Edition 4, March 2001
 

Final Quarter Countdown

We are now within three months of departure for Grand Canyon. If you haven't yet begun your physical fitness preparation then it is time for you to panic! I kid you not, you need to be in peak physical condition for the trek.

Here are the final qualifiers for the trip:

1. Daily exercise program
2. April 27-29, Zaleski S. P., 12 miles ($9)
3. $200 nonrefundable deposit by 5/7/01
4. Advance a rank by 5/7/01
5. Class 3 medical form by 5/7/01
6. Permission slip by 5/7/01
7. May 11-13, Mischa Mokwa, 21 miles ($15)

Our next preparation hike will be Zaleski State Park. We will meet at the church Friday, April 27th at 6:00 p.m. Both nights will be primitive tent camping. Rick has a 12 mile hike planned for the weekend so we should be home in good time on Sunday. Cost for the weekend is $9.00 and you need to bring your own food. Since this is one of the final required trips, we will begin hiking and cooking in our two Grand Canyon crews.

Scouts may want to use their Zaleski trail hiking time to work on the backpacking merit badge with Rick. The requirements for this merit badge can be found at http://www.meritbadge.com/bsa/mb/026.htm. At the bottom of this page is also a list of excellent backpacking links.

Our final preparation hike will be Mischa Mokwa. We will meet at the church Friday, May 11th at 6:00 p.m. The first night will be primitive tent camping. Jeff Gardner has reserved the cabin for the second night so you won't need to carry a tent on this 21 mile overnighter. Thanks Jeff! Cost for the weekend is $15 and you will need to bring your own food. One way driving time is approximately five hours so you might want to bring books, video games, CD players, etc.

I have already had several individuals tell me they might be unable to attend the final preparation hike. Anyone missing a required hike has two options:

Option 1: You will hike the same trail on a different weekend. This requires:

1. a minimum of four people (one must be at least 18 years of age, one must be at least 21 years of age and a registered Scouter who has basic first aid and CPR certification)
2. transportation (a minimum of two vehicles since this is not a loop trail)
3. a tour permit
4. trail reservations (assuming availability)
5. Scoutmaster approval
6. Passing a short test about trail features to ensure you really did hike the trail
7. If you miss the Mischa Mokwa trek, remember that the cabin will not be available and you will need to carry a tent.

No other options or exceptions will be made. Our Grand Canyon backpacking trek is very challenging and demanding. We cannot afford to have someone risk the success of their group.

You must do a great deal of preparation on your own. Spend 30 to 45 minutes 4 to 5 times a week in a good aerobic workout. Keep a chart of your workouts to ensure you are meeting your goals. By June you should have built up enough muscle to carry a 30 to 40 pound backpack up and down the side of Englewood Dam for an hour. If you do not adequately prepare for the trip, you will endanger not only yourself, but also the other members of your crew as well. Get busy!