50-Miler
Sequoia National Park
Friday, June 15 – Sunday, June 22
Eight days / seven-nights of backpacking in the wilderness. We will complete 50 Miles on foot, carrying all of our supplies and equipment. This is an advanced trek for experienced backpackers. To participate you must have already completed your Hiking Merit badge and/or successfully complete a series of training hikes leading up the the excursion. Scouts must be able carry approximately 25–35 lbs. in their packs (varies by Scout weight and size), hiking 7–10 miles per day, over uneven, sometimes steep terrain, at altitude.
Sign-ups
All qualified Scouts and adults interested in the 50-miler must sign up using the online form above. A survey will be sent to everyone who signs up to determine the dates that work for the most people.
Medical Forms
All Scouts and adults must have a current BSA medical form (Sections A,B,C) to participate. Note that Section C requires a doctors sign-off. Plan ahead.
Medical forms must be to be submitted to Ms. Wu no later than ten days before departure. Copies of the forms will be provided to each Adult Trek Leader and carried for the duration of the trek.
Youth Protection
As will all outings, all adults must have up-to-date Youth Protection Training.
Emergency Contacts
An emergency contact coordinator will be assigned as a liaison between the trek group and families during the trip. They will have the contact information for trek members’ families and the trek routes for emergency use. Trek leaders must provide trek routes to the emergency contact coordinators prior to departure. In the event of an emergency, trek group leaders will use these contact coordinators to communicate with families and the troop.
Personal Equipment
Use the packing list as a guide to what personal gear is recommended for taking on the 50 miler. We will use this check list at the pack check to ensure each participant is appropriately equipped.
Note: All smellables need to fit into a 1 Quart ziplock bag. No Exception. All smellables must be packed in a bear canister at night. Space is very limited
Any items not on the list require prior approval of the Adult Trek Leader.
No electronic items. We can discuss a cell phone provision for use as a camera only.
Scouts will be issued troop tents. Adults must sleep in their own (or troop) tents. No tenting with Scouts.
All gear with pack should weigh less than 30% of your body weight, not to exceed 45lbs. 20% is a better target. Remember you will carry 10–12 lbs. of food and troop gear, in addition to your individual gear. Make sure that your personal gear is light enough—and your backpack has a space—to accommodate shared equipment and provisions.
Pack Check
A pack check is required for Scouts three weeks prior to departure. All packs will be emptied and checked against the gear list. Any missing gear must be obtained by the pack impound date. All packs will be re-checked at the Pack Impound.
Pack Impound
All packs will be impounded on the Tuesday before departure. If a Scout has a schedule conflict, they must make an earlier pack impound appointment with the Scout Trek Leader. All scouts leave impound without their packs. Scouts must be in their trail clothes at departure, including boots.
Food Packing
Food packing will take place two weeks prior to departure. We will pack all provisions and smellables to ensure they can be accommodated in our bear canisters. Fuel and stoves will be tested and packed at this time as well.
Resupply
Resupply packets will be packed and labelled at the food packing meeting. Packets will be delivered to the the resupply leader Friday before departure. The resupply crew will deliver fresh provisions to the trekkers on June 19.
Non-perishable food should be packed in conforming size bundles and sealed with duct tape. Clearly label each bundle in several places. Perishable should be frozen in Zip-Lock bags and packed in a cooler.
Food Planning
Meals are designed for backpacking. This means they need to be light weight, and easy to prep and clean-up. Examples include:
Breakfast: Oatmeal, granola, cereal bars, hot chocolate or cider
Snacks: Energy bars, trail mix
Lunch: Pita bread, salami, jerky, cheese, PB&J, tuna, dried fruit
Dinner: Instant soups/stews, dehydrated meals, mac & cheese
The resupply dinner meal is a special treat where trekkers get to eat “real” (fresh) food again. It has to be packed in by the resupply crew and prepared at the campsite, so be reasonable but creative.
Note any special dietary needs or allergies on the medical forms and alert the adult trek leaders when you sign up.
Resources
Schedule
January 23 (Meeting)
Intro. What is backpacking and how do we do it safely?
Requirements 1, 2a
March 6 (Zoom)
Wilderness first aid (intro) and how to 💩 in the woods!
Requirement 1 (continued), 4a, 4b, 4c
February 13 (Meeting)
Bring your fully packed packs to the meeting. Pack everything you think you will need for a 4-day/3-night summer backpacking trip in the Sierra. You do not need to include troop gear (stoves, tents, etc.) but leave room for it.
Requirements 3a, 3b, 3c
February 21 (Meeting)
Bring your fully packed packs to the meeting (again). Revise your packing items and technique based on what we learned at the last meeting. Use this 50-Miler packing list as a guide. There will be a weigh-in to see how close you got to your 20% target.
Requirement 2b
February 25 (Practice Hike)
Bring your properly packed and adjusted pack to the hike. We will do a pack inspection and an inspection of patrol equipment (supplied).
Requirements 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d
If you carry your pack on the Webelos hike you will also sign off requirement 9e!
March 12 (Meeting)
How to read topographical maps. This is an outdoor activity. Dress accordingly. Bring a headlamp.
Requirement 6a
March 22 (Practice Hike + Camping)
Cooking, water treatment, navigation.
Requirements 5a, 5b, 6b, 6c, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d
+ option for requirement 10
May 3–5 (Practice Hike)
10-Mile hike with full pack
Pinnacles National Park
May 19 (Meeting)
Review route. Equipment needs.
PLC
May 23 (Meeting)
Plan all meals, resupply, transportation
Zoom
May 30 — Pack Check
Inspect packs. Identify missing equipment.
In person
June 6 — Food Packing
Food Packing. Medical forms due
In person
June 11 — Pack Impound
Re-Inspect packs. Test equipment. Impound Packs.
In person
June 15 — Depart
Drive to Sequoia National Park. Camp and acclimate at Lodgepole Campground.
June 16 — Embark on Trek
Leave from Twin Lakes trailhead.
June 19 — Resupply
Resupply crew hikes in from Big Meadows to Weaver Lake..
June 22 — Hike out and return home
Return to Twin Lakes trailhead.
Thanks to Troop 204 in Lafayette for providing this planning framework and guidance at the 2024 LEAD Conference.
