Mountaineering skill training for 2016 mountaineering events. This will be one of the opportunities to get required skills training for the upcoming climbs. Will travel and stay at the DNR camp ground Friday Night. Saturday we will go to Paradise to working on mountaineering fundamentals. Planned skills: Crampon use, climbing knots, rope team skills, climbing harness,ice axe use, pressure breathing, rest steps, cold weather safety.

First night in to Royal Creek, then on Saturday 3 more miles to Milk Creek- day hike up to Boulder Shelter, then hike out on Sunday- Fat Smitty's awaits-- The focus of this trip to to practice Philmont procedures-

Help out Pack 4539 and 5239 and teach knots and field craft.

Tom, Thought you'd like to know that I've finally written a book about my experiences as a POW. The title is, Through the Valley: My Captivity in Vietnam. It is published by the Naval Institute Press. My book launch event will be at the Barnes & Noble at the Kitsap Mall on Saturday, April 23rd at 2:00 PM (flyer attached). Some who remember me and Chad from the troop may be interested. The book itself is not for the younger boys as the language is a bit rough and some of the scenes described are a pretty graphic, but high school seniors, veterans of the troop, and parents might be interested. Bill

Hiking from Camp Handy up to Milk Creek and back during the philmont workup