The trip is a high adventure, minimalist backpacking experience where the crew brings everything that they will need for 10 full days of hiking. Water was available at most overnight locations and food pickups were made every three to four days.
Along the way, the crew were able to do a variety of activities. The boys won the burrow racing contest, which entailed pulling a burrow around a 1/4 mile race track. Of the roughly two hundred boys in the race, it was amazing that only one got hurt (broken collar bone).
While hanging a bear bag (used to store food and other 'smellable' items high above where bears can reach), John and several of the scouts saw a large mountain lion, starting at only 25 to 30 feet from the scouts(!). It was stalking something, which we never figured out; we were just happy that it wasn't us!
Joshua loads shotgun shells for clay pigeon shooting at Harlon camp site.
John climbs a sandstone cliff near Dean Cow camp. (If you look close, you can see the blue safety line.)
A short break on the way to Copper Pass. This was are longest day, with an increase of well over 4000 ft, then back down about the same, and about 11 miles hiking overall.
The group hiking in Greenwood Canyon.
Leaving Poneil Canyon and entering Greenwood Canyon... still a lot of smiles.
Leaving Poneil Canyon and entering Greenwood Canyon... still a lot of smiles.
Joshua takes aim at another clay pigeon while shooting at Harlon.
Nice shot, Josh!
Joshua and John pause from hiking near Clark's Fork, where they would enjoying a chuck wagon dinner that evening. The next morning we were up at 4 a.m. to climb Schafer's Peak and head back 13 miles down the Tooth of Time ridge to base camp.
