le Voyageur

It's a nice set up, but I'm a little concern since the working load limit is 330 pounds, but no Kn rating shown. Knowing the Kn rating is important because a hammock when weighted will generate a huge amount of vector forces on it's anchors, and bollard forces on the wrappings around the trees. My lines are 10.5 mm Blue Water static lines rated at 27 Kn's, I'm a bit paranoid about a line busting during the night when I'm camped over cypress knees. So, I'm all about over kill... Just keep an eye on em, and inspect them each time before climbing in...and the minute they start to fray, use them for something else.

The lead climbing this knot is designed for is A5 climbing, or what is referred to as big wall climbing http://www.devilstowerlodge.com/climbing/images/dtl_frank.jpg, where climbers advance using only etriers (webbing step ladders)being there are no foot or hand holds, being protected by a bottom belay. Not free style lead climbing. Thus, in A5 training, the climber is attached to both a bottom belay, and a top rope belay. As such the concern is clutter, and to avoid entangling belay lines and gear in the etriers....In A5 climbs, the bottom belay line, and a cow's tail runner with a Gibbs is attached to the front of the harness. Adding on top of that when training, a top rope belay line becomes a concern of confusion when topping out. When topping out, the climber has to clip into a safety line, before unclipping from the top rope belay keeping the bottom belay clipped. A total of four lines clipped into the front of the harness makes for a lot of clutter. Keeping the top rope belay away from the harness makes it evident what is what, and what needs to be left alone...(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

Regalia of what tribe, and year? Can provide a considerable amount of information concerning Eastern Woodland Algonquins of the 18th century if that is an interest.

.....lead climbing training Needed a knot that would allow for a set up that would protect both the climber, and his/her belayer at the the same time during lead climbing training. The problem was, was that none of the current climbing knots provided a simple, and elegant solution. Here's my knot that resulted after a decade of trial and err.... http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0213.jpg Here, the bottom loops of the knot are clipped into the harness, and the top loop ready to receive the bottom, top rope belay line.. Here's how to tie. Start thus.... http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0205-1.jpg http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0207-1.jpg http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0208-1-1.jpg http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0209-2-1.jpg http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0210-1.jpg The finished knot, ready for dressing http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0211-1.jpg

That's what I was afraid of. I earned my Canoeing MB back in 64 at Geronimo. Sad, that there's been no development to take their aquatics programs to the next level, such as a canoe, or aquatic base at nearby Lake Mary.

Though both ARC, and BSA LG are fairly good certs for pools and protected waterfronts. However, neither cert prepares one to guard float trips on fast water. It's a whole different game on the river where a pool guard, or a waterfront guard can get into trouble very quickly. If the person who's guarding your float trip can't tell you what a smiling hydralic is, or how to spot undercuts or clear strainers, then it's time to look for easier water.

Thanks.... Was considering submitting an app to work their Canoeing MB program this summer, and was needing to know a few details to build a program. However, things have change, and I'll be back at my traditional haunts on the New...

No matter the brand of camping hammock, each comes with it's own set of instructions on how to tie their beast to a tree. Often times it's an exercise in furstion. Here's a solution. 1. Build an anchor kit http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0169.jpg - Starting on the left. 2 etriers, a two step, and a three step tied into a length of 1 inch tublar webbing with overhand knots. - 2 rope thimbles for shear reduction - 2 plastic sleeves (3/4 pvc joint) - 2 lengths of 10.5 mm line (static or dynamic) - 4 carabiners 2. Tie a ManO'War (being adjustable, the bottom loop can be sized; and, it's easier to start at a comfortable level allowing the runner to be move upward with ease before snugging it tight. Thus, no wraps to loosen.) http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0170.jpg 3. Slide the sleeve on, add the rope thimble, and cinch the sleeve down. Then clip in. http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0173.jpg 4. If needed, use the etriers to adjust tension. Use the 2step at the head, and the 3 step at the foot. The loops in the etrier allows for a latitude of adjutments without having to untie the system. http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0176.jpg(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

With files OGE, heat them to the red stage, letting them cool over several hours. This will remove the temper letting you grind it into shape. You'll need to keep the blade cool as possible during grinding. Once you've got the blade you want, the next step is to temper it. Heat the blade to somewhere between straw yellow to light orange, and plunge it into 30 weight motor oil (be careful here). After that, a stone, and emery cloth will put a keen edge on the blade. This should give you a blade that won't shatter when you drop it

These two knives are simply knives found at flea markets, and yard sales, then modified a bit into working sheath knives. The top knife was from a craving knife, cut back about 3 inches, price was 3 bucks, and several minutes at the bench grinder, followed by a bit of work with a stone. The bottom one which now serves as my patch knife, was made from an antique table knife that had little value. It too was cut back by a few inches. Price was 85 cents at a flea market. The trick is to locate the old stuff with high carbon steel, being careful to keep the blade from overheating when shaping with a grinder. http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0161.jpg

I know of several scout camps that could be running some outstanding high adventure programs, but don't. An example - Grand Canyon Council, Arizona.... with a little work could offer an Alpine Climbing program (San Fransico Peak, n. of Flagstaff), and a white water rafting program on the Salt River. None the less, our Council offers a number of high adventure programs...High Knoll, New River, Voyageur... In California, Camp John Mensinger (Greater Yosemite Area Council) has turned their high adventure program around. For those who's been on BRMC's High Knoll, and New River programs will note some striking familiarities http://www.yosemitescouting.org/sections/Camping/mensinger/history btw...I can't say enough good things about Mensinger. I'm really found of this camp...(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

Eagle92 The knife is a roach belly. As for the mess kit, wanted to show that you don't have shop REI, or Campmor. Goodwill, and yard sales can provide everything needed, without the cost.

Matters not a whit when we sojourn into the backcountry we always take a mess kit... Here's the one I take on the river... http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0133-1.jpg So, whatcha got in yours?

If you're in Maricopa county, then I'm thinking you'll be camping either at Thunderbird, Lake Pleasent, or the White Tanks. All good.... As such, I would include a short nature hike to discover desert flora and fauna. Maybe some star gazing, and a basic introduction to a few constellations, and how they can be used to find direction. How to conserve, and not waste water How to dress properly for desert travel/camping, the correct foot wear, the importance of wearing the correct head gear. (This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

http://www.wimp.com/sheeplight/

Flint and steel, plus cedar bark rolled and rubbed briskly between the hands for tinder...

I for one don't believe in safety. I prefer to look at any activity in the terms of risk management. Programs range between low risk, to high risk and everything in between,be they subjective, and/or objective. Thinking a program as safe is in itself a subjective risk, meaning that there be other elements of risk hidden in the program which have been overlooked, or not considered.

The aviation mb wouldn't be dropped..avionics and aircraft electrical systems would form a seperate mb.

Some easy to do's....photography, bird study, weather, "what if" sessions, soil samples, geology

Hiking, or Canoeing, or Cycling Cooking Gardening Marksmanship Public Speaking - being able to get from point A to point B on your own power - sometimes mom ain't gonna be there when you get hungry - growing your own food liberates one from the common herd that roams the Wal Mart food aisles on the great forage - self confident with firearms prepares one to be able to hunt, or to defend hearth and home - being an effective citizen requires being able to communicate with others. We don't go through life alone, and isolated. We gotta talk with others to get the most out of life.(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

I'd drop the following Fingerprinting, and merge it into a new badge....Forensics Oreinteering, and Hiking....replacing with Land Navigation add... Avionics Search and Rescue EMS (age restricted) Change Climbing to incorporate options, i.e. Rock Climbing or Alpine

oooops, a brain glich. I referance wakonda as "North Wind", not "Great Spirit". My bad (blushing). None the less, as I said, red sun may be the better translation.

hmmmm...try as hard as I could, I see not an iota of eastern woodland algonquin. So, no Lenape. Two words did stand out....wakonda which is from the Otoe language called Chiwere. I suspect the correct translation would be "red sun". Not North Wind. And Okaga (South Wind), which really bewilders me since it's a Japanese word (maybe from the phrase "okaga samade", meaning "fine, thank you; or else, borrowed from the Itcorucika myth. Remember, just as native Americans had no alphabet, neither did they use cardinal directions as Europeans, or Anglo Americans. I'll have to agree with Calico Penn, it's got "made up" writ large.(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

Check out this site.... http://www.boss-inc.com/

What horizon line? And, I've got the canoeing merit badge(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)