GenX Backpackers

My Earliest Scouting Pictures

I went with T676 to summer camp at Mount Norris Scout Reservation for the first time the summer of 1983. I earned Tenderfoot Rank in December of 1983, which is why I was wearing that rank patch in the oldest picture I have of myself as a Boy Scout, at

"They're all gonna laugh at you"

Hello again. Today Brian and I made the hour plus drive out of the flatlands to get to some hills to train on. Say what you will about San Antonio but their parks and Greenway trails are amazing and accessible and I miss them. . Brian is training for another excursion

Plan C

If you've been following this site, you 've see this where I explained my backpacking plan for 2024. If you read this then you'd know that Tina and I had to change our plans because I didn't book the boat to Isle Royale

The Final Mile

One of my father's childhood Scout leaders and mentors was a man named Bill Hall. Bill lived in the same town we did, and I met him several times. He was a forester by trade, and I can vividly remember tramping through the woods with Bill and my

A rock I hate.

I've been meaning to write about my and Brian's last hiking trek/honeymoon. As usual I am late in writing. Brian and I finally married in December of 2023, but just had our honeymoon because life often revolves around accrued vacation and PTO days from work.

A Philmont Story, Trail Crew 1989

In 1987, a couple of members of my Scout troop joined those from a neighboring town attending a trek at Philmont. Back then my troop prided itself with our annual "50-miler" backpacking excursions along Vermont's Long Trail. The tales of Philmont spurred my troop to send

I was so pathetic

I was 12 on my first backpacking trip - a 50-miler with Troop 676, Essex, Vermont. It was on Vermont's Long Trail, from North Adam's Massachusetts to Peru, Vermont. Sadly, I don't have any pictures of that first year (1984.) 1985, however, was a

Eagle Ceremony

This picture was taken in October of 1987. That is my grandfather behind me. My father is the photographer. This picture was taken as part of a slideshow that I used in my Eagle Court of Honor ceremony. I had this and other pictures timed to display according to wording

Kevin Wunder, Stoughton Wisconsin

Preparation: I trained fairly religiously from November through April, and did my best training in February, March and April. In May I developed some bad blisters on a training hike, and that was a setback. Most of my training was indoors, including wearing my pack on the treadmill, some strength

Heather Compton, San Antonio Texas

Philmont Reflection Thoughts * Adult leader in charge needs to plan hikes/campouts even if they can not attend. The group needs to be able to function under any leadership. * Pack shakedowns need to happen every-other month to ensure items are well fitting and repairs are made. * Shoes: try different styles

The good, the bad, and the ugly... Notes from Philmont for next time!

Vicki Armstrong, crew 618-7A: 9 Scouts and 3 adults from Troop 583, Castaic California. Bear Bags We tried to have each food buddy pair share a bear bag, and each pair to write on their food bags with a Sharpie, but somehow we always ended up with random loose items

David Parmly, Knoxville Tennessee

Know the difference between “PRINCIPLES” and “TECHNIQUES”. Techniques vary by day, by crew, by circumstance; Principles never vary, regardless of the circumstances. "Keeping the group together in the backcountry" is an example of a PRINCIPLE. You never violate this principle. It is needed for safety reasons and to

Jay Bradley, Salado Texas

Philmont Top 10  1-Make a conversion chart ml to cup for easy patrol cooking and water purification tablets. 2-Eat the spaghetti first and use tortillas w/ yellow curry and later with Santa Fe Rice to make burritos. (Next level snag white chicken packets at swaps and add gourmet camp chef

Honeymoon Trip

Our plans had been to go do 5 days on Isle Royale National Park - hopefully with friends. Unfortunately, nobody has signed up to join us, and I waited too long to book the boat. By the time I tried, the boat openings available would not work with our schedule.

Nat Marie, San Diego California

Super Strenuous lives up to its name. Epic adventure. This was a tough itinerary and we made all 8 peaks. Early mornings and long days. Thoughts from the past 12 days: * Read the guidebook to adventure…twice. Review your trek…twice. * My daughter and I mapped the entire trek on

Amanda Williams, Laurel, MS

Money was an issue with our troop but if I had to do it again I would go with Blue Sky or something like it to plan the trip for us. I handled all the logistics and it got to be a bit much since I also have a job

Lighterpack Repository

I created a page of my Lighterpack lists as a tool/reference for others. See here Keep Hiking my friends

Scout Stuff

2024 Trip Plan

Tina and I officially/legally got hitched at the end of 2023, but I count the anniversary date as the "cake day." Our cake day is going to be this summer. We've planned it in a location that is centrally located and easy to get to

Personal Growth

Appalachian Trail Fallout

If you've read the post "The Hardest Day" detailing my September 2023 trip from Sherburne Pass, Vermont to Franconia Notch, New Hampshire, you'll know that I limped to the finish line. About a month after returning home the pain in my left knee had

Gear Reviews

Xmid Footprint Quest

When I was making my transition from traditional to lightweight backpacking in 2020/2021, I learned about trekking pole tents. (Ok, I'll admit it: it was YouTube videos.) Nifty idea I thought, but $700 for a tent was ridiculous - no way was I buying anything made of

Trails Reviews/Wrap-ups

The Hardest Day

In November of 2022, on the Lone Star Trail (LST) north of Houston, I assisted a crew of Boy Scouts from San Antonio on a beginner-level backpacking "50-miler." Most on the crew were strong, older scouts who had done some 1-2 day backpacking trips before, but never a

Educational

XUL (Extreme Ultralight) Packing List

Just how light can I get and still not be stupid about things? By that I mean how light can I go and still cover the 10 essentials: Navigation, sunscreen, extra clothes, flashlight, first aid kit, Fire, knife, water, food, shelter. Well, it turns out, if the temperatures are moderate

Educational

The quest for the ultimate tent stake

When you become a UL gram weenie, you start looking at how much things weigh and for ways to eliminate unnecessary items, find dual/multi-use items, or find lighter items. In that light, I've kind of been obsessed for a couple years with how much tent stakes weigh.

Third time is the charm

On April 23 I published that I was going to accompany Chris and Maxine on a trip through Great Smokey Mountains National Park - 6 days, 73 miles, and 21,500' of climb.  Alas, those plans were thwarted by a groin pull.  So I replanned for Labor Day week

Scout Stuff

Philmont Most Valuable Player Award

My 2023 Philmont trek MVP award goes to my Gossamer Gear sun umbrella. If you think these things are dorky you obviously haven't tried one: this thing is amazing!!!!! I pulled it out on my crew's June 17th shakedown (in Texas hill country) when it was