Pretty simple: keep moving or get cold - Duncan Knob Hollow wrap up
We had an excellent showing of Scouts and adults for this weekend's trip. The Scouts were Ben J, Braden B, Brandon C, Brendan L, Chris K, Christopher D, Christopher F, Daniel H, Ethan B, Ian F, Ian S, James R, Jason H, Jordan C, Mario M, Matthias Z, Nick B, Noah C, Owen C, Tigo A, and Tim J. And the adults were Ben K, David J, Keith F, Matt L, Matt S, Max M, Michael D, Misa C, Mitch B, Shelly C, Steven Z, and me.
I'm not positive, but I suspect 33 people is more than we've ever had on a backpacking trip.
With limited December daylight and a bit of drive to the trailhead, we opted for an early meet-up at the Church. All 11 cars were headed west by 8:45 AM (with frequent checks of the exterior temperature). The trailhead parking lot was the very same one as the Kennedy Peak hike--just east on 675 from Edinburg. But whereas the Kennedy peak hike headed northeast out of the lot, we went southwest yesterday.
After 25 minutes of hiking, most everyone had peeled several layers of clothing. And more than a few had ditched hats and gloves entirely. It's funny how cold it feels when you first step from the car; then how warm it feels once the legs get pumping.
Our hiking pace was quite modest with winter-gear-laden packs and many Scouts on their first backpacking trip. But we covered the 3 miles easily enough and setup camp at the third site along the trail.
We fully intended to camp in the second site along the route. But who wants to stop at a beautiful, wide open campsite with ample room for all when you can blow right past, do 2 more (rather sporty) stream crossings, and wind up in a site far more horizontally challenged ;) Did I mention this was our first time on this hike? We all had a good look at that other site this morning on the hike out -- we won't miss it next time.
Speaking of stream crossings, the third one yesterday was a doozy. Downed trees created a dam with deep water over the usual stepping stones. So we used one of the trees as a bridge--only Mother Nature put the bridge in the wrong place--exiting the bridge onto the far bank was quite tricky, especially with full packs.
Once we had tents pitched, we were off again for another heat-generating walk. We had hoped to have enough time to reach the top of Duncan Knob. But instead we focused on getting warm and returning to camp by 4:15PM in hopes of having daylight for most of dinner prep.
The next time you have trouble getting your kids to bed before midnight, just take 'em backpacking in the winter. After freeze-dried dinners and a little time by the fire, we were all ready to put our winter sleeping bags to the test. We had to laugh about it, but not a soul was outside tents after 7PM.
From what I heard around the campfire this morning, all of the Scouts managed just fine overnight--those winter bags did pretty well. Some of the guys sought to maximize the heating benefit of having tent mates. Somehow, the seams of the 3 person tent were still intact after housing 5 (very cozy) guys last night.
We followed our usual protocol of tents down before breakfast this morning. Then the group split-up for the way back with younger guys directly retracing steps and the older guys doing the side hike up the the knob before following behind the other crew.
Every one of the boys was colder than he preferred at some point this weekend. But there was a lot more to the weekend than cold weather. Matt relayed what one of the Scouts told him this morning: "I saw there was no one around to complain to, so I decided there was no point in complaining. And I just worked it out."
That makes you feel all warm inside--no matter the weather.
Mr. Forrer.