Scouting for Boys... and Parents

Click the title for an excellent article about scouting values, the changes/challenges the BSA handbook has gone through, and why Scouts can inspire boys and their parents.  Written by a dad of a soon-to-be Boy Scout.  Made me think about the new scouts and families joining our troops.

Chocorua "too Wimpy"; Ventures Decide to Tackle Mt. Adams

Confident after last year's summit of Mt. Washington in February, the troop's Ventures decided that 3,500 feet of Mt. Chocorua wouldn't be enough for 2010.  So the group has decided to climb New England's second highest peak, Mt. Adams, over Valentine's Day weekend.

To prepare, the crew hiked the Seven Sisters ridge in Skinner State Park near Hadley, MA on January 31.  The scouts loaded themselves with 30 lb. full winter packs for the day hike.  In perfect, sunny weather, they found a great place to take the troop in the future.  All did well, and at least think they're ready for 5,744' of Adams and 4,000' of elevation gain in two weeks.

Chocorua Recon

After building up a week of cabin fever between Christmas and New Year's, Mr. Carr, Mr. Michaelson, Kyle Langdell, and his dad got a little crazy.  Why not meet at 4:30am and hit the road at 5am?  Why not drive 5 hours up to the middle of New Hampshire?  Why not hike 7 miles in the snow up Mt. Chocorua -- "New England's Matterhorn"?  And then drive 5 hours back home that same night?

Why not, indeed, when the weather is perfect and you can scrounge up good hiking buddies in less than a day?

This was a reconnaissance hike to check out the site of the Venture's annual Valentine's Day Mountaineering Trip.  "After two years up Mt. Washington, including the now infamous "Mere Mortals" summit conquest in '09, it's time to challenge these young dudes in other ways," said exhausted Scoutmaster Carr.  "They're good, but frankly, this is a tougher 3 miles up than the hike to Hermit Lake."

The hike up Brook Trail included sheets of ice hidden under powdery snow, a dozen or so stream crossings, and some tricky trail finding. All of the elevation gain was confined to the last half mile.   After nearing the rocky summit, the crew turned south to find Jim Liberty Cabin, where the Ventures will spend the first night of their trip.  This may be a little cushy for the V's, who have spent the last two year in an open 3-sided shelter at Hermit Lake.

The route down from Jim Liberty Cabin on the Liberty Trail was more manageable, and will likely be the route up in February.  Mr. Carr is now working on options for day 2, which may include a hike out on Champney Falls trail and intro to ice climbing... if the boys aren't too tired.

Eagle Scout Kyle Langdell commented, "I know Mr. Carr had a full pack and all, but really, I could have done the hike twice" as he ran back to the car to end a perfect day in the Whites.  A thought echoed, silently and politely, by the elder Langdell and marathoner Michaelson.

Stay tuned for the first and only shakedown hike on Sunday, January 24.  The Chocorua trip is scheduled for the first weekend of February break.

Eagle Scout Josh Gilbert Climbing on Pike's Peak

Click the title to watch Josh's video on YouTube, if you thought you were cool climbing Mt. Washington last year.  And help Josh win an American Alpine Club video contest!

High adventure trip to Colorado anyone?

Mission Impossible: Sherlock Holmes & The Case of the Cereal Killers

As many of you observed at the last Court of Honor, there's a serious problem with a gang of cold Cereal Killers. Since then, rumors have surfaced that they've gone to their hideout at Camp Moses in the mountains of Russell, Massachusetts.  Fortunately, we've just gotten word that Master Sleuth Sherlock Holmes has agreed to join the investigation in what is likely to be known in the future as SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE CEREAL KILLERS.

Patrol Leaders, Scouts and Ventures: you should begin making preparations for the weekend of JANUARY 16 AND 17.  Scout Skills will be necessary to help Mr Holmes solve this mystery. In order to confound the Cereal Killer Gang, we'll be using Scout Skills from 100 years ago, such as sending messages by signal flag or Morse Code. Patrol Leaders should contact Venture Leader Greg Hannon for more on what kind of skills will be necessary.

Important: On this trip, Patrols can choose to either camp in tents or build cool shelters like the one Mr Carr and Tim slept in on our last campout at the American Legion Forest. He says he was pretty comfortable, but was sorry he forgot his mosquito netting...so don't forget yours. Watch for more campout details!

Click here for the Mission Impossible flyer and permission slip.