Boy Scout Troop 832, sponsored by Elks Lodge 832, made the trip to the Sierra Nevada mountains to trek the trails in the Emigrant Wilderness between Sonora and Yosemite. The contingent of Scouts -- William Brazelton, Jacolby Martin, Svend Santos, Jerry Sharp, Greg Spinelli, Joshua Thornton and Gabriel Zarate -- was led by four adults on the adventure.

The group had laid out an ambitious plan to cover 50 miles in six days. With a year of planning and preparation invested in the trip, the group started at the Crabtree Trailhead. The first day of hiking was the most difficult, with nearly 12 miles to be completed. Most people on the trip carried packs of 50 lbs., which included supplies, food and gear for the entire trip. Water was accessible and the group pumped water through portable filters and treated it with water treatment drops.

The group camped next to a lake every day of the trip. Wading in the water was a daily routine for some, but everyone enjoyed the opportunity to put their feet in the Sierra waters on a daily basis.

Weather conditions proved to be favorable overall, but the group did get rained upon on its third day. Lightning, thunder, rain and hail the size of small marbles came down on the group at about the 8,500-foot level. Excitement filled the air as the group was instructed to "shelter in place" as they were now at the mercy of the weather.

The Scouts were instructed to take refuge away from tall trees and cover themselves and their gear for the duration. Good fortune was with them as the storm passed in about 40 minutes. After reassembling themselves for hiking, the group again took to the trail.

Although the dehydrated food was convenient and calorie-rich, everyone found a bit of weight loss to be the norm. Hiking lasted nearly six hours per day, with the last two days involving less time on the trail and more time fishing, swimming and lounging.

Significant statistics from the trip are as follows: Starting altitude: 7,145 feet. Highest altitude reached: 9,630 feet (summit to Grizzly Meadow). Greatest total elevation climb in one day: about 3,000 feet on day one. Net altitude gain for the trip: 0 feet (started and ended at same spot). Total elevation climb for the entire trip: about 8,000 feet.

This was a truly incredible adventure for the Scouts and their leaders. Spectacular views were everywhere. But best of all were the smiles of the group when they crossed the trail head bridge to reenter Crabtree on day six. They knew they would soon be on our way home, leaving the place of their grand adventure behind. But everyone also realized that they would forever be changed. For just as they had left their footprints along the paths of the mountains, the mountains had given them memories in return.

Scoutmaster Antonio B. Zarate told the Scouts: "I am thankful and appreciative for you Scouts giving me the opportunity to participate in your grand adventure. It truly was a successful outing but it was only successful because you were unselfish. You took care of yourselves while you looked out for each other and took care of each other.

It has been said that life is a balance between putting your head down to move forward despite the obstacles and lifting your head up to enjoy the scenery. I pray that you find this balance in life. For when you do, my heart soars!"

Ashes to ashes

Anyone familiar with the history of Boy Scouts is aware of a tradition carried on by the founder of Boy Scouts, Lord Baden Powell of England. Lord Powell would carry the ashes from a previous campfire and add them to the new campfire. He stated that the previous ashes would charge the new campfire with the goodwill and spirit of the previous campfires. This tradition has been carried on by Scouts the world over.

This year marks the 100-year anniversary of Boy Scouts. Begun as a small group on Brownsea Island in England, the movement has become international and has affected the live of millions.

A Scout whose identity to this day remains unknown introduced Boy Scouts in the United States by a good turn done for an American businessman. The businessman, William Boyce became lost in the famous London fog when searching for an address. There appeared a boy who offered to help him, and led him to the address Boyce sought. When Boyce thanked the boy and offered to reward him, the boy politely refused the reward and stated that a Scout does not accept a reward for a good turn.

Thus impressed, Boyce determined to find the leader of scouting, Lord Baden Powell, and bring scouting to America.

The traditions and principles of scouting are now part of the American ideal. But those same traditions can be seen the world over. In this, the centenary year of Scouting, Boy Scout Troop 832 endeavored to participate in Lord Baden Powell's tradition of blending campfire ashes.

Boy Scout Troop 832 preserved campfire ashes from their 50-mile trip in the Emigrant Wilderness in July, and Troop 405 from Pleasant Hill took them on their trip to Kenya. Lord Baden Powell and his wife are buried in Kenya, because Africa is where Powell participated in his military campaigns. The Centenary Celebration conducted by the Kenya Jamboree Scouts included the traditional campfire ceremonies. The campfire in Kenya was charged with the ashes from Troop 832, the only international ashes added to the fire. Ashes were collected and brought back to the United States and presented at Wood Badge adult leader training in EI Cerrito.

Coming full circle, the ashes have been returned to Napa Boy Scout Troop 832. Each of the Scouts who participated in the 50-mile backpacking trip will receive some of the ashes and the troop will carry on the tradition of charging future campfires with these Centenary Celebration ashes.

Napa Boy Scout Troop 832 is sponsored by the Napa Elks Lodge.