August 28, 1987

LEADER'S EVALUATION, 1987 "50 MILER" IN THE JOHN MUIR WILDERNESS...

On August 1 - 8, 18 girls, women and men of the "Fighting 253rd" hiked our seventh annual summertime 50 mile backpack trip. It was, at times, physically demanding but it was always visually beautiful and (in many ways) unusual. Of the seven such 50 Milers, it found us spending the most time above 10,000 feet altitude (12 miles of hiking and four of our eight days). With 18 participants, it was our largest 50 Miler, and it found us taking along two married couples (our first ever for such a trip). It was our first "50" with two layover days (only once before, in 1984, did we have a day without hiking). For the first time since 1981, we suffered no real rain. We celebrated one birthday and one wedding anniversary on the trail. This trip was the first to have two sisters on the team. Finally, three fishermen caught our first 50 Miler trout, and many of them at that. The views were often breath takingly beautiful and all of us returned home renewed in spirit and in our sense of self confidence. A list of participants is attached.

PREPARATIONS:

As is our habit every year, our preparations consisted of a series of planning meetings at which the girls decided on the route and did nearly all of the planning. Individual and team efforts included two girls who handled budgets and finances (Christina and Sherri), another (Sunshine) who planned the menu for the week (attached) and did the shopping, a girl (Bobbi) who kept the journal (also attached) during the outing and our Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Kristin and her assistant (our ASPL) Suzy. Adult participation in the planning was limited to restocking the first aid kits, checking out our equipment and helping with the massive Job of sorting and bundling the food for the week.

During the month of July, girls and adults participated in a series of preparation hikes, designed to tune up our hearts, lungs and legs. A total of 34 miles of prep hikes were made available to insure that everyone did a minimum of 45. Our annual 22 Miler weekend at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, always a prep hike loved for its own sake, was well attended this year.

On the last night before the trip, each girl (and non-leader adult) brought her (or his) pack to the annual pack inspection for checking and weighing. Each person was required to have everything that is called out on the troop's 50 Miler equipment list (attached) and nothing else (except for six ounces of discretionary material). At the end of the inspection, the patrol equipment was divided among the members of each patrol, as was the food. After the packs were weighed, they were impounded lest they pick up weight during the night. The average girls pack weighed in at 30 pounds, with leaders carrying up to 50 or 55 pounds. Our packs were a bit heavier than we would like this year, because this was an eight-day outing.

We hit the trail organized into five patrols, each entirely self sufficient in every way, of three or four members each (see attached list). Each patrol included an adult who acted as first aid officer for that team (marked on the list with an *). All cooking and other chores were performed on a patrol basis.

ROUTE

Our route is described on the attached map and contour plot, a loop trip through the John Muir Wilderness starting from (and ending at) Lake Edison. On the contour plot, cross-country hiking (without benefit of trail) is indicated by dashed lines. We took a ferry across the lake on our first day, to cut off the long hike around the shore. All of us drove up to the vicinity of the hike on Friday (July 31) to spend the night becoming acclimated to the altitude, and we were on the ferry on Saturday morning. Of our seven nights on the trail, we spent only one at streamside with the rest located on the shore of an alpine lake. Because of health problems early on, we applied the lesson we learned during our 1982 trip into Desolation Wilderness and modified our hike substantially, eliminating about 1700 feet of climbing and putting in a layover day on Monday to allow everyone to recuperate from Saturday's and Sunday's hikes.

Our route is contained on the top of the Mt. Abbot Quadrangle 15 minute topo map, and the bottom of the similar Mt. Morrison map. However, several trails we took are not shown on these vintage 1953 maps; we applied the lesson learned last year to transcribe the latest trail routes from a 1986 USDA Forest Service map to our topos before we left, and had no problem with trails. In addition, we had planned on several days of cross-country hiking (with map and compass) where trails did not exist. We were most fortunate to have Russ Wood with us; he had hiked nearly the same route the year before with his Explorer post.

Several items are worth noting about our route. First, the cross-country work should not be attempted by any other group unless they have one of us with them to act as a guide or unless they are very sophisticated with map and compass. In particular, the Sunday hike took us over an unmarked saddle in the Silver Divide which is not only not obvious, but lies to the right of what (from the south side) seems to be the obvious saddle. Seen from the north side, that "obvious" saddle in the Divide is nearly vertical. Second, we made a mistake in biting off a 2400 foot climb on our first day on the trail; we leaders agreed that it ranked second in difficulty only to the 1982 50 Miler "death march" into Lake Schmidel, and it left girls and adults severely fatigued for Sunday's cross-country climb. By Sunday night, we found ourselves at Izaak Walton Lake (far from our planned destination) and we decided to take a day off from hiking to recover and to plan a modified route for the middle part of our trip. We eliminated a hike over another ridge and decided instead to cross-country out of Izaak Walton Lake into Cascade Valley for a day of gentle downhill and a night at streamside before rejoining our original route plan.

ROUTINE:

Except for lazy layover days, we awoke each morning about 6:00am (except for the last day when we were up at 5:30) to make our breakfast and to pack before hitting the trail around 8:00 am. We sometimes hiked together (especially during the difficult cross-country segments), but often broke into two or three groups (each including a leader). Upon reaching our destination, we made camp and attended to our chores. Upon arrival, our SPL or ASPL designated a portion of the forest for men to use and another for women. She also selected one patrol to gather firewood for the evening and another to "pick foil" the next morning (all containers were burned in our evening campfire and the thin foil remains were picked out of the ashes the following morning). After unpacking and setting up, we carefully bear-bagged our food (we had received reports of bears in several areas). Additionally, we took care of laundry, swimming, cleaning our hair and such. By sunset, our dinner dishes were done and our campfire was lit.

WEATHER:

Except for a few midweek afternoon sprinkles (hardly enough to justify putting on our ponchos), we had clear, warm and dry weather, the best since our first (1981) 50 Miler. On our first two mornings, we awoke to find frost on our sleeping bags but as the week wore on, the nightime temperatures rose.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Except for minor problems with two packs, we had no equipment difficulties this year. Having nearly run out of fuel last year, we packed a fifth can with each patrol during this hike and had plenty for the week. Since the troop has only three complete patrol 50 Miler kits, two leaders, volunteered their own equipment to supplement the troop's and to enable us to avoid having to buy more.

MEDICAL AND FIRST AID:

Saturday's severe and rapid climb brought on classic cases of altitude sickness for our two smallest girls this year, our first ever (and cured by the layover day at Izaak Walton Lake). We had the usual variety of cuts, abrasions, sunburn, sore muscles, mildly twisted ankles, mild dehydration and bug bites. Most unusual was the fact that blisters were less of a problem this year than in any past. As in the past, our first aid kits and supplies (see attached list) were adequate for our needs.

FOOD:

Our diet was adequate for our needs, and we leaders thought that Sunny did an outstanding Job considering that this was her first "50" and that she had no help. However, the menu (see attached) and food preparation came under some criticism. First, the menu was too repetitive, especially for lunches. Second, food sharing between the two small (three member) patrols saved money and weight, but made for unnecessary work and coordination. Some meal bundles were incomplete, causing us to sometimes have to search our packs for a single loose food package. Third, when instructed to put tiny holes in the bags of freeze dried foods during the "bundling party" the week before we left, the 'girls put not-so-tiny holes in nearly all bags, resulting in Kool-Aid all over the insides of some packs, leaking sugar or pancake mix, and food bags which leaked when hot water was added (in lieu of a pot) to a bag of freeze dried food. Fourth, we had a shortage of sugar drinks and trail snacks for quick energy on long hiking days. Additionally, several of the Richmoor main courses were poorly received by our diners this year, reinforcing our opinion that (for the dollar) the Mountain House brand is superior. To avoid these situations next year, we feel that troop leaders need to maintain constant communications with the girls in charge of planning, purchasing and bundling food. To minimize fatigue on the trail, we must include more sugar (not sugar-free) drinks and trail snacks in our menu. We also agreed that we had too much "help" for the organizing and bundling, and that next year we would have the job done by one member from each patrol, working under a single "chief" who will check for package punctures only in the upper, right hand corner of bags which contain no powdery substances. Finally, we agreed that we would prepare written guidelines for next year's girl in charge of menu and food.

FINANCES:

For the first time in seven years our troop has conducted a summertime 50 Miler, we Turned a profit. Our troop has always been aware that backpacking can be an expensive sport, and we have been as creative as possible to insure that no girl misses this outing because she cannot afford it. Many Boy Scout troops charge over $100 per person for their 50 Miler; we kept our fee to $65/person this year, only $5 more than we charged in 1981. The usual result is a (sometimes substantial) subsidy from the troop treasury, but Sunny did an outstanding job of keeping food costs very low this year, and a small surplus will be donated to the troop account. The complete financial report is attached.

OTHER LESSONS LEARNED:

Several troop leaders voiced some concerns during and after this summer's "50". We encountered problems with hiking speed, campsite location, the preservation of the environment, group size, altitude sickness and attentiveness to group behavior. Everyone has a different wilderness experience, even though we are on the same trip together. Whatever you put into it (attitude, reasons for going, etc.) is what you get out of it. Some may go on these outings to see how far we can go in a given day or given trip. Counting miles is one priority. Others may go to observe our planet, how nature works, or to see what there is to see. Still others go for the adventure and thrill, for the sport of it. Some of us go for any or all of these, or for still other reasons. Whatever it is which motivates each of us, we still need to realize what our objectives are and how to get the most out of such a trip.

No matter what hiking speed any of us is comfortable with, there are still ways to learn and appreciate where we are. We should do a pre-outing study of geographic areas; rocks, flowers, lakes, wildlife, etc., so we know what to look for, so that we have something to be aware of, as we hike. Troop leadership should be able to provide resources to girls about the wilderness.

Preservation and observation of the environment is essential when we are in the wilderness. Campsite locations should be chosen with accommodations in mind for the number of people in our group. BIF (Bathroom In the Forest) sites must be 100 feet or more from all water sources. Holes for "cat hygiene" should be at least four inches deep. Washing of anyting must never be done in any water supply, even though the soap is labeled biodegradable (biodegradable soap doesn't break down immediately!). After packing shelters, their locations should be scattered with leaves, pine cones, etc. The usual practice of burning garbage and "picking foil" should continue, but one step further each morning is to destroy any fire rings and to bury the ashes. Final campsite inspection before departure is essential, not only to pick up our debris but to check for any belongings left behind. Campsites should not be obvious to other backpackers; we must leave little or'no impact upon the environment. We leaders should remind others to execute these practices routinely. A recommendation is for us to teach and learn from the wilderness permit rules. Even troop leaders can still learn ways to preserve the environment.

18 people is a bit much for a 50 Miler. We had more trouble than in years past in keeping together on the trail and keeping on top of events in camp. It would seem that 16 (four patrols of four each) would be the maximum practical number to take on a "50" while maintaining the sanity of the troop leaders (and minimum impact upon the environment). Three patrols of four (12 people total) would be even more comfortable.

As a backpacking troop, we must pay special attention to our outdoor skills, to our physical and mental wellbeing. We should feel proud to be sound in mind, strong in body. Ideally, we should modify our prep hike schedule to include a weekend pack trip at higher altitudes, allowing our inexperienced people an opportunity to feel what the first two or three days of the "50" will be like. A few of us felt some altitude sickness the first two days (headache, nausea, restless sleep, etc.) as well as extreme fatigue. Prevention of altitude sickness is brought about by limiting our climbing to 1000 feet in any one day, an informal troop rule we violated this year. Prevention of fatigue might include better route election and more rests, sugared drinks and trail snacks. Aside from serious medical problems, our girls should be able to take care of their minor problems; moleskin on hot spots and aspirin (or its equivalent) for minor pains. We should practice our basic knots for shelter rigging and bear-bagging of food. Basic orienteering training could be further applied to the topo maps of our destination so that the girls know where we are.

Finally, there is the issue of group needs and group behavior. As adults, we should constantly confer on most decisions pertaining to group behavior. Several of us feel that the troop leadership fell through on a number of occasions because we were caught up in our own interests. Leadership of any youth organization should maintain a certain objectivity to the wants and needs of the individual. We must see to it that we respond to the particular problems of ndividuals; however, we must keep a relative distance so that the individual learns, develops and achieves on her own.

CONCLUSIONS:

Eighteen members and guests of-Troop 253, ranging in age from 14 to 48 years of age, shared in the challenge and delights of a 45 mile backpacking adventure in the wild and beautiful John Muir Wilderness. Each evening we talked around a warm campfire and each day brought fresh adventures and challenges for us to meet and enjoy. We worked as five independent patrols, but when the going got tough on the trail we worked as a single team of eighteen. We grew to appreciate each, other (as well as our own capabilities) and shared with each other our delight in the wild and rugged beauty which surrounded us. As usual, our enthusiasm was so great that we began to plan for next year's 50 Miler. We leaders, who put so much importance on courage and self-reliance in "our" girls, we so proud to see them once again prove the wisdom of the Roman philosopher Virgil when he wrote