Peak Performance

By Jim Benning
Boy’s Life

The Scouts of Troop 139 had hiked for seven hard days and the boys’ shoulders, knees and hips now ached. They had mastered 35 miles of the rugged Sierra Nevada mountain range, yet their objective, the 14,496-foot summit of Mount Whitney, still lay ahead.

All had trained hard and after a week were accustomed to the thin air at altitude. But when you’re sore and so tired that you don’t think you can hike another 10 feet, where do you find the strength to summit the tallest peak in the lower 48 states?

Troop 139 knew the key: Set goals.

Justin Field explained: “I say to myself, See that rock ahead on the trail? You’re going to keep hiking until you get to that rock. Then when I do, I say; See that rock over there? Now you’re going to keep hiking until you make it there.”

“I do that, too,” agreed Tony Truyoo. “It just sort of happens, and it works. You can always push yourself farther than you think.”

This Way Up

The strategy had already brought them far. But the boys knew tomorrow was the big challenge. They needed to cover six miles and 3,000 vertical feet to reach Whitney’s summit by midday. Then it would be another 11 miles down the mountain to civilization.

First things first. They all focused their thoughts on the thrill of summiting such a tall mountain.

“I can’t wait to get up there,” said Tony. “To think about how few people in the world get to stand on the top of Mount Whitney makes you feel special. If it’s a day like today without a cloud in the sky, you’ll be able to see forever.”

The boys awakened deep in the cold, moonless night, bolted down a quick breakfast of oatmeal and energy bars and strapped on their headlamps. By 4 a.m. they’d begun the long, rocky climb to the top.

“Breathing’s getting hard,” said Eric at their first rest stop, about an hour up the trail. “My shoulder’s and back really hurt.”

“I’m developing blisters on my feet,” said Nick Barton.

“We’ve really got to watch out for sprained ankles,” Eric warned.

Back on the trail again, the going only got tougher. The Scouts responded by setting new goals.

“We’re almost there,” said Andrew Field.

“After we hit the summit it’s basically over,” answered Bobby Gibbons.

“Never give up! shouted Eric.

Two miles short of the summit, the boys cached their heavy packs–they would retrieve them on their way down–and spread out single-file along the trail, each moving at his own pace. Their heavy exertions in the thin, dry air made them weary and thirsty. They rested often and took big gulps of water.

“I’m tired,” Tony said as he leaned against a rock.

Success at Last

The summit, however, was finally in sight. Tony saw some of the boys were already up there looking around. He took another deep breath and continued on.

Minutes later, all the hard work finally paid off–in a big way. Tony reached Whitney’s towering top. The day was perfectly clear, and just as he predicted, Tony could see for miles and miles.

“This is awesome!” he shouted.

The other Scouts, exhausted, sprawled themselves across the summit’s giant boulders, resting. But Tony was too excited to be still. He leaped onto the biggest boulder and thrust both arms in the air.

“This is the highest point!” he shouted. “I’m now the tallest person in 48 United States!”

To put an official seal on their accomplishment, the boys signed their names and added comments in the Mount Whitney registry, which is kept in a small shelter at the summit.

“All pain leads to success,” penned Matt Jacobson.

“Woo!!! Hoooo!!!” wrote Ben Caffey.

This Way Down

Then came time to go, and the bone-jarring 11-mile hike back down the mountain. The Scouts needed a new goal, but what could match reaching the top of Mount Whitney?

Justin grinned.

“Pizza! Pizza!” he began chanting.

The other Scouts joined in. “Pizza! Pizza!”

After days of dull, just-add-water trail food, freshly baked pizza sounded like a perfect goal, well worth the effort. Fortunately, there was a pizza joint waiting for the Scouts just a short drive from the trail’s end.

Eric leaned back on a rock and smiled.

“I’m going to get pepperoni with olives and mushrooms,” he announced.

With that, the Scouts hit the trail. There was a long, hard downhill hike ahead, but they’d make it. After all, they had a goal, and they could almost taste it.

-End

TIPS FOR THE TRAIL

Scouts whose troops select Backpacking As their activity theme next month will Find it fun and challenging. Here are four Tips for a smooth trek.

1. Mountain hiking requires strength and endurance. Be in good physical shape.

2. Pack intelligently. Remember that when you hike long distances you’ll feel every extra pound on your back. Take everything you need-but not an ounce more.

3. Keep your sense of humor. Accidents happen. Bad weather can occur at any time Stay cool. Be patient.

4. Do as Troop 139 did: Set goals along the way. Before you know it, you’ll reach the top.

–Photo by Corey Rich.