Thanks OM, I don't think my son is quite ready for too much weight, he is a bean pole right now. Healthy but on the lower end of the bell curve. He does carry most of his gear just not food. Shoot his school backpack weighs 3 times what his backpacking set up weighs, even with water and extra clothes. Maybe soon he'll be carrying his share of the food. He does carry some snacks.

I really like the idea of a flexible plan, even set up a camp at the 8-10 mile mark then dayhike further to see how far he could go safely.

Thanks once again for the great advise, I greatly value your opinion.

Tyson
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The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.