OUACHITA TREK XXXVI March 14-18, 2015

Transcription

1 OUACHITA TREK XXXVI March 14-18, 2015 DATES & LOCATIONS: SHAKEDOWN The shakedown will be from 9:00 A.M. Feb 28, through noon March 1 on the west side of Lake McMurtry. The snow date alternative is March 7-8. The shakedown is required of all first time hikers, all Rangers-in-trainings (R.I.T. s) and Rangers. BASE CAMP TRAIL From March 14-18, Base Camp will be located at the Redding Campground in the Ozark National Forest, from Ozark take Arkansas 23 north for 18 miles then turn right (east) on Forest Service Road 1003 for 3 miles. The portion of the Ozark Highlands Trail to be hiked this year is to be from Lake Fort Smith State Park in the West end to Ozone Campground on the east end. For more information view maps and the Redding/Spy Rock EMERGENCY MESSAGES: The emergency telephone number for parents to call is (479) at the Pleasant Hill Ranger District in Clarksville, AR. ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN: DEPARTURE TIME: FEES AND REGISTRATION: Check-in at Redding Campground should be between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 14. We attempt to have treks headed for the trails by no later than 1:00 p.m. (If your group plans on arriving Friday it is requested that every effort be made so that your arrival be before midnight and that you enter and setup camp quietly.) All trek participants will be released to return home as soon as the area is cleaned up and U.S. Forest Service Rangers approve the site on Wednesday morning, March 18. This will probably be no earlier than 8 a.m. and should be no later than 9:30 a.m. $ First timers, Rangers, R.I.T.s and Shakedown Staff add $15.00 to cover shakedown expenses. The Fees include all camp and trail meals from Saturday evening dinner through Wednesday morning breakfast, one Ouachita Trek patch and program expenses. Optional Ouachita T-shirts may be purchased for $15 (short-sleeved) and $18 (long-sleeved). Registrations must be received in the Council Office (317 N. Grand, Enid, OK 73702) by Friday, February 6 th and is limited to the first 95 hiker that register. A late fee of $15.00 will be charged on all registrations paid after February 6 th deadline. Late registrations will not be accepted after February 13 th. Make checks payable to Cimarron Council, BSA. No refunds will be made, but fees can be transferred. Participation must be approved by troop leaders, so get registration forms to your Scoutmaster early and avoid a late fee! (A limited amount of scholarships are available through Cimarron Council, contact the council office for more information.)

2 REQUIREMENTS: Scouts must have camping experience and be able to carry a 25 to 40 pound backpack over rough trails. One guideline often used is that an individual should be able to carry at least 1/4, but no more than 1/3 of their body weight in a backpack. This event must not be the Scout's first activity with the troop. It is strongly suggested that the Scout have experienced 3-5 overnight activities with the troop. Due to the strenuous nature of backpacking we strongly recommend that scouts be above the age of 12 and in good physical condition if going on the trail. TREK SIZE: HEALTH AND PHYSICAL CONDITION: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: TRANSPORTATION: FOOD: BEAR BAGS: Trek crews typically will be limited to 6 youth, 2 adults (one of whom must be over 21 years of age), 1 R.I.T. and 1 Ranger, both of whom are appointed by the Trek Committee. All Scouts and adults who plan to hike the trail must be in good physical condition. Troops are responsible for determining and judging the condition of the participants. Expedition leadership is not responsible for the physical condition of the hikers. TROOPS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EACH PARTICIPANT HAVING A COPY OF A CURRENT AND COMPLETE ANNUAL HEALTH MEDICAL FORM ON FILE WITH THE TREK LEADERSHIP PRIOR TO THE TREK. The form must accompany the application. Forms will be returned at the conclusion of the trek. All Scouts and adults will be briefed on emergency procedures before leaving base camp. There are check points along the trail where messages can be exchanged between treks and base camp staff. This is a primitive area and communications are difficult. Use good judgment and practice safety measures to avoid an emergency situation. Each trek is responsible for carrying a first-aid kit. Each Troop is responsible for providing transportation for its participants to and from base camp. Every vehicle transporting Scouts to and from the trek must be listed on an approved BSA Local Tour Permit. Food will be furnished for all meals beginning with Saturday evening dinner through Wednesday morning breakfast. Bring your own sack lunch for Saturday noon. No additional food is necessary. Materials for clean up after meals are furnished. Water should be easily available along most sections of the trail. Water caches will be put out for a section of trail where there is no water. Purify all water used for drinking and cooking with purification material that is provided. There are black bears in the Ouachita National Forest. All food and other items attractive to bears should be placed in "bear bags" at night. Do not put food and other smellables in tents at night. Your Ranger will instruct you in the use of "bear bags".

3 TROOP EQUIPMENT: Troops are to furnish the necessary camping equipment for the trek. TENTS COOKING: OTHER: Enough 2-man backpacking tents with flies and ground sheets for the Troop hikers. A backpacking stove for every 4-6 hikers. An 8 quart pot and a 2 quart pot for every 8-10 hikers. One big serving/mixing spoon for every 8-10 hikers. First aid kit. Pack shovel or trowel. 50 feet of 1/4 inch rope. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: GO LIGHT! First timers should seek advice from experienced hikers or their Ranger. EATING: SLEEPING: PACK: CLOTHING: OTHER: 1 deep plate or bowl. 1 cup. 1 spoon. (2) One quart wide mouth water bottles. A good quality lightweight sleeping bag and ground pad. NO COTTON, DOWN, OR POLYESTER FILLED SLEEPING BAGS. (Remember, this is in early March, Frosty and/or snowy nights do occur!) A good internal or external frame pack with hip belt is required. Using a frameless ruck sack without a hip belt will deter anyone from wanting to repeat that experience. Go light, but be prepared to encounter weather conditions with temperatures ranging from 21 F to 90 F, and snow and ice to bright sunshine! One change of socks and underclothing is all that is really necessary on the trail. Other items should be limited to one pair of shorts, one pair of long pants, a T-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, a light sweater and stocking cap or hooded sweat shirt, gloves, a jacket or coat that is appropriate for the forecasted weather, rain gear, and broken-in hiking boots. Lightweight sneakers can be a small luxury in camp, but remember, you have to carry them. A lightweight flashlight, a pocket knife, extra pins for your pack frame, a bandanna for a washcloth and a small camera are some of the extra items that may be taken. Do not bring candy, chips, cookies, cans of soda or other snacks, sheath knives or mp3 players on the trek. BOYS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO OR ILLEGAL DRUGS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TREKS AND PARENTS MAY BE CALLED TO COME TO BASE CAMP AND TAKE THEIR SCOUT HOME AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE.

4 TREK CHOICE: TRAIL ETIQUETTE: Three different levels of Treks are available; Beginner, Average and Difficult. All Treks require good hiking skills and physical stamina. The trail covers some rough, primitive country, crossing streams and mountains through dense forest. Note: The Beginner Treks are planned to give young inexperienced Scouts the opportunity to develop backpacking skills. Beginner Treks give Scouts a challenge without being overly demanding. The first-timers must realize that they will be traveling in a wilderness area for three days and cannot return to base camp unless there is an emergency. Practice low impact camping please. Carry out trash; this includes uneaten food!. Dig individual "cat-hole latrines" well off the trail and away from campsites and water sources. If fires are permitted, they must be attended at all times and be put totally out and covered before leaving them. PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH CAREFUL USE

5 O U A C H I T A T R E K 2015 REGISTRATION FORM This Registration must be completed by everyone. Name. Troop No. Rank Youth ( ) Adult ( ) Age. (Adults Only) Address Street City Zip Phone Number Home Work Cell Parent or Guardian Address (if different) Trek Preference (Please Check One) Beginners (15-20 miles) Average (25-35 miles) Difficult (45-60 miles) Scoutmaster's Comments: Attending Tuesday s Feast Yes No Attending Wednesday s Breakfast Yes No Scoutmaster's Approval: Signature Date Health Form Proof that Scout is under Troop or Post insurance. (Otherwise, proof of alternative insurance coverage must be provided.) Registration Fee: $65.00 $15.00 (first timers and Shakedown Staff) Late Fee: $15.00 (required if paying after Feb. 6 th ) T-Shirt $15.00 Short-sleeve $18.00 Long-sleeve Size: AS AM AL AXL AXXL AXXXL PLEASE ENCLOSE FEE WITH THIS REGISTRATION FORM Make check payable to: Cimarron Council, BSA To avoid the late fee your registration form and fee is due in the Scout Office (317 N. Grand, Enid, OK 73702) by close of business February 6 th, Registration closes February 13 th, forms turned in after this date will not be accepted. In consideration of the benefits to be derived, and in view of the fact that the Boy Scouts of America is an educational organization, membership in which is voluntary, and having full confidence that every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of my son/ward during this activity or trip, I hereby agree to his participation and waive all claims against the leaders of the activity or trip and officers, agents, and representatives of the Boy Scouts of America. I also understand that any Scout may be removed from the trek for the use or possession of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs and parents may be called to come to base camp and take their Scout home at their own expense. Date (Signed by parent or guardian) Official use only Date Paid Amt. Paid Check No. Amt. In Cash Date Received Late Registration Yes No Initial

6 OUACHITA TREK 2015 RANGER APPLICATION All Ranger applicants must be able to (1) Teach map and compass skills, (2) Teach trail etiquette and Leave No Trace, (3) Possess knowledge and actively remind trek participants about early detection of hot spots, (4) Teach cleanliness in food preparation AND the proper care and cleaning of cooking equipment, (5) Teach water purification procedures and explain need, (6) Demonstrate the leadership and interpersonal skills needed for this responsibility including recognizing conflict situations and APPROPRIATE techniques to resolve conflict. Important: Rangers must attend both the Ranger training February 20 st 6pm-9pm and the Shakedown Feb 28- Mar 1. Scoutmaster Verification: I, Scoutmaster of this Scout do verify that scout has the experiences and merit badges listed below and is competent in the required skills listed above. (Scoutmaster s approval/signature is required for consideration). DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE ABOVE SKILLS! Name Address City Phone Age Troop Rank Zip Parent's Work Phone . Backpacking Experience: Check the position you prefer. Shirt Size (S, M, L, XL, XXL) Base Ranger Trail Ranger If you have hiked in the Ouachita before, please record the treks that you have traveled. Please indicate if you were a Ranger or Ranger In Training (R.I.T.) for any of them. Starting Point To Ending Point Ranger or (R.I.T.) Check the merit badges that you have completed. Backpacking First Aid Camping Hiking Communications Orienteering Cooking Pioneering Emergency Preparedness Wilderness Survival

7 OUACHITA TREK 2015 RANGER IN TRAINING (R.I.T.) APPLICATION Important: RITs should attend both the Ranger training February 20 st 6pm-9pm and the Shakedown Feb 28 - Mar 1. Name Age Troop Address City Phone ( ) Rank Zip Parent's Work Phone ( ) . Backpacking Experience: Check the position you prefer. Base R.I.T. Trail R.I.T. If you have hiked in the Ouachita before, please record the treks that you have traveled (or other hiking experience.) Starting Point To Ending Point Check the merit badges that you have completed. Backpacking Camping Communications Cooking Emergency Preparedness First Aid Hiking Orienteering Pioneering Wilderness Survival

8 SUGGESTED BACKPACKING GEAR LIST (It is a good idea to bring this list with you to the shakedown to make notes on) Scout Trek Crew *Gloves Handkerchiefs CLOTHING Y N EQUIPMENT Y N * Bag of Bags Comb * Hiking Boots *Compass *First Aid Kit (Band-Aids, Disinfectant, *Hooded Sweatshirt (fleece is better) Medicine, Moleskin, Tape, Latex glove, Breathing shield) Jeans (*nylon trek pants are better) *Flashlight (small in size L.E.D. type) Light Jacket Floss (small sample size) *Long Sleeved Shirt *Lip balm (chap stick) Long Underwear Pants (Polypropylene or silk are best) Pack pins (replacements for alum frames) Long Underwear Top (Polypropylene or silk are best) Pack rings (replacements for alum frames) *Rain Gear (jacket & pants, if possible) Plastic trowel (should have in crew gear) *Shorts (nylon gym) Powder (attention adults-this is a good thing) * Stocking Hat Repair tape (duct tape in crew gear) T-Shirt Tennis Shoes *Underwear * Wool Hiking Socks (wool blend) * Liner Socks (Polypropylene are best) *Ground Cloth *Ground pad SHELTER Sewing kit Soap (biodegradable please) Spare batteries Spare bulbs (generally not required with modern L.E.D. flashlights) *Sun Block (15spf or better and travel sized) Survival kit (Aluminum foil, Bullion Cubes, Candle, Cord, Fire starters, Matches, Tea) Toenail clippers Toilet paper (will have in crew gear but you will likely want a small roll of your own) *Toothbrush *Pack Cover *Toothpaste * Sleeping Bag Towel (light-weight synthetic chamois is best) * Tent/Tent pegs Trash bags Camera OPTIONAL UTENSILS/WATER *Cup and/or Plate (Tupperware container is good) *Spoon *Water Bottles 2 (1 quart per bottle) (*) Items that are strongly suggested for the spring backpacking trip REMARKS: