Waiting to board the Narrow Gauge Train after
our Backpack trip to the Weminuche Wilderness.
Backpacking is one of our favorite trips. Even if it doesn't seem as romantic or wild as some or our other trips, backpacking is our foundation. These are the trips that we like to start our new guys out on. It teaches them independence as well as how to cook and set up a tent. Most of the training for this kind of outing can take place on the trip itself, with the only preparation for the new guys of making sure that they don't take too much stuff. We do most of our backpacking in the summer when the weather does not throw in an extra problem for the new guys.
For the older guys, this kind of trip is perfect to learn how to set up and run a trip. "Logistics" is the important lesson here. Our older guys have to learn logistics...like where we are going, how much gas to take us there, how many cars (and drivers) do we need, what gear to take, and for the Weminuche trip...buying tickets for the Narrow Gauge Train! Although the younger guys advance in rank from all the stuff that they do on this kind of trip, there is only the backpacking merit badge that will get us ahead in rank with logistics. After learning how to do a local trip the older guys can then go on to setting up more complex trips, like rafting, mountaineering or climbing.
Some of the places that we have gone to for backpacking include:
Weminuche Wilderness in SE Colorado:
We rode the Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge RR and
got off about half way to Silverton at a little stop called Elk Park.
We put on our backpacks and hiked to the Vallicito Trail on the Continental
Divide. We then hiked at really high altitude to the Chicago Basin,
a very beautiful cirque with 14000 foot mountains all around. At
last we hiked back to the RR and got back on the train to go back to Silverton.
What a trip! We have some photos on this one!
Snowy Range:
Our favorite place in the Snowys is just to go to
the little Savage Run Wilderness for weekend trips.
Vedauwoos:
We also pack into the Vedauwoos, usually near one
of our favorite climbs and camp out there for a few days. See our
photos of this neat place.
See our Backpacking Pics!
Scout near the Divide in the Weminuche Wilderness