The Klondike was Freezing Awesome!!!

Freezing Greetings Everyone!

This past weekend we went to the Klondike Derby held at the Camp Maple Dell up Payson Canyon. Brother Jessop and Brother Whitehead were just a little late getting off of work on Friday, so the scouts had to hang out for a bit before we could go. We got all packed up and off we went. We were excited to feature our NEW Klondike Sled - "Alfonso" or, was it "Alfonsa" or, was it "LaFonda" or, was it.......? It had a number of new names, all similar though. We would like to thank Brother Christensen for his many hours and hard work in creating one of the most solid and best looking Klondike Sleds up at the Derby. Do you like it? We'd love to have some comments posted.



Once we got up there, it was starting to get dark. And just like it is every year, the scouts are so excited to put their packs on a sled and get up the mountain to our camp spot. That translates into only the scout leaders and maybe a boy or two left to push and pull the Klondike up the mountain alone when its loaded up with troop gear, fire wood and two or three other scouts packs and stuff on it. Needless to say that it made it about 100 yards up the mountain and there it sat until we were able to meet up with the rest of the troop at our camp spot- Camp HOPI. Talk about your fix-r-upper! I think the sign needs a little adjusting.

Some of us stayed back to set up camp while the others marched back down the mountain to get "Alfonso". If you ever are looking for a good workout, just push and pull a Klondike Sled about a half mile up a mountain up hill in the snow (both ways) while your scouts run with the lead rope like sled dogs. They did a great job. That worked up a solid appetite for the nights main course - Brats cooked on a skillet. That was followed up by regular old hot dogs with Nacho Cheese Doritos , always a tasty dinner. That was nice to eat, but a little tricky- if you took off your snow gloves, your fingers almost froze off!

Then, we had a nice little camp fire program with one of the other wards in the stake. Their leaders were the ones that Brother Jessop met at Woodbadge last summer. Is there a "Bobwhite" in the house? Good times! Brother Jessop told of the story about the Purple Gorilla! Watch out, or you might be it! We polished off the night by sipping down some hot Stevens Gourmet Cocoa.

The next morning, after one of THE best nights of sleep ever (NOT), we eventually got rolling and had some tasty breakfast. Instant oatmeal with powder sugar donuts and probably something else, but I can't seem to remember right now. Just ask your scout, I'm sure he could fill you in. We took down camp, had a couple minutes to get ready for the Klondike Derby, so we practiced some knot tying. You should quiz your scout, they've all done a great job of learning and passing off their knots for some of their requirements.

We met down at the field of white snow. Those are the action shots that you see. The race this year was to run up with your Klondike, tie a bandage on an "injured person", put him in the Klondike, run to the next station, tie 6 or 7 unique knots, and then to the next station. You had to fold a flag "Military Style" which is basically folding it like a blanket. Then run back to the start. We're sorry to report that we did not have the fastest time. HOWEVER, we are glad to report that the troop that we shared our camp fire program with were from the Lehi East Stake, so we took a little pride in that.

That was pretty much it. I think its safe to say that each scout had a freezing good time! Until next year..."LaFonda" we'll see you then! For any of our troop that was unable to make it, we hope to see YOU on the next camp out.

Troop 1041