Monday, February 15, 2010 - 08:50 PM

October, of course, had another camping trip for Troop 594. This one took place up in the mountains somewhat near to Helen, Georgia. Unlike most other camping trips my troop has had, this one was a backpacking trip!

Once all the people had made it to the parking lot, we unloaded our gear and backpacked it in about ¼ mile. The “campground�, beautifully located next to a babbling creek, was really just a clearing in the forest. Anyway, we set up our tents and made s’mores over the fire we built. After all the food (and anything that may have the slightest look of food from a bear’s point of view) was raised high into the trees before we went to bed.

The next morning was sunny and fairly warm as we got up, took our tents down, and cooked our own breakfast of omelets in a bag. Then we packed everything else and put it away in the car.

Now it was time for the best part of all – the five-mile hike. The trail was 2.5 miles each direction, and at the end of the trail was an enormous cataract. The trees, flowers, rock, and small waterfalls we saw on the way amazed me about how elaborate God’s creation really is. At the end awaited the colossal cataract. The boys climbed the cliff beside the waterfall which had roots to hold on to. All the boys climbed to the top of the cliff for an amazing view. We then ate lunch, hiked back, and were ready to leave.

This had been an excellent camping trip although the turnout of people was low. I think Raven Cliffs is the most beautiful place I have ever visited. The bats, bears, deer, waterfalls, and other wildlife and nature make Raven Cliffs an experience I will never forget.

Matthew Carpenter