August 5, 1985

SUMMARY: This was a 50 mile backpack trip at Lassen Volcanic Nat'l Park, taking place from July 20 thru 27, 1985, Hiking altitudes varied between 6200 and 100500 feet. Six girls (Senior Scouts or recent graduates), one woman and four men participated, working in three independent and self-sufficient patrols.

PLANNING: All planning was done by a team of girls, as follows:

As was the case last year, the girls did an excellent job of planning with a minimum of fuss, doing most of the work at a series of five evening planning sessions to which every participant was invited. The single problem which surfaced was caused by the short period between the closing of the school year and the beginning of the 50 Miler - by the time the money deposits were required (at which time a number of girls dropped out), money had already been committed to the purchase of food. Thanks to some able negotiating by our menu people, we were able to have the food supplier take back the excess food; however, the cash deposit date should be moved up next year to at least 6 weeks before the trip begins.

The major contribution of adults to the planning phase was the submission of all paperwork ("Notification" and "Readiness" forms to the Council, insurance application to the Council, parental permission forms, and reservation paperwork to Lassen Volcanic), as well as the conduct of the traditional pack inspection and weigh-in on the night before our departure.

On the trail we were organized into three patrols, each one made up of a mix of both girls and adults.

Our SPL did an able job on the trail, despite her selection at the last minute (to replace a girl who dropped out) and despite her lack of previous experience on a "50."

PREPARATION; Approximately 65 miles of prep hikes were planned to help us tune up our hearts, lungs and legs. Two such outings were cancelled, leaving ample opportunity for participants to prepare themselves for the "50", including our traditional favorite, the 22 mile weekend backpack trip at Big Basin Redwood State Park. However, some controversy arose this year because of several girls whose other commitments prevented them from attending most of the prep hikes. It is recommended next year that a rule be adopted requiring a flat minimum number of prep hike miles which must be attended in order to qualify a girl or adult for participation in the 50 Miler.

As has been the case on recent "50's", each of the three patrols was completely self-sufficient in terms of food, equipment, shelters and first aid.

The girls complained (with the agreement of their advisors) that the first two day's hikes (to Silver and Snag Lakes) were too short and that the 2000 foot climb up Prospect Peak and back on Wednesday morning was too hard to be fun.

In the future, we would recommend an experienced troop should punch out the hike to Snag Lake on the first day and change the loop route to add six miles to replace the Prospect Peak side trip.

The balance of the hike was enjoyed by the entire troop, including the hike up and over Cinder Cone with packs.

It was generally agreed that tuna and chicken salads were to join Rye Krisp on the forbidden food list for future outings. Leaders will require, beginning next year, that at least half the drinks be made up of Gatoraid, Lemonaid, tea or Kool-Aid with sugar, allowing the balance to be the lighter weight (but useless for nutrition or salt replacement) sugarless/saltless Crystal Lite issued this year.

Our menu people, with the help of our SPL, did an outstanding job of shopping, repackaging and bundling the food, making the distribution and carrying of it easy on the trail.

Medical problems this year were minor, consisting of various blisters (treated with our usual methods), a minor laceration of the sole of a foot, back pain (adults only) and two splinters.

Severe blisters of the heels were suffered by one girl who did her own foot preparation (rather than reporting for morning sick. call), using Second Skin (instead of the troop standard Op-Site) as a protection layer between a newly forming blister and her moleskin. The resulting lack of protection from friction caused the most severe blisters experienced on a 50 Miler. Troop leaders will include a prohibition of Second Skin for any purpose other than an end-of-the-day soothing foot treatment in next year's planning.

CONCLUSION: Lassen Volcanic is a spectacular location for a 50 Milers E place of breathtaking vistas, warm lakes and few other backpackers. Our girls and adults worked well as teams, we enjoyed swimming in a different lake each evening, we enjoyed the special treat of a campfire each night, and the girls even enjoyed the thunder, lightning and hail followed by rain) which fell on us on the last five miles of the trail. The girls found they could climb 3000 feet in a day, hike up Lassen Peak (from 8500 to 10,500 feet) in an hour flat and that they are capable and self-reliance the mountains, once again proving the wisdom of Virgil when he wrote:

Raymond Waugh (Leader/Advisor)

Vernon Tucker (Leader/Advisor)

Kathryn Carpenter (Leader/Advisor)

Cindy, Denise, Marlene & Ray

Micky. Kathryn, Richard & Vern

JoAnn, Tina & Randy