Winter has not fully hit the DC area yet, but troop 233 already has a serious winter backpacking trip under our belts. The week before thanksgiving, 14 scouts and 6 adults headed out to Dolly Sods in West Virginia. If you’ve never been there, the Sods is a different climate – generally wetter and colder. At 4000 ft about sea level, it’s no wonder. But it is a wondrous place, secluded and beautiful.
Fortunately the cold was not unexpected, and the scouts were prepared. We spent two nights out in sub-freezing temperatures, and hiked 12 miles will full packs. There were several stream crossings along the way, but only one where we had to take off our boots!
This was truly a great campout. Scouts of all ages were involved, and everyone finished the hike with a sense of accomplishment that only a winter campout can bring.