In July 2013, I participated in the first ever BSA-sponsored packrafting school at the Montana High Adventure Base in Dupuyer, Montana. The program principles and curriculum were developed by Ryan Jordan, and I had the great privilege of serving with Ryan as an instructor and mentor for a select group of Scouts who would be our guinea pigs and pioneers, and who would pave the way to opening up a dramatic new mode of high adventure wilderness travel in the Scouting program.
This essay and trip report reflects some of my experiences, thoughts about Scouting, and importance of a lightweight philosophy as part of effective wilderness group dynamics.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Preface
- Introduction
- Day 1: Straight Creek to Pretty Prairie
- Day 2: Pretty Prairie to North Fork
- Day 3: The Upper North Fork
- Day 4: North Fork Gorge
- Day 5: Elbow Gorge
- Challenges
- This is High Adventure
- Learn More
# WORDS: 3290
# PHOTOS: 11
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to:
Paddle Scouts: BSA Packrafting the Sun River Drainage, Montana
Very nice trip report Eric. I can tell you are proud of how your Scouts did. I love getting kids out in the woods and using the experiences there to teach teamwork and responsibility.
Great work, Eric. I see some future participants in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Classic here.
Can we get an article about the techniques used for group cooking on this trip? I noticed a trout being cooked over an open fire that looked great. Other than tinfoil, what was holding the fish above the coals? How do you pack cooking supplies, that have been used for fish, in bear country? So many questions….
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