BSA TROOP 474

APPALACHIAN TRAIL BACK PACK TRIP

BULLS BRIDGE CT TO WILEY SHELTER NY

3/15-16/03

Adult Leaders Pecoraro & ??

DESCRIPTION of AT Hike – six miles day one, two miles day two. Three Season Camping List Applies. We hike from Bulls Bridge CT, near Kent on Appalachian Trail, moderate terrain…some up and down …up and down…pretty trails. We arrive to Wiley shelter where there is fire pit, log shelter, water well and some tent platforms. After a night of camping, we will hike out about two miles to where cars will be parked. WE WILL FOCUS ON RANK ADVANCEMENT THROUGH 1ST CLASS (fire building, stoves, meal planning and preparation, knives& saws)

WHEN: Departure - Saturday 3/15 meeting place First Congregational Church at 7:30 AM

Return - Sunday mid day

WHERE: Kent CT Bulls Bridge to Wiley Shelter.

Meeting point for departure First Congregational Church Parking 7:30 AM.

WHAT To Bring: Follow three season check list for over night camping.

Clothing - Weather conditions will be better known next week. It is a tricky time of the year for precipitation, temperature and wind. Last year the trip changed from light jackets to 5 inches of snow. Layers are key.

Food – Patrols will be responsible for Saturday night dinner and breakfast. Each person is responsible for lunch and trail mix snacks. EACH PATROL IS TO CONSTRUCT PATROL MENU FOR WILEY SHELTER HIKE; ORGANIZE WHAT KIND OF COOK KITS TO BRING. REMEMBER WEIGHT AND PERISHABLE FOOD. Perishable food this time of year keeps well especially if you bring it frozen and let it thaw while you sweat hiking. For dinner, foil meals always work well, (foil wrap meat for protein, potato for carbohydrate, vegetables and maybe even cheese sprinkled with dried soup mix…got all food groups covered without clean up!) Boxed Zatarain Rice with some added meat and frozen peas are easy & tasteful. For lunch, dried salami, cheese & tortilla wraps keep & transport well, are needed high calorie, and easy to chow down on the trail. For breakfast, keep the food and clean up simple…oatmeal and raisins. Trail mix is up to you but nuts and dried fruit is best…chocolate tastes good but is a fake.

H2O – Carry two liters day for Saturday. H2O is available at Wiley shelter. We will also have a water filter or two just in case.

Remember back packs can get heavy is you pack too much or pack the weight incorrectly. Food should be simple, nutritious, keeps well, practically light weight, easy to clean up, low garbage. Packaged salami and cheese is good hike food. Those who hiked Chatsfield Hollow to Deer Lake will be challenged marginally more. This is calculated increase in difficulty to Chatsfield Hollow newcomers but very reasonable for all. Remember we quietly help spread weight if a pack gets too heavy.

WE ARE TROOP 474.