On September 24, 2022, 25 Scouts and seven adults from Scouts BSA Troop 542 set off on an ambitious and beautiful hike on the Appalachian Trail. On arrival at Kittatinny Point, NJ, the pack divided into novice and experienced crews. The experienced crew began its hike first, while the novice crew traveled a few miles further before hitting the trail. The experienced crew traveled nine miles, while the novice crew hiked five miles. The two groups reunited at the campsite at approximately 7:30 p.m. and relaxed with a warm meal cooked over propane stoves carried by the Scouts.
At 6 a.m., the hikers woke and began to pack for the hike home. After breakfast and a “rose and thorns” session, the group prepared themselves for the final four miles of the hike. The experienced crew left the campsite at 8 a.m., and the novice crew departed ten minutes later. At approximately 9:20 a.m., the novice and experienced crews reunited once again, and completed the final mile of the trail together. The crews reached the end of the hike at 10 a.m. and began their return trip home.