Niagara Frontier Trekkers
Backpacking Assistance Program
“One day’s exposure to mountains is better than a cartload of books.” - John Muir
The Niagara Frontier Trekkers are a team of scouters interested in the advancement of backpacking and backpacking skills to Boy Scouts and Venturers. In doing this, we wish to promote a love of the wild, and an appreciation of the skills necessary to succeed in the outdoors. Our guides are all Backpacking Merit Badge Counselors, and have the necessary training to take your Scout, Troop, or Crew into the woods for a backpacking excursion.
Our mission is to provide assistance to individuals or units that have never backpacked, either due to size, inexperience, or adequate finances to get started. Our activities include teaching in a classroom experience, via University of Scouting, an annual Hands-on Round Robin “Learning Day”, and shakedown hikes so that individuals can get the practical experience in the field.
Our guides are all BSA volunteers and Merit Badge Counselors with backpacking experience, are patient, and enjoy working with scout-aged groups. All of our leaders are minimally trained in:
- Youth Protection
- Leave No Trace
- Hazardous Weather
- CPR/Wilderness First Aid
You’ll find our team at the annual University of Scouting, and in addition we have several events planned for the year:
We’re doing two shakedown hikes in 2014 - one Provo style in July, allowing individuals to register and attend. The other will be Patrol style, inviting 3 or 4 small groups of up to 8 Scouts and 2 adults to learn to trek together. In each of these activities, we’ll be hands-on, using the actual gear that might be used on an actual backpacking excursion, and learning the routines involved in a multi-day activity.
The Trekkers do have equipment available to be used by participants in the activity, if needed; see the list of equipment below to understand what’s available and what you might need to supply.
Guided Treks
The average trek agenda will start with one or two meetings with you to explain the program to your scous, plan your trek including logistics, duration, and destination. Scounts and scouters medical forms will be reviewed. We will have a detailed list of hikes from 3 to 5 days of varying difficulty within a reasonable distance from Buffalo.
For a unit that wants to have the full experience, we can provide a fully guided backpacking experience.
An overnight shakedown trip to Scouthaven or Schoellkopf will be used to familiarize everyone with necessary skills: equipment use, common sense rules of trekking, cooking and stove operation, water purification and sanitation, and campsite safety. Leave No Trace skills will be reviewed. Weight would be added to packs to simulate a 3 to 5 day trek.
Actual 3 to 5 day trek at the destination of your choice will complete your adventure. Niagara Frontier Trekkers patches will be awarded upon completion. Not all groups would need a guide on this final trek.
Learn about possible options for local hikes on Regional Trails:
This State Forest location has an easy 2.7 mile loop (a shared horse trail) that can be hiked in one day, but which also has a lean-to just off of the loop on the North Country Trail. This is an easy hike, with opportunities for an additional day hike up the North Country Trail being done using the lean-to as a base camp.
Loop/Thru? Loop
Difficulty? 1/5
Access to Water? Yes
Facilities? There is a privy and campsite at the lean-to location.
A 10.8 mile loop trail. The eastern side is the Morrison Trail Loop and the western side is the Rimrock Trail Loop. Day hikers can complete either portion of the trail in one day. Combining both trails with the cross connector, this system is perfect for a 2-3 day backpacking adventure. Passing through open hardwoods and large rock formations, the ground cover is thick with strands of mountain laurel. The trail head parking lot is located along PA 59, 17 miles west of the City of Bradford. The difficulty level is moderate to difficult.
Loop/Thru? Loop
Difficulty? 125
Access to Water? Yes, pump water is available at the campsites; PA is recommending that it be boiled or purified.
Facilities? There is a privy and campsite at the halfway point, on the lakeside.
The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) stretches approximately 4,600 miles (7,400 km) from Crown Point in eastern New York to Lake Sakakawea State Park in central North Dakota in the United States. The Northern setion passes through the Alleghany National Forest, starting just past Willow Bay Camping Area on PA SR 346. A typical one night trip can be an in and out (4.5 mi each way) with the night spent at the first inlet on North Branch Bay. Al alternate route would be to shuttle vehicles to the Tracy Ridge Area on PA SR 321, with the overnight at the same location. The advantage would be to avoid walking over the same trail more than once. Additionally, this trail extends for 95 miles through the Alleghany State Forest, so the length of the hike can be adjusted for a crew of varying experience.
Loop/Thru? Thru
Difficulty? 3/5
Access to Water? Yes
Facilities? Varies along trail, from dispersed camping to developed campsites.
Click Here for Map of Allegheny National Forest Section
Equipment
Each crew would have the following equipment for up to 10 people (8 youth in a patrol and 2 adult leaders):
- Eureka 2-man backpacking tents
- Dining fly, bear bag and line
- Backpacks
- Backpacking stoves and Kelly KettlesTM
- Kitchen kit with pots, utensils, and cleanup supplies
- Selection of backpacking meals
- Water filtration equipment
Details
The cost of the guided program is $15/day/individual, and “Camperships” are available. Minimum scouter age will be 13 and up. Crew size will be limited to 10, including 2 adult leaders and the guide.
Resources
Start learning more by reaching out to our sponsor at Council:
James Battaglia [email protected]
Or contact one of our chairs:
Jonathan Coupal [email protected]
David Bliss [email protected]
David Sepulveda [email protected]
3-Season Personal Gear List | Download
We teach the BSA Trek Safely Program: Learn More about Trek Safely