1982 Troop 253 2^nd Annual

Fifty Miler to Desolation Wilderness

Evaluation by Senior Patrol Leader

Kim Hotz

Meetings

This year we did not really succeed in having meetings. Everyone was doing too many other things. Not one time did we have everyone at a meeting. When we did have a meeting it did not seem very practical because there was nothing said that could not have been said over the phone. Next year we should get a planning team that will be able to get together.

Personal (Leaders)

Advisor: I feel that (at least this year) there was really no need for a girl advisor, even though she was not even home. There should be an adult as the advisor. Also when there is one appointed, then no other person should try to take charge. I feel that a person who is given a job will be able to handle it even if it does get done at the last minute. Or it is the SPL's fault because she assigned the jobs.

Treasurer: I feel that this year it worked out well. There were no other complaints that I heard about except that the food person was not able to get all the money at once. I was told that last year she was given a check and she went out and bought everything at once. This year she was. only given a certain amount each time. I know it was not only the treasurer's fault.

Equipment:

I think everything went well with equipment. I think maybe I should have gotten the list done a little earlier. Also I did not like all the trips I made down to the Coop trying to buy the tarps. I wish I had known that Mrs. Duca drove by there everyday. The thing that got me was that after she said she would go by there and buy them, while I was gone, and she never did. But everything got bought. I have changed my opinion about tent poles. They did come in handy when putting up shelters. But the tennis balls are just an extra burden. We would only need one.

Route:

This was very successful. Hats off to the men and their long hours of research.

Food:

Next year this part must be done earlier. I agree this was our biggest failure. Even though it worked out great in the end. Most of the menu was good to start out with. I have changed my views on fresh food for a fifty. The dinners should all be freeze dried. The food was all great, though. Next year I think more than one person should be in charge of food. It is a huge responsibility. My complaints to the leaders on that they did not trust Denise to handle the job. She had many problems with trying to get money (one incident, she was not able to cash a check, so we wasted an hour trying different ideas, until her friend was able to cash it at her bank). One thing I would like to say is that if you see something that is going wrong, don't yell about it, help the person out.

Also I do not like all the excess food that we bought (some of it is my fault because of those stupid recipes). We should do something about it. The other half was caused by the fact that people kept dropping out. That makes it really hard to buy the right amount of food.

Prep. Hike s/Transportation:

I think that the planning for the prep hikes turned out great. Next year we need to get more people to go on them. Also I think that the mileage needs to be dropped. I do not think that anyone met the requirement except those that went on the other fifty. Next year make sure that the person that is in charge is home, because plans need to change and someone needs to take over. The SPL does not like it.

SPL (Senior Patrol Leader):

I think I did an excellent job once I got things started. Everything got done. Next year, the SPL should get things done earlier. Then she will not have all the problems I had. Also, I would get a schedule of when things are to be finished and make sure that they get done on time.

Patrols

I think that patrols worked out very well once we knew for sure who was going. Next year have it a rule that if you are going then you are going and no maybe' s. Or have the person who dropped out find a replacement. Maybe's make it really hard on the planning.

Pack Inspection

That turned out well except for the food. I sure wish that we were able to have had it all packaged before the meeting. But it just did not happen. It did get done, even if it was the last minute.

The inspection of the packs did turn out well. I think that maybe next year everyone should be allowed to bring anything they want as long as they have everything on the list and their packs weigh under 31 pounds.

Also I feel that the patrol equipment and food next year should be given to the patrol leader earlier so that she could divide it up evenly. Also I think that the food needs to be divided so that everyone gets rid of at least one meal every other day.

Hike

The hike was very enjoyable. I really liked hiking behind everyone because I got to see much more. What I did not like was all the mothering. I feel that most people can take care of their own problems, like taking their medicine. I think it is great that Mr. Waugh has sick call, but it is not right to hassle people to take pills or rip off their moleskin. I know that he worries about us because he is our responsibility. But he is our leader NOT our MOTHER!

Also next year I think we should get our water out of the streams instead of out of the lakes. We would still need to halezone it, but I feel it is a lot worse getting it out of the lake. In the lake it does not get filtered were in the streams the rocks clean it out a little.

I enjoyed the days that we were able to hike at our own pace. That was really great. Next year hopefully we could do more free hiking. Also I hope that we could do a lot more cross country. Maybe next year everyone could get a map and that way we could hike more freely.

Everyone did great! I really liked the cooperation between everyone shown when each person lead and did the openings.

THANKS

I think I owe a thanks to everyone. Everyone did a great job!!! I am happy to say that Mr. Waugh picked one of the most beautiful spots to backpack!