Saturday: As-intended - Total miles less than 17.
Chase vehicle used to pick up those unable to finish, but only at muster points.
Saturday: Assembled Arragon 8:30 a.m., Depart 8:45a.m.
Drove to Fort Funston on Hwy. 35.
Rode to Great Highway, and north along its bike path (east side).
Stopped to re-muster in Parking Lot Opposite the Beach Chalet.
Proceeded up past Cliff House to join the Coastal Trail (unpaved) at Merrie Way.
Continued on and down to Baker Beach (we lost scouts at turnoff)and Battery Chamberlain (6” gun). Paused to remuster.
Continued up to Battery Marcus Miller and/or Battery Cranston, near the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Booth. Remuster.
Rode across Golden Gate Bridge on the West side to the Vista Point and remuster (scouts missing!).
Rode down Alexander to the Tunnel Entrance.
Remustered (actually, long wait for lost scouts).
Proceeded through tunnel (with the signal) and to the Visitors Center and remustered.
Checked Nike Missile Site from chase car - it was closed.
Part of the group (the lost part) rode onwards to Battery Mendeli area.
None actually walked out to Pt. Bonitas Lighthouse (we never made it).
Never rode Back to Battery Alexander Parking Lot 9it was too late in the day, and getting cold).
So we will have to visit Battery Alexander on our next trip.
Put Bikes on vehicles and drive to China Camp State Park (North San Pedro Road exit off 101).
Sunday: Ride out to China Camp and back.
Snack break (no big lunch).
Pack up and leave.
Be back in San Mateo by 1 p.m. latest.
Attendance:
Saturday: 15 scout riders and four dads, Sunday: 11 scouts and two dads riding, one dad drove chase car.
Cooking:
No troop boxes, used only backpacking stoves, this was a trial run for a longer backpacking trip. Cooked in a meal pot (or 2) No donuts etc. were allowed. Cooking was from scratch.
Injuries:
one minor hand cut/scrape. Aches and pains: Leg cramps in one adult (Saturday) and one scout (Sunday). Scout was allowed to ride in vehicle to avoid aggravating the cramp. Adult walked and recuperated rapidly. Scouts did get a bit cold during third forced wait, out at the Marin Headlands (waiting on vehicle-driver shuttle).
Lost scouts
Two occasions, both due to overshooting, one by a party in the middle of the group, one by a party at the rear.
Missed scouts
One pair - waiting for pickup by adult who drove by without sighting them. The two scouts were partly "immobilized" due to bad luck, one bike had a flat tire and the other broke its chain. Neither bike rider had the appropriate repair kit with them.
Scout behavior:
Overall, very good. No incidents on trails, which were shared by hikers. Scouts also were reasonably quiet in camp after being unreasonably asked by a neighboring camper to hush at 7:30 p.m. Our campsite was well policed when we moved out. Scout Spirit: Very Good - scouts overwhelmingly voted to continue after delays on Saturday (it was late and cold), and very ably set up camp and cooked dinner at night. Weather: Excellent. Campsite: Very Good, nice isolated feel, hot showers, clean restrooms (note: a group campground is available). Cooking: scouts responded well to a backpack-style cooking directive (no patrol boxes). Some scouts noted that cleanup was easier!
Corrective Actions Required on future trips:
Designate a Lead Rider - Lead Rider must accept responsibility, and follow the route.
Lead Rider shall stop at all forks or side-trip exits, wait for last rider, and do snap count.
Lead rider shall stop periodically and wait for last rider, and do snap count.
Chase vehicles operating in search mode shall have driver and observer.
Trip Leader shall identify all adults with cellular phones at beginning of trip, and shall keep one of the adults (or his/her phone) with self at all times.
If no cell phone available, and trip is in built up area with lots of potentially wrong turns, but lots of pay phones, trip leader shall advise scouts of his voice mail number or a designated call-in number for help (in latter case someone must be home to answer the phone and take messages). Suggestion: print out multiple copies of relevant numbers on Laserjet mailing labels, give label to each scout at trip commencement.
If possible, have trip leader fitness to match the route, so he can lead the way.
Scouts shall always ride with a daypack with repair kit, water bottle, snack, and a warm jacket.
Scouts shall either always carry money for payphone or know how to call collect or do a calling card number.
Trip Leader shall plan a lost-scout/lost-party communication procedure before setting out.
Troop roster shall include cell phone numbers. This one piece of paper is invaluable to a Trip Leader. Scouts should carry a copy of our troop's roster as part of any outing. Roster layout MUST avoid placing phone numbers on likely fold lines (Trip Leader had disappearing digits due to this effect).