Eligibility:
This trip is our 2024 self organized high adventure trip and is targeted at more seasoned scouts. The criteria for attendance is any of the following:
- 14 years or older
- Rising 9th grader or higher
- First class or higher
- Attending Seabase in 2025
Plan:
Sun. 8/11/24
5:00 PM: Cumberland Visitor Center - C&O Canal National Historical Park Western Maryland Railroad Station 13 Canal St, Cumberland, MD 21502, where we start our ride. This is a drop-off trip.
For carpooling we will meet at the IWLA chapter house with a target departure of 3 PM. So arrive around 2:30 PM.
All locations below are guesses.
Sun.: Bike about 10 miles to Iron Mountain Hiker/Biker campsite
Mon.: Bike about 25 miles to Devil's Alley Hiker/Biker campsite
Tue.: Bike about 35 miles to North Mountain Hiker/Biker campsite
Wed.: Bike about 50 miles to Huckleberry Hill Hiker/Biker campsite
Thurs.: TBD
Thurs. PM: Call pickup rides with exact location for pickup.
Fri. AM: Pickup (location tbd)
Before you leave:
- Know how to fix a flat tire.
- Inspect your tires - replace if frayed or worn.
- Have inner tube with anti-leak fill, either as goop or as a pre-made tube.
- Inspect your brake and shift cables - also replace if frayed.
- Ensure that your rack attachments are tight.
- Test ride your bike - Do not make a bunch of changes the night before. Get your bike ready NOW and try to ride it at least a few times before you start your trip.
We will have one towable child carrier for shared gear. All scouts and adults must have a bike frame-mounted mechanism to carry all of their personal gear. For typical frame mounted racks I would suggest strapping on something like a duffel bag or dry bag rather than getting something expensive. ALL PERSONAL GEAR MUST BE EASILY BIKE MOUNTED. DO NOT RELY ON ANY OTHER PERSON OR ANY SORT OF BACKPACK.
Gear carrier examples:
- Rack for bikes with mount points (this is what I have).
- Rack for bikes without mount point (I have never used this).
- Strap in bag (I have seen these, but not used one).
Basic Gear:
- Bike (make sure it's ready for days-long riding)
- 2 Water Bottles / camelback
- Rain Jacket
Additional Items to bring along:
- Two changes of cloths TOTAL.
- Tent / Hammock
- Mess kit (really just a cup and cutlery will work).
- Bungee Cables
- Bug Repellent (IMPORTANT!)
- Bell or Horn (Required by NPS)
- Water Bottle or Camelback
- Pocket Knife
- Helmet
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
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- Eye Wear (Sunglasses)
- Bike Lock
- Sun Screen
- Towel
- Padded Bike Shorts / spandex.
- ID, Credit, Cash
- Flashlight (for Paw Paw Tunnel)
- Matches or Lighter
- Toiletries
- Miscellaneous (always useful)
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Troop/Mr. Spielman will provide:
- Dehydrated Food or MRE
- Stoves
- Water filtration system
- Trash Bags
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- Extra Tubes
- Patch Kit
- Tire Pump
- Multi-use Bike Tool
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Scout in Charge: TBD
Adult in Charge: Ian Spielman
Food: We will be approximating the Philmont 2024 menu.
