Backpacking trip--October 9-10/2010--

Post date: Oct 11, 2010 6:59:34 PM

On October 9-10, 2010, nineteen scouts and adults went backpacking in the George Washington National Forest.  The first day, the group backpacked about 4 miles to a campsite along the banks of Passage Creek.  This hike was a gradual incline with an elevation change of about 400 vertical feet.  They set up camp, purified water, had dinner, and built a big campfire.  Sunday morning, October 10, just after sunrise the group started the ascent to the top of the mountain.  Over a little more than hour, the group climbed 1,100 vertical feet to reach the top, Duncan Knob, elevation 2,800 feet.  The last part of the trip was climbing up a huge rock pile that had been created when a cliff collapsed many years ago.  It was a spectacularly clear day and from Duncan Knob you could see other mountains in all directions.  Some trees had started to change colors, which made the scenery that much more beautiful.  After coming down from Duncan Knob, the troop returned to camp, packed their gear, and made the trek back to their cars.  For some scouts, this was their first backpacking trip.  They did an outstanding job.