I'm getting too old for this ****!

[Sam Conder]

I have muttered that phrase to myself at least 12 times in the last 45 minutes. On Saturday, I led two of our older Scouts on a day hike of the 22-mile Mischa Mokwa Scout Adventure Trail at Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. For those of you that hike and will understand these statistics, the trail begins with a 3,000ft ascent over the first 6 miles. The next 14 miles is a rolling ridge walk followed by a 2 mile 1,900ft descent.

Apparently the Troop that I am a leader of has a long standing tradition of using the Mischa Mokwa trail as a "rite of passage" for the older Scouts. They have never backpacked it over 2 days as most Troops do, instead they choose to hike it all in one day end to end.

For some reason, I was the only adult leader stupid enough to volunteer to lead these young men on this death march. Fortunately, I was able to get one of the Troop's former Scouts who is now an adult to go along on the trip so that we had 2-deep leadership as required by BSA.

This morning, a full 40 hours after finishing the trail, I am still walking like a 90 year old man and muttering the phrase "I am too old for this ****!"

[LCHIEN]

Sam, that's an accomplishment.

Are you going to do it again next year?

[Sam Conder]

Sam, that's an accomplishment.

Are you going to do it again next year?

You betcha!

[Bruce Cohen]

Hey Sam,

Just think, it could have Paris Island, or raining.

Consider yourself lucky.

Bruce

[Richard in Smithville]

So what are you going to do now that you're warmed up?

[JR]

That's a big hike, Sam! It's those last two miles that would kill me.

JR

[pelligrini]

I wouldn't even try doing a trek like that right now. That's a pretty good pace for that type of terrain.

At least it was a day hike. Just think what it would have been with overnight gear and provisions.

[Tom Miller]

For next year, may I suggest some kind of "man down" first aid training? Build a litter out of downed limbs (bring your own air mattress). Teach the importance of keeping the victim well-hydrated (your choice of beverage), and mentally occupied (audiobooks on iPod, etc.).

That is an amazing bit of hiking -- not sure which I'd opt for, two days with a full pack, or one day without.

Regards,
Tom

[jackellis]

Kudos Sam. You're a stronger man than I am.

My wife wants me to do a 22 mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail with her - overnight. Elevations run between 4,000 and 9,000 feet. Not until I get in some kind of shape. It just won't do to have a 4'11" tall woman carrying my pack the last few miles.

[Sam Conder]

I should have noted that it did in fact rain off an on all day. Additionally, I had a full pack on with a tent, sleeping bag and water filter. Basically my fully loaded backpacking rig minus the food. I opted to carry that gear primarily for the exercise and to keep myself in shape for backpacking, but also for emergency preparedness reasons.

Tom, these Scouts have earned the emergency preparedness, wilderness survival and first aid merit badges and have participated in yearly refreshers. I agree that scenarios on outings are a good "test" of Scout skills, but in that particular hike I wasn't looking for any thing else to do or organize other than getting my old arse outta the woods alive! []

[pelligrini]

Hehe, with that info about the pack you just revealed that you're a masochist at heart and that wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age.

[cgallery]

WOW.

I'm currently watching "Out of the Wild" (tune in if you can) on (I think) Discovery Channel.

They typically hike 6-10 miles a day.

Of course, they're doing so on approx. 800 calories a day.

But in light of what I see them going through, yours is quite an accomplishment.

Have you had the courage to call the scouts that went w/ you to find out how they're feeling? Bet it didn't even phase them.

[Stytooner]

Hey Sam,

Just think, it could have Paris Island, or raining.

Consider yourself lucky.

Bruce

I wonder how Paris island compares to Ft. Dix?
I went through boot during June and July and i could have sworn I was right at home here in Alabama with the heat, humidity and sand. I had a blast in that place. Others didn't fair quite as well.

Good job on you, Sam. It takes a special kinda man to take on such responsibility and courage and stamina to see it through. Talk about building character. I had a blast when I was in the Scouts too. Only stayed in a couple years, but because of that experience, I was made squad leader in boot camp.
You just never know when these kids will be able to draw from this experience, but most certainly they will.
Keep up the great work, Sam.

[crokett]

Sam,

I've done that distance in a day over the same kind of terrain. I did it when I was 17 and a cross-country runner and it was tough then. I couldn't imagine doing it now. I am very impressed.

[thestinker]

impressive. I don't like to drive that far, much less hike it.
Riley