- Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur
while hiking, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite,
dehydration, sunburn, sprained ankle, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite,
blisters, hyperventilation, and altitude sickness.
- Explain and, where possible, show the points of good hiking practices
including the principles of Leave No Trace, hiking safety in the daytime and
at night, courtesy to others, choice of footwear, and proper care of feet and
footwear.
- Explain how hiking is an aerobic activity. Develop a plan for conditioning
yourself for 10-mile hikes, and describe how you will increase your fitness
for longer hikes.
- Make a written plan for a 10-mile hike. Include map routes, a clothing and
equipment list, and a list of items for a trail lunch.
- Take five hikes, each on a different day, and each of 10 continuous miles.
Prepare a hike plan for each hike.*
- Take a hike of 20 continuous miles in one day following a hike plan you
have prepared.*
- After each of the hikes (or during each hike if on one continuous "trek")
in requirements 5 and 6, write a short report of your experience. Give dates
and descriptions of routes covered, the weather, and any interesting things
you saw. Share this report with your merit badge counselor.
________
*The hikes in requirements 5 and 6 can be used
in fulfilling Second Class (2a) and First Class (3) rank requirements, but only
if Hiking merit badge requirements 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been completed to the
satisfaction of your counselor. The hikes of requirements 5 and 6 cannot
be used to fulfill requirements of other merit badges.
BSA Advancement ID#: 61
Source: Boy Scout Requirements, #33215E, revised 2002