Basic Backpacking
Learn the skills you need to take your scouts into the wild with confidence.
The course is organized around three components:
1. Classroom session focused on deep content (Friday evening / Saturday)
2. "In the field" map & compass day hike
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3. Overnight backpacking trek with fellow classmates & a HAT Instructor
Syllabus
Adult Leadership
Bear Management
Clothing
Low Impact Camping
Mountain Medicine
Places To Go
Scout's Own
Stoves
Tents
Camps & Parks Guide
Backpacks
Boots
Food Planning
Map & Compass
Physical Conditioning
Putting It All Together
Sleeping Bags
Ten Essentials
Wilderness Survival
HAT Awards

John's Meadow, San Gorgonio Wilderness
Los Padres Council
Morro Bay Backpack
Los Padres Council
2" x 2"
This is an overnight backpack of 7.5 - 8.5 backpack hours duration. It is intended to enhance knowledge and appreciation of the variety of environments near the Pacific Ocean on the Central Coast of California. The trailhead is at Morro Bay State Park Natural History Museum. The primary route winds through the State Park to the top of Black Hill and then down into the City of Morro Bay. A Clam Taxi ride provides access to the northern tip of the Morro Bay Strand, near the entrance of Morro Bay Harbor. The Clam Taxi is located at the Morro Bat Marina (phone: 805/772-8085). The long trek down the strand to Hazard Canyon should take tidal conditions into account. From Hazard Canyon, the trail ascends to Pecho Roadand turns south to the Montana de Oro Park Ranger Station. Follow the path along the bluffs to Coon Creek and turn east to rejoin Pecho road. Follow the road to the turnoff to your Environmental Camp. The E.C. is reserved by calling MISTIX (phone: 800/444-7275). Remember, none of the E.C. areas have any immediate water source. The alternative trail leads from Morro Bay State Park to South Bay Boulevard, turns west to Pine, proceeds south to Binscarth, leads west to Pecho Road, crosses over to Solano Street, and continues to the west end of Howard Street. From here, take a sandy path that parallels the edge of the Bay towards the sand dunes. Cross the sand dunes at a designated path to rejoin the primary trail. The backpack is completed on the second day by re-tracing the bluff trail to the Montana de Oro State Park Ranger Station.
Santa Barbara Historical Trail
Los Padres Council
3"
The Historic Trail was initiated in 1990. The trail is designed to present to its participants the historical significance and natural beauty of the San Luis Obispo County area. The trail is divided into two primary sites: SAN LUIS OBISPO and SAN MIGUEL -- approximately 40 miles apart. The San Luis Obispo walk is the "PATH OF HISTORY" with 19 points of interest. The San Miguel tour includes the SAN MIGUEL MISSION and the RIOS-CALEDONIA ADOBE. The trail is suitable for Tigers, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers. The award is open to all registered members of the Boy Scouts of America.
Lopez Canyon
Los Padres Council
2" x 3"
The Lopez Canyon Backpack is designed to be done overnight and has a duration of about 10 backpack hours. It is intended to enhance knowledge and appreciation of the relationships between land and water are the variety of uses that man has devised for these two primal natural resources. The start is Lopez Canyonwhere Lopez Canyon Roadturns north-west, 2.9 miles beyond the gate entrance for Camp French. The route travels up Lopez Canyon for 4.0 miles along the unimproved Lopez Canyon Road to the Big Falls Canyon trail junction. One option is to visit the Big Falls along the 1.2 mile side-trail. The backpack continues up Lopez Canyon along U.S.F.S. trail for 3.2 miles to the primitive Sulfur Pots Campground with its characteristic odor. Upper Lopez Campground is located another 1.0 miles north along the trail. The overnight stay can be done at either Sulfur "Pots or Upper Lopez Campgrounds. The next day, continue on the trail about 0.9 miles above Upper Lopez Campground; then the Canyon and trail take an abrupt turn to the West. Continue on the trail 2.1 miles upslope to the U.S.F.S. Trailhead on the East Cuesta Ridge. Follow the East Cuesta Ridge in a north-westerly direction for 4.8 miles to finish the backpack at the Cuesta Pass gate.
WARNING: THIS BACKPACK SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED IN RAINY WEATHER; BACKPACKING IN THE CANYON BECOMES VERY HAZARDOUS UNDER THIS CONDITION
Anti-Litter
Los Padres Council
3"
This is an individual award offered to a boy who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of his Scoutmaster and to the High Adventure Team of Mission Council that he has satisfactorily lived up to the Outdoor Code and met the requirements of this award for a period of at least twelve (12) months.