Exploring America's Longest Trails: An Epic Journey with a Family of Seven
Danae and Olen Netteburg, along with their five adventurous children, have triumphed over North America's holy hiking trinity, the Triple Crown Witness their remarkable journey as they conquer America's longest trails, proving that nothing can stop a determined family of seven
Taking on three of America's most remote and rugged long-distance trails would be a challenge for any hiker. However, for the Netteburgs, hiking them with several young children in tow is a whole new level of difficulty that they have successfully conquered.
Danae and Olen Netteburg, both aged 44, alongside their five children - Lyol, 14, Zane, 12, Addison, 10, Juniper, eight, and Piper, two - have recently achieved a remarkable feat. This adventurous family from the United States has just completed the Triple Crown, which is considered North America's highly regarded hiking trinity. This epic hiking challenge encompasses an impressive distance of almost 8,000 miles or approximately 12,900 kilometers.
Having already conquered the Appalachian Trail, a trail spanning nearly 2,200 miles (3,540 kilometers) between Georgia and Maine, as well as the Continental Divide Trail, which stretches 3,028 miles (4,873 kilometers) from New Mexico to the Canadian border in Montana, the Netteburgs successfully accomplished their latest accomplishment - the Pacific Crest Trail. They completed this trail in early November.
It took the Netteburgs slightly less than six months to hike the 2,653-mile (4,270-kilometer) trail that spans from the Mexican border all the way to Canada, passing through California, Oregon, and Washington. As a family, they consider themselves incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to trek these renowned trails.
Party of seven
Olen Netteburg (far left,) his wife Danae and their five children Lyol, Zane, Addison, Juniper, and Piper on the Continental Divide Trail.
Danae Netteburg
"We realize, a lot of people cant do it," Danae told CNN Travel back in August. "They [either] dont have the time or money or they dont want to. So were very blessed."
Danae and Olen, both physicians, met in 2003 while attending medical school and married approximately three years afterwards.
In 2010, the couple decided to move to Chad, a landlocked country located in north-central Africa, to establish and manage a medical practice. It was during this time that they also welcomed their children into the world, all of whom were born in the United States.
Although they had gone on several backpacking trips as a couple over the years, including a visit to the Canadian Rockies after their marriage, it wasn't until their fourth child, Juniper, reached around the age of two that they made the decision to embark on a challenging trail as a family. During this incredible six-year, 8,700-mile hike, this man not only discovered love but also had the joy of welcoming a new baby into their lives.
"The older children, aged two, four, six, and nine at the time," Olen recalls, "participated in a series of four week-long trips during that summer - surprisingly, without any signs of disdain. It appeared that they genuinely derived pleasure from activities such as camping, capturing salamanders, gathering around campfires, and all other related adventures."
They started with the West Rim Trail, a 30.5-mile (49-kilometer) hiking route that follows the western edge of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Emboldened by their children's excitement, they ventured further and tackled the Uintas Highline Trail, a secluded pathway traversing the lofty terrain of the Uinta Mountains in northeastern Utah.
"That was at a high elevation with unpredictable weather, making it a challenging adventure," Olen remarks. "Surprisingly, even the kids found joy in that journey, encouraging us to continue exploring." After yet another rewarding family hike, they resolved to take on an even more audacious challenge - tackling the Appalachian Trail in early 2020.
Family challenge
The Netteburgs, seen at the Northern Terminus of the CDT, are just a few months away from completing the Triple Crown.
Danae Netteburg
"We decided to give it a trial run for a month, to gauge whether it would be sustainable and well-received," Danae explains. "Uncertain of what to expect, we embarked on our journey. However, little did we know that the following year would prove to be a challenging one for everyone."
Not long after commencing our hike along the Appalachian Mountains, starting from Springer Mountain, Georgia, and ending at Mount Katahdin, Maine, the Covid-19 outbreak erupted into a worldwide pandemic, triggering widespread restrictions across numerous countries."
"Olen states that different locations in America were closed at different times and in different manners. Therefore, we had to ensure the places we visited were both legal and safe."
The Netteburgs acknowledge their initial uncertainty about completing the demanding trail. However, as time passed and their children achieved specific milestones, they grew increasingly confident.
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"It was kind of a big moment when the kids did like an 11.3-mile (18.1-kilometer) day," says Olen.
Danae explained that when you hike with kids, you have to generate a lot of excitement to keep them motivated. To accomplish this, they requested the children to strike their desired pose for a photo that would be taken at the end of their journey on the Appalachian Trail. Additionally, they encouraged the children to continue practicing the pose throughout their hike.
The couple said it took them and their children about seven months to complete the trail. As the final week approached, they eagerly discussed which adventure they would embark on next.
"We began reading online articles to our children about the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail," Olen explained.
The children's enthusiasm grew as they expressed their desire to conquer the most challenging trail for their next adventure - the Continental Divide Trail. While it is common for hikers pursuing the Triple Crown to undertake the Pacific Crest Trail after the Appalachian Trail and conclude with the Continental Divide Trail, Olen reveals that their kids specifically desired the toughest journey.
"We figured if we only got to do one more after the AT, we wanted to challenge ourselves," he adds. "Also, the idea of less crowds appealed to us."
Baby on board
The family of seven at the Crater Lake, the deepest lake in North America, located in Oregon.
The Netteburgs had intended to start right away, but they had to postpone their plans upon learning they were expecting their fifth child. Their most recent addition to the family, Piper, arrived in June 2021.
After the situation calmed down, they delved into extensive research on "everything related to raising a baby in the wilderness" to prepare themselves for the challenging Continental Divide Trail journey with their newborn.
By incorporating elimination communication, they proactively identified their child's cues for using the bathroom at an early stage, aiming to toilet train Piper as soon as possible.
Danae admits, "Many people engage in it. I simply wasn't aware."
Additionally, the family made the decision to minimize their camping gear to allow space for the additional items they needed to bring, such as an extra sleeping bag, additional clothing, food, and various other necessities. This adjustment became necessary when they welcomed a baby into their camping adventures.
"It really added a great deal of complexity into the hike," says Olen.
They set off with their new addition, who they nicknamed "dead weight," and the rest of the children in March 2022.
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But having to carry a newborn along with them didnt slow this hiking family down at all.
They managed to finish the Continental Divide Trail in six months, which was one month quicker than the time they spent on the Appalachian Trail. "Not only that," mentions Olen, "but the distance covered was greater too," thanks to their children being slightly older now. "Therefore, we were able to travel a greater distance at a faster pace."
Hiking with five children presents its own set of challenges. The couple employs various tactics to keep their young ones motivated during their trail adventures.
One such tactic involves Olen, who has memorized all the songs from the soundtrack of Disney's "Frozen." He believes that organizing an impromptu singalong to "Let It Go" while ascending a mountain can significantly impact the kids' pace.
"Children yearn for the undivided attention of their parents," he emphasizes. "And while hiking, you can provide that far more effectively. There are no cell phone signals or any other distractions to distract you."
After conquering the Continental Divide Trail in late 2022, the family set their sights on accomplishing the Triple Crown by embarking on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Olen explains that their older children, who receive home-schooling, worked diligently to "get ahead" before their first mammoth trails. As a result, they were able to take a break from their studies, enabling the couple to embark on the trip.
After more than ten years of working in Chad, Danae and Olen made the decision to return to the US permanently this year, bringing an end to their medical practice. "We had spent 12 years there, excluding the two years we took off for hiking," Danae explains. "Hence, it was about time for someone new to assume the responsibility."
While they plan to settle down and begin making plans for the future at some stage, the family decided to first move ahead with their next big goal - the Pacific Crest Trail.
Triple Crown glory
The Netteburgs are currently hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,653-mile trail extending from Mexico to Canada.
Danae Netteburg
They started the trail in May, setting off from near Big Bear, California, and made good progress initially.
This year posed immense challenges for the Netteburgs due to the excessive snowfall in California, forcing them to frequently relocate in order to steer clear of hazardous snow zones.
"Their region experienced snowfall that exceeded three times their usual average," Olen elaborates. "This unexpected turn of events significantly disrupted plans not only for us, but for everyone else as well."
The couple emphasizes the need to exercise extra caution in selecting areas to avoid due to the presence of their children.
"We have to be mindful of our kids," Danae remarks. "Although they are not delicate, we still have to prioritize their safety."
"So, they rely on us to ensure their safety while avoiding any potential dangers. Moreover, the majority of individuals are solely responsible for their own concerns."
When encountering fellow hikers during their journey, the family frequently inquired about their "zero days," referring to the hiking practice of taking a break from walking to attend to tasks such as laundry or restock on food.
Olen and Danae find their "zero days" to be more challenging than their hiking days due to the presence of energetic kids who need to exert their pent-up energy. Additionally, they faced financial expenses in providing food for seven people during their journey, and the added weight of carrying such a large amount of food proved to be burdensome.
The family relied on a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan belonging to Olens dad, which served as their mini van for transportation. It was loaded with "over 200 pounds of gear and sometimes several weeks' worth of food." They made use of family and/or friends to help transport the van between various hiking areas.
While they did receive some complimentary or reduced-price gear from several companies, they funded the hikes on their own.
Danae and Olen take immense pride in their children, who have gained a wealth of knowledge from their experiences in the wilderness.
"We have encountered fascinating wildlife such as bears and moose – I even spotted a mountain lion," Danae shares. "We have witnessed numerous remarkable things."
The older children, engrossed in nature, observe the trees and flowers, deep in contemplation about their existence. Meanwhile, during their hikes, they immerse themselves in timeless works of literature like Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" and Lucy Maud Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables". Additionally, the family engages the younger ones in spontaneous spelling and math quizzes to keep their minds sharp while on the move.
"We hope that the children will gain a stronger sense of our family bonding," expresses Olen. "Additionally, we want them to feel a sense of pride in overcoming challenges. By accomplishing such a difficult feat, they will become part of a select group of children who have hiked 7,000 miles, demonstrating that they can conquer anything that comes their way."
On November 4, the family finally reached their finish line, the border of Mexico.
"Weve all had the best experience," Danae told CNN Travel shortly after theyd completed the trail.
The Netteburgs have previously recorded their hiking activities with renowned long-distance hiking associations such as the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC). Additionally, they intend to document their Triple Crowns by affiliating with the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West (ALDHA-West). Recently, they received an invitation to partake in the upcoming annual ALDHA-West Gathering, where they will be acknowledged for their impressive achievements.
Having accomplished the Triple Crown, Danae and Olen express their desire to purchase a sailboat or transform a school bus into a motorhome for their next adventure with their children.
However, currently, the family is enjoying the luxury of not having to walk long distances every day. They also have plans to visit Disneyland and reunite with their friends in the near future.
Danae and Olen have no immediate plans for another trail, but they have contemplated the idea of attempting one in a different country. They mentioned the Camino de Santiago in Spain or the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand as potential options.
Nevertheless, they are aware that their children will likely require a traditional education in the future. Additionally, once they resume working, they may find it necessary to settle down in a particular location, wherever that may be.
"Real life is a bummer," jokes Olen.
