CONTACT:
Hank Birdsong, Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 701
(828) 883-9316
hank@highrocks.com
http://www.troop701.org
 

Troop 701 Scouts Climb Stone Mountain
 

BREVARD, NC - April 30, 2001 –

A group of seven older scouts from Brevard Troop 701 recently spent two days rock-climbing at Stone Mountain State Park near Elkin, N.C. On the first day all seven of the Venture Patrol Scouts, plus two leaders, scaled the 650' rock face in just under five hours. The climb, called "No Alternative", followed cracks and corners in the rock for the first 350 vertical feet before continuing up the exposed face of the rock for the final 300'. The tired group was met at the top by Danny Stewart, another Troop 701 leader. Danny had hiked the trail to the top, bringing lunch and cool beverages for the Patrol.

After a night of camping at Raven Knob Scout Camp, the group returned to Stone Mountain to tackle two shorter, but very difficult climbs. The first, a climb named "Fantastic", followed a diagonal crack to a very steep face-climbing section. The climb ended after a second crack system that required "underclinging", a technique that the scouts found to be an exhilerating experience. The climb was rated 5.9 on a climbing scale that currently tops out at 5.14. The second climb was a very difficult 5.10-rated climb called "Fleet Feet". The climb was attempted by most of the scouts and was completed by Ryan Bailey and Josh Owen, Troop 701's newest Eagle Scout.

The Venture Patrol of Troop 701 was started in January of this year. The patrol takes monthly high-adventure trips in addition to the regular trips taken by the Troop. A complete set of photographs of the trip can be found on the Troop 701 website- www.troop701.org. The Brevard Kiwanis Club sponsors Troop 701 and meetings are held every Monday during the school year at St. Timothy United Methodist Church.

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Venture Patrol and leaders on Summit of Stone Mountain
From Left to Right- Brett Stewart, leader Marshall Ellis, Mark Birdsong, Luke Snyder, Josh Owen, Will Byers, leader Hank Birdsong, J.J. Tofil, Ryan Bailey.

J.J. Tofil on undercling section of climb

Ryan Bailey "belays" climber Brett Stewart

Luke Snyder beginning "Fleet Feet"

Josh Owen climbing "Fleet Feet"

Ryan Bailey 400' off the ground on Stone Mountain

Mark Birdsong on exposed face-climbing near the top of Stone Mountain

Josh Owen "belaying" Luke Snyder as he climbs "No Alternative"

Will Byers 350' off the ground

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Troop 701
Visit our web site at www.troop701.org