Short Book List

• The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors by Dan Jones
• San Diego County Mammal Atlas
• San Diego County Parks: Over 100 Years by Ellen L. Sweet

Camporee

After a 5 year absence, the troop headed back to the Camporee.  It was again held at O'Neill Lake in Camp Pendleton.  I was part of the planning and helped organize the field events.  I think the longer range planning made the event much better run than in the past.  Our scouts had a great time and one patrol even took 2nd in the orienteering event!

Morning flags

Fire fighting demonstration

Campfire setup

Books and Lectures

• Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills by Professor Steven Novella
• Head for the High Country by David Caffey
• NavCivGuide by Thomas J. Cutler
• Sink 'Em All: Submarine Warfare in the Pacific by Charles Lockwood
• Condition Red: Destroyer Action in the South Pacific by Frederick J. Bell
• Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
• History's Greatest Voyages of Exploration by Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius

Easter Weekend

• Great hike in Pine Valley Cree Canyon
• Easter lunch at mom's

Pine Creek

See the car that drove off the bridge?

Nelson Canyon

Amazing flume wall

Long Valley Peak

Eagle Court of Honor Weekend

• Big weekend started off with Bengt's Eagle Court of Honor
• Jaya's 20th birthday breakfast at Claire's in Solana Beach.
• Open House San Diego - Barrio Logan and East Village

Dixon Lake

Butler Canyon Loop Solo Backpack

The guidebook really had this one wrong!  I started up Butler Canyon and after 4.5 miles started looking for the "saddle-shaped boulder" and the trail up the slope; neither was found.  I scrambled up the cliff and hoped to see the way to the playa but saw more canyons.  Good thing I had my GPS and maps.  I found a strenuous cross-country route to the playa (which I think was a different one than that mentioned in the book).  After going over a low saddle, I found a good spot for camp among the cacti and rocks.  It was really windy at night but I was cozy in my quilt and home-made micro-fleece buff.  Next morning, with rain possible, I got an early start and traced my way down a drainage into Box Canyon.  This lead to Coyote Creek where I filled up on some water.  Unfortunately my Sawyer Squeeze was completely clogged so I had to add some tablets I keep as a backup. A few more miles of walking got me to the turn-off for Alcoholic Pass.  The trail up the pass was steep but nice.  The views of Borrego Springs were great.  After cresting the pass, it was easy going down an alluvial fan to the road and back to my car.

Butler and Rockhouse Canyon Junction

Butler Canyon

Where's that trail?

Camp among the cacti

Coyote Creek flowing strong

Alcoholic Pass register