Published: May 10, 2008 11:48 pm            

Moms on a hike

• Boy Scout mothers head off

A group of Stillwater Boy Scout mothers decided last year that they wanted an adventure of their own — while also helping a Scout with his Eagle Scout project.

The seven women — ages 35 to 59 — planned and executed a backpacking trip in the Ouachita Mountains, where Zach Sheffert has been organizing clearing and reblazing trails to earn his Eagle Scout rank. His mother, Cathy Sheffert, went, along with Troop 828 leader Melanie Armstrong, Cari Ritchey, Jan French, Cindy Oldham, Julie Lambert and Connie Stone.

“It was quite an experience and a lot of work,” Sheffert said. “It gave us a sense of appreciation and knowledge of what our sons go through when they do all of this. It taught us patience and teamwork. We all worked together to survive.

“It makes you appreciate everything that goes along with setting up a trip for your sons or daughters.”

While the women were on the 12-mile, two-day backpacking hike, they reblazed the trail as part of Sheffert’s son’s Eagle Scout project.

Each year, Sheffert said, Oklahoma Boy Scouts hike the Ouachita Trail, and they’ve noticed some of the trails are not marked well. After talking with his adult leaders, she said, her son decided he wanted to reblaze them for his project.

“When Zach went down to meet with the rangers, they said every weekend someone gets lost and calls in for help,” Sheffert said. “It happens quite frequently.”

On the 12-mile section they hiked, the women cleared the trail and painted blue streaks (or blazes) on the trees so hikers will know they’re on the trail — and which one it is, as different trails are blazed in different colors, Sheffert said.

It wasn’t always easy, she added.

“At times we had to stop and all of us look to find the next mark on a tree to make sure we weren’t getting lost,” she said. “There are some rugged places.”

The women hiked about 5 miles the first day and 7 miles the second day, when temperatures topped 90 degrees. That was the day they climbed over the mountain, Sheffert said, “so we were right up there next to the sun.”

Regardless of the difficulty, she said, she would definitely do it again.

“The best thing — especially since we were ages 35-59 — for us was the sense of accomplishment that we could go out there and tackle the mountain and made it through,” she said. “It was a good feeling of accomplishment.

“Also the fact that we blazed the trail. The blazes will probably be there at least five years and help other trekkers behind us.”

        

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