7 Rivers District Klondike Derby - 2010
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On a frigid weekend, Troop 10 slid back to the Klondike Derby, held again at the Walpole Sportsman's Association, on January 29-30.  Approximately 100 patrols participating from the Seven Rivers District.  The Klondike Derby is a test of Scout skills and endurance, where each patrol forms into a "dog sled team" and competes for ribbons and glory.  Boy Scouts also spend a cold winter night's campout the night before the contests. 

Troop 10 had two Klondike patrols participating this year, and the adult leaders hosted the "Panning for Gold" event. 

When we arrived Friday evening at the Sportsman's Association, the parking lot was completely empty, and we wondered if Klondike had been canceled due to the cold weather, and the predictions of it getting even colder that night.  It turned out that were were the first troop to arrive, and we unloaded our gear, and sledded & carried it to our campsite.  A roaring fire and hot chocolate was welcomed after we set up our tents.  Indeed, the temperature dropped to less than 10 degrees as we headed off to bed. 

In the morning, it wasn't much  warmer, but everyone roused themselves for breakfast, and readied their sleds for the days events.  The sun did help take the "edge" off the temperatures, and things warmed up a bit by mid-morning.  As you can see from the pictures, there was little snow,  but plenty of leaves to slide our sleds over.

This year, our  SlimJim Patrol earned 3rd place in the Snow Show Dash and ChilKoot Pass.

2010 Klondike events:
Iditarod (Sled Race) - The entire patrol participates, with one scout steering from the back, one scout as "garbage" (sitting in the sled) and the remaining members are "sled dogs".  The team races 100 yards against time.
Snow Snake - From a running start, Scouts throw (slide) a 6-foot long, hand-crafted stick from a starting line into a hard packed snow or ice trough.  The farthest gliding throw wins.
Hoop and Spear - Scouts take turns throwing spears through rolling hoops.
2-Man Log Saw - Two patrol members at a time swap off in relay style to saw off the end of a log.
Cross the Creek - Patrols must quickly bring their patrol across a "river" covered with "ice flows" in the shortest time.
Ravine Rescue - Scouts rescue victim from ravine, give first aid and carry them out on a stretcher made from a blanket and poles.
Snow Shoe Dash - Scouts, wearing homemade snowshoes, sprint a 6 x 20 yard relay, swapping the one pair of snowshoes between patrol members.
'Hawk Throw - Scouts throw "tomahawks" (rubber mallets) to hit hanging milk jugs.
Fire Building - Patrols quickly build a small fire using their own tinder and kindling, to burn through a string.
Turkey Shoot - Scouts take aim with slingshots at various kitchen pots & pans, shooting dried dog food nuggets.
Attack on Fort Russell - Patrols must race to scale the walls of Fort Russell hauling themselves, sled and gear over the wall.
Chilkoot Pass - Patrols are timed moving their sled over an uphill and downhill course.
Dan'l Boone Killed a B'ar - Scouts toss a rope over a suspended limb, 16 feet off the ground.  Tie the rope to a twenty pound "bear" sack using a timber hitch.  Haul it into the air and tie it off to a tree using a clove hitch.
Smooshboard - Three patrol members' right feet are tied to one long 2x4; left feet to another.  Patrol is timed in walking a course on flat ground.  (Imagine 3 people on one pair of giant cross-country skis.)
Panning for Gold - Patrol uses a tarp "pan" to cooperatively toss a tennis ball "nugget" over a horizontal rope 15 feet above the ground.

(Many thanks to Mr Derian and Mrs Gavrilles for these pictures:)