Although most years the Troop has gone to Mt. Rainier, this year we went to Snoqualmie Pass.As a new dad in the Troop, this was my first time EVER camping out in the snow. And, I was quite nervous about how the outing would turn out - whether my clothing was adequate, if I would get frostbite, or even survive the cold.
The boys dug snow caves that they all slept in. Two other dads and I built an igloo while the rest of the parents slept in tents. Despite my initial fears, everything worked out perfectly thanks to the advance preparation and training provided by Mark S., the Assistant Scoutmaster leading the outing. Not only did I "survive", I had a great time and can't wait for next year's outing!A few things I learned that made the difference:
- Have all synthetic clothing that can dry quickly; absolutely no cotton clothing
- Have the three required layers of base layer, insulation layer, and outer shell layer
- Bring multiple gloves, including liner and outer gloves
- Have a sleeping bag with the appropriate temperature rating
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