A Scout’s Campfire

Clingmans to Fontana - Final Prep

June 12th, 2007 spryken

Our troop is in the final preparation stage for our Fontana Lake trip.  A group of older/experienced scouts will be backpacking on the Appalachian Trail from Clingmans Dome to Fontana Marina for 3 days then will canoe on the Lake to complete 50 miles total.  The younger scouts will be canoeing on the lake and doing day hikes in the area while the older boys are on the AT.

This is an example of some 2 pronged camping trips we have tried to plan to provide more adventure for the older boys while giving the younger boys a taste of what to expect.  I have to admit this has been a logistical nightmare.  Earlier trips like this one have been of the same duration.  This time, the older group is staying 2 extra nights.  Transportation of the canoes and getting the travel vehicles from Clingsman to Fontana has been difficult to plan, to say the least.  Another issue is the dropout rate.  Seems that scouts sign up for trips without asking their parents, who have summer vacation plans.

But all of that is behind us, all the plans are made and finalized.  Now it is just finish my packing, prepare some trail bars and do some last minute shopping, then we are on our way.  We will hit the trail some time Friday afternoon.  These last few days at work are going to be miserable.  I just can’t wait to get on the trail again.

Hike On!

Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Camping