In a world of Cell Phones, Game Boy, X Box, the Internet , and a general technological obsession it's time to take the family outdoors and escape the technolgical bustle of the modern world. Camping with the family is a great way to log off and dowload some serious quality time. In a very plugged in world it is important for everyone in the family to log off and experience the natural world and relax. It is as easy as heading to the local campground and setting up camp. Camping encourages us all to slow down and listen both internally and externally to what is really going on in the world. If approached with a good sense of planning, this can be truly rewarding time with family and friends.

My wife and I have been camping with our kids since they were both infants. While we swore in our youth we would never succumb to buying a house on wheels , we have caved in a purchased a used pop-top camper that facilitates a small sense of comfort for the kids in the wilderness. Making camping comfortable and fun is the first objective in retaining your kids interest in venturing further into the realm of the outdoors. Car camping is a great place to start

On our last trip we ventured north to Penitente Canyon where we hooked up with friends for a camping and climbing round up. We secured a group campground and watched as the natural world amazed the kids in a way no video game could ever amaze them. Rock Climbing, Nature hikes, and of course lots of S'mores.Family camping is a whole lot of fun and very affordable. I like to bring the guitar for campfire songs and learn a couple of campfire stories

Getting outdoors with the family is easy and there is great equipment available for kids to make their life in the backcountry comfy and cozy. Check out kids Sleeping Bags from Big Agnes and Kelty K.I.D.S both available at our store Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works. It is best to car Camp first with kids in case you need to bail out. Build towards bigger trips through easy and comfortable introductions. It is important to have a good sleeping bag as a cold night will surely discourage and endanger your child. The North Face makes excellent clothing an equipment for kids in the outdoors as does Patagonia.

Choosing the right shelter is easy . First, bigger is better in the family camping sense. It is important to invest in a durable well made shelter as it will take some wear and tear with the kids. I like The North Face or Mountain Hardwear Tents, they are a bit expensive but they have excellent warranties and will last for some time if cared for. Camping with kids takes some extra precautions and care in planning.

Where are your favorite family camping traditions?

For more info on family camping check out camp-a-roo

There are some great camp areas in the Northern New Mexico area to kick off your family camping adventures. When we camp we like the Pecos River Valley. Holy Ghost Creek is a fun place to fish and camp with meadows and hiking trails. Hyde Park in Santa Fe offers easy camping with good amenities. For more information drop by Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works in Santa Fe or on the web.

New Mexico has been riddled with drought for the past seven years which is taking its toll on the already endangered Rio Grande Cutthroat trout. The lack of any snow pack in the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountain coupled with unusually high temperatues has driven water from many of the remaining habitats for this delicate species of trout. I am particularly biased in saying I think this is one of the most beautiful salmonids in the entire trout family. It has been pressured out of habitat by increased warming of water temperature,Whirling Disease as well as the general introduction and invasion of non native species like Rainbows and Brown's. Rainbows will reproduce with the Cutthroat degrading the gentic purity of the species. Browns on the other hand make hearty forage out of the eggs and fingerlings of the cutthroat species. Regardless, we are close to losing a unique part of our states bio-diversity and action is required.
The State of New Mexico is under great pressure financially in it's efforts to revive the populations of endangered Gila and Apache trout in our southern waters. You can help by contacting and joining your local chapter of Trout Unlimited. We are in danger of losing a very important fish species, a loss which could forshadow the future of all New Mexico's fisheries.

I have created this BLOG as a place for discussion and sharing surrounding climbing, paddling, back packing, backcountry skiing, fly fishing and any other aspect of outdoor recreation in New Mexico. I hope you will join me in sharing our wonderful resources. I am a climber, skier, paddler cyclist and fly fishing aficianado and I will try to discuss these topics and my experiences as they relate to both our land of enchantment(New Mexico) as well as adventures outside the state. Please use this as a space to share your back country adventures and tales.
My name is Kent Little and I own Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works, Santa Fe New Mexico's premier specialty outdoor store. I founded Sangre de Cristo Mountain works to service those who shared a similar passion for the outdoors. For fourteen years we have serviced Northern New Mexico with apparrel, equipment and accessoires for all outdoor adventures. I am telling you this only to qualify my experience and passions. I hope you will share with us surrounding everything outdoors. Check out my website for great information on outdoor recreation in New Mexico. Thanks for sharing! www.sdcmountainworks.com

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