Are you getting excited? The book with the 2014 treks should be coming out in March and trek selection in April.
Then, 2 months later – we are There!

We will look at having our next Philmont planning meeting mid to late March (after the book has arrived). The largest part of that meeting will be to decide and rank our top 5 treks.
We also need to decided on positions of responsibility.
We also need a design for t-shirts! We have had some creative ones in the past, so start thinking and be creative.

Know anyone who still wants to go? We still have 2 spots open.

We heard about the Ice Silo. What is it? And why would one want to climb it?
That’s easy – because its fun!
The Ice Silo has been around for a few years. It is part of the University Of Northern Iowa Outdoors Program. They took a normal silo, added safety lines and a custom water spraying system to it. They can control the amount of ice and its distribution. They are extremely well equipped. They have the helmets, safety glasses, harnesses, boots with cleats and ice hammers for each climber.

The Silo, ready to climb.

4 scouts start climbing

Ben looking relaxed as he decided where to put his axes

Aaron gets close to the top

3 others are working their way to the top

When you are ready to come down, you let your belayer know and they let you down.

Ben shows his climbing style

Ben and Caleb at the top

Ryan nears the top

Travis was new to ice climbing, but did great.

Aaron gets an easy ride down

Ryan nearing the top again

Aaron reaches for another hold

about 85 feet to the top of the ice

Our group.

The Ice Silo is a ridiculous amount of fun. For anyone who enjoys rock climbing, this is a really fun alternative.

You can find more information about it at here