Weston Boy Scout Troop 157

Long Trail Backpacking Trip

Stratton Pond, Vermont
November 3-4, 2001

Our third outing of the year is a backpacking trip on the Long Trail in southern Vermont, a section that forms part of the Applachian Trail. Our destination will be beautiful and remote Stratton Pond, which is along a section of the Long Trail northeast of Arlington, Vermont. We'll have two options for reaching Stratton Pond, a relatively short hike (about 4 miles) across fairly level terrain, and a longer hike up and over Stratton Mountain (about 7 miles; about 1400 foot climb/descent). We will divide into two groups, with one taking the shorter, level course and the other going over Stratton Mountain. The Green Mountain Club map of the trails we will take is copied below:

We will start from the east-west forest service road at the bottom of the map. The group going over Stratton Mountain will follow the dark-colored Appalachian Trail. The other group will either walk (or be driven) west along the forest service road about a mile, and then head north along the lighter-colored Stratton Pond Trail heading directly to Stratton Pond. We will likely camp at the North Shore Tenting Area, which is reached by following the North Shore Trail around the pond. On Sunday, we will take the Lye Brook Trail west to Bourn Pond, and then the Branch Pond Trail south to the end of the forest service road (USFS 70) that goes to Branch Pond. Sunday's hike is fairly flat, and about 4 miles in length. We will spot a car at our exit point at the end of the forest service road near Branch Pond.

Although this weekend is not within the regular deer or other major hunting seasons, Sunday November 4 is Youth Deer Hunting Day in Vermont (youths 16-18 years of age, we believe, licensed by the state, and accompanied by a licensed adult over 18, are allowed to hunt deer). As a precaution we will be wearing bright orange vests and bright orange hats that the troop will supply, and we will be hiking together, and will only have a short distance from Stratton Pond to the boundary of the Lye Brook Wilderness area, within which there should be no hunting. There is also a short stretch of trail outside the wilderness area near the end of Sunday's hike before reaching the forest service road.

We will be meeting at the Scout House at 6:15 am, and leaving very shortly thereafter, as we want to be on the trail by 10 am at the latest. Eat breakfast before you come, as we will only stop briefly on our way. We should be back in Weston at about 5 pm on Sunday. Cost of the trip will be $20 to cover food, campsite fees, and orange hats/vests. We will likely stop briefly on the way up and back, and you might want to bring along a little money to buy a snack (or bring one in your pack). We'll be planning for the trip, and learning backpacking skills, at the October 23 meeting, which you should be sure to attend if you are planning to go on this trip.

Permission/Waiver Form

________________________________________ has my permission to go on the above described trip with members of Boy Scout Troop 157 of Weston, Massachusetts, and participate in all activities. I acknowledge that I have read the following waiver in its entirety, that I understand it, and that I agree to be legally bound by its terms.

I understand that the activities described for this trip carry the risk of personal injury. In consideration of the benefits to be derived, and in view of the fact that the Boy Scouts of America is a nonprofit, educational institution, membership in which is voluntary, and having full confidence that all reasonable precautions will be taken to insure the safety and well-being of my son on this activity, I agree to and support his participation, and I waive any and all claims against the leaders and their assistants on this trip, and the officers, agents, and representatives of the Boy Scouts of America.

In case of emergency (and in the event that a parent/guardian cannot be reached) I give my permission for my child to be treated at the nearest medical facility.

Parent/Guardian Signature:______________________________________________________________

Date: ____________ Telephone where I can be reached during outing: _______________________