the AT's halfway point, they were already planning their 'Triple Crown' goal, which they achieved by completing the PCT in 2022 and the CDT in 2023, also including the 800-mile Arizona Trail. The wilderness setting stripped away distractions, fostering understanding and reconciliation during inevitable adolescent conflicts. Brody observed that challenging situations often led to laughter and strengthened bonds later on.
The Daley Journey
Marketa Daley's family embarked on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in March 2022, with her three children being too young for significant bickering but prime candidates for complaining. Daley recounts, 'The kids would have this awesome surge of energy and then something would happen. The wind was blowing too hard. It was too cold. It was too hot.' She felt like she was experiencing a 'roller coaster of emotions,' balancing gratitude with questioning their presence. She reasoned that dealing with toddler challenges was inevitable, whether at home or on the trail, and at least the latter offered a 'beautiful view.' Similar to other families, the Daleys began the PCT uncertain of their success, and their planned ten-mile days became eight-mile days as the children adjusted. Their itinerary deliberately included ample time for play, exploration of nature, and early camp setups for rest. Daley notes the 'nothing is yours out in nature' philosophy, emphasizing shared ownership of natural elements. Before this monumental trip, they had only done day hikes and short excursions in California. The first week on the desert trail presented difficulties with changing spring conditions. Their support network extended beyond their immediate family, with fellow hikers returning lost dolls to the children. However, the digital world brought unexpected negativity, with Daley receiving a distressing message on Instagram threatening to involve Child Protective Services. Despite this, she felt her children were safe and thriving. Dr. Dennis Coonan from Children’s Hospital Colorado acknowledges unique risks for children, including dehydration, fatigue, and potential communication issues regarding discomfort, as well as overuse injuries due to developing bodies. However, he stresses the significant mental and physical benefits of outdoor exercise for children’s growth and learning to understand their bodies. Daley addresses critics by stating, 'Those people are probably people who don’t understand what you’re doing,' and accepts that not everyone will comprehend their choices. Despite the online backlash, the Daley family found their rhythm, completing the first 700 miles and entering the challenging Sierra section. While they knew they wouldn't finish the entire trail that year, the experience was profound. Daley describes the Sierra as a 'fundamental moment' where they realized, 'We’re doing it. This is awesome. We’re spending time together as a family, and that’s what this hike is all about.'
Family Bonds Forged
In a world where American parents spend an average of 1.45 hours daily on childcare, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, thru-hiking offers an unparalleled immersion into family time, largely free from the distractions of school and extracurriculars. Brody Chisholm of the AT-hiking family highlights that 'the best form of entertainment I can find is my brothers: talking with them, hanging out with them, doing things with them.' While this constant togetherness is often idyllic, it presents unique challenges, such as a nine-year-old expressing boredom. Addison Netteburg advises, 'You have to keep your kids entertained, or else they probably won’t enjoy it as much.' The physical demands are also considerable; parents often carry over 50-pound packs, with young children adding to the load – Standa Daley, under two, contributed 25 pounds to his mother’s pack, while Piper Netteburg was affectionately nicknamed 'Dead Weight.' For many dedicated families, however, the rewards far exceed these costs. Over several months, families like the Netteburgs, Chisholms, and Daleys spent 24 hours a day together, engaging in shared activities such as counting salamanders, swimming in cold creeks, crafting toys from found materials, and setting up camp collaboratively. They shared tents and quilts, sang songs, and experienced a full spectrum of emotions together, fostering deep connections with both nature and each other. Even if the youngest children don’t retain every memory, the effects of thru-hiking are lasting. Family time becomes deeply cherished, attention spans lengthen, and the outdoors transforms into a sanctuary. Ben Chisholm reflects on the 'character-building moments' and the resilience gained from overcoming difficult situations, stating, 'I think that’ll stick with me.'
