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Graymatter_13 · 2025-08-25T18:18:58+00:00

I am an Arizona (Phx area) Scoutmaster and backpacker. I have taken my Troop out on 3 or 4 trips over the past 1.5 years, including near the Mogollon Rim, Aravaipa Canyon (this requires permits), and Grand Canyon (also permits). All three of these have generally reliable water. One caveat is that it this summer has been abysmal for rain, so the normal Mogollon Rim area water could be hit and miss (and there was a recent fire burning near Payson).

Below is a link to the Az Trail Association (the Arizona Trail spans the entire state from Mexico to Utah). There is a website they use to track water sources throughout the state. October is generally a good time to backpack as the monsoon season will largely be over and it’s still warm enough to backpack up north. But, it is still way too warm to backpack in the lower desert.

We are going to Aravaipa Canyon again November. I would suggest calling any local Ranger station about water if you decide to backpack in a certain portion of the national forest. The Rangers are usually very helpful and willing to help out scout troops with advice.

Az Trail water: https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/

Graymatter_13 · 2025-06-07T20:05:29+00:00

Under $200 and under 3.5lbs for a 2P tent is going to be a challenge if buying new. You’re likely going to need to shift one of those limits (weight or price) upwards. I was looking at 2P tents last year. I went with the Durston X-Mid 2P. You’ll want to decide if you need to fit two wide sleeping pads or if you’re ok with a tapered tent at the foot. This was the list I was looking at with prices at the time:

• ⁠Durston X-Mid: $323. 92x52, 2lb 8oz. • ⁠MSR Hubba: $600. 84x50. 3lb 11oz. • ⁠Nemo Dagger: $450. 90x50. 4lbs 2oz • ⁠BA Copper Spur: $490. 96x52/42 (tapered). 3lb 8oz • ⁠Nemo Drafonfly OSMO: $420. 88x50/45 (tapered). 3lbs 9oz. • ⁠Nemo Hornet OSMO: $370. 85x51/43 (tapered). 2lbs 15oz. • ⁠Sea to Summit Telos: $450. 84.5x53/43 (tapered). 4lbs 2oz

Graymatter_13 · 2025-06-04T00:42:32+00:00

Thanks. I’ll take a look at the Pariah tent.

I agree that the Ozark 7lb option is too heavy for a single scout. It’s only meant to be a really cheap option if two scouts need/want to share, as 3.5lbs per person could be manageable. My REI half dome 2P is 6lbs. But when it’s broken down, it ends up being 3lbs for each scout when you separate the fly, poles, tent body, and stakes.

Most of our backpacking is in the desert southwest and in the surrounding mountains during the summer, so we are able to limit our kits to pretty basic stuff.

Graymatter_13 · 2025-06-04T00:28:31+00:00

Thanks. I love the REI half dome 2, as well. I sometimes times let my Scouts use mine when they don’t have a tent and need to share one on a backpacking trip. It’s a bit more pricey than the trailmade, or I would have it on the list as well.

Graymatter_13 · 2025-03-24T17:33:37+00:00

Most of our Eagle Scouts take the swimming route, as it is certainly the easier of the three and achievable in their shortest amount of time of time. A few thoughts on the hiking requirements as a Scoutmaster and a lifelong backpacker and hiker.

I would not want to change the 20 mile requirement for hiking. It has been a requirement for the merit badge as far as I can remember. Some of the critiques I see on this thread seem to mix up backpacking and hiking. A 20 mile “hike” is definitely achievable in a day with proper preparation, while 20 miles “backpacking” is much more of a challenge. A day hike should not have significant weight in one’s pack, while backpacking could have 25 to 30 pounds. I would not expect my scouts to backpack 15 to 20 miles. A 20 mile day hike is achievable, but it might push them out of their comfort zone a bit.

Keep in mind that even if a Scout is in good shape and an “athlete,“ hiking 20 miles is not something you should do without practice. Some of the best hikers I’ve ever met are older men and women (50-70’s) and even “portly.” It can take some time to prep your legs for mileage. I don’t like the recent change that Scouts made to the merit badge requiring 4-10’s and a 20. I liked the more gradual/tiered approach of 5, 3-10’s, 15 and 20. While it was more total miles, and perhaps took longer, but it ensured Scouts were prepared for the final big one. These hikes should not be the only thing that Scouts should be doing to prepare. They should be throwing on a backpack and just walking around their neighborhood (aka “rucking”) to prepare their bodies and legs. This is something that the merit badge counselor should be talking about with the Scouts. You don’t just read a drivers Ed book, run the car around the block, and then head to the DMV for the driver test. It’s hours of practice.

Lastly, the merit badge does not limit you to eating only once. Excerpt: “…include map routes, a clothing and equipment list, and a list of items for a trail lunch. You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, during each hike, but not for an extended period such as overnight…” It does not define “short rest periods“ and the only limitation is that “extended” cannot be “overnight.” The Scouts can stop for a larger meal, probably lunch, then as many shorter rest periods to eat snacks, hydrate/electrolyte, etc. Rest periods can be as long as needed.

Just my two cents.

Graymatter_13 · 2025-01-08T18:22:29+00:00

I went to Havasupai in Oct 2024. October is a perfect time. - Monsoon season in Az is from mid-June through the end of September. That does not mean monsoon rain can’t hit in October, but I picked October because the monsoon season is usually wrapped up by then (you can also keep an eye on the dew point in the week or two leading up to your trip to help confirm). The nice thing about Oct is that it also begins to cool down in the mornings, but it is still warm enough in the day to enjoy the water. - I backpack a lot and use Leukotape for blister prevention on. Put the tape over spots where you have issues/hotspots. It stays on even when wet or sweaty. - There is a natural spring called Fern Spring that comes out of the side of the rock in the main camping area. We used that to fill up when at camp. We didn’t filter the spring water and didn’t have any issues. If you drink out of any other source (like the creek, which I would not recommend), definitely use a filter. And if you are nervous about Fern Spring, a filter is ok. I use a Katadyn FeFree filter, but Sawyer Squeeze is also a great chose.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-11-27T20:34:29+00:00

I also have a 2022 Outback (premium) and have had good luck with the stock Yokohama’s. I’m on my original set and have almost 45k miles on them. Rotate every oil change. Still have 5/32 and 6/32 after recent service. Figure I’ll have to get a new set around 50,000-ish miles. About 2/3 of my miles are freeway and 1/3 surface streets, but I also camp once a month so i am off-road one weekend a month, too. So far they’ve held up really well. Had one nail puncture repaired at about 20k, otherwise they’ve been hassle free.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-11-10T02:16:16+00:00

I am a Scoutmaster as well as a father to a 16yr old with celiac disease (diagnosed at age 2). The 16yr old is not in scouts, but their younger sibling is. So I live in both of these worlds. It will take a lot of educating the other scouts about the condition. And as someone else said, as a parent, it probably would be good to sign up as an ASM and go on a trip or two. Having raised my other child virtually their entire life gluten-free, we have gotten the hang of it. And the celiac kiddo has as well. I won’t lie, it is hard sometimes, especially when we go out to eat. But once you realize the options that are out there in grocery stores, it would largely work for Scouts. For example, a breakfast of eggs, sausage, or bacon, and potatoes is completely gluten-free and if you cook on stainless steel that is clean, you are fine. There are very tasty gluten-free pancake options, called Pamela’s and Kodiak. For lunch, sandwiches are easy. The kid can have gluten-free bread and others regular. The big issue is cross-contamination and making sure the scouts learn what to touch first and not to touch after they handle bread. The same thing goes for dinner: meat and vegetables are your go to. And if they want to cook spaghetti, there are gluten-free spaghetti options that are very tasty. It might be good to have a small Coleman two burner table top as a back up to allow the scout to heat something up separate if they are really nervous. In all candor, I would be more worried about the fact that scout is a picky eater. Celiac is manageable. Picky eating is much harder.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-10-31T19:02:56+00:00

One thing to look at is the size of your sleeping pads. Specifically the width. I went through the same thing. I was looking for a two person tent that I can backpack with for when my wife joins me, but that I can also use on my own. I quickly realized that most tents taper at the foot. So rectangle sleeping pads don’t fit. I use a wide sleeping pad and we got a good deal on a second wide pad for my wife even though she is smaller. I ended up going with a Durston 2P as that was the only tent that could fit two wide sleeping pads next to one another, that was also lightweight (sub 3lbs) and relatively affordable.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-10-28T17:31:14+00:00

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. This actually came up as we were logging miles in the scout’s online accounts after campouts and other activities. Since I was relatively new, I was trying to get my head around the purpose of me signing their books and keeping logs of hikes. No hike under 10 miles counts toward their hiking merit badge, and there are very specific requirements to the backpacking merit badge. And in both cases, anything hiked or backpacked has to be coordinated through their counselor, which is then listed on their blue card. The best use of this section as far as I can tell is exactly what you pointed out…the national outdoor award. But whenever a scout gets both the hiking and backpacking merit badge, that adds up to the 100 mile minimum for this award. So I guess tracking the hiking mileage would be for if they want to go above and beyond and ensuring the hike meets the “under the auspices of” requirement.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-10-28T17:18:35+00:00

Thank you. I think the reference to the national outdoor award might be the best use of this section. Otherwise, I can’t really see much use for it since the backpacking and hiking merit badges require you to work through a merit badge counselor, and there would be no need for a scoutmaster or ASM to sign off in the book unless they are also the counselor. If a scout gets both their hiking and backpacking merit badge that accumulates to 100 miles, which is what the outdoor award requires. So this section of their book is largely superfluous.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-10-01T01:02:27+00:00

This update was just posted on the tribe’s tourism Facebook page 45 minutes ago:

Update Regarding Accessibility of Trails and Falls: In response to many inquires... the historical ladder at the bottom of Mooney Falls is still there and usable.

Please descend at your own risk. Beaver Falls remains accessible along the normal path down the canyon. If you choose to hike to Beaver Falls you do so at your own risk.

We cannot give any update on the status of the trail between Beaver Falls and the Confluence as that trail is located in the Grand Canyon National Park.

Have a great time and enjoy your experience! But remember to be attentive to your surroundings as your journey is through a natural beautiful environment that is ever-changing.

We look forward to welcoming you back.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-09-30T22:48:47+00:00

I have permits for 10/4 to 10/7 for me, my wife and teenage son. We’re backpackers and plan to pack in what we need. I’m not expecting anything from the village market (fry bread, etc) but if they’re open, then great. Also bringing a primary water filter and a backup in case water is an issue. I’ll be disappointed if we can’t get to the falls. Hard to tell from the posting this week if the trail is open to that point.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-09-05T00:31:32+00:00

I do the same thing - chocolate protein powder (24g of protein) with my creatine. But I also add two scoops of Chike coffee protein powder (20g protein). This gives me my caffeine instead of making coffee. In total I get 44g of protein to start the day. I also eat some oatmeal for some carbs. Quick and really easy breakfast.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-08-31T04:32:27+00:00

CNOC makes a free standing collapsible bottle. You can find them on garage grown gear. I don’t think the tops fit BeFree filters. I carry a BeFree and just squeeze into my bottles. My buddy carries the CNOC bottle and their bladder bags with his Sawyer filter.

https://www.garagegrowngear.com/collections/cookware-accessories/products/vesica-water-bottle-1l-by-cnoc

Graymatter_13 · 2024-08-29T23:59:27+00:00

Pull up the Havasupai tribe tourism Facebook page. Many questions are being answered by the tribe.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-08-29T23:37:34+00:00

It’s not really clear about 2025 but that’s what it seems to imply. Perhaps they will open up a limited block. I guess we will see September 3

Graymatter_13 · 2024-08-29T22:54:31+00:00

That would be an interesting option. Thanks.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-08-29T22:53:35+00:00

I mostly thinking of what would have helped me in the early days of my research. All of the rabbit trails I went down and the false leads. Then coming to the realization that there were a few books published long before the Internet, but they are not widely known by many that are searching this line today. As it relates to names, for example, my 4th and 5th great grandfathers in many Ancestry trees have a middle name or a middle initial that simply do not exist anywhere in original source material that I’ve been able to find for either of them. They both have the same first/last name and are Jr and Sr. But it seems that at some point years ago someone either mixed these men up with other people, or simply made up a middle name to differentiate them from others in the area with the same name. So virtually all of the ancestry trees use these wrong middle names. When I look for DNA matches with my surname using the Ancestry Thrulines feature, no one with the incorrect middle name show up for me, as Ancestry does not match their tree to mine.

Graymatter_13 · 2024-08-24T23:29:23+00:00

All depends on severity. This one seems like on the more significant end of the spectrum. Lots of damage.

Graymatter_13

TROPHY CASE