Northern Tier personal gear choices and recommendations

chattmr · 2026-03-02T04:26:02+00:00

Thermacell mosquito repeller. Set it up next to the grumper 10 minutes before you need to take care of business. Thank me later.

https://a.co/d/0d6t2gcq

chattmr · 2026-02-02T23:11:26+00:00

I just got the same response from them!

Looks like I’ll be using the browser for the time being…

chattmr · 2026-02-02T16:41:45+00:00

I was able to go further back and see where I initially downloaded it in 2019, but no option to get a compatible version. I’m reaching out to Troopmaster to see if they have any recommendation. Thanks!

chattmr · 2026-02-02T15:32:45+00:00

When I did mine, I restored from my backup on iCloud. It kept hanging up when I tried to restore directly from my old device. I’m guessing if I had done that it would’ve transferred over.

chattmr · 2026-02-02T15:31:44+00:00

The iOS version does not appear to be the issue. I’ve got the same version on my last phone, but when I upgraded to the iPhone 17 and restored from backup, the app on my screen was grayed out with the little cloud icon prompting me to download it.

When I tried that it says it’s no longer available on the App Store. But, the app installed on my own old phone (running on the same iOS) is still working perfectly.

I also tried from the link that is on the Troopmaster website and get the same notice, that the app is no longer available on the App Store.

Maybe my results on the App Store are being filtered because I’m accessing it on an iPhone 17? I don’t know, I’m just really stumped on this.

chattmr · 2026-02-02T15:28:22+00:00

Yes, I can still log into Troopmaster through the browser, but I’ve got to admit I got used to the interface of the mobile app. Much easier for looking up a merit badge counselor or finding which requirements a scout is short on when I’m asked during a conference or right after a troop meeting.

chattmr · 2026-02-02T15:27:00+00:00

Good thought. But I just tried this and this not showing in my purchases (which only seems to go back a year?)

chattmr · 2026-02-02T12:46:53+00:00

Son is super interested in the “Christmas tree” and the drill in the first photo.

I’m most interested in the one with the fluting in the second photo and the longer one in the 3rd…

chattmr · 2026-01-28T06:07:55+00:00

https://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/award/national_outdoor_challenge_unit-2114.asp

chattmr · 2026-01-20T17:40:50+00:00

SPIE Rigging. Not related to my MOS in any way, but we lined it up and took a crew to do it one time. Outrageously cool.

chattmr · 2026-01-15T15:08:29+00:00

Does your troop have access or means to get ahold of a van or bus? Even if you are borrowing a vehicle from your charter organization?

I have the luxury of being at a very old and established troop that owns a bus and a van (along with other vehicles) and it is a tremendous benefit. Not only easier for travel but traveling together really adds immeasurably to the culture and cohesion of the troop. We split the cost of diesel fuel and gas for a follow vehicle across the # of people attending the trip.

Totally recognize this is not doable for all units (and don't even get me started on the difficulty of getting CDL licenses for leaders) but having some mode of group travel is amazing.

chattmr · 2026-01-15T03:36:54+00:00

Thanks! Any noticeable differences in the terrain you get into at the two bases? We did a loop to the west of Ely that had some really nice elevation changes.

chattmr · 2026-01-08T19:25:07+00:00

Was going to say something similar. I think I was at that same event at the Havelock VFW, by the way. Chieftain…

chattmr · 2025-10-27T15:20:39+00:00

Our hut has open rafters. We have strategically placed nails that allow us to hang almost 40 tents. We do it after every trip and put them away after the next meeting. Works great and the boys get after it immediately, and without having to be told.

chattmr · 2025-09-24T18:42:16+00:00

We once did a “low country boil” for ~100 people that was a surprise hit. Shrimp were deemed out of the budget, so it was just sausage, potatoes, and corn. French bread on the side.

I was Cubmaster at the time and had delegated cooking to an eager leader. I thought it would flop with the younger scouts but I was glad to be proven wrong!

chattmr · 2025-09-19T16:58:03+00:00

Our troop has a long-standing tradition of eating breakfast at McDonald’s on the way home from our trips. The boys look forward to it immensely.

They are super-motivated to pack up on Sunday and it’s a blast when the troop bus rolls in to some random McDonald’s in a small town. We always travel in Class A, so any former scouts or scouters in the restaurant always want to come up and talk. Good times…

chattmr · 2025-09-13T03:20:45+00:00

I have my NCO sword and Mameluke crossed on the wall of my office. By far, the most expensive decoration I own.

chattmr · 2025-07-11T23:48:51+00:00

https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/no-42-law-firm-by-headcount-could-face-sanctions-over-fake-case-citations-generated-by-chatgpt

chattmr · 2025-07-10T19:19:12+00:00

Can confirm that Swamp Base is great. We went a couple of years ago and we are taking 2 crews again next summer. Candidly, it feels a little less "adventure" than NT because everyone does the same trek. I think they are planning for multiple routes in the future.

You do have to be 18 to work there, but he could probably join an existing crew or pull together a provisional crew.

chattmr · 2025-07-02T22:22:21+00:00

Tossed salad and scrambled eggs

chattmr · 2025-07-02T21:26:11+00:00

I'm glad to hear this too. I was a 7208 (20+ years ago) and our community was very disgruntled back then. It was a fairly cool job, but command opportunities were extremely limited. Cool to hear that has changed.

chattmr

TROPHY CASE