|
Scouts Take on White Water |
|
|
|
by Roger Garnett
|
|
Friday, 06 June 2008 |
Boy Scouts from Lansing Troop 48 went on a high adventure trip to Pennsylvania over the Memorial Day weekend. After camping Friday night at Hickory Run state park in the Lehigh Valley, two dozen Scouts, leaders, and guests gathered gear and waterproof lunches and headed for the nearby WhiteWater Challengers rafting center. A few opted for wet suits to stay warm in the reported 53 degree water.
Everyone split up into raft teams of 5-6, grabbed their paddles, and headed for the river and their rafts. The river level and flow rate were at an almost ideal level due to heavy rains the week before, and a dam release of additional water on Saturday. The sun was warm enough to make up for cool water temperatures, and many rafters had water fights along the river. The 13 mile, 5 hour trip down through the rapids was fantastic – dodging rocks and rafts, and crashing through churning haystacks and standing waves.
Sunday was spent hiking at Pine Creek Trail – the Grand Canyon of the East, and camping at Colton Point Park. The Pine Creek trail stretches 60 miles through a deep tree lined gorge, surrounded by Pennsylvania state forest and parklands, and offering great biking, hiking, canoeing and other outdoor opportunities. Many of the group enjoyed a 10 mile hike, while the more advanced scouts (photo) took on 20 long miles of trail. After a long, tiring day, all enjoyed a more relaxing evening at the park with some of the best Dutch oven cooking anywhere.
----
v4i22
|
Archive Around Town 
