Edition 3, February 2001

We Got Our Backcountry Reservations!

With some minor modifications, the Grand Canyon backcountry office accepted our trail reservations! There will be two groups, crew 1 (Rick Eppley as advisor) with 10 members and crew 2 (Greg Temple as advisor) with 9 members. Crew members may begin letting Jeff Gardner know which group they want to be in. Check out our web site for the trail itinerary for each group. Also, each group may now begin deciding on how they will handle meals.

Due to the trail itinerary changes, our trip must be extended by one day. Therefore, we will return July 2^nd. Also, we will have to drop the full day shuttle bus tour. For those of you who took the 9 1/2 hour bus tour in Alaska with us last summer, I'm sure this news has you jumping for joy.

Now that the trip dates are finalized, you need to let John know if you will not be taking part in this trip. All deposits become final on March 5^th.
 
 

Our next preparation hike will be the Clarke State Forest Trail. We will meet at the church Friday, February 23^rd at 6:00 p.m. Friday night will be primitive tent camping. Jeff has a 12 mile hike planned Saturday and a 9 miler for Sunday. We should return to the church between 3:00-5:00 p.m. Cost for the weekend is $5.00 and you need to bring your own food. Please call Jeff and let him know if you will be attending.
 
 

Please stop by the troop's Grand Canyon web site. You will find photos of our previous preparation hikes, the new trip itinerary, the latest crew roster, the skill night info sheets and all of the newsletters. You'll find it here:

http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~joeyd/gc.html
 
 

If you havenÃt begun your workout program then you are flirting with disaster. If you try to backpack the Grand Canyon with an unprepared body then you will jeopardize not only yourself, but all the members in your group. Do yourself a favor ¤ begin a rigorous workout plus toughen up your knees and feet. You and everyone else will be glad you did.

Our poster child for the Grand Canyon trek is Greg Temple. He has cut out fast food from his diet, dropped eight pounds and exercises religiously.
 
 

A new development - To ride the mules at the north rim, your weight must not exceed 200 pounds. I talked to the mule company and they said 205 pounds is acceptable, but not much more. If your weight exceeds this then let Jeff Gardner know you won't be taking the mule ride. You will be refunded $40 at the end of the trip.