Getting Ready for High Adventure

For High Adventure this year we are going down near Moab and Blanding, Utah to explore some canyons, check out some indian cliff dwellings, play in a waterfall, and learn to serve others.
We have a boy that walks with a cane in our troop, and we wanted to include him, even in our high adventure (which are typically strenuous for anyone, let alone one with a cane).  So one of our scouts decided to design and build a carrier - kind of like a stretcher with a seat (see below)

So, now our scouts can learn more about service as they carry their brother on our hikes.  Our theme this year is "I can be my brother's keeper", and we're focusing on not only having fun, but also watching out for each other and serving each other.  We're getting packed up to leave in a few days so I'll let you know how it goes.

Scout Trailer

I have been feeling the need to buy a truck lately so that I can haul gear, but it has to be a 4-door truck so I can take 5-6 people as well.  Unfortunately, a truck isn't in my personal budget right now, and probably won't be for quite some time.  Our family minivan is slowly dying and will need to be replaced soon, but it will be replaced with a suburban type vehicle that holds 8 people, is 4-wheel drive, and can tow a trailer (I have 5 kids, so an extended cab truck just wouldn't cut it).  So then, if I am able to borrow the suburban from my wife for a weekend campout with the scouts, then I'll be able to take lots of boys, but we don't have a trailer to haul gear.

We've been looking at buying a trailer for quite some time for our troop, but haven't been able to afford one with our limited troop funds.  We thought we may be able to get one this year, but it's just not going to work.  So we're going to try to save some $ for next year to get one.

We originally were looking at a used, "pay phone trailer" offered on some local classifieds.  As you can see from the photo below, it has bat doors on either side, with pay phones inside.  We would take out the phones of course, and then build a kitchen on one side so that when we open the bat door (which would serve as a canopy), we could fold out a table that was hooked to the trailer and have access to all our kitchen stuff.  The other side was to be access from the side of the trailer to everything else.

Pay Phone Trailer offered on some local classifieds

The guy was asking $1,500 for it, but once we called him and told him what we wanted it for, he was willing to drop it down to $1,000.  Unfortunately, it is only 5' wide by 9' long.  Which would be a good size for towing behind a small SUV, but not really big enough to haul the gear for 10-20 scouts plus leaders.

I talked to another troop in my area that has a trailer.  They have a similar number of scouts, and have a 7' wide by 14' long trailer, and they said they wouldn't ever go smaller than that.  They haven't built hardly any shelves inside because they want to have the ability to haul whatever they want.  Sometimes they fill it full of bicycles for a biking trip, etc.

So, in looking into larger trailers, I found the one below:

6x12 Trailer

 It's a little smaller than the other troop's trailer, and it's brand new for $2,200.  Hopefully we can find a trailer that's used and a good size for closer to the $900 mark (or less would be better of course).  New ones run from around $2,200 to $4,500 for the above trailer.  We don't need anything fancy, just lightweight, and waterproof so we can store gear, and haul gear in it.

Backpacking Overnighter - Shoes

I have been on backpacking trips with the high top hiking boots like you're "supposed" to wear, but since I haven't ever had any problems with my ankles (and I've put them through a lot of wear and tear), I prefer to use running shoes.  They're way more comfortable, more lightweight, and dry faster when they get wet.  I tend to get less blisters, and I just feel better all day.

Typical Hiking Shoe/Boot

I once read a study that said that an extra pound of weight in your shoes is equivalent to 5 extra pounds in your backpack.  So if I can take off an extra 2-4 pounds of weight by not using a leather, high top stiff hiking boot (size 14), and using a lightweight, flexible, breathable running shoe, I'm going to do it!

More Lightweight & Comfortable Running Shoe

I realize that some people have ankle problems, and therefore feel more comfortable with the extra support a high top type hiking boot gives them.  And that's fine and you should always go with what is best for you.  But, once you try hiking in running shoes, you may never go back!

Five Finger Shoes

I haven't tried the "toe" type shoes, that have spots for each of your toes and are supposed to make you feel like you're hiking barefoot, but with support and protection.  I would like to try one sometime, but am waiting for prices to go down.


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