BSA TROOP 474

HOME OF THE WOOD DUCKS

APPALACHIAN TRAIL BACK PACK TRIP

BULLS BRIDGE CT TO WILEY SHELTER NY

4/23-24/05

DESCRIPTION of AT Hike – six miles day one, two miles day two. You will be home to Guilford by 12:00 noon in time for baseball or whatever. 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. For those seeking rank advancement, this is perfect venue as it is filled with many requirements (5 mile hike, troop activity, meal preparation, topography map reading). Loaner gear is available (backpacks, sleeping bags). Beginners are welcome. Troop Guides Federici, McGregor, Dudley, Casinelli, Clark…this might be a perfect opportunity to mentor younger scouts and see them rank advance.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INTEREST IN COMING, CONTACT MR. PECORARO or SEAN HICKY ASAP. Beginners are welcome. Depending on mix of scouts and scouters showing interest, details of trip may be modified. We will accommodate beginner or experienced scouts by tailoring route and distance we take… We have gear and tents to lend. You will need your own rain gear and boots. Sneakers are not recommended but might work in dry conditions. Crossover scouts are welcome.

WHEN: Departure - Saturday 4/23 meeting place Lake Quonnipaug parking lot at 7:30 AM Sharp

Return - Sunday 4/24 late morning in time for scouts to make baseball practice or family commitments

WHERE: Kent, CT Bulls Bridge to Wiley Shelter NY on Appalachian Trail.

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

Clothing - Weather conditions should be 65 day/50 night. It can be a tricky time of the year for precipitation, temperature and wind. Ability to layer is key.

Food – Each scout is individually responsible to start Saturday off with a full breakfast already in belly and carry Saturday lunch and trail mix/gorp. Patrols will be responsible for Saturday night dinner and easy light breakfast. Each person is individually responsible for lunch and trail mix snacks. Patrols or individuals should buddy up to organize a patrol dinner and tenting inclusive of organizing cook kits and stoves. REMEMBER WEIGHT AND PERISHABLE FOOD. Perishable food this time of year keeps well 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 since we want to break camp early on Sunday so scouts can get to baseball practice and the like. Trail mix is up to you but nuts and dried fruit is best…chocolate tastes good but is a fake out.

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. This is trip is calculated very reasonable for all.

WE ARE TROOP 474.