Troop 328's 2003 Wilderness Camp, Idaho

JEFFHEAD.COM - CIVIC ^ | August 17, 2003 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Scout Troop 328, Wilderness Camp
Sea Foam Lake, River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho
By : Jeff Head
August 17, 2003

Our new scout troop, Troop 328, conducted a wilderness camp in the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness Area in our home state of Idaho during the week of August 11th, 2003. Pictures of that trip and narration follow.

Leaving Emmett, Idaho, we followed the Payette River from Emmett to Horseshoe Bend and then to Banks, Idaho where we took the East Fork of the Payette and followed it to Garden Valley and then to Lowman, Idaho. We had intended to continue on the main paved highway up over Banner Summit, but a forest fire in that area had the paved road closed so we took the gravel road detour up though Bear Valley, a forty-mile mountainous, dirt road bypass. We then took the fourteen mile road, which became progressively worse for wear and requiring high four wheel drive, to the Rapid River. Finally, at the Ranger Station at the Rapid River, we followed the rough wilderness road, requiring low four wheel drive, up to Sea Foam lakes, a final distance of 130 miles from home.

The road is long, the route arduous and scenic to the Sea Foam Lake Wilderness Camp


But, upon arrival, the reward is well worth the time and effort.

After arrival, before any of the really fun activities can begin, the scouts know thatcamp needs to be set up and they proceed with the task at hand. There are tents to be set up, the cooking area to prepare, garbage bags to set out, latrines to be dug and water to be pumped and purified.

Scouts and their leaders go about the tasks of setting up camp next to Seafoam Lake.

Once setup was complete and the tasks assigned and sceduled for cooking and maintenance of the camp, the fun activities planned for the camp out could begin. Some of the things the scouts participated in throughout the camp were swimming, board games (both Monopoly and Risk were played), shooting and fishing.

Scouts enjoying a refreshing dip in Seafoam Lake followed by a rousing monopoly game.

Lots of fish were jumping, but few biting on this trip to Sea Foam Lake.

Cooking and eating are a neccessary and fun part of any scout camp. At Sea Foam Lake, each boy was assigned to be the designated cook during the camp. From Deer Steaks and Fried Potatoes, to Tacos, to hamburgers, to pancakes, bacon and eggs, and the famous mountain man breakfasts...scouts ate hearty at wilderness camp.

The famous Mountain Man Breakfast was well prepared and very much enjoyed by all.

And what real scout camp would exist without a significant hike into the area and terrain sourrounding camp? In this case, a climb up to the highest point on the ridge opposite Sea Faomn Lake was planned and executed. All of the boys and their adult advisors made the steep ascent, where the view on the top was well worth the sweat and effort getting there.

Scouts and their advisors make the hard ascent to the highest point on the opposite ridge


The routes of the ascent and descent.

With the large basin surrounding the Sea Foam Lake area, there were many vistas and discoveries to be found and enjoyed while hiking to explore its extents. From perches above the upper lake, to old mining digs to other ridges and lookouts around the basin, scouts and their adult advisors took advantage of the opportunity.

Scouts and their adult advisors explore the basin



From ridges and high points around the basin, the views were spectacular.

The fish were not biting aound the edges of the lake so the scouts determined to put some of their lashing skills (or in some cases their on the spot acquired lashing skills) to use and build a good raft from which they could fish further out in the lake where the more fish were seen to be jumping. This required that appropriate logs be chosen and gathered from the many already available arund the edge of the lake and that they then be lashed together. The scouts set abou the task with a will and finished the job in a few hours.

Scouts gather, choose and lash logs into a four-man raft

From early morning risings, to dawning ponchos for an evening rain storm and setting up a tarp to cover the cooking and eating area during that rain, the scouts continued their wilderness camp, experiencing and learning to live with the changes mother nature dealt them along the way.

The life of a scout in wilderness camp adjusts to the changing nature of weather conditions.

Finally, as sad as it was for the experience to end, the time came for the scouts to clean up, break camp and ensure that the area was left in a better condition than what they found it. Then, the troop loaded into the rigs that brought them there and returned to Emmett, in the lower Payette valley.

Scouts breaking camp at Sea Foam lake.


Troop 328 prepares to "mount up" in the rigs that brought them there and depart Sea Foam lake.


Sea Foam Lake, as Troop 328 left it...in the pristine setting of Idaho's River of No Return Wilderness.

OTHER EMMETT, IDAHO SCOUTING TRIPS AND EXPERIENCES:

2001 Varsity Float Trip .......... 2002 Winter Camp

JEFFHEAD.COM

[Jeff Head]

Many of you here on FR are familiar with my involvement in the Boy Scouts. I have posted articles regarding several of our scouting experiences over the last few years.

This is our latest, a wilderness camp in the River of No Return Wilderness Area (actually surrounded by it) last week. Very rough country, very rough climate.

We were completely unaware, until arriving back home on Saturday afternoon, of the power outage/blackout in the Northeast at all. We had spoken, around the campfire-as scouts often do, of "what ifs" regarding having to stay up there and turn the "camp" into a place to live.

It was sobering to come home and find out what had happened. It was comforting to know that those several boys and their leaders could make do (as can tens of millions of other Americans) if push ever came to shove.

Hope you enjoy the respite.

JEFF

[Jeff Head]

FYI...sorry for any posts I missed last week, or any correspondence I may not have responded to.

I was involved with this GREAT camp with our scout troop.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Wow!

I'm going to bookmark this for my Brad when he comes back home. THANKS Jeff!

[Syncro]

Thanks for the ping, Jeff.

GRATE photos and adventure.

Good job.

[Jeff Head]

You are very welcome. It was a great, wholesome and all-American experience and fun.

You grandson should really love reviewing it.

[Jeff Head]

You are welcome. I used an HP 315 digital camera and had a laptop up there that I used to edit and compose.

These kids will look back on the documentary twenty years from now and get lumps in their throats and vow to be involved in the same way with their kids and local scout troops. At least that's my hope and prayer.

[deadhead]

This is wonderful! Thank You for sharing the adventures of Troop 328.
Awesome photos.

[Jeff Head]

You are very welcome. Hope you enjoy it and spread it around. Up here we are still trying our best to preserve our heritage through our youth.

Hope the same is going on in your locality.

[Brad’s Gramma]

He'll be GREEN with envy. His scouting excursions pale compared to that.

[Jeff Head]

We are very blessed here to live in close proximity to so much beauty and splendor.

We try and take advantage of it and let it work its magic on our youth...along with the proper instruction regarding their heritage and the real meaning of that beauty and from whence it derives.

While the beautiful outdoors is wonderful, I believe those teachings are of the most import, and can be applied, with God's help, to equal effect wherever one finds themselves.

[Alberta's Child]

Great post.

Anyone who has spent time in the rugged outdoors in places like the Frank Church Wilderness (I've been to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness myself) probably took the power outage in stride. In fact, if I had made my way home from work and found my power out back home, I would have been quite content to load my gear up in the 4x4 and go rough it for a few days in upstate New York.

[Jeff Head]

Have spent time in the Selway-Bittrroot Wilderness as well. Driving over to the put in point on the upper Selway from Darby, MT has always been one of my favorite drives. The old (now closed) road that crosses the Selway there and then goes over to Elk City in Idaho is a great track for an excursion.

Your commnets are spot on and mirror my own thoughts on the power loss...but that is not to understate or make light of the hardship it caused on so many.

Thanks for taking time out to check out the thread. The country up there is great and helps one keep perspective.

[CIBvet]

OUTSTANDING JOB Mr. Scoutmaster Troop328. Thanks so much for investing in the lives of these young boys.

With highest regards for dedicated Scoutmasters everywhere.

[farmfriend]

Golden Empire Counsel, Pony Express District, Troop 386 bump. Looks like it was a great outing.

[editor-surveyor]

We had spoken, around the campfire-as scouts often do, of "what ifs" regarding having to stay up there and turn the "camp" into a place to live.

We can dream, can't we? - But the reality is that the goons plan to pen us up in the cities like POW's so we can't 'spoil' the wilderness.

Sounds like a great trip - wish I was there!

[Jeff Head]

Well, I am just assisting. I have been a scoutmaster on other occassions, but I was along to assist and with my son, Jared.

I will continue to assist and be involved wherever and whenever I can.

But I will certainly pass on the compliment to the scout master, who himself is a dedicated family-man and very loyal American that understands the need for the very investment you speak of.

God grant that we will always have their numbers in rich abundance...or at least in the numbers to garner the support of the Hand of Providence in support of our nation. I believe we will.

[Jeff Head]

Well here's a Troop 328 to Troop 386 warm weclome and HOORAH!'

It was a GREAT outing.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I can't believe you have anything to do with that discriminating hateful outfit!

/sarcasm.

[Jeff Head]

But the reality is that the goons plan to pen us up in the cities like POW's

That may be the reality of their plan, but the reality of what actually occurs will be something altogether different.

...and make no mistake, making a life in that environment would be a back-breaking and dangerous involvement...one that would likely kill some or all of us before a year was out without any other means of support. I pray we never have to do it...but will continue to train and teach young men so that they are able and willing to make that attempt if ever called upon...if it ever became necessary.

One thig is for sure...without such preparation, there is no doubt as to the outcome.

On the other hand, if those young men are ready, willing and able to try that...then they will be much more likely to be stalwarts in their families, communities and everyday life, prepared to meet whatever challenges life does bring their way.

Best Fregards.

[Jeff Head]

LOL! I am involved with that un-pc group to the hilt ... oops, that was a very un-pc way to express myself.

Notice what is hanging on my hip in a couple of the pictures. Each boy also got a good lesson in safe handling and firing of weapons (hand-guns, shotguns and rifles) while at camp.