Our group of 13 left Ozark AOG ate a quick lunch of Sandwiches and cheese stick and Gatorade then at 11:15 and headed south to Kyles Landing on the National Buffalo River for a 2.5 day backpack along the river. We met up with a Group from Arkansas District and enjoy the fellowship and Ranger tales from 30 years of Ranger experience.

These 13 traveled very well and as usual the packs were not fitting real well and many were green horns to the aspect of backpacking with new gear and not quite knowing what to expect. We like to teach as we go. At Ozark AOG we had the boys and men walk their steps on a 100' line and record those ranging from 50 to 34 steps. They then weighed in with their packs on and then with their packs off. Trying to keep everyone below the no more than 1/3 their body weight they can carry.

Generally we will have them put their packs on and adjust them to fit the boys and to show them how to strap stuff down so it doesn't swing around we did this as we started the backpack.

At the trail head we covered rule #1 Everyone stops at the trail split and then we all go down the trail together. A compass was used with the laminated maps but only to determine North to Orientate the Map north. In the woods on a very curvy path a compass just isn't of much use other than what we did with it. After the 3rd Trail split the group figured out it was important to stop at the trail crossings.

We taught proper use of river crossing tools like towels, river shoes, trekking poles and walking the gravel lines on slick rocks. Simple things but they do make the difference. Each river crossing we asked the group to change and try and keep their hiking boots dry. I would say we had 80% success at this. Some fell, some dropped their boots. Some didn't do a very good job of keeping things dry and we taught them if it was 25 miles we were doing keeping their feet dry was paramount. On our trip of 2.75 miles one way with 4 river crossings they would most likely not get blisters. Yet we have treated for blisters on this trip with boys wearing cotton socks and new boots or tennis shoes.

Each Trip has it's differences. This year the water had flooded recently and in several places we would loose the trail between the 2nd and 4th river crossings. Trail was covered by huge trees and brush so we had to walk around them and do some bush whacking to find the trail again. Last year we had to deal with some issues with not being able to keep up with the group and having to carry gear for others. This year was better but we still had to deal with the same issues.

Around 4 pm we did our 4th river crossing and a few cooled off in the spring that was boiling up out of the side of the river nice and COLD water. Then a short quarter mile we were at base camp.

Base camp is a pine and cedar camp on a slight incline but the ground is covered by pine needles and shade. It over looks a huge Rock we call the jumping cliffs that is the size of a foot ball field. It has various levels of rocks that make great seating for classes once the sun goes down. Most of Friday is spent going over the new 2021 Green Backpacking Merit info as we go. When we were cooking meals we taught cooking tips and taught lots of stuff. Everyone cooked around the one campfire.

Thursday night we enjoyed Rob Batchman's Council fire service. Friday morning 7:00 am we were up cooking and enjoying morning devotion by Mark Jones and went around the fire and each shared in the short devotion. then heading out on a hike at 9:00 am to Hemmed in Hallow Falls. 2.2 miles round trip from our base camp. We talked about day hikes and told various stories and experiences we had on day hikes and what to take and what not to forget. Most people that get in trouble are the day hike folk. We visited the tallest water fall between the Rocky Mountains and the Application Mountains. It's a cool place. They boys and men explored and had a great time.

At about 12:30 we started our tube river float around Horseshoe Bend. Along the way we bumped into rocks and enjoyed the water rapids. It was still fun and enjoyed swimming and rock jumping. A very relaxing fun time that was taught to me by the Huff Brothers from up in the KC area.

After we returned to base camp we discovered we had a lost person to find. We sent out 2 at a time to go to the take out and yell then return we sent 2 on tubes to float the river we had just done. They found the person on the river bank waiting to be rescued. The person left base camp after indicating he was staying then changed his mind and struck out alone down the river. After we were reunited some scolding and explanation's on why we don't do things like that that will indeed get us lost. We came out of it un-scathed just a bit wiser to what can happen with well intentioned people.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing and finishing up on the training and just experiencing this awesome place. Some of the boys went off the jumping cliff 14' tall over 37 times and rock climbing above the pool of water to do it over and over and over again. They had a great time. Also they played a game with their river tubes in the rapids kind of like a king of the rapids game. At 2pm to 4pm we had them take shade and chill out for a while. Sun and heat was a cooker! Several were once again advised of sun burn.

Friday night council fire service was a time of sharing miracles. After a solid 30 hours of working hard and playing hard and fire time you can speak life into these young men. May have to do it again and again and again but it makes a big difference. One over night campout in my opinion is worth about 15 wed night meetings in value of commodore and character development. Lights out at 10pm

Saturday morning at 6:30 am was wake up call. Boys had to have their tents packed and sleeping bags in their backpack before they could fix breakfast. Getting 13 folk to move on one timeline has many small goals they need to work towards to get them to the time line. Mark Jones shared a quick devotion and then we walked out at 8:05 right on time. The group stayed together as we packed out. We had agreed to help one of our Sr. Leaders carry his pack across the river crossings to speed things up and to keep his pack light with no water in it. He would drop it and then cross the river and one of the strong young bucks would cross the river and pickup his pack and give it back to him. A process we had not learned on the way in. Yet we were much smarter this time and it worked well.

We elected to not change boots at River Crossings just keep walking. We made good time and was back at the truck at 10:00 am had our closing ceremony handed out patches and celebrated with a ice cold Orange or Root beer and Mountain dew soda. Then back to Ozark AOg at 12:00 pm.

I love backpacking. However this trip was my last BAC as a BAC Coordinator. My stamina at the age of 66 is waning. Both of the Sr. Leaders on this trip agreed this is some tough stuff for ole timers. This doesn't mean I am quitting backpacking it just means I realize it's time to hand over the reigns and let someone else lead! I Praise God for HIS goodness and mercy all these years. Thank you Jesus!

Mark Jones, BAC / Adventure Kamp Coordinator 2025BA