7 Rivers District Klondike Derby - 2009
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Who Sits Here ?

Troop 10 returned to the Klondike Derby, held again at the Walpole Sportsman's Association, on January 23-24.  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 regular Klondike patrols participating, and for the first time in several years, also entered a Mountain Man team.  (Mountain Man teams consist of 4 scouts 14 years of age or older.)  For the second time, the Troop 10 leaders hosted the "Panning for Gold" event.

2009 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.
Flint & Steel - Patrols build a fire using sisal rope and spark the fire.  Fire burns through a string ,that releases an "egg", that falls into a bucket.  Egg is retrieved and then run to the judge.
Turkey Shoot - Scouts take aim with slingshots at helium-filled balloons, 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.

Mountain Man Events:
Small Bore Rifle  - Each scout shoots 5 rounds at 50 ft targets for points.
Archery - Each scout shoots 5 arrows at 20 yd targets for points.
'Hawk Throw - Each scout throws 3 hatchets (real ones) at a sawn pine log section for points.
Standing Chop - All 4 patrol members take turns chopping through a 10-12" log.
Iditarod Sled Race (with 100lb additional weight on the sled)
Snow Shoe Dash - Scouts, wearing homemade snowshoes, sprint a 4 x 20 yard relay, swapping the one pair of snowshoes between patrol members.

(Most of the folowing pictures are of the Mountain Man team, as that's who I went around with this year.  The other team pictures will be added when I get copies.)