Crew 2010 & Troop 10

Colorado Wilderness Area

Backpacking & Climbing

High Adventure 2003

 

Trip length:   Group choice: 8 to 11 days

                         (2 to 4 travel days & up to 7 days of backpacking/climbing)

 

Time window:         Saturday- July 12 through Tuesday- July 22nd

 

Cost:               $350-$450 depending on location + personal spending money

                         (Personal money to include about 10 meals while on the road.)

 

Requirements:       Participation will be limited and based on the following

                         1) Excellent physical condition - No known fear of heights

2) In 9th grade Fall of 2003 - Life rank or above (Younger Scouts

                              with their father may be approved on a case by case basis.)

                         3) Backpacking & being a “team player” experience

                         4) A hunger for life’s challenges and a sense of adventure

 

What you need to do now: Talk to Mister Sharp.  If you qualify...Promptly pay a $100 deposit to Mr. D’Adamo, the Troop Treasurer.  The last day to sign up is Monday March 31st.  (Please pay the balance to Mr. D’Adamo by the May 19th troop Court of Honor - the last regular meeting of the season.)

 

You need to know:

 

1) The nature of this high adventure requires small groups and lots of Scouter  (Dad) participation.  We will need two qualified Scouters for each 4 to 6 Scouts who sign up.  Climbing groups will be 4-6 persons.  Scouters must be registered leaders and have taken Youth Protection.  Having taken the Scout ‘Climb on Safety’ class is a plus.  This will be an awesome father son experience.

 

2) Participants are expected to help with camp chores (setting up camp, cooking, clean up, water treatment, etc.) and carry their share of the group gear.

 

3) The peaks climbed will be over 13,000 feet.  Most are not “walk ups”- there will be some “exposure.”  Nevertheless, they are not extremely difficult or technical.  Each small climbing group’s undertakings will be limited by its skill.  Therefore, small-climbing groups will be established by ability, and modified as needed.  Hopefully all participants will share common camps.

 

4) This trip is offered to challenge you... and above all, to have fun!  Questions?  Call Mr. Sharp!  913-491-0912

 

Trip Synopsis:

 

Depending on the group’s choice, we will be in the Weminuche or the Collegiate Peaks wilderness.  The Weminuche Wilderness Area (Colorado’s largest) is located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains near Durango.  The average elevation is over 10,000 feet, with much of that above the timberline.  The Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area is located along the continental divide near Buena Vista.  It contains the highest peaks in the State with many over 14,000 feet.

 

Our adventure will begin at 1,000 ft. in Kansas with several meetings months in advance, to discuss conditioning and appropriate gear for this challenging trip.  This will allow you ample time to get ready to: 1) improve your physical condition by training for strength and endurance, 2) assemble your personal gear and appropriate clothing (needless to say, comfortable, broken in boots are a must) and 3) prepare yourself mentally.

 

Weminuche Trip: $450  After spending the night in Durango, we’ll take the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train to Elk Park and head into the Grenadier Range.  This area is isolated and seldom visited.  Our goals are: Peak Three (13,478’), Arrow Peak (13,803’), Vestal Peak (13,864’), and possibly the Trinity Peaks (13,765’, 13,805, and 13,745’) or Storm King Peak (13,800’).  We won’t climb them all- weather, time, and energy won’t allow that, but we’ll learn- and be challenged as we catch some air.  When it is time to go home, it is back to the train and Durango, then home via Bent’s Old Fort, a historic trading post on the Santa Fe Trail.  (Train fare, motels and extra days are required for this trip.)

 

Collegiate Peaks Trips: $350 –1) Missouri Basin- After spending the night near Leadville, we will start hiking into Missouri Basin, We will establish a camp around 12,700 feet, above Timberline and climb Emerald (13,904’), Iowa (13,831’), Missouri (14,069’) Oxford (14,153’) and Belford (14,197’).  If time allows we will descend via the Missouri Gulch trail so we can experience those souls who just “bag” peaks on day hikes. – OR, 2) Frenchman’s Creek- After spending the night near Buena Vista, we will start hiking up Frenchman’s creek and establish our base camp at timberline. Over the next 3 days we will climb Columbia (14,073’) and Harvard (14,420’). – Either Trip - After hiking out, a hot meal and a shower, we’ll spend the night near Colorado Springs.  We have the option of touring the Air Force Academy before heading home across the plains of Kansas.

 

 

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