Mark W Jones wrote:
> Sounds like my kind of gear! 50 mile hike is a HIKE!
We live about an hour or less from where the Pacific Crest Trail
crosses the Columbia river at a place called the "Bridge of the Gods"
The Columbia River starts from the snow fields and glaciers of the Banff
back country in Canada, that is about as fine as a place can be<G> Any
rain or melt will drain into the Columbia on the west side of the great
divide.
The Rocky Mt. Fur co. and Lewis and Clark had a "eastern mentality"
and could not dream of what they saw when they topped South Pass
just outside of present Lander,Wyoming.. These Men, had a "flatland"
understanding of distance and travel on rivers, but facing never-ending
waves of Mountain chains,they became perplexed as to travel, as the
West is a maze of passes and valleys.
The 11 western states is where I've lived my whole life... and anywhere
you look is a Mountain.. *Not a "hill" or a "rise" but something so big..
so massive that roads don't go there yet.. and airliners crash into them!
The forests have been charted and roads built... but it is very easy to
still get lost and never be found! The highways of the west are like a
net laid over a impossible series of terrain and elevation changes..and
anyone can change climates and environmental zones of different plants
animals and weather in just a short time of pushing the pedal of your
V-8 to the floor<G>
To get to the city of Yakama, just 125 miles away I can go through "the
Gorge"
east and turn north, or I can go north and cross my choice of three Mt.
passes "White-Cayuse-Chinook Pass" that still have snow 10ft deep at
the summit! Mt.Hood in northern Oregon has year around skiing on a
glacier that has never melted<G>
So.. when I say 50 miles of the "Crest Trail" let me assure you that it is
not
the same as 50 miles of bike path.<G> Joshes hike starts at 4,600 ft
elevation and ends at 500 ft above sea level... and has as much up-hill as
"down"<G>
> We have been on
> more then a dozen but most of the hikes is 5 miles in 5 miles out and
> maybe another 8 miles with day packs on over a 3 day event.
> My pack usually weighs in around 42 pounds. That is enough for me. But
> hey.. I like a few comforts of home like a fan if its hot...pillow
> backpack stove and food! What is he eating on this trip?
*The food was "weighed" and planned out against the schedule of
camps with water available. They do have a stove and fuel, a pot
and are packing "Mt. House" dehydrated main course's... but most
of the meals are humble.... Instant oatmeal and a fruit bar is breakfast
and instant coffee.
Lunch might be a small summer sausage split three ways with cheese
and crackers, but could as well be just a couple 'energy bars and water.
Dinner one night was instant rice and chicken soupmix<G> and the "portions"
limited. When Cdr.Jen and I packed through "Indian Heaven" with the same
group
I found that I had plenty, and got a little tired of dry granola bars<G>
I predict, a juicy Hamburger and tall Milkshake will go pretty good for
Josh *If he isn't too tired or cramped up<G>
Water is a "concern" as they can't pack all they would need, so they carry
water purification filters and pumps, for creeks and lakes they pass... at
one spot the water gets slim, and they "cached" gallon jugs in the brush
from a pre-trip Mt.Bike event.<G> ..of course they will pack out the
jugs.
-=A=-
>
>
> Mark Jones
>
> Tell us more!!! I enjoy backpacking.
>
> On Mon, 26 Jun 2000 11:03:38 -0700 Duane Wheeler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> writes:
> >
> > *Josh Wheeler GMA #3911 is on a 50 mile hike south from Indian Heaven
> > Wilderness to the Columbia River on the Pacific crest trail this
> > week..
> >
> > This is a BSA "Scout" hike and not at all un-common to his "Troop"...
> > I'm very proud of the thought that went into makeing this event
> > happen
> > and the
> > practical application of teamwork and learning.
> >
> > To attend, the boys must have made three previous hikes with the
> > troop,
> > all over 10 miles length, and one overnight backpack to qualify to
> > go.
> >
> > 12 scouts and 4 adult leaders... split into 3 man cell's to share
> > equipment
> > and cooking chores, with the Adults as one group seperate. On
> > successeve
> >
> > trips and meeting nights the attitudes and desire of the boys was
> > watched
> > by the event leader to assure that the right motivation and
> > preparedness
> > was evident. *SERIOUS HIKE!
> >
> > Scouts suggest you only carry 25% of your body weight for multi day
> > trips
> > includeing food and water.. Josh weighs 147 lbs at 15 1/2 yrs old and
> > when he "weighed in" at Mr.Browns house his pack with water weighed
> > 29lbs! *Under weight<G>
> >
> > How did he do that?
> > What is "in" his pack?
> >
> > First he is carrying a 3900 cu in CampTrails "Shasta" internal frame
> > pack
> > 4 lbs...
> >
> > Vasque cascade lightweight boots ,w/spare laces.
> > Teva sandals
> >
> > A Down- sleeping bag w/o stuff sack 2lbs.1oz.
> > Nylon long pants and one pair of poly-pro long unders.. 1lb.
> > A Poly-fleese pull oversweater, and waterrepellent nylon wind
> > breaker.
> > 1.5 lbs
> > one change of underwear-toothbrush and campsuds.
> > 2 big bandannas
> > 3 pairs of "Wigwam Tech2" hiker socks with cushioned pressure points
> > and eleasitcized arch and microbial treatment<G>
> >
> > Nylon RainPoncho
> > Nylon pack cover
> > Thermo-rest self inflateing sleeping pad 2lbs!
> > 1 "lexan" cup and bowl
> > 1 alum. cook pot.
> > Stainless mini fork and spoon.
> >
> > spf15 Sunscreen/bug repelent w/deet
> > roll of twine
> > Gerber multi-tool
> > metal match
> > Mini-first aid kit
> > disposable camera 27 ex. no flash.
> > 2 -quart "Nagline" water bottles
> > and the "tent" portion of a 3 man backpack shelter.
> > (@ others carry the rain fly and the poles)
> >
> >
> > *Good Luck "WhiteRiver" ...see yah at the Charburger
> > in Cascade locks,Oregon!
> >
> > -=A=-
> > --
> > ��ࡱ
--
��ࡱ�
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