Boxley to Steel Creek Backpack

Yes! Woo Whoo Rangers! December 20th we had out for a 2 night 13.5 mile backpack. This time we carry backpacks all the way. Yup...some 450 climbs to go up and down. 4 creek crossing and we will follow the Buffalo River valley along the way. Only getting next to the river at the far mid point and at the end of the backpack.

We did 27 miles last year at this time. It was a workout. WE wanted the 25 miler patch. So we got that.

This time not so many miles to cover. More time for fun and exploring.

This is new trail for me. So looking forward to the Freshness of the event.
Here is the scoup on the trail.
http://readyrangers.tzo.com/boxleytosteelcreekperm.pdf
Mark Jones

Noticed you're meeting at your house at 5:30pm with a 2 hr trip following. Then packing a mile or two in the dark before even pitching camp... in the dark. This group must be pretty advanced to be setting up in the cold and dark!

Also noticed on your list of things you take are two walking sticks. Are these new style hiking poles? I've wondered if they actually help.

Can I borrow your forms???

We will only be hiking in about 1/2 mile In the dark (I need to update that sheet). Trail is well marked and no cliffs or holes to fall into. The group will be older. 12 and older most likely. A large group of adults as well going. Head lamps allow easy work with 2 free hands. I am estimating this trip we will have maybe 5 boys from my ar group. Total group of 15 to 20 from several outposts. Weather will be main factor.

The forms are all in the Ranger Database. Under Events. 60 some events each with their own personalized check off list and if you click on the global button on the main file and put your church info in there. it changes it on hundreds of forms to match your church, op and dist..etc.

Mark Jones
p.s. if God didn't have my back and my front I wouldn't go...GRIN!

Phillip Gross wrote:Noticed you're meeting at your house at 5:30pm with a 2 hr trip following. Then packing a mile or two in the dark before even pitching camp... in the dark. This group must be pretty advanced to be setting up in the cold and dark!

Also noticed on your list of things you take are two walking sticks. Are these new style hiking poles? I've wondered if they actually help.

Can I borrow your forms???

Boxley backpacking trip should be nicer weather. 36 for a high and 19 for a low. A 40% chance of rain on Friday night might be a obstacle to over come in the colder temps. Saturday and Sunday supposed to be no rain.

Rain in the cold is a real threat. That stuff really keeps my attention to defcon 5 for all you scifi folks. Care to play a game?

Any way. A Ranger buddy emailed form Wisconsin yesterday and said it was -20 there wind howling and he was trying to put some siding on one of his rental buildings... he said if he got back down here and the forecast said 50 degrees for the backpack he was wearing his swimming suit. HA!

My buddy Rob while we were at last weekends backpack in the 16 degree temps looked up the coldest place in the world where humans could live it was in Russia. They didn't think anything about going out in -30 degree stuff... that was just a average day. if it got into the 60 degrees they wanted to turn on the air conditioning.

Mark Jones

What's scifi about defcon 5?

RRCmdrBennett wrote:What's scifi about defcon 5?  

Oh, wouldn't you like to know....

Phillip Gross wrote:

RRCmdrBennett wrote:What's scifi about defcon 5?  

Oh, wouldn't you like to know....

Ooooh-k

Mark Jones wrote:
The forms are all in the Ranger Database.  Under Events.  60 some events each with their own personalized check off list and if you click on the global button on the main file and put your church info in there. it changes it on hundreds of forms to match your church, op and dist..etc.

Downloaded the database (again as it was on my old laptop) and made up a flyer for our upcoming cold weather camp. Thank you for all of that!

Watch out Philip is going tech rangers on us... I recall he didn't know a usb port from a floppy disk!

There's a difference???? 

Nowadays it be amazing if people knew what a floppy disk was.

Mark, you mentioned cold + rain being something to keep an eye on. (Can't quote on my phone, of I would've) What methods are used to stay warm at that point? 

I've set our CWC on the calendar, so we're going rain or shine. At the same time, I don't want these kids totally miserable or even sick, so can y'all walk me through a cold wet backpacking trip? Camp setup, cooking, staying warm, etc.

1. Shake down and make sure they have the gear.
Meet early and do a review.
2. Check off lists can have a manditory bring this on it. Get
parents to sign perm slip that says they have checked and all items are packed.
3 I like bring your own cook your own or go hungry. NOTHING is provided except a ride there and back. YOUR RESPONSIBLE FOR all you bring. Nothing will be there to loan our or borrow for more than a few minutes.

Everything needs to be lite. No 5 pound rain coats.
Anytime there is even a hint it could rain while backpacking you MUST carry a rainsuit, trashbag, poncho or something that is water proof. Some jackets say they repel water for a little while..don't count on those.
You will need a outer layer that blocks wind and rain.
Aditional layers for warmth that can be taken off and on as needed.
If your crossing streams..you will need river shoes. Crocs are the best. A small towel to dry off feet on the other side. It takes time but have them dry their feet and put boots back on. They get into trouble when they don't do this...
I sit on the bottom of my backpack where I keep my sleeping bag and things that compress and wont' be damaged by be sitting on them. When changing shoes at river crossings.

Each event has it's specific needs and I will vary what I bring. If it's a long haul with backpacks on. I leave a lot of extra stuff home will eat the nasty dyhydrated foods. If it's a mile in and day hiking. I bring extra stuff and good heavy food to cook.

If Dad is coming younger boys can come along but ONLY IF DAD is there to look after them. Even then.. most men don't care for their kids like their moms do. If you do this make it a easy 1/2 mile in and no more than 7 miles day hiking the next day.

There are a ton of what if's. Stay prayed up. Ask God to bless your efforts and for safety and wisdom.

I love this stuff. We have a great time and it's rare for someone to not have a good time. Move only as fast as the slowest person. Put them in front if possilbe stop at all trail crossings then all go down the same trail together.

If you have 30 bucks buy some walmart emergency blankets and have everyone carry one and give them back to you when the event is over. Put them in ziplock bags or they come back in a mess GRIN! Always carry them on day hikes. Never know if something could happen. I hasn't in my 20 plus years of doing this..but it could and I want to be ready.
We could talk for hours on this subject. Start small and work up to bigger harder events.
Mark Jones

What do y'all do about setting up tents in the rain? Do you try to stretch a tarp that tents can be assembled under and then walked out and staked down?

When Phillip Jr and I went backpacking last early spring it was cold and rainy. I was able to set up base camp before the rain moved in, and I stretched a tarp for us to cook and eat under. That's where the alcohol stove came in handy for cooking! 

You're right though Mark about rough things making great memories. It was cold sitting there in the dark under the tarp to stay dry (our day hike got us back later than anticipated that night) boiling water for our dehydrated meals, but we have a great memory together that you can't get anywhere else.

Yes you have it there. 2 camps back it was pouring rain. I bring a tarp when it's raining. Put that up between 4 trees and then put my gear up and tent up.

I do have a dry pitch tent. It can be put up with the rain fly over a footprint with the poles and then once up. the inside can be put in in the dry. I have 3 tents like that. A great feature but you need to practice it before you go.

Backpacking in the rain is really some of the coolest backpacking. Streams are running a hundred waterfalls to watch and good times.

I have a Cabela's nylon tarp 12x12 bout 10.5 to 10.5 in real life. I used it last weekend at Busiek in the snow as a ground cloth for my gear.

If there is no rain in the forecast I sometimes just bring the tarp if there is no bugs or criters out and about. My son has a DIY Cuban Fiber tarp that ois the same size but weighs in 1/3 the weight. 225.00 tarp. GRIN!

Mark Jones

Looks like rain is in the forecast. It will be a hardcore group going. Snow on Sunday.

Mark Jones

Time for some character building taking a snow hike woohoo. Never been on a cold weather hike except for running to get gas when I run out...

Well get them boys out there Dan!

Well we are shifting gears. Saturday is 100% chance of Rain with flooding possible..heavy rain. With 4 creek crossings and already full with snow melt.. we are changing destinations to a higher area with no not passable during high water sections.

Last month we visited Pedistal Rocks. There are a bunch of nice caves we will hunker down in if it's pouring rain on Saturday. If not we will be out hiking and exploring around there... a whole bunch of clifts to explore. waterfalls will be delightful.

Mark Jones

I cryed UNCLE and we came home a day earlier....

http://readyrangers.tzo.com/2013Pedrockswet/2013pedrockswet.htm

I'd wager that you guys got home smelling like a bunch of Smoked Carp.

Hheheh. Yup. It's funny but 90% including me wanted to stay for more..GRIN! Yet with the forecast and the wet stuff some of the boys and men had and 3 more coming in at dark in the freezing rain and the dark and the fogg and 1.2 miles to the cave... my faith was not strong enough. UNCLE!

I would go again tommarrow and stay 2 nights. GRIN! If I know what I know now. BIG OLE GRIN!

I was supprised to find my gear was not smoked up. I just let it air dry in the garage and will put it away tonight. The cave did a good job of taking the smoke out. If we would have stayed one more night. I would have brought in small trees and built a deck to keep me off the wet muddy floor...GRIN!