Backpacking trip this weekend;?

Question

i'm supposed to go on a basic backpacking trip with 5 other friends this weekend in South Carolina on the Appalachan Trails. My mom is thinking about not letting me go because I might "fall off a cliff" or "a wackjob might follow us during the day then kill the boys and rape the girls". I need some logical reason on why I should be able to go, (i have never been on a trip like this before). I've already told her I've never been able to do something like this, and the fact that Im going to be with a guy who has been a boy scout for 15 years.

she said it's not that she doesn't trust me. it's more of a safety thing. I get to do a lot, but shes really sketchy about this one. I go on day-kayaking trips a lot with my friends but nothing in the woods, over night.

Answer 1

Hello Sarah:

Not knowing your home situation, it may be not that your mother doesn't trust you, it may be she is having difficulty "letting you go."

What is your age?

Are you an only child?

These factors may have much to do with her trepidations.

To help alleviate her fears, have the adult in charge of the trip contact her and reassure her of your safety. If someone has a cell phone, promise that you will contact her once a day. If no phone, assure her that you will call her from a pay phone when possible.

Answer 2

Hey, as an active Boy Scout and Venturer, I go backpacking extremely often, and here's the best argument, ;) --- It's healthy and safe- you're going with five friends, most psycopaths go alone or, at most, in pairs and you would be able to overpower him anyway, and in the first place, in the daytime, you would be able to see anybody approaching you from a mile off. This is all without realizing that going backpacking is strenuous and that anybody wanting to rape you would do it in the city and not walk 5 miles to do it... About falling off a cliff, just watch your step, tell your mother that looking off a cliff is a lot scarier than you might think, almost ensuring that you're not going to fall. Finally, plead that this makes you healthy, it's good for your back, your legs, and your endurance. If that doesn't work then go out, buy a backpack and show your mother the *very well equpped first aid kit* that you just happened to pack.=D Have a good hike.

Answer 3

As long as you don't give her reason not to trust you then she should agree to let you go. Just sit down and talk to her and tell her that she can trust you and you will be careful. She has to let you wander sometimes. Just don't prove her wrong and be safe if you go.

Answer 4

Tent, sleeping bag(make sure it's warm enough),sleeping pad, cooking stuff, stove,fuel(stove)Water container w/filter or decontamination tablets. Try to keep the total weight to about 1/3 of your body weight.