We arrived at Camp Emerson with daylight to spare. We had no problem finding our campsite: "Eagle's Nest". We had this site last year, and the uphill trail was perfect for backpackers - no "cheating" with trucks or trailers! Patrols tents were setup together along with Patrol flags and so on, as sub-camps within the troop camp. Dinner was served after dark.

After breakfast, basic skills and strategies for the day's events were discussed, the campsite was reviewed for cleanliness and essentials, and we began our competitions under partly-cloudy skies.

This might be a good time to bring up the Legend of old Chief Tahquitz. You might ask one of the scouts for the details, but the legend ends with the Chief stuck in a rock. The exact rock has a painting of his face and has been maintained over the years at possible peril to the artists. There is an agreement between the Chief and the campers: You don't touch him, he won't touch you. Scouts touching the rock have been later known to trip, sprain ankles and suffer other troubles. The reason this was brought up is, although nobody admitted to angering Chief Tahquitz, the pleasant weather changed dramatically around lunch time.

It started to rain at lunch time. After a few hours it started to sleet. By about 3:00 we had wet snow threatening to collapse our tents and canopies. A 5:00 review of the situation had some scouts without dry warm clothes, some tents had openings uphill, allowing puddling in the entryway with seepage inside and -yet again- cold, wet sleeping bags. We packed up camp and our awards and joined the exodus.

Chief Tahquitz' Rock