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Klondike Tips We
are into Winter camping now and Klondikes are right
around the corner. I'd like to share most of the
handout T123 Scoutmaster Jon Moran gave to the Scouts
and parents of the troop, with occasional comments. Next
month, we will participate in the Klondike Derby.
This is one of the premier activities of our
Scouting year, as we get together with other troops to
test our skills and knowledge. I hope every one of
our Scouts can participate in this memorable
experience. But, since it does involve Winter
Camping, some preparations are in order. Here
is a Klondike contenders' wish list for Santa: Sleeping
bag rated to at least 0 degrees. (That bag you took
to summer camp won't do the job. It get cold at
night up at Ockanickon in January. Walmart carries
a Coleman 0 degree bag for about $50 That's what I
use). **I
bought my son that bag a few years ago on Jon's
advice. He loves it and says it is quite
comfortable and doesn't use his fleece bag liner. Polypropylene
or silk long underwear (Those cotton waffle weaves
are okay for the lodge. But if you're gonna be
spending extended hours outside, forget about it.
The saying among outdoorsmen is "cotton
kills". It soaks up moisture and holds it
close to the skin. The guys are going to sweat no
matter how cold it is. When cotton gets wet, it
provides NO insulation. Go silk or
synthetic). **
leave the sweats home too! or use for sleeping
only Wool
or synthetic socks or a blend of the two (Here
again, cotton won't cut it. If you want your scout
to get chilled and shiver and be miserable, send him to
the Klondike in sweat socks. For best
protection, we recommend a silk or synthetic under-sock,
with wool or heavy blend sock over that) Snow
boots (No one will be allowed to compete in
sneakers. Sneakers are made to keep active feet
cool. Boots are made to keep feet warm and
dry. I wear snowmobile boots with felt liners I
found at the discount store in Morrisville. Just
check to make sure you don't have 2 left boots,
etc in the box when you buy it) A
hat that can cover the ears and waterproof snow
gloves (The saying is " if your feet are cold
cover your head". It is the number 1 source
of heat loss. And unprotected ears are a prime
site for frostbite. The waterproof gloves protect
two other important extremities.) As
much as possible avoid cotton. Synthetic fleece or wool
shirts are great. When necessary I use a pair of
Swedish army surplus wool pants that I found on the
internet. Your
outer layer needs to provide protection from sleet and
freezing rain (Again, warm & dry is the key to
Winter comfort) Sleeping
bag pad (When you sleep, you will lose body heat
through contact of the bag to your sleep surface.
The pad helps limit that heat loss. I have an old
army blanket-wool-that I wrap under and over my bag)**plastic
coated gym mats etc. work well as pads
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