Hiking MB - 20 Mile Hike (5/11/2024)

The twenty-mile hike started on a cold Saturday at 7 am at Alameda Creek Trail. Scouts were tired but were motivated to finish the hiking merit badge. Scouts had brought their daypack, filled with snacks and water. After doing a few stretches, scouts hit the trail, excited to finish the merit badge but nervous about how the hike would turn out. The hike was a flat trail, with green trees and a river on the right. Green trees and bushes could be spotted with vibrant flowers along the mix. Excited chatter filled the air as scouts talked throughout the hike. The hike was a relatively flat hike that went from 7 am to 3 pm. Halfway through the hike, the scouts stopped for lunch at noon, eager to have a long break. Scouts ate their food while resting their tired legs and drinking lots of water. Scouts hit the trail thirty minutes later, eager to get the hike over with.

Soon the scouts hit the ten-mile marker, signifying they were halfway through the hike. Scouts buzzed with excitement as they had finished half of the work. Scouts had taken many breaks throughout the hike as they wanted to give rest to their legs. Once the scouts hit the 10-mile marker, they turned around ready to head back home and hike the remaining ten miles. Scouts started feeling exhausted as the most amount of miles they had hiked in one day was ten miles. The pace started slowing down but the adult leaders kept them motivated, reminding them that they were almost done with the hiking merit badge. Scouts dragged themselves to the end of the hike, taking breaks more often so that they could rest and drink water. However, the last five miles were the most torturing ones. Scouts felt as if their feet were getting burned as they had been walking for over five hours now. Scouts complained about the pain in their feet but pushed through to get to the end. Seeing the exit from the hike, scouts would get excited. However, the exit kept on getting further and further away and scouts were feeling frustrated. Thankfully, scouts pushed to the end and finished the hiking merit badge. A majority of scouts collapsed onto the floor after finishing the hike, sitting down on the ground to let their feet rest and trying to soothe the burning sensation they were feeling. One scout’s parent was kind enough to bring an Indian drink that left scouts feeling more refreshed after finishing the hike. Many scouts earned their hiking merit badge shortly after and felt joy and happiness. Overall, the twenty-mile hike was difficult but was worth it.

-Smithi and Sai