I was pondering all the way up the start of the trail today which direction I’d go. Canyon Trail or Sagebrush Trail. I didn’t really make up my mind until the top of the steps and I went left (Sagebrush Trail). I hadn’t been up the Sagebrush Trail in a while, it was a good choice. As I was nearing the top, I spotted a group of people hiking together. They looked like they were carrying backpacks and I thought “Boy Scouts!” I hoped I’d catch up them at the top but they were already headed down.
Troop 190 Training on Badger Mountain to Hike in the Olympics in August (click to enlarge)
I stayed hot on their trail, going a little faster than they were as I wasn’t carrying a full backpack like they were.
Boy Scout Troop 190
I found out they are going to do a 50-Miler backpack trip over several days in August. Our troop went on a 50-miler two summers ago, it is a great adventure (read more about that here). They are heading for the Olympic Mountains in western Washington. Boy Scout Troop 190 is affiliated with the Cathedral of Joy and they train on Badger Mountain frequently to prepare for their big hike. Over a dozen young men are expected to go on this adventure! What a great way to learn to appreciate the outdoors, get in shape and learn respect, honor and virtue.
Troop 190 training for a 50-Mile Backpack Trip to the Olympic Mountains (click to enlarge)
Troop 190 from the Cathedral of Joy
As I got to the bottom of Badger Mountain, I came down on the Canyon Trail to do the loop. I overheard two men behind me say they were in training too!
These Guys are Training to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa (click to enlarge)
They are hiking Mount Kilimanjaro in October! Wow, that sounds like a great adventure. They also hiked all of the Northwest volcanoes last summer.
Me, Training for Life!
Me, I’m in training too. I’m training for life. For better health, fitness, mental and spiritual sanity, all a result of hiking around the Columbia Basin and enjoying the beauty that surrounds us!