Greetings to All.

Did you know that Troop 111 Scouts and Leaders have earned over 125 50-Miler Awards in the past 13 years? It's true! The 50-Miler Award requires a Scout or Leader to take a "touring" trip of at least 5 days which covers at least 50 miles, by backpacking, canoeing, sailing, or biking (i.e., by "sweating!") "Touring" means that the group sets up and stays at a different campsite each night. Finally and most importantly, the participants must also perform 10 hours of "trail service" - that is, service done to build, improve, or rehabilitate hiking trails; certain other closely related outdoor projects (e.g., tree planting, trail signing or marking, etc.) also qualify.

Over the past 13 years, Troop 111 has participated in 21 High Adventure treks: Philmont (7 times), the C&O Canal (3 times), the Susquehanna River (twice), Canada (Rideau Canal, Killarney), the Appalachian Trail Death March (twice), the Maine Canoe Base, the Florida Sea Base, the Shenandoah National Park Triathlon Trek, the Great Smokies (the Camp Daniel Boone Paul Ruynion Trek), and the Virgin Islands. Most of these treks qualified for 50-Miler Awards, and most of the Scouts who were eligible did in fact complete their trail service hours and earn their awards. All time Top Honors go to Greg Landrigan (Eagle Scout # 46, 1994), with 5 Awards. A very prestigious Honor indeed! - and a worthy goal for every Scout in the Troop....

(...and BTW, now you know why we track trail service!)

Our annual crop of Webelos continued to sprout throughout the month of March. Joining us from (I think) Pack 629 were Zachary A. and Kevin M. Then we got 2 "Free Agents": Will B. and Patrick O'M. Finally, on Sunday, March 25th, we accepted our last 7 new 2001 Webelos into the Troop, from our very own Pack 111; joining were Mickey M., James N., Tom N., Alan R., Lowell R., Brian R., and Patrick W. (Thanks to Charles B., Michael C., Patrick D., Ryan K., and ASM Rich S. for assisting with the Pack 111 Bridge Crossing Ceremony.) With last month's New Scouts (Zachary B., Peter C., and Pete F. from Pack 149), that makes 14 new Scouts in all; the second largest entry class in my tenure (behind our record current 8th Grade Class).

Also joining the Troop as a new Assistant Scoutmaster was Bob M., a 1st Lieutenant from the Old Guard at Ft. Myer.

However, we also bid farewell to John Cru., who (surprisingly) dropped out after a strong start during the fall semester. John, a transfer from Troop 162 (Westover Baptist) came in and leaves as a Second Class Scout. Good Luck!

We ended March with the best of all possible Advancement News, as Nick Tiernan passed his Eagle Board of Review on Saturday, March 31st, becoming our 72nd Eagle Scout and the second Troop 111 Eagle of 2001.

Nick's Honor Roll:

• Joined Troop in November of 1996, with his Arrow of Light from a Cub Pack in Europe
• 26 Merit Badges
• 35 Days of Short-Term Camping
• 40 Days of Long Term Camping (4 Summer Camps (Shenandoah, Tuckahoe, and Powhatan twice), plus 2 High Adventure Treks (the 1998 Rideau Canal Trek, and the 1999 Appalachian Trail Death March)).
• 1 50-Miler Award
• Totin Chip Award
• International Activity Patch
• Jr. JLT Certificate
• Sr. JLT Certificate
• Den Chief
• Troop Scribe
• Troop Guide
• Summer Camp ASPL
• Projectoree Staff member (several times)

Nick is in the prestigious International Baccalaureate program at Washington-Lee High School, and is currently interested in law and veterinary medicine. He has earned numerous awards in Science Fairs and competitions throughout Northern Virginia. He is a 4 year member of the World Cultures Club, a 2 year member of the Future Cities Club, and a 2 year member of the Key Club. His hobbies include soccer, tennis, and travel.

Nick's Eagle Project involved organizing and recording into a computerized database all of the artifacts in the Artifacts and Documents rooms at the Arlington Historical Museum. A badly needed piece of work, taking just over 300 man-hours in all.

Thanks to the Board of Review members Tim Arthurs, Hank Dettmar, Gordon Pennington, and Jim Smith.

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"Down on the farm," the March Board of Review was another busy affair; moving up the ladder were: Matthew C. (2nd Class), Michael C. (Tenderfoot), Ray DiN. (2nd Class), David G. (2nd Class), Todd G. (Star), Will K. (Star), Marshall K. (Bronze Palm), Dale R. (2nd Class), and Carl S. (Star).

It was equally busy on the Merit Badge Front; Kenny E. earned Communications, Dan Hu. earned Citizenship in the Nation, Neal K. earned Communications and Family Life, Paolo R. earned Citizenship in the Nation and Wilderness Survival, and Chris T. earned Camping, Citizenship in the World, and Personal Management. Another good month! As always, Thanks to all the Troop Merit Badge Counselors who ran these efforts.

Finally, Star Scouts Luke B., Todd G., and Neil S. were elected to the Order of the Arrow - the Scouting Honor Society. A nice reflection of the respect all three Scouts have among their peers. [Also elected were ASM's Rich S. and Atom S.]

Congratulations to All of the above Scouts!

April this year is bisected by Easter/Spring Break, so our outdoor activities will be limited (even as the weather turns wonderful). The O/A "Ordeal" (a service project weekend) is scheduled for the weekend of April 20th - 22nd, but our nominees may have to delay attendance to a later version in another District. Participation in the Ordeal is required for induction into the Order of the Arrow. On Sunday, April 22nd, we *may* have a sailing day with the Georgetown University Sailing Team (GUST!); details TBA. Most importantly, this year's Projectoree will be the last weekend of the month, April 27th - 29th. We'll be competing against 12 other Troops this year (around 22 other Patrols). This is our 7th straight year at the Projectorees - and we have a reputation to uphold, as Troop 111 has taken more 1st Place ribbons than any other Troop. Weather permitting, this year should be the best ever. On the first weekend in May, the Wyoming trekkers will be off on a full weekend backpacking shakedown (getting ready for the real deal!)

Troop 50/20 Hike a Success (Again)!

On Saturday, March 10th, Troop 111 held its fourth annual Alonzo Stagg Challenge Hike - the ultimate challenge being to walk 50 miles in less than 20 hours! Fifty-one sleepy hikers and supporters gathered at St. Agnes at 6am. After check-in and final announcements, instructions, and introduction of guests joining the Troop this year, the hikers piled into the maroon van and several support vehicles for the drive out River Road to Seneca Creek Aqueduct along the C&O Canal. The drive revealed no end to the construction boom of large and often ostentatious houses in western Montgomery County - some of which looked large enough to house the entire Troop!

The weather was excellent, with the sun rising in a clear blue sky, although the early morning temperature was chilly. We found the Seneca Creek parking lot deserted upon arrival. After another check-in and final reminders on hiking etiquette and safety, Chris W. led everyone in some stretching to limber up for the miles ahead. Dr. Bob broke the milling mass into groups according to planned hiking pace, releasing the slower hikers first, followed by faster hikers, and with Rob B., John T., and Bob walking the drag.

Hiking soon warmed everyone up, although jackets were a necessity for several hours. The towpath was virtually deserted, and we were treated to fine views across the river to Virginia, unimpeded by the leaf cover that blocked the vantage during last summer's C&O Canal bike trek. The lack of leaves also meant that the sun, as it rose, had a fine warming effect on the path. Keith G. met us at Swains Lock (6.2 miles) to pick up David G., Drew DeL., and Charlie S., who departed for another activity. The first food station was at Great Falls (8.5 miles), set up at the rear of the tavern. A welcome spread of bagels, cream cheese, fruit, homemade cupcakes (thanks to Nancy S.), cheese, and drinks, etc. The hikers planning to log out after ten miles then headed down the towpath to a pickup at the Old Anglers Inn. Some took the bypass to the east of the canal, but most rock-hopped the washed out stretch of towpath below Great Falls.

Through-hikers continued to Lock 10 (14.3 miles), where the lunch station awaited with hot soup, sandwiches, snacks, and much-needed drinks. By this time most hikers had shed a layer, as the weather had warmed to a pleasant temperature for hiking in shirtsleeves or a sweater. More folks were out using the canal, including the die-hard speed bikers, but it was not crowded. By now the faster hikers-Sam F., William L., Neil S., and Todd G.-had pulled some miles ahead of the pack on the way to Fletcher's Boathouse (19.7 miles). Fletcher's was the 20-mile bailout point and another opportunity to reload with soup, sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. The sun was high in the sky as the remaining hikers rolled on to Georgetown and the Key Bridge crossing. Dr. Bob's tail-enders saw 5 blue herons all gathered together on one spot on the canal; also on view in a number of other locales were various solo herons and quite a few Canadian geese.

Twenty-five mile hikers turned right after crossing Key Bridge for the "heartbreak hill" up the Custis Trail, finishing at St. Agnes. Keith G. clocked in first at 3:02pm, with many others following close behind. Hikers aiming for 50 miles turned left at Key Bridge and onto the Mount Vernon Trail to National Airport, with a final food stop at Gravelly Point. Ten stalwarts continued up the Four Mile Run and W&OD Trails as the sun began to sink to the horizon. Fast walkers Neil S. and Todd G. led the charge into the Bluemont base station as light failed, with Hugh S. and Dr. Bob coming in later - much later in Bob's case.

This year's route concluded with five 3-mile laps between Bluemont and Ballston. Physical exhaustion finally set in between 10:30 and 11pm, derailing Ted and Todd G., Dr. Bob, and Mark S. between 40 and 44 miles. A fresh John B. walked the final 15 miles to keep an eye on the last five hikers, pushing to the finish. Neil S. completed the 50 miles first, just before midnight, followed by repeat 50-mile hiker Chris W., Charles B., Baxter C., and last but not least, Hugh S. Congratulations to this year's Alonzo Stagg Award recipients!

The hike would not be possible without the tremendous food and sag wagon support organized by Lucia L. and Nancy S., with the help of Joy G., George L., Noel S., Carey T., Ann B., Emily P., Jane S., Heidi and John B., Pat H., and Therese T. Thanks much to all these supporters!

The Honor Roll of hikers and miles walked:

On Sunday, March 25th, most of the Wyoming trekkers headed off to Thornton Gap (Shenandoah National Park) for a quick shakedown day-hike. Despite predictions of snow showers, it turned out to be a beautiful day - albeit a bit nippy with a strong northwesterly breeze blowing. We started off at the Panorama Restaurant (our ending point for the 1999 Appalachian Trail Death March) and headed south on the "AT" - a steady thousand foot climb up to Mary's Rock. Didn't take long before we had to stop and strip off a couple of layers! Curling around the southeastern side of the ridge, we passed through sections that were partially burned off in last year's two large forest fires in the SNP - not as intense as what we observed at Old Rag last November, but bad enough. It will be interesting to see how well the park's trees come back this Spring. This side of the ridge was also sheltered from the wind, and exposed to the sun, so it was a T-Shirt micro-climate for about half an hour. Mary's Rock is at the end of about a 200 yard spur trail off the AT - it offers spectacular views of the Thornton Gap and the central Shenandoah Valley to the west (and the views to the east aren't bad either). Well, we got the great views, and also a fresh taste of Winter, with a frozen, steady wind blowing right over the spur. After putting all our layers back on, most of us ate lunch - a rather quick lunch! - on the rocks overlooking the western gap. We had quite a bit of company, too - there were about 25 other visitors coming and going during our stay. Of note, we could see all the way to Great North Mountain to the west; this ridge marks the border between Virginia and West Virginia - it was the only snow-capped ridge in view, which made it easy to pick out.

After everyone had their fill of the view (and the wind), we headed back down the spur and continued south on the AT. We were quickly into sections of trail which were still snow-covered - in some cases, 3 or 4 inches deep. After passing a group doing the annual raptor survey, we pretty much had the trail to ourselves for the next hour. We passed Byrd's Nest #3 and headed up and down, and up and down (and up and down) about 3 miles to the Pinnacles, a large picnic area which had a surprising number of folks doing a power lunch. We spent about 30 minutes going over the protocols for hanging bear-bags - something we need to be highly proficient in during our Wyoming trek. But we had to call it a day after that, however, since Charles and I were both involved in the Pack 111 Bridge Crossing, which was starting at 5pm. So we crammed everyone into the maroon van (which we had relayed to the Pinnacles before starting out at Panorama), and headed back to the restaurant. After jump-starting the white van - we had left the lights on - we headed for the barn. A good day!

Participants included: Charles B., Ted and Todd G., Matt G., Al M., Hugh and Thomas S., Carl S., Mark and Neil S., Chris, Eric, and Rick W., and yours truly.

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On the last weekend of the month (March 30th - April 1st), all six Patrols took part in this year's Patrol Campouts. The Burning Pants and Stonecutters did a variety of activities oriented around Luray Caverns, the Conquistadors and Spectre Patrols did the Hemlock Course, and the Scooters and Snake Eyes did the Mountain Shepherd Course south of Charlottesville. I will include these events in the next "Minute."

- Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster

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7 April 2001