Well we did it! We now have another High Adventure (HA) saga in Troop 159's history book. Beginning Friday, 18 Jan 08, eight HA Scouts and four Scout Advisors rallied at the UMC to begin a three day Winter backpacking trek on the Chattooga River Trail. There was a lot of excitement in our HA Crew, mixed with a wee bit of trepidation, especially by our two HA rookies and a few others who were making their first winter trek. That trepidation also extended to several moms of Crew members who I did my best to reassure that their sons would be okay (and I was right). I guess part of the concern was due to the three day weather forecast calling for 1-3 inches of mixed snow and sleet on Saturday, day time temperatures only in the low 30's, with night time temperatures as low as 18 degrees each night for the three nights we would be on the trail. However, this was a "Winter" Trek and how best to be experience a Winter Trek, than to have real winter conditions. Staying home was just not an HA option.

These are the Scouts and Scouters who did not falter or fall ill to sickness at the last minute, in short, the men who showed up with packs ready to hit the trail:

We left the UMC right on time (5:15 PM) and drove 80 miles to the US 76 bridge on the South Carolina and Georgia border (Chattooga River) where we linked up with two of our former Troop members, Life Scout Chase S. and his dad Clay who have joined us on other HA treks since they moved to the Augusta, Georgia area several years ago. Chase and Clay have an open invitation to join any of our HA Treks and we always look forward to a reunion with old Scout friends. Mr. Sprouse's vehicle served as our end of trail shuttle vehicle and also where each Crew member left a change of clothes just in case we ended the trail wet and cold (a likely proposition). We then drove another 23 miles to Lick Log Creek further up on the Chattooga River, where we dropped our other two vehicles to begin a half mile headlamp hike into our first night's camping area on Lick Log Creek, a tributary to the Chattooga River. It was a first time night hike for many, plus the first time many had hiked at night in the snow as well (remember, it snowed several inches up there just the day before). It was also the first time most of us ever had to clear snow off the ground before pitching a tent either. Thanks to Mr. Gregory who carried in a quick start fire log so we could get a small camp fire going for some extra light and warmth. The fire was a welcomed and unexpected immediate amenity. As soon as camp was set up, we had hot soup, hot chocolate, and cookies to celebrate our first night of three nights on the trail, as well as to fuel the body for the cold night ahead. It did not take too long before Crew members started heading for the warmth and comfort of those winter sleeping bags, also knowing they had an early rise and a tough hike facing them the next morning.

We woke to a cold Saturday morning in the mid 20 degree range, and it required our Crew Chief (Chris A.) to apply some serious motivation to get folks out of those sleeping bags. We had expected to wake up to rain and snow as well the cold, but fortunately, the rain and snow held off while we broke camp and got on the trail. The hot chocolate and oatmeal breakfast did a lot to warm the insides, and the hot cups did wonders for the frozen fingers as well. It took awhile to get packed up and going, since many of the Crew had some aversion to cold weather, and were also still learning how to pack in the field. We finally got on the trail to begin what would be a 9 to 10 mile little walk through the woods, which included the ups and downs of more than just few hills. Oh yes, did I say that most Scouts were carrying about 35 pounds or more on their backs? That's no easy task when your not all that big to begin with. Hard to get away with a light pack in the winter time since each Crew member is carrying a heavier sleeping bags, cold weather clothing, three days food, half of a two man tent, and an equal share of Crew common equipment. Fair weather camping is a whole lot lighter that's for sure!

We were not too far along the trail when the weather decided it was time to start adding to the experience by giving us a steady downfall of rain, sleet and snow (mostly the last two thank goodness). For most of the Crew, that was a whole new experience as well. This type of weather when combined with the weight of a pack, and a lot of trail to hike can test most any Scout or Scouter, and that is exactly what was happening this day. I derived from the looks on a few faces, especially of our rookies and younger guys that there just might be some place else they might want to be today. However, that's when a Crew must pull together even harder to help each Crew member get through it. It's also a time when each Crew member must reach down inside himself to find that inner strength to keep trekking on, as there is not quitting when you are miles from anything. The old adage of "when the going gets tough, the tough get going" really applied on this Trek. By the end of our first full Trek day, we had hiked about 9 miles to Warwoman Creek where we found a very nice and welcomed camp site with an ample water supply. Now of course, we are a bit wet, and it was quickly growing colder, so it did not take too long to get those tents up, and hot food cooked and quickly eaten. After dinner we (well, all but Zach who was already sound asleep) had a headlamp campfire, and then we all too willingly got into those sleeping bags for the night. One thing about HA Scouts is that you never have to tell them to go to bed because they've been working hard all day and are just plain tired.

The sky cleared up Saturday night, but got a whole lot colder as an even colder weather front moved in. We awoke to Sunday morning temperatures of 19 or 20 degrees. It was really tough to get going, and took a lot of "encouragement" to get out of those tents, and get breakfast going, let alone pack up with your fingers freezing. Everyone was still alive and most managed to get through the night in pretty good shape, but I think Mr. Gregory will rethink using his hammock tent for a cold weather trek again. I'm afraid if he would have fallen out of his hammock tent sometime around dawn (usually the coldest part of the night), he might have splintered like an ice sickle as he came close to freezing, and even closer to moving into Mr. Stewart's tent. Despite the extreme cold, we still managed to get going since everyone was eager to hike simply to warm up. We hiked close to 10 miles on Sunday under a bright sunny sky, in temperatures that did not get much past 30 degrees. The trail had us doing a lot of climbing and descents, but fortunately, nothing really too long or extreme, although, those heavy winter packs do make even smaller climbs seem a lot tougher. The views were pretty good, especially those along the Chattooga River, and we all agreed it was a great area to come back to especially on a warmer day. Found a nice river side camp after a long climb and decent to the river getting into camp at 4:15 PM. That gave us ample time to make camp, treat our water, and gather a big pile of firewood which provided a very warm campfire that evening. The entire Crew gathered around the campfire for stories, jokes, and some serious warmth both from the fire and the bond HA Scouts have when doing something tough like this Trek together (Crew morale was very good). The temperature was dropping fast so anytime you moved away from the fire you came back to it quickly, or went to bed to stay warm. I do believe that Mr. Stewart and Mr. Gregory where the last Crew members still up as the fire wood finally ran out, which event quickly sent them to their sleeping bags to stay warm.

Wow, so now it's Monday morning and our last day on the trail. It's also only 18 degrees this morning at 7:00 AM, which is the same time Chris got us up. This morning there was no delay in breaking camp as the Crew knew that this day they'd be home to the land of hot showers and flush toilets, let alone an open refrigerator. They also knew that making it to the end of the trail is also the place where "Man Bricks" are finally earned. The Crew shaved 45 minutes off the prior two mornings for getting packed up and ready to hit the trail. You might say the Crew was like a herd of horses who smelled the barn and you best not get caught in the stampede because they were moving fast to get home. Despite the cold temperatures, it was a great day to hike and about 5 minutes after we started down trail, we ran into two of our HA veterans (Will J. and Mr. Johnson) who could not make the whole trek, but wanted to at least do some hiking with the Crew. They had driven up that morning and were on the trail for 4 miles about the time we were getting up back in camp. During our first break, Will and Mr. Johnson surprised the entire Crew by pulling bottles of Gator Aid out of their packs for everyone, which they'd carried up trail. It really hit the spot, and many thanks to the Johnsons! The Crew hiked with a whole lot of motivation this morning and covered the last 4+ miles in a little over 2 hours. There was a lot of welcomed shouting and hand shaking when the US 76 bridge (end of the trail) was sited where we all gathered for some final celebration pictures and our end of tough Treks traditional "Cream Sodas" (generously supplied by Mr. Sprouse). The cream sodas also washed down two packs of Oreos and candy bars we'd stashed away in Mr. Sprouse's car.

Both of our HA Rookies and one HA veteran received their Trail names during this Trek as well. Will Warlick is now known as "Camel Back" (left his new Camel Back water hydration system which also contained his trail snacks, on the kitchen table at home), Zach Weihrauch is now known as "Hippy" (had a real issue with the way his pack waist belt was hurting his hips, and dare I say, because of his long hair), and our veteran James Svacha is now known as "Moose" (you had to see the flannel pants he wore Monday that were full of moose heads). Will and Zach also earned another distinction at the end of this Trek, they are no longer "HA Rookies" but are now "HA Veterans."

Thanks to Chris "Light Foot" A. and Chase "Bull Rider" S. for serving as the Crew and Assistant Crew Chiefs, respectively. Thanks to Turner "Doc" C. for being our Crew medic and carrying the first aid kit (he only had to make one "Tent Call"). Many thanks to the Advisors, for who put those heavy packs on and endured the tough weather when they could have stayed home. Without them, the Trek would never have happened, and the Crew would have missed out on the talents and skills they provide to these young men.

In closing I want to commend these young men for going the distance and in good form, despite it being tough trek of 25 miles over 2.5 days in very harsh weather conditions and carrying extremely heavy packs. Every Crew member surely earned a "Man Brick" by completing this trek. Each Scout found that inner strength we know they have in them, but often have never had to find it. HA provides this challenge to them, and the potential "Man Bricks" for them to build on. Please commend them yourself at the first opportunity for having completed this difficult trek and earning a job well done!

High Adventure Requires Inner Strength,

DAVID E. COLVIN
ASM, Senior Advisor, High Adventure Program