We had 4 units sign up, but only 4 patrols which came from only 2 units  actually participated on a 65 to 72  degree breezy and beautiful sunny clear day in Mahwah at Camp Yaw Paw.

All teams tried to navigate a Topographical map to read and discover the location of 7 check points.  At 1:30 pm, if successful, an eighth and final special Manhunt marker would be use to break any ties. It was hung on a abandoned fall hunter hide, that  I had found near a stream recently.

Orange and white orienteering  markers/nylon flags ...  and red pin punches were hung in the woods and all were very visible to any team that got close to the location.  All easy markers were on or just off trail 2 steps or less, and all moderate  and hard markers, while just off the  trail , would teach Scouts how to hike to hill tops, all one had to do was get "close" via obvious trails, all were marked on the map, and then the leader would need to take a rough bearing to the hill top..

 If one was lucky, you saw many deer and possibly a wild turkey or some "through" hikers. Those that used the Yellow trail to number 2 or 3 markers, got to see the NYC "skyline" from the hill top and trail overlooks.

getting ready

Only one team got to all 7 markers placed to the south of camp during regulation time.  They  did not attempt the 1/4 mile hike to the eighth marker which was merely down the yellow trail from Dogwood cabin (ran out of time).  Markers were either hung on posts or trees near distinctive hill tops, one at a stream bend, another on a ruined building (the foundry) near Glen Grey camp (by a small pond), and  another on a 4 meter trailside tall bolder.  Four of the  seven markers were rated easy to find, one was rated medium and the last two were relatively  hard.  As seen by the T 258 winners, whom got 7 of the 8 total markers in regulation time, Manhunt - Scouts could hike in a team formation to reach all the locations.  Congratulations  goes to the  winners Troop 258, and the rest had fun anyway ... trying .

waiting for return

Results:

Unit	Team	Boys	Score	Comments
T 258	Duct Tape Patrol	4	32 Points	(max was 35 points)
T 54	Bombers  Patrol	3	12 Points
T 54	Vikings Patrol	4	9 Points
T 54	Gladiators Patrol	5	1 Point

they returned 1st

Additionally, T 107 Pompton Lakes, 3 scouts finished a 1.5 mile White beginner  course map hike to  earn their orienteering item for the First Class Scout requirements

Well done Troop 258 Mahwah. Each boy earned a Manhunt key chain and emergency red flashlight/whistle for attending.  

Thanks George, Frank and Page  and Hal for assisting in  running this hiking event.