Backpack Group Buy

The Bridge Store has offered to sell backpacks at a great price to the troop. The Backpacks available are manufactured by Everest Trading Company, Model numbers 8045DLX and 8045D. The 8045DLX is a Semi-external frame pack and the 8045D is a frameless pack. Bridge Store is making these packs available to the troop for $35 for the frame pack and $25 for the frameless pack.

Both Packs are available in BLACK, NAVY, FOREST GREEN, RED, AND ROYAL BLUE.

You can see the packs at the manufacturer's website here: EverestBags_8045DLX or Everestbags_8045D

I would describe these packs as economy or Value Packs. They are well made but do not have all of the bells and whistles of the Big Name or Big Dollar packs. Everest Bags does place a lifetime warranty on the materials and workmanship of the bags and can say that they are very well made, the material appears to be of high grade and the stitching seems strong. But for $35 the frame pack is well worth the money. The 8045DLX has a main compartment divider that utilizes a drawstring rather than a zipper. The divider can be opened completely so that the full pack area can be accessed through the top or the bottom access. There are tie down straps available everywhere on this pack. The Pack's total volume is approximately 2700 Cubic Inches or 44 Liters.

The only negative points I see with the pack are that Hip Straps are difficult to quickly adjust, and that some of the tie down straps are sewn so that they can not come apart. The Side compression straps also pinch down on the side pockets. The Hip strap issue maybe solved by setting it once and then leaving it in that position.

Mr Nishimoto will bring sample backpacks to the next few meetings so that scouts and parents can view and try on the backpacks. A group order sign-up sheet will be available for orders. Payment can be made to the Troop. The Order will be submitted after the meeting on Monday, September 13, 2010. The packs should arrive within one week.

Cora Lakes Backpacking Trip Report

The long hike is finally over but I bet a lot of scouts are still feeling sore from it. On Friday, August 13, we left for Strawberry Tungsten Mine from the Madera United Methodist Church. The mine was unavailable at the time so we changed our base camp location to Granite Creek Campground.

We found parts of the 5 mile uphill trail to be quite challenging. It was well worth it with the nice scenery and the cool lake, where Mr. Chadwick caught a 12 inch Rainbow Trout. All in all, it was a great first time experience for most of us. Scouts that attended were: Samuel, Tommy, Joshua, Jordan, Ethan, Jesus, Dalice, Jared, Elijah, Clayton, Juan, Ricky, Aaron, Zack, Taylor, Brandon.

Also big thanks to our adult leaders who also attended: Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Allen, Mr. Gong, Mr. Govett, Mr. Haney, Mr. Nishimoto, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Thelander, and Mr. J. Thornton.

Submitted by: Tommy

Philmont Bear Protocol

The following is from the Philmont Boy Scout Bear Protocol and Policy - Upon arriving in camp, place all "smellables" that are not immediately needed under the dining fly and place all dishes near the sump. If you are not looking at it, hang it! Smellable items are suspended away from people -- don't forget spilled food on clothes. The following are bear bag items:

1. All foods and trash
2. Medicine (place in boot if needed at night)
3. Soaps (including Camp-Suds) and shampoo
4. Foot powder
5. Chapstick
6. Sump Frisbee & condiment bag with all spices
7. Water bottles
8. Feminine hygiene products
9. Extra batteries/film/disposable cameras
10. Toothpaste/toothbrush
11. Sunscreen
12. Clothes that have spilled food or drink on them or you hiked in
13. Unwashed dishes
14. Tobacco
15. Deodorant/anti-perspirant
16. First Aid kits
17. Insect repellant
18. ALWAYS HANG ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT

It is also suggested to not apply bug spray less than 2 hours before sleeping. It maybe inconvenient but better to be safe than sorry. All snacks and food will be consumed in the food area. NO FOOD IN CAMP AREA.

Water from the Sierras Is it Safe?

There has been much talk about Water for the upcoming backpacking trip into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. For optimal hydration every person should consume 100 oz. per day. So for this trip we are requiring every scout to carry at least 2 liters of water during the hike. We will replenish at selected sites during the trip.

So where do we get Safe water when on a backpacking trip? The Sierras have numerous streams and lakes that are considered safe for consumption and we will have filters available. In doing research I am finding that the Streams and lakes of the High Sierras 8000ft and higher are considered safe to drink. So each scout and adult will have to analyze the data for himself and make the decision to drink straight or treat the water. BTW, BSA recommends that all water should be treated.

How do we treat water? Water can be filtered with a backpack filter. You can treat the water with chemical tablets or Iodine. You can Boil Water. Boiling is also a topic of question because how long do you need to boil water? My answer is 1 minute at FULL BOIL and then allow the water to cool. This full cycle of heat will kill most if not all of the harmful critters. Why 1 minute? because that takes the altitude adjustment out of the equation.

Robert Rockwell, PhD. author of the article "Giardia Lamblia with Special Attention to the Sierra Nevada" states that as long as the backpacker drinks smart he should be safe. Backpackers need to pay attention to the condition of the water source and the overall area. Dr. Rockwell has found that a majority of the water from the Sierra Nevada is safe as the San Francisco Municipal Water Supply.

Read the Original Article Here

How To Do #2 Outdoors

Often wondered and rarely talked about. How exactly do you do #2 when in the woods?

First you must know where to relieve yourself. The number most often given is 200ft. You should only defecate 200ft from sources of water or established trails. Once your spot is selected you will then dig a cat hole. A cat hole is called this because that is what a cat does. A cat hole is 6 - 8 inches deep. Why only 6 - 8 inches? because that is where the organic organisms hang out and deep enough to protect it from small critters. These organisms are what break down the "poo" aka. fecal mater. Any deeper and the "poo" may be lying there for a long time.

When digging your cat hole remember to break out a clean top cap so it can be replaced over the hole. To dig you can use a digging stick or a small shovel.

Now how to actually do the "Doo Doo." Select a spot where you can either lean against a tree when in the squat position. Or find a tree that you can hang on to so you do not fall backwards. Or just squat down and do it. Here is a great internet article on just these facts.

OK what about the wiping part? Well... If you use paper, then you should use it, bag i,t and hike it out when you go home and find a trash can. Some campers like to use natural vegetation AKA good quality leaves. This requires a bit of plant identification because some plants irritate your skin and you don't want that down there.

This method follows the basics of Leave No Trace. Soon we may need to start packing the whole load out. If this becomes a requirement we would resort to using Climber's Poop Tubes. That will be a future article.

The website with the article is outdoor survival website and has some great articles on multple subjects.