Great TR Chris! It looks like you all were well prepared and had a great time.

Without restarting the negativity that caused me to leave last year, let me comment on the Boy Scout's bad reputation.

When it was noted last year that the scouts had a bad reputation in Kings Canyon and other areas I was shocked and pretty pissed. I knew there were a few bad apples, but I hadn't seen any first hand.

Last night I got an email from the Scout Master of a brand new troop. I mean NEW. Not only have they just formed up, they are made up of just bridged WEBIIs. No senior leadership at all. The adult leaders have never scouted other than cub scouts. So they want to do an outing and that's a great idea. Get the boys out of the house and in the outdoors. They have decided to hike to Eagle Rock on the PCT out of Warner Springs. The advice they were looking for was where to park and is there water to filter.

Ok, so they're new. Any of that info can be googled in 2 seconds, but I'm helpful. I explained the parking (side of the road, no big deal), how to get from the road to the PCT, trail conditions, mileage, how to find the Eagle, everything I could think of. I've done it a few times, including pre running it once with Chris years ago before I ever took my troop on it. I also mentioned that this is active cattle grazing area and to avoid the water at all costs. I suggested that since the total mileage on the hike is under 8 miles and mostly flat that they could easily carry all the water they needed. The leaders need to carry a little extra though, just in case.

I got a reply thanking me for my advice and mentioning off handedly that this was going to be a 10 mile training hike for a June San Jacinto camp out. WTF? She is going to have those young boys carry "full gear" (whatever that means), hike in 5 miles (so past the Eagle) and set up a practice camp. The boys will then COOK lunch and return to the trail head. Planned time for this is five hours.

It's becoming clear to me why some units get bad reputations. This is the FIRST F ing hike ever for this unit and they don't come from a strong hiking/backpacking Cub Scout Pack. Five hours for ten miles with gear of some sort? Oh and setting up a camp, cooking, taking the camp down and hiking out? Yeah, right. They are 11 years old. Well the older ones are 11.

Oh and San J in early June? I couldn't get past 9000 feet last Memorial Day. Damn snow. I think it was the 2nd or 3rd week in June before the boy and I summited - I'll have to check my pics. We dayhiked it, we know WTF were doing - sort of anyway. We aren't 11ish with a lot of gear.

So yeah, ok, I get it. I understand where some of it's coming from. It's not coming from my units (started a Venture Crew) and it's not coming from Chris' units. But there are some dumbchits out there.

Please don't turn this into a BSA bash thread - I was just venting a little and I know Chris understands where I'm coming from. Besides I'm retiring in a few days and my PTSD is really acting up.....................................DUG