Greetings to All.

On Sunday, March 2nd, we were joined by Hunter S. at Pack 149's Bridge Crossing, at Fort Myer. Thanks to Jack, Luke and Rob B., who handled the Crossover while yours truly was running the first Projectoree Organizational Meeting.

In addition to Hunter, Evan and John C. joined on March 17th (no prior Scout affiliation). James J-N. and Nick K. (both friends of several Scouts in the Troop) are considering joining (but have not decided yet).

Brian P. will be generating a new Troop roster soon. Note that we will also be "tweaking" the Patrol rosters as well.

Patrick B. received an Honorable Mention Award in the Boy's Life "Red, White, Blue & You" Photo Contest, featured in the March issue (see page 16). Congrats! Stefan Novak (Eagle Scout #82), currently a freshman at Rutgers, is working with several other Eagle Scouts to start an Alpha Phi Omega Chapter on the campus.

Ryan K. also attended the Senior Level JLT last month (he was left off the published attendance list). All graduating 8th graders (Burton B., Michael C., Patrick D., Brad G., Ryan K., Anthony M., and Jimmy S.) should start to receive Outside Magazine, beginning with the May issue; their Boy's Life subscriptions will end at about the same time.

Also, the Philmont 2002 Diary, including over 425 photos, has (at last) been completed and is posted at: http://www.troop111.org/philmont-2002

We start off March with good news on the Eagle Front, as John Preloh passed his Eagle Board of Review on Sunday, March 9th, becoming the Troop's 85th Eagle - and also the first name to be engraved on the Troop's fourth Eagle Plaque. John's Honor Roll:

John W. Preloh

Pack 111 Cub and Webelos Scout, Earned Arrow of Light
26 Merit Badges
44 Days of Short-Term Camping
38 Days of Long Term Camping, including: 3 (different) Summer Camps and 1 High Adventure Trek (Philmont 2000)
Totin Chip Award
Polar Bear Swimmer Award
1 50-Miler Award
JLT Certificate
Den Chief Training Certificate
Den Chief
Patrol Quartermaster
Patrol Leader
Troop Guide

Graduating Senior from Bishop O'Connell High School
Altar Boy 7 years
Weight Training Club 4 years
Computer Club 2 years
Pure Love Club 1 year
Entertainment Committee for O'Connell SuperDance 2 years
Disk Jockey 4 years
Music Producer 2 years

Work: Big Country Amusements

John's Project was a multi-part renovation of the Parish Center, including replacement and repair of the emergency lights, installing door stops, building a kkayak rack for Fr. Pollard, reinstalling the Troop Eagle Plaques, reinstalling a broken handrail, and repairing about 100 chairs and tables. In all, about 120 man-hours of work.

John is planning to attend The University of Virginia at Wise, and intends to major in Business and Communications.

And lest we forget, Happy 18th Birthday, John!

Also on the Eagle Front: Eric W. completed his project notebook and handed it in (in the nick of time); his Board of Review will likely be in April. Luke B. has nearly completed his project notebook, and may also have his Board of Review in April. Neil S. also finished his project, and is starting in on his notebook. Chris B., Ross D., Matt G., and Paolo R. have all initiated their project proposals.

Down on the Farm, it was a big month for rank advancements. Moving up at the March Board of Review were: Patrick B. (Tenderfoot), Danny B. (Tenderfoot), Peter C. (2nd Class), Michael D. (Life), Pete F. (2nd Class), Jake G. (Tenderfoot), John K. (Life), James N. (2nd Class), Patrick O. (2nd Class), Patrick P. (Star), Nick R. (Tenderfoot), and Charlie S. (Star).

Congratulations to each the above Scouts!

With the arrival of Spring, the Patrol and New Scout Campouts are imminent. This upcoming weekend, the Burning Pants/Stonecutters will be heading to Prince William Forest State Park for their Orienteering Course. The Conquistadors/Spectres will be heading to Lexington for Horseback Riding. The Scooters/Snake Eyes will head to the 4-H Center in Front Royal for their Challenge Course. And the New Scouts will be heading to Patapsco Valley State Park for an orientation/overnighter. Bike hikes may be run mid-month on an informal basis (watch the Weekly Notes!) In the first weekend in May, the Ninth Annual Projectoree will be held at Camp Wilson.

The Second Annual Chain Bridge District (Ninth Annual Troop 111) Alonzo Stagg 50/20 Hike (50 miles in 20 hours) was held Saturday and Sunday, March 8th and 9th. 111 hikers and about 35 support personnel assembled at St. Agnes' Parish Center in Arlington at 5:20 am Saturday, and after a check-in of Biblical proportions, headed out to Ashburn, VA in a 25 vehicle caravan. Members from seven Troops participated, including 111, 128, 505, 624, 638, 1130, and 1946 (the latter from Northwest Washington in in the District). The route followed the W&OD Trail from Ashburn into Arlington, then the Custis Trail to Key Bridge, the Mt. Vernon Trail to National Airport, the 4 Mile Run Trail to Shirlington, and (again) the W&OD Trail to Bluemont Park in Arlington.

After considering a postponement because of the big snows of February (plowing operations had blocked many road/trail intersections), the more moderate weather in early March helped melt the snowbanks and clear many sections of the trails. However, we still had to contend with approximately 15 miles of intermittently snow-covered trails between Ashburn and Falls Church, some of which was rather challenging (and for those wearing sneakers, resulted in lots of wet feet). The weather started off fairly cooperatively, with temperatures in the lower 20's, eventually rising to the upper 50's, mostly sunny, and not too much wind except near National Airport (almost perfect for long distance hiking). The hikers were started off in sub-groups based on special needs (e.g., High Adventure Crews like Switzerland or Philmont) or Unit affiliation. This kept the crowds along the starting stretches of the W&OD Trail down to a reasonable density - though we pretty much had the trail to ourselves for the first 15 miles.

Five Break/First Aid/Food and Water points were set up along the way, with formal take-outs at 10, 16, 21, 25, 31, and 38 miles. A large number of Scouts completed either 10 miles or 20 miles in order to qualify as a Hiking Merit Badge hike. Sixteen continued past National Airport (31 miles), of whom eleven (once again dominated by Troop 111) finished the entire hike. The last 12 miles were around a loop in central Arlington, passing the last Support Station at Bluemont Park four times; this kept everyone together after dark, with frequent breaks and constant trail monitoring, and the ability to call it a night after any loop). The first long hikers arrived at Bluemont Park (the 38 mile point, and the start for the loops) around 7pm, about an hour before the last long hikers were leaving National Airport. The front-runners finished around 11pm - in an impressive 16 hours. After that, it was a slow but steady stream for the next 2 1/2 hours. The last hikers came in at 1:45am, with an hour and fifteen minutes to spare.

In all, 111 hikers completed 2,467 miles, an average of 22.2 miles each. 50 Mile Finishers were: Matthew C. (1st Class-111, 1st time), Ray D. (1st Class-111, 1st time), Dave G. (ASM-638, 2nd time), Peter K-C. (Life-638, 1st time), Anthony M. (2nd Class-111, 2nd time), Lourdes M. (MC-111, 2nd time), Mark M. (MC-111, 2nd time), Hugh S. (ASM-111, 2nd time), Neil S. (Life-111, 3rd time), Chris W. (Grad Eagle-111, 4th time), and "Danger" Rick W. (ASM-111, 3rd time). The total Troop 111 list is as follows:

Burton B. - 16

Rob B. - 10

Will B. - 10

Patrick B. - 10

Ted B. - 10

Charles B. - 6

Paul C. - 10

Tom C. - 25

Matt C. - 50

Peter C. - 10

Allison C. - 10

Pauline C. - 10

Liam D. - 10

Patrick D. - 10

Tom D. - 10

Brian D. - 10

Connor D. - 10

Drew D. - 38

Ray D. - 50

James D. - 21

Michael D. - 25

Kenny E. - 26

Ron E. - 26

Pete F. - 10

David G. - 25

Ted G. - 37

Todd G. - 25

Matt G. - 34

Brad G. - 21

Dave J. - 10

John K. - 25

John K. (dad) - 25

Dr. Bob - 38

William L. -19

Anthony M. - 50

Lourdes M. - 50

Mark M. - 50

Patrick O. - 10

Patrick P. - 25

Dale R. - 21

Nick R. - 10

Hugh S. - 50

Thomas S. - 25

Charlie S. - 25

Hunter S. - 10

Colin S. - 10

Neil S. - 50

JJ T. - 38

Carey T. - 5

Mark T. - 21

Tim T. - 6

Patrick W. - 21

Chris W. - 50

Eric W. - 25

"Danger"Rick W. - 50

And Thanks! to all the un-named support personnel who helped along the way!

On Friday, March 21st, the Troop headed up to Patapsco Valley State Park/Hilton Area for our Mountain Biking weekend. However, spirits were a little damp as we entered our campsite Friday evening in the dark with a steady drizzle and occasional rain. The campsite was a large pool of mud. But without grumping, the Senior Scouts led the way to pitch ts shown bright.

Saturday dawned damp and foents quickly, where there was leaf or grass cover. Soon afterwards we were at the Catonsville Mickey D's for a quick dinner. That night the sky cleared, and starggy. The sun popped over the ridge just as we finished breakfast cleanup. After a brief safety-check, we were on our way for a full-day of highly technical, single-track mountain biking around 8:30. Senior scouts Charlie S., William L., and Matt G., with ASM Atom S., put together a route that took advantage of every mountain bike trail in the park.

The going was very challenging for the 2.5 miles down to the Patapsco River. We charged ahead through the mud, rocks and roots, and up and down some very steep grades without any major biffs, pack-ins or face plants. However, about half way through the trip when the group stopped for water and snack, Drew D. rode his bike off a foot bridge over a creek right into the water. A Kodak moment. Once on pavement, the crew split into two groups. The main group scaled the wall on foot to the top of Ridge Trail, then into more level but still challenging single track trails. The second group road ahead on the paved River Road, and circled back from the Ridge trailhead to meet the main group at the intersection with Morning Choice Trail.

We rejoined around 12:45, then had a dive-bomber run back to River Road. The downhill terminus of the Ridge Trail features a series of "moguls" just before emptying onto the paved road. All agreed this was the best part of the ride. ASM Atom and Senior Scout William had spectacular biffs following attempts at wingless flight over the moguls. Mark T. also had a spectacular biff - he flipped off his bike and hit a tree. The biff left no visible indication of the altercation with nature, though. Carey T. wanted to do it again. Zack A. and Michael S. were first to catch big air and reach the road without incidence.

The return trip back to camp was completed for a total of 10 hard-earned miles. The trip easily had the equivalent effort of 50 road miles. The camp guard and medic, Regina C., was poised and ready to accept casualties. We grilled hot dogs and chicken breasts and all ate well.

Summary: A super mountain biking adventure! Participants included: Russ A., Zachary A., Matthew C., Drew D., Ray D., Jake G., Matt G., William L., Dale R., Michael S., Charlie S., ASM Atom S., Hunter S., Jack S., Carey T., and Mark T. Regina C. provided Camp Support and First Aid. Brian G. and Mary S. helped drive.

- Dr. Bob, Scoutmaster

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30 March 2003