Once again Troop one will be heading to the gem of the Southeast – Pisgah National Forest. Once a place where George Vanderbilt owned all you could see from his estate at Biltmore. It is now 510,000 acres of trout streams, horse and hiking trails, and old growth forests. Pisgah was one of the first national forests on the East coast and is the birthplace of the study of American forestry.
We will be backpacking in the area know as Turkey Pen, which is located in the South Mills River drainage. The trail follows the South Mills which is a wonderful trout stream that winds through east Asheville and terminates into the French Broad River. We will be pitching our tents near the smooth sounds of cascading waterfalls and the sweet smells of Rhododendron blooms. Both nights will be on the trail so try to pack with a friend to save space. You will need to pack all meals for Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. In the mountains the weather can change quickly so as our motto says, be prepared.
We will have a pack inspection for the first years the Tuesday before, so make sure you bring your pack ready to go on Tuesday March 11.
Remember, to get credit for the backpacking and hiking badge, you must turn into Coby Alexander a brief narrative of the place, distance, and interesting features of your hike.
There will be $20 charge for this trip. The troop will be providing a dinner stop Friday evening and a lunch stop on the way home Sunday. Please register by the March 11th scout meeting. We will meet at 3:30 Friday at the scout hut and depart in the church bus by 4:00 planning to return to the scout hut around 2:00PM on Sunday.
You will need your own backpacking stove and method of purifying water or make arrangements to use someone else’s. You will be responsible for your own food for meals from Saturday morning through Sunday breakfast. Remember that synthetic clothing is always better than cotton on a cool weather Backpacking trip.
Packing List:
- Good hiking boots and socks
- Light weight stove (or make arrangements to share)
- Rain gear
- Back Pack and Pack cover
- Layer your outer ware. Synthetics next to your skin to wick
- Gloves and warm head gear
- Camera (optional)
- Warm sleeping bag
- Water Bottle (Have at least 2 quarts – a Gatorade bottle will work)
- Lightweight shelter (Scouts should share and plan in advance).
- Water filter or tablets (may share, make arrangements in advance Be prepared for areas where suitable water will not be found by having at least 2 quarts of water with you)
- Cookware
- Food (Saturday Breakfast through Sunday Breakfast)
- Sleeping pad
- Flash light
- Bio degradable soap (cleaning dishes, may get at WalMart)
- Toiletries, TP
- Compass
- Fire starter (not everyone needs this)
Sample menu:
Saturday morning- Add water grits or oatmeal, breakfast bar, hot chocolate (Plan on heating water with your backpacking stove.)
Saturday Lunch – Trail mix or jerky. Candy bar and fruit.
Saturday Supper- Freeze Dried Dinner, Jerky or country ham to be boiled, instant mash potatoes, dehydrated soup, ramen noodles, Mountain House Freeze Dried.
Sunday Morning- Same as Saturday
Registration for this event has closed.