Posts filed under 'Hiking'
June 8th, 2007
spryken
As I am preparing for my weekend backpacking trip to the AT, I’ve been thinking about food. Surprise, surprise. I’ve already posted about freezer bag cooking. A lot of those recipes call for a packet of some condiment. Have you ever thought about where you can get those packets?
I’ve already started my trips to the fast-food establishments. There are 2 problems with that.
- I tend to eat there.
- Supplying a crew of 8 can raise some eyebrows.
- You can’t find everything you want or need.
Enter Minimus.biz. “Minimus - For All Your Travel Size Needs”. They 1000s of items in packets or travel size packages. Free shipping on domestic orders over $20. I wish I had found them earlier. I don’t think I can get an order in and delivered before I leave.
They even have the Jalapeno Squeeze Cheese I remember from Philmont. Oh well, there is next time.
Technorati Tags: Backpacking, Hiking, Cooking, Travel
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Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Camping, Cooking, Hiking
June 4th, 2007
spryken
June 2nd was National Trails Day and I used it to kick off work on the Hiking and Backpacking Merit Badges for our Troop. We have approximately 65 scouts registered in the troop. Of those 21 have signed up to work on the merit badges and 7 actually showed up on Saturday. Some may feel disappointed in such numbers, but it was what I expected. Due to the number of hikes required by these merit badges, I have planned on having to break the boys up into groups anyway. Most of the boys have full schedules with sports, school, music and scouts. No one will be able to make every scheduled activity.
The Hike
We met at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC at 9:30. The Museum staff and volunteers were extremely receptive to our coming and offer to tailor the presentation to our needs. They had 2 hike scheduled for the day at 10:00 and 2:00. We were joined by several other patrons and started out on the trek. Jerrod, our guide, pointed out that the entire Museum Park was considered Art, not just the exhibits in it. Different structures have been placed so that from above you see the words “PICTURE THIS”. The boys had fun trying to figure out what structures made which letters. The biggest hit was probably the Cloud Chamber, a camera obsura. The entire hut is a pinhole camera, it brings the sky down to your feet.
After the guided tour of the art in the park, we left our guide and continued our hike. We crossed the Greenway bridge over I-440 and then returned to the park’s picnic area. After the boys had lunch, we went over most of the bookwork for the Hiking Merit Badge, first-aid, leave no trace, hiking safety, hiking courtesy, hike plans and reports. A very good start to the merit badge.
The boys learned that a hike does not necessarily mean putting on a heavy backpack and camping. The short hike gave them a taste of what is involved and that extended walking is exercise. I think they realize that the longer hikes required by the merit badge will take some training. I informed the boys that our next hike will be 5 or 6 miles. I am not going to jump to the required 10 mile hikes until I see that they are ready. I have some 10-11 year olds along with the 14-15 year olds. I will probably have to split the boys by skill levels and since I have so many signed up, that should not be a problem.
If anyone has any ideas about types of hikes or how to work the younger boys up to the longer hikes, please comment. I have a lot of adult participation and assistance so doing multiple trips or hike should not be a problem. I said I had 7 boys but our group totaled 14. That’s 1 adult per boy. I know I won’t always have that ratio but it is good to know I have that type of support!!
Hike On!
Entry Filed under: Boy Scouts, Hiking
May 23rd, 2007
spryken
June 2nd is National Trails Day.
The American Hiking Society is celebrating the 15th year of National Trails Day. There are events all over the country from sponsored hikes to trail maintenance.
I am launching a series on the Hiking and Backpacking merit badges for our troop in conjunction with the National Trails Day event at the NC Museum of Art. The Museum is holding guided hikes on the 1.5 mile Museum Park trail. There will be explanations of some of the Park’s exhibits.
I feel this is a great way to introduce the boys to hiking. And I mean hiking as opposed to backpacking. So many of the boys seem to think that they have to strap on a backpack to earn the hiking merit badge. Hiking can be any type of walk. It can be backpacking, but it can also be a walk along a greenway or at the local park, even a learning hike at a local museum.
The 3 mile round trip hike will also allow me to see how our new boys can handle the more rigorous hikes required by the hiking merit badge. I hope to slowly introduce the boys to longer and more strenuous hikes, maybe even hook them on the backpacking trips I love.
I hope to get the boys more involved with the trail maintenance activities next year. But building interest in trails is the idea behind the National Trails Day. I urge you to go out and find a trail activity near you. Get involved.
Hike On!
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Hiking
May 18th, 2007
spryken
As I was contemplating an upcoming 3 day trip on the Appalachian Trail, I pondered what food I was going to take. I do not like a lot of the “Power” bars or meal replacement bars. There are exceptions like the Clif Bars. Being somewhat of a cook and a little adventurous, I decided to see what I could come up with on my own.
I started by searching Body Building websites for recipes for Protein bars. Then I looked at websites for hiking/backpacking and cycling for Energy bar recipes. After reviewing these sites, I headed to the store and then the kitchen.
Here is what I came up with:
- 1 cup Oatmeal
- 1/2 cup wheat germ
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup sliced, dried apricots
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup vanilla flavored protein powder
- 1/2 cup non-fat dry milk powder
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cup peanut butter
- vegetable spray
Toast the oats, wheat germ and sesame seeds in a 350 F oven for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine with the almonds, apricots, raisins, protein powder and powder milk. Be sure the raisins and apricots are well distributed and coated with the dry ingredients.
Heat the corn syrup and sugar in a large pot until just boiling and the sugar has melted. Remove from heat, stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients and stir. It will be stiff, so use a strong spoon. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with vegetable spray. Spoon into greased pan and spread evenly. Allow to cool at room temperature.
Cut into squares (approximately 20-24).
I used quick oats, but whole oats will work too. You can sometimes find bulk sesame seeds at specialty markets or in the Natural/Organic sections of your grocery store, this is much cheaper than what you can find on the spice isle. If you don’t like apricots try some other dried fruit that you do like. One of my step-sons doesn’t like apricots, so I promised I would try mango or papaya and coconut next time. Maybe some banana chips would be a good addition too.
I have made these several times and am looking forward to enjoying them on the trail. I let some co-workers try them and now they are trying to get me to sell them. They are not body builders or even outdoor enthusiasts so they don’t care about the calorie dense blend of carbs for quick energy with protein for sustained energy. They just like the taste. There is one cyclist at work that is planning to make some for his next bike event.
Technorati Tags: training, recipe, hiking, backpacking, cycling
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Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Cooking, Hiking, Recipes
May 8th, 2007
spryken
As the weather turns warmer and we all start to get out on the trails more, we should remember the sunscreen. I was scanning some news headlines on the web when I ran across Skin Cancer: Skin Color Doesn’t Matter at East West Magazine. The one quote that got me was “anyone — light or dark — is at risk”.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness month!! For some facts check out the Skin Cancer Foundation.
A couple of things to keep in mind while hiking or backpacking:
- More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure *
- A person’s risk for skin cancer doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns *
That last tidbit is telling. I had more than 5 sunburns before I turned 13. And I have had a basal cell removed, along with 2 precancerous moles. I now have a heightened appreciation for sunscreen. I dislike it, but I use it. I use to get down right brown in the summers. Now it is just my arms that tan. I have the classic farmer’s tan. Even that isn’t healthy, but the only way to stop it is to wear long sleeve shirts.
As a Boy Scout Leader, I not only need to remind my boys to apply and reapply sunscreen, I need to provide a good example. We are off on a backpacking trek on the Appalachian Trail in June. I better stock up!!
* from Skin Cancer Foundation
Technorati Tags: skin cancer, health, boy scout, backpacking, hiking, safety
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Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Hiking
