Andrew and Bruce went to the annual Klondike Derby this weekend which consists of camping in the snow in the mountains in snow caves (if you are brave enough). Since they did not get a chance to dig a snow cave the week before they spent the night in a tent.
Which is better?
Well, that depends on which you value most, your mental or physical safety. In a snow cave the temperature will be at least 32 degrees and if you dig it right it can be warmer than that, so if you have good equipment, it is relatively comfortable. On the other hand you are sleeping below several feet of snow in a confined space which can “weigh” on your mind during the night. In a tent the temperature will be the same as the outside, you won’t have several feet of snow above you and you better have great gear or you will freeze! Friday night it was -15 degrees in their tent. Yes they will get a sub zero patch!
They had 6 inches of straw under the tent to insulate them from the snow and each had a hi tech sleeping pad, two sleeping bags and wool hats. When they got up in the morning they touched the side of the tent and got snowed on. Their breath had condensed and frozen on the sides of the tent.
Why would anyone do this?
So the kids can compete in the Klondike Derby.
This year the theme was “Pillage the Village.” Each patrol of boys had to complete 5 activities that challenged their scout skills, team work and scout spirit. The activities were:
- Storming the wall: They had to get each other over an 8 foot wall using a rope and three staves.
- The siege: They had to build a catapult and launch frozen soccer balls at each other.
- Breaking the gate: They had to rig up a battering ram and smash through a pallet.
- Smash into the treasury: They had to chop their way through a 4 foot 2x12.
- Roast the ox: They had to build a fire in the snow that would melt a piece of twine 4 feet above the ground.
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