Troop 289 - 50 Miler History
Annual 50 miler trips.
By Adam
On our annual summertime 10 day backpacking trips, we do a 50 miler aside from our base camp. The 50 miler consists of older, more experienced scouts, that must meet requirements for attending this trip. These requirements are being of 14 years of age (adults may decide if a scout under this age may attend), obtain the First class badge, and have the first aid merit badge. On the trip, the 50 miler crew will usually stay the first day acclimating to higher elevation with the base camp at the starting point. Then, the 50 miler crew heads out with the base camp crew (sometimes carrying base camps gear if needed) at stops at base camp, where base camp crew will stay for the remainder of the trip. The 50 mile crew does 5-8 hikes every day, camping at a different spot every night until looping back to base camp, or to another location that is vehicle accessible and picked up by the base camp crew. Backpack weight usually ranges from 35-45 lbs, depending on scouts ability. The 50 mile backpacking trip consists of great views, awesome experiences, usually done in places very few people have seen or been to. This is usually a scout’s best experience in scouting.
A brief history of 50 mile trips:
1997- First 50 miler; Thomas A. Edison Lake
1998- Desolation wilderness
1999- Florence Lake
2000- Florence Lake/ Thomas Edison/ Mono Hot springs (incomplete 50 miler)
2001- Emigrant wilderness
2002- Emigrant Wilderness
2003- Florence lake (incomplete 50 miler due to loss of food to bears)
2004- Trinity Alps; first 50 Miler not in Sierras
2005- Lassen National Park
2006- Emigrant Wilderness
Last updated 4-10-07
