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Goat Rocks Wilderness - A 50
Miler to Remember
Troop 696 is planning on
heading to the Goat Rocks Wilderness this summer for their
50 miler. Here are some quick details:
- Dates: August 3 - 7th. We leave the church parking lot at 6 AM on the 3rd and will return between 12 and 5 PM on Friday the 7th.
- Cost: Estimated at $50 per attendee (scout, adult leader) - this covers travel costs, food and misc expenses. This is due to reserve your spot on the trip. Make payments to Rob Tanner or a member of the bishopric - you can submit it in a blue contribution envelope labeled with your scout/leader’s name and notated as for the 50 miler.
- Location: The Goat Rocks Wilderness in central Washington. Info on the area.
This trip will encompass 50 miles of trial in the Goat Rocks Wilderness area, following the trials outlined in the Goat Rocks Circuit trail description (PDF). We’ll even have a chance to explore a bit on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
This trip is labeled 10 for scenery, 6 for difficulty and we’ll be gaining 5800 ft of elevation over the week. Please read the above description for more detail, but it should be a fantastic trip. To get our extra milage, we’ll be base camping and doing some out/backs on the shorter days. I expect to do around 10-12 miles a day. Piece of cake.
There is a restriction on group size, with 12 being the limit per group. We expect to take 2 groups with 2-3 leaders per group. Payment of your trip fees is the way to get yourself on the list and guarantee you get a spot.
Trip Preparation
The following gear list is designed to list the items of most use to your boys on this trip.
Troop 696 Backpacking Gear Checklist
Please try to follow this list and its recommendations closely, as we tend to have problems with boys showing up to a challenging hike with excess gear that only weights them down and inhibits their ability to enjoy themselves. Keep in mind that 30-40 lbs may not sound like much to an adult, but to a 12 year old boy, that is 1/3 to 1/2 their body weight. Ouch.
I’d be more than happy to assist you in selecting gear or other items. Just email or call me.
We’ll be doing a pack check (see the dates below) right before the trip, but I’m open to you scheduling some time to come by and do a 1:1 pack check anytime before July 3rd or after July 25th (I’m out of town most of July).
Note: The troop will provide tents, kitchen gear and water purification tools. We’ll also be meeting to prepare our meals (see dates below) before the trip.
Tip: for more info on lightweight backpacking theory and practice (including tips and recommendations) please review my Lightweight Backpacking Presentation given a while back to some of the boys.
Medical Forms
All trip participants (yes, adults too) will need to complete a medical release form, found here on the BSA website.
Please have this form completed before July 15th and turned into Rob Tanner. Note that you’ll need a health-care provider for part B.
Note: if your child has any medical concerns or medication requirements, we will need to be briefed on those before the trip and you’ll need to take proper steps to provide for their needs in addition to the pack list above.
Conditioning
Each boy should spend some time conditioning themselves to the rigors of the trail. The troop will schedule a few prep hikes, but each boy should focus on doing some prep hikes with their family (preferably with some load in their backpack) in the month of July. Schedule 1 or 2 hikes on Tiger Mountain to get the boys out, used to their gear and some miles on their feet. As I’m going to be away for most of July, Rob Tanner and the other boy scout leaders will be spearheading any prep hikes.
Please do not let them slack off - that first day on the trail does not need to be overwhelming if you have a few miles under your belt.
Dates to remember:
- Pack check - Mandatory - July 29th 7 PM
- Meal Prep - Mandatory- July 30th 7 PM
- Final Prep Hike - Mandatory - July 31 - 8 AM (meet at Tiger Mountain Trailhead) - test out gear and final load out.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.
Question & Answer
Q: The possible itinerary only shows four days of camping at 38.6 miles total trip miles. Is that the plan?
Yes. As mentioned above, we’ll hike extra on the shorter days to make up for it. We’ll spend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night camping.
Q: The suggested also deviates a little from 10 miles per day, 6 miles one day 11.5 the next etc., Is that the plan.
Yes.
Q: Have we accounted for vertical assents, descents for the shorter days or are we marching on till we arrive at the destinations.
The plan is to hike till we get there. That said, we’ll try to be fluid and adapt if necessary
Q: Are we fishing on this trip? And thus sleeping near rivers or Lakes.
No fishing. Its messy and attracts animals in the backcountry.
Q: Who is driving
I will. We’ll need at least 3-4 cars.
Q: When is the money due to be turned in (By the 15th also), If I am eating on my own how much do I need to pay?
Money is due ASAP. If adults plan on eating from the boy’s menu, they’ll have to pay the $50.
Q: Who is pulling the permits and is that something that has to be done ahead of time.
Yes, we’ll need a volunteer to do that. Fred, that you?
Q: Water it says, is scarce at times on the trail (Coyote Ridge), since we are relying on the natural resources have we chosen areas to draw excess water from and when we need to carry more water than normal on the trail.
Everyone should come prepared to carry 4-6 L of water. You may not have to fill them, but we’ll fill as necessary. No Nalgene bottles. Just get 1 L soda pop bottles or Playtpus bottles they come in 1, 2, 3, 4 L sizes). We’ll be very water conscious on this hike.
Q: What is the menu?
It is TBD at this point, but it will be planned by me. It will focus on freezer bag cooking like we did on this week’s trip.
Q: Are adults eating there own food.
Adults can eat their own food or eat from they boy’s menu. You’ll need to be there on the meal-prep day to pack it yourself though.
Q: Are we prepping meals that appeal to everyone thus giving them all some input so they will at least be sure to enjoy one meal on the trip if not all?
The menu will be sent out before the prep night. It will be largely set in stone. If anyone absolutely hates something, they can trade meals with someone else. This isn’t going to be a restaurant ;-0
Q: Weight limits, some of the boys need lighter equipment and gear. What are the averages for sleeping bag 4Lbs, gear bag 3 lbs, pad .3 oz, etc Maybe if we know and show this we can help the boys to realize ball park figures to help with there selection, Peter was well under 20lbs for this trip.
This will have to be a 1:1 thing. I recommend you talk to me before if you have a question about gear. A sleeping bag shouldn’t be over 3 lbs. A pack shouldn’t be over 2 lbs. Pads should be less than 12 oz.
Most boys did pretty good this past hike, although I saw some stuff I don’t want to see on the 50 miler (chairs for example). I’m going to really push to keep boys between 10-15 lbs before food/water. This is easily doable and pack check will help you with that.
Q: Feet the most important part of any trip of this length is maintaining your feet. On this last trip my feet were sore from a worn out pair of boots missing the top hooks and padding that was down to the nails. I apparently need new boots which then need to be broken in before the trip. How did others fair on this last trip. Their feet should be addressed, keeping your feet dry with wool socks etc not walking threw rivers if they can help it, which can lead to problems with feet such as Nail fungus, athlete’s foot or blistering. Just take care of your feet.
Simple: Don’t wear boots. Boots are an anachronism. Wear trail runners or running shoes - light, cheap and don’t require break in. You don’t need boots if you don’t carry 50 lbs of gear. Wool socks are a must. Have some duct tape for blister treatment. Make sure to trim your nails properly (key: properly) before you go. Bring 3 pairs of spare wool socks (one for sleeping, one for spare, one for wearing).
Q: Should I prepare myself/my boy physically?
On this past week’s trip, there were several boys who really had problems hiking due to poor physical conditioning. If they have trouble with 800 ft of climbing and 3 miles of walking, they will *not* be able to make this trip.
If your boy isn’t in good physical condition, you need to get them out on a daily hike - get them doing a mile or two a day (start of gently, add in weight and distance) for the next month.