Backpacking Cowans Gap & Tuscarora Trail 13-15 November,
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Updated 9
November
Our
November camping trip is backpacking along the Tuscarora and other
trails in Cowans Gap, PA. This is the only opportunity this year for
you to complete the PASS backpacking requirement. It is also an
opportunity to complete your Second Class hiking and map & compass
requirements.
NO UNIFORMS FOR THIS TRIP - JUST BRING WHAT YOU NEED!
Meet at the shed at 6:00. We don't have much to pack so we plan
to be on the road by 6:30 PM.
Actions required by participants before the trip:
- Complete
the Event Registration Form and pay the
Troop Treasurer at a Troop Meeting.
We need a good count of participants to arrange car pooling.
- The registration form should be completed by all Scouts and
Adults participating during any part of the weekend including just
driving.
- Re-register if you need to make updates or cancel your participation
after you submit your initial registration.
- The
cost for the trip is $10 for Scouts plus your food. Pay the
troop treasurer at a Troop meeting.
General Information Updated 9 November
- The main activity for the weekend is backpacking.
- This is a great opportunity for Scouts to experience backpacking
like we do at Philmont and is done by many people in the mountains and
parks. Scouts and adults carry everything they need for the weekend in
their backpacks.
- Check this
link for a Weekend Personal Clothing and Gear List and this link
for General Backpacking
Information (4
November) for more information about preparing for a
backpacking trip.
- Wear some bright colored outerwear,
orange preferred, and also something colorful on the
back of your pack. Hunting is very popular at this time of year. (Think O's clothing or safety clothing)
- You MUST wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes with laces on the
trails. You may pack Crocs or other lightweight shoes for
wearing in camp.
- Bring money for the stop for lunch on Sunday
- Bring your pack ready to hike into our Friday night campsite.
- Carry a flashlight in your pocket for when you arrive.
- Patrol food and gear will be divided Friday at the shed before
leaving.
- This is very different than car camping, which is what we typically
do. On this trip, if you need something, you have to bring it - no
one else is going to bring it for you! This means it takes more
planning by adults and Scouts. Don't worry, the Seniors will provide
instruction during the meetings before trip.
- Don't purchase a pack for this trip. The Troop will have
packs available at the 5 November meeting and again on 12 November. We
have them in a variety of sizes and adults will be available to help
fit them to scouts. You might also arrange to borrow one from another
troop member. Anyone willing to loan a backpack should contact Mr.
Herbick.
- We will return to the shed on Sunday at 2 PM and take care of
the gear used on the trip. Parents should arrive at this time to pick
up their sons who had carpooled with another adult.
Additional Information About This Backpacking Trip - MUST READING FOR
EVERYONE!
All Scouts, Adults, and
Parents: you should carefully read this Additional Information.
(4 November). It is more detailed information
about this backpacking trip including information about the routes, food,
water, fires and more.
Hikes and Maps
We will all camp together on Friday and Saturday nights. On Saturday
we will have two routes for backpacking. The longer route is about 10.5
miles and 2302 feet of ascent. This is a VERY CHALLENGING route with
some short VERY STEEP sections. The steep sections have loose
soil and slippery leaves which may cause you to slide in places. We
recommend that everyone on the long hike carry trekking poles to assist
going up and down the steep sections. Trekking poles will also
help while going through sections covered with leaves that hide what is
underneath them. This route is for older Scouts and Scouts who need it for
PASS and have the experience and physical condition for completing the
route. The Scoutmaster must approve all Scouts going on the long hike.
We also have a shorter backpack route, around 6 and 3/4 miles and only
1290 feet in ascent, for first time backpackers and Scouts and adults not
prepared for the longer hike. We will all hike out together about 1 mile
on Sunday morning.
These files
were updated on 9 November and should now be visible as routes in
GAIA. (Please let me know if you have issues with these,
webmaster497.)
- A printed annotated Topographic map of the trails and surrounding
area will be available Friday for drivers and additional copies for
hikers to share on Saturday morning.
Food & Water
- Scout and Adult Menu
- Everyone must bring their own Friday evening snack and
breakfast and lunch for Saturday.
- Scouts will either purchase food for Saturday evening as a Patrol
if they are preparing a Patrol meal. Otherwise, each Scout must
bring their own food for Saturday's dinner.
- Adults must bring all their own food. There will be no food
purchased or brought for the adults.
- Everyone should carry 1-2 liters of water for drinking during the
hike. You must also carry another empty liter water bottle to
fill at our water cache which will be used to cook your dinner
and provide for hot drink at dinner and possibly in the morning.
- There is no reliable potable water at our campsites. Bring your
personal water bottles filled. The troop adults should bring filled
water jugs for refilling personal water bottles after breakfast on
Saturday. We will have water available about 2 miles (downhill)
before reaching our Saturday night camp to refill one of your
personal water bottle and the bottle to be used for cooking Saturday
evening and hot drinks on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
- See the Additional Backpacking
Information (4
November) for more information.
- Special dietary restrictions: Everyone is on their own on
this trip.
Transportation
- We need to minimize the vehicles on this trip because of the
shuttling involve. FILL EVERY SEAT WITH A
SEAT BELT.
- If you have a choice of vehicles please
drive the one with the most seats!
- Drivers you need room for some backpacks and gear for you and your
passengers in your vehicle. We won't be taking a trailer on this trip,
however, there will be room in one of the trucks for packs that won't
fit in your vehicle. Drivers and their passengers should be doing the
same long or short hike so they stay together for the weekend. Don't
mix long and short hikers in the same vehicle if it can be avoided.
- Please register to drive using the Online Event Registration
Form.
- Click to view the Suggested
Driving Directions and Informaiton (2
November). Download, print, and bring the latest
directions and additional information for drivers. The
directions include directions for the various shuttles that need to
happen during the weekend.
- Download your information for offline use. This includes Google
Maps and Trail Maps. There is poor to no cell service in the area we
are camping and
along
Aughwick Rd near the park depending on your carrier (mine is
AT&T).
Carpooling:
- All adults attending the trip, and parents willing to drive scouts
but not camping, should confirm whether they will be driving scouts at
least one week before the trip when they register for the camping
trip. You should still complete the online registration
if you are volunteering to drive but don't plan to camp.
- The Troop's transportation coordinator may actively recruit parents
to drive to/from the camping location if we don't have sufficient
adult volunteers to drive. You may be asked to drive one or both ways.
Safeguarding Youth Training (replaces Youth Protection Training)
MUST BE COMPLETED BY ALL ADULT LEADERS BEFORE 15 NOVEMBER
Updated 28 September 2025
This training is required to register you as an adult leader with the
troop which will occur near the end of November.
Safeguarding Youth Training, which replaces Youth Protection Training,
is an updated Scouts America youth protection training available for
leaders, parents, and all adults who interact with Scouts. The training
includes a Certification Test. All Adult Leaders are required
to complete this training annually (even though it says online
that the training is good for two years). Login to your BSA
account at my.scouting.org
to take the course. The course and test will take about 90 minutes
to complete but can be completed a module at a time. Email a copy
of your completed certificate to Ken Krach and Adam Spence.