Geocaching with a baby

So, I go 'caching with Sam almost all the time. There are clearly some difficulties with this.

Some cache setters think about access and are good at specifying whether a cache is wheelchair or buggy accessible. Others aren't so hot on this, so if I focussed only on those that are buggy-friendly I would miss out on many caches. You often have to look at the map and satellite image and read the logs and go with your gut.

I have a buggy that was bought based on how small it folded up. As you can imagine, this is not the most study of buggies! I have a Quinny Zapp Xtra, which has been fantastic, and served us really well, and we never had to bother with a pram (which we don't have room for). I shall assume you are not on first name terms with all the buggy designs out there - this is what my buggy looks like:

Not ideal for anything a bit rugged!

I have tried baby carriers, but Sam doesn't like slings, and he does this in carriers, whether on my front or back!

It is quite hard to get down on your hands and knees or reach high into trees with a baby strapped to your chest as well. So, I dream of owning one of these (or similar):

03 Sport Pushchair - Black/Red - 03 Sport - Mamas & Papas

But first I need a a shed to keep it in :-(

My Zapp is doing surprisingly well though. The Hawley Lake visit we did really pushed it to the limit, and we were off-road most of the time, as you can see:

It is definitely better to go with a friend, usually we can get the pushchairs pretty close to the hide location, but the last couple of feet sometimes involve bush-whacking or hedge-diving! So it is handy to have someone to watch the small ones while you hunt around. Sam is incredibly good in his pushchair as he seems to love the outdoors, but even he will get a bit antsy at times, so you have to be prepared to stop and give them a cuddle from time to time. Of course, don't forget the nappies, wipes, bottles, snacks, bibs, rain cover.... small babies come with lots of stuff! When I have popped out with him in the carrier I have thrown the bare essentials in a rucksack, but otherwise I just take his usual change bag and throw it under the pushchair. The babies seem to enjoy it most when we stop for a proper picnic lunch to break up the pushchair time a bit, but that is getting harder as the weather gets chillier.

I have plenty of photos that show Sam really does enjoy it!