le Voyageur

This runner is an old school technique re-discovered when studying an 18th century sailing manual. It was shown being used with block and tackle to move spars, and cannons. Though it had no name, other then being a "adjustable loops with blood knots", hence, my name, Man O' War to reflect it's orgin. Been teaching, and using this runner for several seasons on Blue Ridge's High Knoll program. It's more secure then either the girth hitch, or the frictionless hitch. Unlike, the girth, and frictionless hitches, the Man O' War can be backed up, and made redundant for additional safety. The two knots to master are the Grapevine, and the Figure 8. Overall, it's very simple. However, it cannot be tied with webbing. For this anchor, I use a Bluewater II static line; 13mm (7/16) for rescue work, and 10.5mm for repelling and belaying stations. http://s546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/th_ManOWar1-1.jpg Begin with two bights (note, when tying into trees, the min diameter must not be less then 8 inches) http://s546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/th_ManOWar2-2.jpg The first Grapevine knot http://s546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/th_ManOWar3-1.jpg The two Grapevines, note the "x" and "o" which denotes the knot is correct. http://s546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/th_ManOWar5-1.jpg The Grapevines dressed, and ready for the next step http://s546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/th_ManOWar10.jpg The upper loop snugged tight to the anchor http://s546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/th_ManOWar7-1.jpg Showing the runner snugged, and ready for the next step. http://s546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/th_ManOWar12-1.jpg The lower loop tied with the Figure 8 knot. On the L., a lightduty self rescue pulley; center, a steel rope thimble for shear reduction; and, on the right, a non locking Oval carabiner. http://s546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/th_ManOWar11-1.jpg Fully rigged, and ready to go for z-drags, or 3 to 1 pulley systems. Note the rope thimble in the eye of the Figure 8 which prevents the rope being pinched when weighted. This reduces the shearing forces by maintaining a consistant radius. On the left, is a locking D carabiner which would off axis the pulley. Under stress, this D could cross load and fail. For hauls that would generated a considerable amount of force, aluminum carabiners should be switched out for steel. The gold standard for steel carabiners is the Petzl Kador.

I've not use the BSA three finger salute in years since I've tendon damage in my right hand. The military salute is much easier for us old coots with these problems...

I might be on staff...

OGE twitter is a website that allows you to stay in contact with the world with little effort, and allows you enough room to post your own mini blogs which are called tweets. click here ----> http://www.twitter.com Currently, I'm following the tweets of near about 50 souls and insitutions around the world...the wealth of information is just amazing...(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

Here's the site..... http://twitter.com/boyscouts

One of those words that has creeped into the lexicon whose meaning depends on the peer group using and popularizing it. Once upon a time, I used to get somewhat upset for being called a dude. In my neck of the woods that insult would get the user a quick trip to the dentist as it implies gelding status. However, since the majority of todays young'em has not a clue as to what a gelding it, I let it pass with a dude back at ya

So not fighting the war was about spending money on other stupid stuff, not saving money and paying down the debt! In the economic terms that drive all government spending policies .... guns and butter Big Lie? Does that count as Godwin's Law BTW only as syncretic ingsoc(This message has been edited by Le Voyageur)

that both Bush administrations had to deal with combat... Being on active duty, and part of the intell community during the Tanker War, Iraq's war with Iran had in effect spent what few WMD's Iraq had. Basing a needless war on WMD that never existed was the first of many of the Big Lie's of the Bush Administration. Lacking the wisdom, and experience of his father, W took this country down a road it did not have to travel, expending both blood and a considerable amount of treasure that could of been better utilized in many domestic programs.

Back in the 80's when my University major was Economics, we spent a considerable amount of class time discussing "trickle" down economics with a few very very sharp pencils. Taking those lessons to heart, my wife and I over the years "Reaganproofed" our investments, and lifestyle. We had not a clue as to when the economy would crash, but we knew that in time it would, and would hard. Our preparedness for this future is now paying off. None the less, the return to Keynesian economics is interesting, and may well work, as Reaganomics is now a proven failure. It's a wait, and see,but I feel that the President is on the right, but a very risky track.....

Many waterfronts require closed toe footwear, thus I would suggest an extra pair of el cheapo's for wet shoes. I also don't see the need for traditional hiking boots, most overnighters can be done in high top tennis shoes which will keep the debri out, unless you're hiking desert terrain where protection is needed from cactus

And at 16, now is the to sign up to work as camp staff to accelerate advancement and leadership growth. Find a camp that encourages, and provide the opportunities to work on merit badges during the summer.

A job for the COR....or the Institutional head. It's their Charter...

On the trek we strive for boy leadership. As guides, we're there for safety, the unit's members will choose a crew leader, akin to a SPL for the week to honcho the crew. Day One, the put in is near Independance, an easy section of water to knock off the rust for those who've not been at the paddle in a while. It's also the chance to work with those without the Canoeing merit badge, or little or no experience with canoes. We take out at Baywood, and provide an assisted portage to Fries. We've elected to forego paddling to Fries as the take out is difficult with considerable risk as it's near a dam. Day Two, we push off from the small town of Fries. This a long day of intense canoeing. First off is Double Shoals, a 2 1/2 mile boulder garden rated as a technical 2 plus. Later in the day, a portage, and a run to Buck's rapid, a class 3 swimmer rapid. Day Three. About a mile of dead water to the next portage. A long day to Foster Falls. Lots of ripples and Ones, at Sheeptown, the infamous Austinville pourover which tends to flip a few boats. A long deadwater paddle from Austinville to Shottower rapids. If Shottower is open this year, there will be a stop for a short vist. From there, the run into Foster Falls in all deadwater. The crew is formed up, and we run the upper falls to the State campground. Day Four. We put in early to make Allisonia no later then 1300-1400hrs. This section is an easy run for the day. At Allisonia we load up for West Virginia for a half day of rafting on Friday. We strive to be back at Powhattan no later then 1500 hours...

Feel free to ask questions concerning the Voyageur Trek....

This thread isn't for backpacking. It's for drivers who are using GPS units in their vehicles. Thus, UTM's won't work. At least not for my GPS unit. The ideal is to provide information to make it easer for unit leaders, new to an area, to make their way to camp. Or, to use Google earth to see where a camp is located for planning purposes....

Post em'here... Maine High Adventure Base (boat landing via Shin Pond) 49 09' 10.85"N 68 48' 15.90"W Post em'here Camp Lions - Pipsico Scout Reservation 37 11' 03.31"N 76 52' 40.53"W Otarri - BRMC 36 59' 41.83"N 80 34' 41.68"W Powhattan - BRMC 36 57' 50.60"N 80 39' 47.13"W Camp John Mensinger - Greater Yosemite Area Council 38 12' 47.43"N 120 08' 33.37"W

Never had a problem pitching in, no matter the program area. And yes, the Dining Hall, and Kitchen crews are as much Program as any of the other traditional program areas. Also, it allows those of us who have been seasoned by many, many tours as camp staff to set the example for the new staff member, that we are an extended family. And when family members need help, we're there.....

On the river, a blunt nose serrated sheath knife. Other then that, carbon steel. The sheath knife I carry is around 120 years old, a little oil, a little emory keeps the rust away....

For a high energy drink....hot coco with 2 to 3 tablespoons butter For fast snacks....premade brown rice squares mixed with creame cheese, molasses, pecans and crumbled bacon

Merlin....Washington was from Virginia, which was the 10th to ratify. He was not a citizen of the US when the constitution was adopted, he was a citizen of Virginia, which was not part of the US "at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution. Interesting observation - meaning the first legitmate President per the Constitution would of been John Tyler, the 10th President, born 1790, about 4 years after the signing of the 1786 Treaty of Paris......

Getting in late on this one.... But, I"m looking forward to an Obama Administration....and an end to one of the worst modern Presidents since Hoover. Bout time for this country to return to the center, and the Constitution...

Just curious.... For those who have attended this camp, how big it the pond where their canoeing program is taught? And, what is your opinion of their canoeing merit badge program? And, what would you change, keep, or modify, or enhance?

Thoughts to ponder while swinging the paddle..... Nature always sides with the hidden flaw The solution to a problem changes the problem The chief cause of problems is solutions Everything put together sooner or later falls apart. Natural laws have no pity An ounce of application is worth a ton of abstraction. The local density of mosquitoes is inversely proportional to your remaining repellent. The remaining distance to your chosen campsite remains constant as twilight approaches.

Thoughts to ponder while swinging the paddle..... Nature always sides with the hidden flaw The solution to a problem changes the problem The chief cause of problems is solutions Everything put together sooner or later falls apart. Natural laws have no pity An ounce of application is worth a ton of abstraction. The local density of mosquitoes is inversely proportional to your remaining repellent. The remaining distance to your chosen campsite remains constant as twilight approaches.

I'm a Raven Eagle Eagle - Camp Phatsi, Golden Empire 1994 Raven.....Phillippines - 1972