January 2003

Friday, Jan 31

1730 - Departed Annapolis, MD

2030 - Arrived Green Ridge State Forest, set up camp

Saturday, Feb 1

0900 - Departed Green Ridge State Forest

1015 - Arrived New Germany State Park

1030 - 1230 - Rented equipment, took lessons, and some Scouts practiced with snowshoes (Group Leader checked in with the Duty Ranger at the Park office) 1400 - Departed Rec Hall, followed Green Trail to top of ridge (met Forest Manager at beginning of uphill section -- he skied to top to scout out an appropriate campsite and waited for the group to arrive) 1530 - Arrived at campsite in a mature pine tree stand. Area was sheltered from wind and had enough snow cover to build shelters.

1600 - Set up cooking area. Started to heat water with backpacking stoves for hot drinks (continued this all evening, til taps). Marked out area for snow shelter. Scouts started piling up snow for shelter (Scouts continued to pile snow until about 2000 hrs).

1700 - Set up two tents.

1730 - Scouts built fire. Started it without matches. Each Scout took turns starting the tinder. Scouts maintained fire until taps.

1800 - Scouts started eating dinner (Scouts took frequent breaks during the shelter building process to eat MREs and snacks and to drink hot chocolate - Nagalene bottles were a big hit - served as both heating bottles when placed in jacket and cup).

2000 - Built a shelter for the adults (lashed a deadfall between two trees, used a tarp to make a tent, laid boughs on the tent and built a snow foundation around it. Very fast to make and comfortable. Pine needles made great bedding!

2200 - Scouts completed quinzee (snow mound hut) complete with wind break for entrance and multiple ventilation holes in walls. Scouts slept in shelter (overflow in tents). Placed snow shovels outside of shelter, at the entrance and in the shelter.

2300 - Taps

Sunday, 2 Feb

0800 Scouts started fire

0830 Scouts heated water on stoves for breakfast

1000 - Scouts skied and snowshoed

1100 - started breaking down camp

1400 - departed camp

1530 - arrived at Rec Hall

1630 - departed New Germany State Park

2030 - Arrived in Annapolis

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