Introduction

elcome to the fifty-seventh edition of our Troop 227 Newsletter. To learn more about Boy Scouts, please visit us at any troop activity, speak to a troop leader, or visit one of the following websites.

Appalachian Trail High Adventure

n July 25-27, 2008, Troop 227 went on a high adventure (literally!) outing to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The troop initially arrived together at Clingmans Dome (6,643 feet above sea level), hiked the steep 1/2 mile trail to the summit, and enjoyed some breathtaking views.

hen we divided into three groups with two groups going on different portions of the Appalachian Trail and the third and youngest group setting up a base camp in Cades Cove. Each group has their own tale to tell. Photos of our trip are available on our troop website.

http://www.bsatroop227.org/gallery/

Base Camp Gang

fter dropping off our fellow scouts at Clingmans Dome, we bussed on down the mountain to setup base camp at Cades Cove campground. Being new to Boy Scouting, we were put to the test of setting up tents and making hobo meals.

e were greeted Saturday morning with heavy rains, giving our sleeping bags the opportunity to absorb the abundant rainfall. After the sun came out, we set up the dining fly and put our sleeping bags out in the warm sun. The older scouts showed their scouting knowledge in teaching younger scouts how to whip and fuse ropes, plus other Tenderfoot skills. Later that evening, we wrapped up the day around the campfire telling our favorite experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains.

8 (Actually 9) Milers

he 8 mile hikers stepped off the bus in Clingmans Dome parking lot with much excitement and anticipation of hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Little did we know reality would set in quickly as we hiked up the steep, 1/2 mile path to the observation tower.

After a few photos and handshakes, the group of four scouts and three adults set out on their 8 mile journey to Newfound Gap.

reathing thin air at an elevation of 6,600+ feet, made us realize this was not just another easy stroll around Radnor Lake. We arrived one hour before dark at Mt. Collins shelter, which was a 1/2 mile off of the AT, which added another mile to our hiking experience. After unpacking and cooking dinner on backpacking stoves, we sat around the campfire talking to other hikers who lived as far away as England. After stowing away our smell-able items in the bear bag, we settled in for a much needed restful sleep in our primitive shelter.

t was a cold and wet start for our hike Saturday morning as the rains came tumbling down. First we hiked through half a mile of puddles and mud leaving the campsite to get back on the trail. There wasn't much but just hiking and falling. Nathan and Benjamin both fell twice, but Seth gets 1st place for the Falling award with five falls! About a mile and a half after we started, it stopped raining.

fter about four and a half miles, we came to a parking lot where Nathan accidentally hailed a car down! We laughed for a long time about that! We took a 20-minute break to rest and snack, then went on to hike the rest of the 1.7 miles to Newfound Gap. Just 100 yards from Newfound Gap, Nathan ran into Mr. Hammond coming to see where we were. We got to Newfound Gap and boarded the bus; then Mr. Hammond took us to base camp.

22 (Actually 10) Milers

he 22 mile hikers set off from Clingmans Dome around 4:00 PM on Friday in the opposite direction from the 8 mile group, heading toward Silers Bald, Spence Field, and eventually Cades Cove. We made very good time on this 4.7 mile portion of our journey, arriving at Silers Bald shelter at 7:00 PM, where we cooked dinner, relaxed by the campfire, and hung all of our smell-ables up in a couple of bear bags.

nce we laid down to rest the fun started. We discovered that the mice that live at this shelter are more friendly than we had anticipated, so much so that we were startled repeatedly when they would run over portions of our body, such as our arms and heads (Justin and Chris). After a few commotions, we all settled in for a good night's rest.

he heavy rains the next morning caused us to rethink our plans given that we were originally scheduled to cover 11.8 miles on Saturday. By the time the rains stopped, the group did not believe there was enough daylight left and decided to retrace our steps to Clingmans Dome. There we contacted the park rangers, who relayed a message to our base camp, who graciously transported us back to our base camp.

n all we hiked about 8.9 miles on the AT and 1.1 miles on some side trails for total of 10 miles. While we were disappointed that we were unable to carry out our original plan, we certainly had an enjoyable experience on the Appalachian Trail. Many from our group are anxious to go again soon.

Montgomery Bell State Park Awaits Us

n August, Troop 227 will be camping in the venerable Montgomery Bell State Park. All Scouts in the troop are encouraged to attend.

Upcoming Troop Events

· Aug. 4 – Troop meeting. 6:30 PM. Class A uniforms.

· Aug. 11 – Troop meeting. 6:30 PM.

· Aug. 18 – Troop meeting. 6:30 PM.

· Aug. 22-24 – Montgomery Bell State Park troop outing.

Future Dates

· Sep. 12–14 – Tennessee Army National Guard. Smyrna.

· Oct. 17-19 – Dan Beard District Camporee.

· Nov. 14-16 – Stones River National Battlefield.

Troop Leader Contacts

Scoutmaster

· Tommy Primm

Assistant Scoutmasters

· Truman Bean

· Phillip Brackett

· Chris Jones

· Chris Paul

· Andy Richter

Troop Committee

· Randy Boyd

· Mellie Brackett

· Scott Burner

· John Hammond, Chairman

· Mike Vantrease

Charter Organization Rep

· Ray Frizzell