October 2003 rock climbing outing

We met at the church at 5:30. Yep, 5:30 in the morning, and still dark out. Then we started the monotonous three-hour drive to the Granite State, New Hampshire. A beautiful sunrise rewarded us for our early start. Upon arrival to our camping area, a member of the EMS crew greeted us. At that time, half of the group headed up to the rock face to climb, while the remaining scouts set up camp. When we were almost at the cliff, we climbed through a field of amazingly large boulders, and huge chunks of rock. At the rock face, three ropes were rigged, and ready to be used. Near the end of the climb, a couple of the older scouts got to give belaying a try. The view from the top of the cliff was unbelievable. "That’s so cool!" was the reaction from some of the scouts. After about 45 minutes, the groups switched, and the scouts previously rock climbing went to the campsite and claimed their tents. After having a short lunch, they went on a hike that must have been at least a thousand feet above the campsite elevation. It led to a couple of fantastic sheer cliffs, with views of the tree-covered mountains, and a raging river. After

staying at the last cliff for about ten minutes, the group walked back down the mountain. A couple of scouts decided to run ahead, and found a really cool stream running down the mountainside. After getting back from the hike, the exhausted scouts sat down and rested. That night, with the Bear Patrol as the only patrol able to light a fire, the scouts had dinner, sat by the fire, and welcomed their warm sleeping bags on that cold night in the White Mountains. In the morning, we cooked breakfast, packed up and headed home.

Article by John F