Scouts BSA Troop 542’s Fall Backpacking Adventures
On Saturday, September 26, the Scouts of BSA Troop 542 embarked on their fall 2020 backpacking trip. This was the first overnight camping trip since February. All participants were required to follow Troop COVID guidelines, including social distancing and wearing face masks.
Normally, Scouts team up in pairs with one hiker carrying a tent and the other food. However, due to the one Scout per tent rule during the pandemic, each hiker was responsible for carrying all his personal gear, including a tent and food. Meals were light to carry and easy to prepare. For example, Saturday night’s dinner was a freeze-dried entrée that each Scout had to rehydrate, and some boys selected oatmeal for Sunday breakfast.
The Scouts split into two groups for the backpacking adventure. A group of experienced backpackers with 15 Scouts and six adults hiked the Appalachian trail from Wind Gap to Little Gap. A novice backpacking group of 27 Scouts and 15 adults headed to Musser Scout Reservation in Marlborough Township, PA, for a shorter hike.
The Appalachian Trail group navigated a rocky path, which became quite slippery in the light rain. The trail from Wind Gap to Little Gap is 15.4 miles. Scouts hiked between 10 to 11 miles on Saturday and four to five miles on Sunday.
The novice group at Musser Scout Reservation hiked 4.5 miles on Saturday and two miles on Sunday. As the trail hadn’t been hiked since the March pandemic lockdown, the hikers often had to clear the trail of debris. They used a compass to guide them and had to avoid thorns and stickers when hiking off trail.
After the fun overnight adventure, all Scouts returned home on Sunday afternoon.