Klondike Derby

The Klondike Derby is an annual Chain Bridge District, wintertime event run since 2005 by Bill Demarest, Rob Faris, and many other volunteers (including many from Troop 111). It has been held at Camp Highroad near Aldie, Virginia every year except 2010, when the nicknamed “Baby Klondike” was held at Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington (this was the year of the three huge snowstorms, and Camp Highroad was 4 feet deep and virtually impassable).

Klondike Derbies are Patrol competition events – Each Patrol hauls a sled around a 3 to 5 mile long, woodland course, completing various challenges (and earning “gold” nuggets) at 5 “towns” along the way. Each town has a different focus, including Camping Skills, First Aid, Pioneering, Map-and-Compass, and Nature/Scoutcrafts. The Patrols are divided into Scout (Junior) and Venture (Senior) divisions based on average age and ranks. The Derby is also a race – total time around the course also counts for additional “gold” nuggets. The Patrols that earn the most nuggets in the quickest time win!

Sleds are built by the Scouts and use skis if there is adequate snow, or wheels if the ground is bare. Each sled is loaded with the gear needed for the competitions, plus lunch, drinks, and other supplies. The Scouts use long ropes to pull their sleds – similar to dog-teams in the days of the real Klondike. Most importantly, the Patrols do not have adult escorts – they are on their own from start to finish.

Over the past couple of years, about 22 Patrols from about 14 Troops have participated. Troop 111 has participated in every Klondike since the start, and has done very well, not only taking many placement ribbons but even sweeping both division multiple times (as of 2017, 5 times!) Most years, we also camp on Friday night, and so the Klondike is also the Troop’s only true winter camping experience. Here are the annual results for the 111 sleds:

Troop 111’s Sled Results

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14th Annual Klondike (2018) – 3 sleds entered
Scout Division – Conquistadors – 1st
– Flying Hellfish – 4th
Venture Division – Burning Pants – 2nd

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13th Annual Klondike (2017) – 3 sleds entered
Scout Division – Flying Hellfish – 1st
Venture Division – Confused Nation – 1st
– Burning Pants – 4th

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12th Annual Klondike (2016) – 4 sleds entered
Scout Division – Flying Hellfish – 1st
– Burning Pants – 6th
– Conquistadors – 10th
Venture Division – Scooters – 3rd

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11th Annual Klondike (2015) – 4 sleds entered
Scout Division – N/A
Venture Division – Flying Hellfish – 3rd
– Scooters – 4th
– Stonecutters – 5th
– Spectre – 6th

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10th Annual Klondike (2014) – 3 sleds entered
Scout Division – Burning Pants – 2nd
Venture Division – Scooters – 1st
– Spectre – 3rd

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9th Annual Klondike (2013) – 4 sleds entered (this was the 1st year that we were allowed to enter 4 sleds)
Scout Division – Stonecutters – 1st
Venture Division – Burning Pants – 1st
– Scooters – 2nd
– Spectre – 4th

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8th Annual Klondike (2012) – 3 sleds entered
Scout Division – N/A
Venture Division – Scooters – 1st
– Spectre – 2nd
– Stonecutters – 3rd

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7th Annual Klondike (2011) – 3 sleds entered
Scout Division – Burning Pants – 1st
Venture Division – Conquistadors – 1st
– Scooters – 10th

 

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6th Annual Klondike (2010) – 3 sleds entered
Scout Division – N/A
Venture Division – Spectre – 1st
– Burning Pants – 3rd
– Scooters – 4th

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5th Annual Klondike (2009) – 3 sleds entered
Scout Division – Scooters – 1st
– Conquistadors – 2nd
Venture Division – Burning Pants – 1st

 

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4th Annual Klondike (2008) – 3 sleds entered
Scout Division – Conquistadors – 1st
– Burning Pants – 2nd
Venture Division – Scooters – 1st

 

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3rd Annual Klondike (2007) – 3 sleds entered
Scout Division – Conquistadors – 5th
Venture Division – Scooters – 1st
– Burning Pants – 6th

 

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2nd Annual Klondike (2006) – 3 sleds entered – No divisions this year.
Burning Pants – 3rd
Scooters – 5th
Spectre – 11th

 

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1st Annual Klondike (2005) – 2 sleds entered – No divisions this year.
Scooters – 4th
Burning Pants (aka “The Lost Patrol”) – Did very well, but were disqualified when they missed a turn, missing the last two towns on the circuit (they enjoyed quite a walkabout instead, eventually pulling into the finish line from the wrong direction, with Dr. Bob, ASM Rich S., and ASM Justin Z. hot on their trail!)

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