How old is old enough

I took waynowski's comment as a more generic comment for others that may read the thread, rather than directed at you gaiters. More just to give it context as others who may read this may not realise that you fall into the experienced group (at least I think you do based on past posts of yours that I've read), and therefore that is why people are saying that they think it would be fine for YOU to do it.

If I was in that situation, I would firstly make sure that baby hasn't got any sort of medical problem that could be aggravated by colder or unstable conditions such as a cold, then I would assess my ability to address an emergency situation with a baby - for example if I broke a leg it would be one story to look after myself but how could I effectively look after baby and keep up with normal parenting duties at the same time while waiting for rescue. Then and only then would I consider taking him/her. At the end of the day it is our responsibility as parents to make rational and sensible choices for our kids well being so IMO if you believe she'll be right then go with the flow

@Gaiters A couple of things to add to what I said above: 1. Keep in mind you are moving and generating your own body heat, while the child is not. Take this into account when planning how to cloth and protect them from the weather. Even when it's nice and fine, if the temps are under 10 degC or so, they'll need much more insulation than you. From memory I think we shaped and fitted a layer of closed cell foam inside the baby back-pack, and made sure she had a super warm layers for the winter trip we did. 2. Under six months or so I quite like madpom's suggestion of a sling. Not only supports them better, but keeps them in much closer contact with your body heat. And yeah if it's belting down miserably it's going to be a hut day for sure.

the regulars to this site know gaiters is a very experienced tramper, and we can give you the benefit of the doubt you know what you're doing taking an infant on tramps and can keep the infant safe because of your experience. But, you're posting on the internet, anyone can read these posts. and not everyone who reads these posts is an experienced tramper... anyone can read a post and think what a great idea, but it wont necessarily work for them as well because of their lack of experience. there is one issue with babies, if the baby is likely to cry a lot in the middle of the night, then i dont think its fair to take them to a hut thats going to have other people than your own group in the hut.

Valid point Papatahi hut is a booking only hut about 3 to 4 hours from the road end on a highway style track to the river then either 2.5 hours up a wide river bed or the same on a pretty good track. Most of the time if you pick your river crossings the water will not get over the tops of your boots. Be cautious in rain though. Ive seen the river when those same crossings would be 3 to 4 meters deep

I see where your heading Wayno, it's more of a disclaimer in case inexperienced people read this thread and go cool I'll do it too. Good idea. Geoffnet I hear what your saying too about people forcing their kids into it but my view has a slightly different take. I feel that babies do retain the experiences they have somewhere deep in their sub conscious. It's the sounds, lights, smells, environment. It's about exposing them to the best parts of this planet as early as I can. I guess I am forcing things abit. But I think most parents do. I'm more than happy to drag my kids butts through the hills, in my opinion it is one of the greatest experiences we can have and one that shapes good character for adult life. Wayno nice comment about the babies annoying people in huts. Fair comment, that's why we have booked a private hut to ourselves. I have a front carrier made of soft but strong cotton. It's not a sling but keeps him close against my chest. We have already climbed tons of steep hills with him in it and to be honest it's the most content time for him. He just crashes out. He loves the bush and his hill walks. He kept his eyes open the entire way for the first time a couple days ago. Just taking all the lights, sounds and smells in. I like crushing leaves and putting them under his nose. He like Manuka best. It also goes without saying we cancel the trip if the forecast isn't to good. With a five year old boy in tow that 3-4 hour time goes out the door geeves haha.

geoffnet says "when I see babies or wee children at huts or on the trail I cant help thinking the tramping parents are kind of forcing the kids into it. " We 3 kids were forced to take Sunday afternoon 'rambles' (we were in the UK) from an early age. I can remember not liking it. BUT we have all ended up as outdoor people - nothing I like better now than a nice 'ramble'! Obviously something rubbed off onto us.

I agree to what @deepriver said. I was forced into tramping when I was as young as 3 and I hated it until I turned 12ish then thats when I started loving it! Kids need help to figure out the things they enjoy in life

@Keil Well parents 'force' their children into all sorts of things they don't particularly enjoy at the time. Left to their own devices most kids would remain unsocialised, uneducated and eat nothing but junk food. Look at it this way; if you are going to hold parents responsible for feeding, caring and bring up their children decently you have to allow them the right to make decisions and choices for their kids. And yes I can well understand how you 'hated' tramping as a kid, yet equally mine loved it. What's the difference? Kids emotional reactions to things are all over the map. Of course sometime around the age of 12-14 kids naturally start wanting to separate physically and emotionally from their parents ... and the tramping experience your parents 'forced' onto you, now suddenly started making sense.

I was chatting to one of the sons of an active tramping couple who said he never really enjoyed tramping with Ma and Pa until he started hunting as a young teenager which meant he was now doing his own thing. Then he really got into the outdoors and he and his brother now do this stuff for a living e.g. guiding/instructing.