Girl Scouts of Northern California

To teach your Scouts how to be successful at weekend backpacking in local parks

To know the general rules and responsibilities

To be familiar with the equipment necessary to go on a backpacking trip

What is Backpacking◦ Difference between Family and GS backpacking◦ Girl Scout Policies and Procedures◦ Girl Scout Learning Experience◦ Girl Involvement

Planning◦ Equipment (personal and group gear)◦ Meal Planning & Water Purification◦ Health and Safety◦ Emergency Plan◦ Hygiene and First Aid◦ Outdoor Skills

Weekend – Saturday-Sunday backpack trip

what you and your girls should know and do

Adult/Girl Ratios:Must be a minimum of 2 non-related adults (at least one of whom is a female)Fully trained adult - core leadership courses, troop camping certification, backpack certified,and certified first aider.

Adults must be registered GS members and completed the volunteer screening process.

Review Safety Activity Checkpoint-Backpacking

Backpacking not recommended for Daisies and Brownies

Pre-requisite training class: Troop Camping Certification

Adult sleeping arrangements Paperwork Required

avoid 1:1 situations potentially compromising to girl or man

all camping activities must include a woman men sleep in separate areas bathroom facilities must be separate or

have separate times

Determine the maturity and interest level of the girls planning to go backpacking

• Expectations• Risks• Adult supervision needed• Cost• Preparation• Where to go

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces3. Dispose of Waste Properly4. Leave what you find5. Minimize Campfire Impacts6. Respect Wildlife7. Be considerate of other visitors

what to have, how to use it and how to get it

backpacking does not need to be expensive

rent, don't buy, until you decide that you like backpacking◦ REI◦ Mel Cotton's◦ Surplus and Goodwill◦ Sports Authority◦ Sports Basement

choose an external frame pack, or adjustable internal frame pack (if fully grown)

avoid the "woman's pack" hype lots of external pockets well padded hip belt and shoulder straps it must be uniquely fitted to you keep it clean and dry at home, on the trail

and in camp

External frame pack, seen from the side which goes against your back

Top loading pack (lift the flap to load the bag)

Padded shoulder straps

Padded hip belt Sleeping bag, held to frame with straps or rope, not shock cords.

External frame Outside pockets (this pack has four)

mummy bag for warmth, with draw string nylon cover, nylon interior avoid "stitched through" construction fill materials

◦ 2.5 lb. down if you keep it always dry◦ 3 lb. Hollofill or equivalent is best

keep it clean, wash it rarely and very, very carefully

never, ever store it in its stuff sack!

backpacker's tents are very lightweight (no more than 6 lb. and often 3.5 lb.)◦ they can not only shelter you from wind and

rain, but they keep out the bugs a tarp shelter is very light (1 to 2 lb.) and

protects you from wind and rain◦ they offer the advantage of very low cost◦ some assembly required - you must add lines to

the sides and corners, as well as a line to support the ridge

the ensolite pad...◦ keeps the heat from your body from being drawn into the

ground through the crushed lower layer of your sleeping bag

◦ it also provides minimum padding when sleeping on the hard ground

◦ various kinds exist, none are expensive◦ a backpacker’s air mattress is a comfortable substitute

the ground cloth… to keep your sleeping bag and ensolite pad clean ◦ When you use a tent, the ground cloth protects the tent

floor from twigs and such◦ Any lightweight plastic sheet, 3 x 7 feet, will do

for weekend outings in the local mountains, comfortable and sturdy sneakers are okay

longer trips in the high country, demand the protection and support of boots

for crossing streams, you must have aqua socks or water shoes for safety

while in camp, aqua sox, old tennis shoes are more comfortable than boots

leather boots offer best protection at highest cost◦ buy them in women's sizes -- small men's boots

will be too wide in the heel, making heel blisters a certainty

"high tech" (mixed leather/nylon) boots offer good performance at moderate price◦ they almost never cause a blister◦ their light weight makes hiking easier

proper fit is essential - make sure you buy from a knowledgeable salesperson

proper break-in is vital◦ wear leather boots to the office (or wherever)

for several weeks◦ "high-tech" boots require less break-in

proper boot care will protect them (and your feet)◦ store them clean and dry◦ keep leather boots oiled

when wearing sneakers, wear a pair of heavy cotton or wool socks

with boots, wear two layers of socks◦ outer layer of very heavy wool socks◦ inner layer of thin polypropylene socks◦ this method keeps your feet dry and inhibits the

formation of blisters

for hiking, use the layer system hiking is very warm work but, you chill quickly when you stop

◦ shorts and thin cotton shirt are normal for three season hiking in the Sierra and all four seasons in our local mountains

◦ more layers will be required for evenings in camp

in camp, a poncho is essential to keep you dry

on the trail, you have a choice...◦ wear a poncho and perspire◦ hike in shirt and shorts, and change when you

get into camp in both situations, you need...

◦ a wool or fleece shirt to keep you warm, even if it is soaked through

wear warm clothing in your bag...◦ hooded sweatshirt is warm◦ long johns or thermal underwear◦ flannel jammies◦ a wool watchcap◦ gloves (optional)◦ clean socks

never, ever wear in your bag the jeans or pants you wore in camp or on the trail - remember poison oak!

repair kit pocket knife rope (50 feet) compass toilet paper sanitary supplies bandanas whistle reflective tape photo ID

piece of duct tape matches or lighter small flashlight canteen spoon & cup Sunscreen/lip balm dental floss first aid kit zip-lock bags (see list for more)

what to carry for cooking and eating...

propane is reliable, but too heavy

butane stove◦ safe and light, but

cranky when cold butane/propane

◦ safe, light, easy to light

a nested Billie kit is convenient

a couple of coffee cans work nearly as well & cost less for weekend hikes

lightweight skillet bring a plastic

spatula & serving spoon for cooking

for long high country hikes, bring a plastic spoon and two cups, nothing more (you already brought a jack knife)

for weekend (local) hikes, a fork and a plastic plate are nice luxuries

WATER BOTTLE – “real” canteens are fine, but washed out soft drink bottle works just at well

how to eat well and simply...

this is a complex subject, upon which several books have been written

your body's food needs are very, very different from those when you are home◦ on high country hikes, a woman burns 3000 to

3500 calories/day◦ hearty breakfast for fuel on the trail, and "gorp"

to keep up your stamina◦ fats at dinner to keep you warm all night

meals must be lightweight food must be easy to prepare on one

burner you have choices...

◦ backpacker's freeze dried meals lightest weight, most convenient highest cost

◦ supermarket food lowest cost most variety

Even the clearest lake, stream or river water is not safe for drinking.

All water should be filtered, treated or purified

There are many methods to disinfect water:◦ Iodine tabets◦ Boiling◦ Filtration◦ UV Light

simple tricks work for raccoons

All food must be hung 1hour before sunset

for the high country's bears, you'll have to try harder...

Bear canisters

"First aid is what you do until the doctor arrives. In the wilderness, the doctor isn't coming."

Prevention◦ well-fitted footgear (avoid small men's boots).◦ wool outer sox, polypro inner sox.◦ toughen feet with twice-daily alcohol rubs.◦ when you feel a hot spot on the trail, stop right

then and there and pad it with moleskin Treatment

◦ cleanse area with alcohol wipe.◦ cover with Op-Site, Blister Block or 2nd Skin.◦ apply a large patch of moleskin over all.

Prevention◦ Filter or treat all drinking water ◦ wash your hands after "cat hygiene" and before

preparing food Treatment

◦ mild cases - plenty of fluids◦ severe diarrhea - plenty of fluids and...

Imodium (loperamide) for people under 14. Lomotil for people 15 & older.

Cause◦ loss of heat by evaporation, convection and conduction

Symptoms◦ intense shivering, numbness◦ confusion, clumsiness ◦ semi consciousness, glassy stare

Prevention◦ stay dry, wear wool & a hat, dress in layers◦ good nutrition – plenty of fluids◦ adequate rest - avoid fatigue

Treatment◦ Find shelter, food, hot drinks◦ Warm with body-to-body contact

Life requires air, shelter, water, food Backpacking consumes...

◦ water (lost through respiration & perspiration◦ sugars, stored in muscles

Drink more than you need, carry two liters

Eat to refuel your body◦ carbohydrates for energy (daytime)◦ fats (dinner) for warmth at night

Pace your hike, avoid mental stress Listen to your body

Symptoms◦ dizziness or weakness

Prevention◦ drink plenty of fluids with salts (Gatoraid)◦ pace your hike

Treatment◦ lie down, elevate feet, protect from sunlight,

administer cool fluids with salts

Prevention◦ check constantly at hairline and points where

skin is constricted.◦ DEET as a repellent?

Treatment◦ Grasp with tweezers, pull straight out.◦ Scrape out with credit card.◦ cleanse area with alcohol wipe.◦ observe for 2 weeks for symptoms of Lyme

Disease.

Symptoms◦ slowly enlarging red "bullseye" rash◦ flu-like symptoms◦ joint pain, severe fatigue◦ blood tests are inconclusive!!

Problems if left untreated◦ disorders of the heart & central nervous system◦ Lyme arthritis, erosion of cartilage & bone in

the joints Antibiotic - two pills of doxycycline are

highly effective if given within three days of a bite

Prevention◦ DEET

Treatment◦ aspirin or Tylenol◦ apply ice or cold compress◦ Observe for signs of allergic reaction or shock

(respiratory distress)◦ in case of shock, immediately inject epinephrine◦ Scrape bee stings with flicking motion of

fingernail, plastic card or knife blade

Rabies◦ carried by bats and racoons◦ assume all bites are infected!!◦ immediately wash wound with soap & water

Bubonic plague◦ found in the Sierra, carried by rodents◦ assume all bites are infected!!◦ immediately wash wound with soap & water

Hanta virus◦ mouse scat/droppings◦ wash before cooking & eating

Provide rest and reassurance Treat for shock Watch for reactions

◦ rapid inflammation at the bite site◦ extreme pain◦ symptoms of shock

Evacuate if no more than 1 hour out Otherwise, treat the snakebite

◦ administer epinephrine for shock as required

Definition◦ group of unpleasant symptoms related to high

(8000' +) altitude Cause

◦ low oxygen at the brain, failure to acclimate◦ teens are at high riskSymptoms

nausea, vomitingheadache, dizziness, severe fatigue

shortness of breathTreatment

descent to lower elevations

What you and your Scouts should know

Breaks are a crucial part to successful hiking!

hike in groups of 3 or more keep to marked trails put your slowest Scout at the front the girl at the front must pace herself such

that she can always see the adult at the rear

the adult at the end must watch for signs of problems

For your Scouts...◦ stay put until you are found◦ take inventory, make a plan regarding food & shelter

For yourself◦ if you are lost or separated, find your way to the day's

destination to meet the others have a map, compass & plan each day

◦ if your girls are lost, make and execute a plan with the other adults leave one with the rest of the troop agree upon routes to be searched, signals, meeting

time and place

in the high country, you are on your own state and federal parks and wilderness

areas have cut back on manpower helicopter rescue occurs only if...

◦ there is a machine available◦ the weather is clear◦ the altitude is reasonable◦ there is a place to land◦ and, someone can die while you wait...

develop the "pioneer mindset" and have a plan covering all contingencies

Problems peculiar to women and girls...

Boy Scouts camping nearby can be a distraction and/or a problem◦ call ahead to speak to the ranger, to learn if you will have

companions nearby◦ if possible, call the Scoutmaster ahead of the outing to

agree upon rules of conduct four-legged varmints will steal food, day or

night◦ for raccoons and chipmunks, bag and hang food as soon

as you make camp◦ for high country hikes, you must take special precautions

from bears – use bear canisters

be constantly on alert, use your head take a troop dad with you in camp and on the trail, let no girl get

beyond an adult's hearing/sight adults sleep around the perimeter of the

camp, with girls in the center phone ahead to the ranger just before your

hike - who will you share the trail camp with?

girls form easily into cooking groups each cooking group should be self-

contained each girl in a group should take

responsibility for the others in her team for long high-country hikes, each team must

include an adult with training in wilderness medicine

for raccoon and critterbear bagging of food

for emergency shelters for rescue

◦ tie a bowline around a girl's chest, just under her arms, not around her waist

◦ make sure each Scout can tie a bowline

◦ know basic belay techniques

Square knot

use stoves (rather than fires) for cooking◦ fires are prohibited in all State Parks and in many

wilderness areas◦ downed wood is increasingly scarce◦ cooking is more carefully controlled with a stove

if you can build a fire, save the wood for an evening campfire

those with long hair must tie it back beware of flare-ups when stoves are cold remove nylon windbreakers before using a stove or starting

a fire - nylon sticks to skin as it burns operate all stoves in the center of a 3 foot circle of exposed

mineral soil no stoves nor candles in tents or shelters teach your girls to observe, to use their eyes, before they

begin to use a knife if they wish to make a safety circle with their arm, first put

down the knife!

Use HOT water to wash, HOT water to rinse.

Wash using the minimum water, recycling it from dish to dish.

Wash all dishes more than 200 feet from all water sources.

Air dry rather than use a dirty towel. Clorox in the rinse water?

Towlette packets for quick cleansing Sanitizing gel Shampoo your hair in a bucket, 200 feet (or

more) from all water, in cold water. A swim every day will keep you clean. To launder your clothes, use Camps Suds in a

wash bucket of cold water (far from water sources). When all are clean, haul a bucket of cold rinse water to your site and rinse them out.

Hair and clothes must be dry before dark. Fuel is precious - use cold water for cleaning

everything but dishes.

Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep, 8 inches wide Practice cat hygiene 200 feet (or more)

from all sources of water. Toilet paper and sanitary supplies MUST

be carried out.

Never bury used sanitary products - they must be bagged and carried out for later disposal.◦ take them home on weekend hikes.◦ Use double ziploc bag with small amount of

baking powder to help with the odor.◦ burn them in a HOT campfire on longer hikes.

Tampons are the preferred product - this is a training issue with younger Scouts.

an incomplete selection of favorite places

Castle Rock State Park, 408-867-2952◦ 7 miles R.T., ideal beginner's outing◦ great views

Big Basin Redwoods SP, 831-338-8860 ◦ many different choices, routes◦ water unavailable at trail camps◦ reserve online - http://www.reserveamerica.com

Forest of Nisene Marks, 831-763-7062 ◦ rugged, isolated wilderness◦ water & poison oak are problems

Henry W. Coe State Park, 408-779-2728◦ very large, wild, beautiful, varied landscape◦ water is a problem at some trail camps

Point Reyes National Seashore, 415-663-8054 ◦ world famous, wild and beautiful◦ reserve by phone, exactly 2 mos. in advance

Sanborn-Skyline Park, 408-867-9959◦ hike-in campground, great beginners outing

Ansel Adams Wilderness◦ spectacular, world-class scenery, rivaling

anything in the world Lassen Volcanic National Park

◦ spectacular volcanic scenery, no fires Marble Mountains Wilderness

◦ alpine scenery at lower elevations, no crowds, a very long drive from here

Mokelumne Wilderness◦ wild and very rugged, very faint (or

nonexistent) trails, no crowds

the moment of truth...