By: Matt Sorenson (Scoutmaster) January 3, 2013
We are planning our next camp out this Friday. We'll meet at the chapel at 4:00 pm, will leave at 4:15 sharp. We will park at Tibble Fork reservoir and walk into Granite Flat campground.
The overnight lows are expected to rise slightly by Friday to 10-15 degrees. Given the snow we will be strictly enforcing the no cotton rule.
As usual, boys will be responsible for their own water (1 liter plus cooking water, if needed). This is less water since we aren't hiking very far. They should bring dinner and breakfast. No individually wrapped candy.
Despite the bitter cold, if they are prepared they will be fine. As always, Dads are welcome!
The weather reports I'm watching are showing Alta with a low near 10 degrees on Friday night. I use Alta as a reference point of similar elevation as the Granite Flat campground. I'm expecting it to be in the single digits. I hope it is only that cold but it could be minus a few degrees. The Scouts in Minnesota typically called off camping when the temps reached -10 or wind chill reached -20. I'll use the same thresholds here.
I trust that each of us, properly prepared, will be safe.
We've camped out in similar during the past two winters without incident.
A zero degree rated bag in zero degree weather will prevent frostbite if kept dry inside a tent. There might be a shiver or two in the predawn hours but no physical harm will be done. However, this is not a camp out for a sleeping rating anything higher than zero degrees. If your Scout doesn't have one available he should not attend this camp out. Make sure they know how to operating the drawstrings on their mummy bags so they can cinch the bag down over their head and around their shoulders to prevent heat loss. Practice this at home. Teach them to identify the different-sized drawstrings by feel, so they can do it in the dark. The temperature inside a tent with 3-4 boys in it will probably be in the mid 20s even when zero degrees outside.
Hand and foot warmers will probably be worth their weight in gold.
Put fresh batteries in all lights, the cold will sap their power when old or half used up.
If you don't feel your Scout is properly prepared for the cold, please keep him home. This includes physically as well as mentally. I don't have any reservations about any of our boys, as long as they bring the proper equipment. I suggest 1 extra layer on top of what they normally wear. I'll wear an two pair of socks on my feet and have two pair dry, on hand just in case.
They should wear a hat and even a face mask, ski mask, or other protection for nose and cheeks, although we will have plenty of wood for a good, roaring fire.
We'll do a rigorous pack check before we leave to ensure safety.
It is a great sense of accomplishment for a young man to face the elements and learn the value of preparation, endurance and self reliance. Chances are he will still have fun.
