Hiking Awards

Training Hike Award
Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day.
Requirements:
1. Take an overnight backpack trip of 2 consecutive days of at least 5 miles in a backcountry or wilderness area; camping in a primitive or trail camp.
2. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, except First Aid Card requirements do not apply.

Hike in a State Park or County Park Award
Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day.
Requirements:
1. Make an overnight backpack of at least 7 backpack hours, camping in a primitive camp in the backcountry.
2. The campsite and over half of the backpack must be in a State Park or a County Park.
3. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, except First Aid Card requirements do not apply.

Hike in a National Park/Monument Award
Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day.
Requirements:
1. Make an overnight backpack of at least 7 backpack hours, camping in a primitive camp in the backcountry.
2. The campsite and over half of the backpack must be in a National Park or Monument.
3. Have previously earned two Training Hike Awards.
4. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.

Hike in a National Forest Award
Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day.
Requirements:
1. Make an overnight backpack of at least 7 backpack hours, camping in a primitive camp in the backcountry.
2. The campsite and over half of the backpack must be in a National Forest or on BLM lands.
3. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, except First Aid Card requirements do not apply.

Snow Hiking Award
Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day.
Requirements:
1. Take an overnight backpack of at least 5 miles (round trip) to a trail camp in the backcountry or wilderness. NOTE: "Car Camp" campsites do not qualify as a "Trail Camp."
2. There must be snow on both the trail and the campsite. NO EXCEPTIONS!
3. At least two meals, supper and breakfast, shall be prepared in the Trail Campsite. Everything must be backpacked in, including food.
4. All weekend hiking award requirements except Backpack hours must be met, plus the following items.
5. Each boy and adult must meet minimum experience requirements.
3 weekend hike awards within the previous 2 years.
12 years of age for Scouts.
Completion of winter camping and snow travel HAT training by one adult accompanying the group.
Two thirds of the Scouts and one adult going on the hike must have :
(1) completed unit overnight drive in camp in the previous 18 months, camping on snow and preparing 2 meals in camp,
or
(2) received a snow hike patch in the previous 24 months. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, except First Aid Card requirements do not apply.
Sponsored by the Golden Empire Council High Adventure Team.