Re: Backpacking 3 of 3 (long) High Advneture Backpacking
William C. Roswell (broswell@GTE.NET)
Mon, 24 Aug 1998 08:47:31 -0500
This was a set of High Adventure Backpacking guidelines we developed.
YIS,
Bill Roswell
Scoutmaster Troop 241
Tulsa, OK
email: broswell@gte.net
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Introduction:
Backpacking is a physical sport that involves carrying all your campout
gear, including tents, stove, sleeping bag, mattress, food and water on
your back. High adventure trips consist of carrying 5-7 days worth of fo=
od
and hiking and camping for 5-7 days. Because Backpacking is a very
strenuous sport and requires physical conditioning, some verification of
physical conditioning is required before attempting a high-adventure
backpacking trip.
In the past, not all of the scouts and scouters were at the correct
physical level and the high adventure crew was slowed down. A crew is a
team and is only as strong as its weakest link.
The High adventure program is open to all scouts who meet the age, rank,
and physical requirements. Any scout who has an interest in backpacking c=
an
attend the multi-level campouts and if age and rank qualified can attend
the training backpacking events. All scouts are eligible to attend the ba=
ck
packing instructional meetings and are encouraged to do so.
Definitions:
Adult Advisors: There will be two adult advisors and only two, that will =
go
on the high adventure with the crew. The adult advisors will not provide
any direct input into crew or their decisions, except in the case of safe=
ty
issues or other adverse conditions.
Backpacking Crew: A crew will consist of 6- 9 scouts which will work
together to plan and successfully complete the high adventure backpack
trip. The crew will be formed at least two month prior to the trip and
three-four months prior is recommended. The crew will elect a crew chief
who will provide, leadership, plan and run the high adventure.
Backpack Equipment Backpack (around 3000 cubic inches)
Light weight sleeping bag (good to 15 degrees)
Backpacking Mattress (Thermo Rest or eggcrate)
Medium to heavy weight backpacking shoes
Good raingear (if nothing else buy=
a
good poncho, that can cover your backpack)
Experienced Backpacker : A scout who has have earned the backpacking meri=
t
badge and has been on a five or more consecutive backpack trip in the las=
t
two years.
An adult that has backpacked for five or more consecutive nights.
Training:
Throughout the year several multiple level backpacking campouts will be
offered. These backpacking campouts will have an introductory level, whic=
h
will satisfy second class hiking requirements, intermediate level and hig=
h
adventure training levels. The multi-level backpacking outing will allow
the more experienced, older scouts to help the young and intermediate
scouts. Some of the multi-level backpacks will be run in crew format, so
that introductory and intermediate backpackers can gain crew experience.
Prior to each high adventure backpack there will be the following
training. Each hike will involve an overnight campout. Some of these, bu=
t
not all, will be part of multilevel campouts
A. 4 months before Two day : fifteen miles total
B. 3 months before Two day : fifteen miles total
C. * 2 months before Fitness Test - Initial (optional)
D. 2 months before Physical Training Schedule begins
E. ** 7-6 weeks before Two day : twenty miles total : total weight
approximately
40 pounds
F. ** 1 month before Two day : twenty miles total : total weight
approximately
40 pounds
F. *** 1 month before Fitness Test -Final
Notes: * For first time high adventure backpacking participants three of
the four hikes are
Required and even though only the final fitness test is
required, it is recommended
that both tests be taken.
** Both of these backpacking trips are recommended for experienced high
adventure
backpackers; at least one is required.
*** All scouts and scouters, experienced and new must pass the final
fitness test in
order to participate in the planned high adventure backpack.
Additionally there will be two-three sessions concerning backpacking
etiquette, food planning, equipment/clothing planning and packing. All
scouts and scouters are encouraged to attend these training sessions.
A physical development schedule will be provided (attached) which will
outline the recommended physical program to be followed the last two mont=
hs
prior to the High adventure trip. The purpose of the schedule is to brin=
g
each scout and scouter up to a high enough physical level that the trip
will be exhilarating and fun rather than being very tiring and very
painful.
Fitness Test:
Hike 3.1 miles, around La Fortune Park with an empty backpack, adding fiv=
e,
1 gallon milk jugs filled with water (approximately 40 pounds) plus two
water bottles in a time of 45 minutes or less. For a flat land test a
sustained rate of 4 miles per hour must be achieved.
With the same 40 lb. backpack walk up and down 15 flights of stairs (bas=
ed
on typical 13 steps per stair) for a total of 195 steps up and 195 steps
down in a time of 30 minutes or less.
Both the hike and the stair tests must be performed within a half-day (i.=
e.
4-hour contiguous period of time).
Requirements for High Adventure Backpacking Scouts:
Mandatory:
Have a current class 3 physical
Be at least 12 years old.
Minimum of First Class scout rank.
Have earned First Aid merit badge.
Passed the final Physical Hiking test.
Weigh a minimum of 80 pounds, 120 pounds minimum recommended.
Either have attended 3 out of 4 training hikes or classified as an
experienced backpacker and attended one of the two advanced pre-hikes.
Have backpack equipment
Reread the scout law and scout oath and sign a conduct statement that he
will follow the scout oath and law.
Recommended:
Review Knot tying skills.
Having earned camping merit badge.
Having earned hiking merit badge.
Follow strength fitness plan for 2 months prior to high adventure backpac=
k.
Attend all of the backpacking instructional classes,
Requirements for High Adventure Backpacking Scouters:
Mandatory:
Have a current class 3 physical
Pass Physical Hiking Test
Attend three out of four or the training hikes
Attend a recent first aid course
Attend Boys Scouts Basic leader Training
Have backpack equipment.
No smoking, alcohol, or drugs (without a prescription) during the high
adventure trip.
Recommended:
Follow strength fitness plan for 2 months prior to high adventure backpac=
k.
Attending a recent CPR course and become certified.
High Adventure Backpacking Regulations:
Insure that the proper tour permits are secure =96 scouter.
There will be a crew and two adult advisors defined two months ahead. If
there are more scouts than the maximum crew size (9) that want to
participate, the selection will be on a first signed-up (paid and
permission slip) basic. If there are more than twelve scouts and more th=
an
four adults then the crew will be split into two crews.
Four weeks ahead determine community gear an assign to scouts
Three weeks ahead the crew will order freeze dried food.
Two weeks prior develop a calling tree
One week prior distribute community gear
Two=96days prior dry run weight check.
Scouts will sleep three to a tent. Each scout will carry part of the tent.
Physical Development Program
(8 weeks prior to High Adventure)
Week one: 3 times a week, walk 1 mile
Week two: 2 times a week, walk 1 =BD miles with backpack 10 lbs.
1 time a week, run =BD mile walk =BD mile
Week three 2 times a week, run C mile walk =BD mile
1 time a week, walk 2 miles with backpack 20lbs
week four 2 times a week, run 1 mile
1 time a week, walk 2 miles with backpack 20lbs
week five 3 times a week, run 1 mile
2 times a week, walk 2 miles with backpack 20 lbs.
week six 3 times a week, run 1 =BD miles
2 times a week, walk 2 miles with backpack 20 lbs.
week seven 2 times a week, run 2 miles
2 times a week, walk 3 miles with backpack 30 lbs.
week eight 2 times a week, run 2 miles
3 times a week, walk 3 miles with backpack 30 lbs.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
