why do i exist

Hike @ Lake Chabot Regional Park on 2025 06 07 - 2025 06 08

This hike was for hiking merit badge. It was also troop 201's current member's first overnight hike. Instead of hiking with only food and water and finishing with a day like every other hike, this hike required the troop to carry camping equipment and set up camp to resume the hike the next day.

Weeks before the hike, every scout was required to create a route plan using a modified version of Naismith's rule. Allegedly, everyone, including adult leadership, made a mistake in some way:

• Confusing Columbine trail with Honker Bay trail
• Using a much higher speed than realistically achievable
• Failing to list junctions
• Considering descent
• Mentioning irrelevant trails like Quail trail
• Entering Grass Valley trail at the wrong point

The route was altered two times for some reason.

As tradition dictates, the troop was led the wrong way at the beginning for less than half a mile. After that, the troop had no notable problems. The first segment was altered during the hike and was slightly slower than expected. The second segment was slightly faster than expected.

Original plan

The original plan called for a hike far longer than any in living memory. The first segment went around the entire lake and the second segment went halfway across the lake.

Shortened plan

For some reason, the path was shortened. The first segment no longer went around the lake. The second segment remained the same.

Actual path

While hiking, the plan was significantly shortened. Huck's trail and West Shore trail were avoided. Instead of completing McGregor George, Indian Cove trail was used. The hike terminated at Bort Meadow Group Camp instead of Macdonald staging area.

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