TROOP & CREW 651

A MOUNTAIN ODYSSEY September 4, 2003

LAST TRIP REPORT & PICTURES

Members GO HERE for current information.

We have sometimes offered summer treks in the High Sierra. This page contains information on participating in one of these treks. If a trek is planned, this page will have links on information about current trail and weather conditions.

We would need a someone (or more?) to help us with a car shuttle, please!

For those Scouts who have not participated in a Sierra trek, we can only say that it is truly an ultimate high adventure experience.

Scouts wishing to participate will comply with the following prerequisites:

• First Class or higher
• 13 years old or older at start of trek
• Pay the costs of the trip, including fees, gas, and food [Ideas here]. Estimate $120.
• Provide the necessary personal equipment. You are required to rent (about $40) or buy ($80) a bear can.
• Show physical conditioning on the shakedown trips (see below)
• Submit a medical form with a physician's exam within one year
• Show Scout Spirit through the Scout Oath and Law
• Show the ability and desire to work with the team
• Complete, in a strong manner, the following shakedown trips shown on the Troop calendar. These trips are also open to those not going to the Sierra trek.
• A training backpack
• May Whale Peak backpack
• June San Jacinto backpack
• Participate in planning meetings as scheduled at regular troop meetings

Note that the San Jacinto trip is mandatory with no exceptions. It is a couple weeks before summer camp which may be only a few weeks before the Sierra trek. We realize that this is a lot of outings in a short period, but we are required to have a high-altitude shakedown within one month of the big trek.

Like a baseball or soccer team, we are counting on Venture members to be at practice (shakedowns and meetings) and support the team/crew. Limited exceptions may be made for the May backpacks for Scouts with extensive experience. However, to earn a Sierra trek patch requires attendance at all shakedowns.

Adults wishing to participate must meet all of the above except for First Class, and:

• Be a registered Scouter
• Have completed the following Council training courses:
• YPG SALT HALT III-A

Even if you aren't sure if you will do the Sierras, keep this form. The trek leader will keep track of your participation. The above are only minimum requirements.

All participants must be approved by the trek leader whose decision is final. The trek leader must be comfortable in knowing that each participant can complete the trek safely without diminishing the experience for the other participants.

[Venture Home] [Troop calendar]

LINKS

• Food [Ideas here].
• Backpack Training Notes.
• TRAIL CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING SITES.
  Note this info may not be the most current. Also remember to RELOAD the page if your browser caches.
  Other information is sometimes available on the rec.backcountry newsgroup.
• Inyo National Forest homepage
• Pacific Crest Trail Association
• Snow levels at Dusy Basin (not Bishop Pass as the site says) and Charlotte Lake Multiply snow water content by two to get an estimate of the snow depth at these sunny meadows (shady areas will be higher).
  Click on "current" link for air temperature for last 24 hours.