Four quick notes:

The Friday Hikers owe me a Firefly stove, one or two cooking pots, and the bag from the first stove which came back to me with the cook kit, but without the bag it went out in. Maybe the second stove is now in the bag? No hurry, but being the stuff back Thursday.

If an adult opens up the parish hall door at an odd time like after returning from a campout, then lock it immediately and open up the back doors into the basement. If the door is already open, fine, but if it is locked, then make sure it is locked as soon as you enter the hall so you don’t forget to do it.

It would be nice if White Mountain campers from this weekend came half an hour early to the next meeting to make sure cookware is clean and to roll tents. Much of the work of putting stuff away has already been done, but it would be nice to finish the job. The next meeting is a Court of Honor which is why you should come half an hour early.

Thanks to all the trip organizers for putting together a great trip, to the SPL and all the Scouts for doing a very good job all weekend, and to whoever ordered the weather for getting it just right. 30 degrees Saturday night, 35 degrees Sunday night, says my iButton. We should have taken a swim this morning, but as things worked out, the time was against us. The guys at the desk called me a few minutes ago to thank us for leaving such a clean campsite. Normally they have to clean it after each use. This time they didn’t have to do anything.

-Hank Manz

The weather promises to be warm during the day during our trip this weekend, but night temperatures for Saturday night may be a bit on the cool side with temperatures below freezing. Sunday night will be cool as well. This is Fall in New England, after all, and we will be in the White Mountains so, as we have said again and again, Be Prepared with appropriately layered clothing. Make sure you have rain gear just in case. And make sure you have a clean set of warm clothes to sleep in. I favor fleece tops, bottoms, socks, and hat, but your tastes may vary.

You will be taking some hikes with some very real elevation changes. It is not unusual to start in Fall, climb through Winter, and emerge again into Fall. And then of course it happens again on the way down.

Remember to pack a ground cloth (just a plain piece of plastic works just fine) and leave your summer weight sleeping bag at home. Bring the winter weight bag and add a liner if you have one. A sleeping pad is a good idea as well. We have a few loaner pads in the troop storeroom.

Remember also to bring your flashlight, your eating gear, a day pack, rain gear, your flashlight, a small personal first aid kit, good boots, dry socks, your flashlight, gloves, a warm hat, and a water bottle or two. Have I mentioned you should bring your flashlight? As always, leave the electronics and the laser pointers at home.

-Hank Manz