Day 3

Anybody got any coffee?


Second night on the trail is a bit better but still takes a while to get used to the thermarest (I could really use a cup of coffee at this point). Typically, this late in the season and at this elevation, temps will get down into the 40s at night and could hit the mid 80s during the day on the trail. It is not uncommon to wake up wearing your fleece jacket and be in shorts by 0900. Even if the temps get down to freezing, hiking uphill with a 40+ lb pack is the best way to get warmed up. Some old aches, new pains, but starting to get used to your pack. Need to watch out for hot spots (blisters) and treat them before they get worse.

Third day in and the guys should be starting to get into a groove. Up early again and on the trail (get into a routine). Today's hike is another fairly short/easy one. From Urraca over the mesa and down to Bear Caves camp (3-4 miles). Bear Caves is a trail camp (not staffed, no program). If the crew wants to participate in program, they will hike (about a mile) over to Crater Lake for spar pole climbing & campfire. IMHO, Crater Lake has the best campfire program on the property. AT this point, the Ranger has left the crew to head back to base camp to pick up a new crew and the crew is now on their own.  Everyone continues to learn their roles/responsibilities on the trail and the crew should be starting to work together.

Crater Lake is a staffed camp with a really neat program. This camp is based on an old time (1860's) timber camp. The camp staff are dressed and act like it is 1865 and the are running a logging company. Back in those days, one of the only ways to harvest lumber was to send climbers up the trees and cut off limbs before chopping them down. Today, they'll get to experience climbing trees or "spar poles" just like they did in the old days. This is a 60-70 foot pole that is rigged to climb. Think of it like climbing a telephone pole. Hard work, a bit intimidating to accomplish, but everybody makes it to the top. And mom, don't worry, the BSA is always concious of making sure that scouts are safe, so there are redundant safety lines and tehers (no to mention helmets and climbing gear), so the only injuries are either some scrapes or bruises. Even us old farts are able to climb to the top, just not as quickly as the younguns.

At this point, Charles & Mike should be enjoying their vacation and letting the boys/crew do most of the tasks (cooking, water runs, etc.).

Excellent campfire at night with a spectacular view of the Tooth of Time.

Pack on!