Barefoot Mailman Hike
The Barefoot Mailman hike is a grueling 35 mile 2 day hike from Pompano Beach ending in South Beach. The hike is named after the postal route walked by the mail carriers from 1885 to 1892. For a more indepth history of the route please see history of the Barefoot Mailman hike.
It is a test of endurance you will not often come across in your Scouting career. Scouts must meet the minimum age requirement of 12 years. The first day of the hike is 25 miles with large sections over beach sand. To compound the difficulty of the event, all Scouts are required to carry food, clothing and sleeping equipment including tents in their backpack for the entire duration of the hike. Only water may be resupplied during the hike by our support staff. The second day of the hike is an easier 10 miles from Haulover Beach to Miami’s South Beach.
In 2004 Troop 599 first attempted the hike. That year 1 adult and 3 scouts successfully completed the hike. Since then, participation increased substantially where in 2010, Troop 599 was unit with the largest number of participants who successfully completed the hike with 24 participants.
See Forms & Scouting website links for backpacking tips and hiking information
Number of successful Scouts and adults who completed the hike by year
Unit ranking Adults Scouts Total (based on number of participants)
2010816241st
816241st2009419231st
419231st200831417
3141720072 7 9
2 7 920066 814
6 81420054 610
4 61020041 3 4
1 3 4
start of the hike at 5:30 am - 2008
15 mile practice hike in Shark Valley - 2005
preparing for the Parade of flags - last mile of the hike - 2005
2010 Barefoot Mailman hike
I am very pleased to announce that, for the second year in a row, Troop 599 was the unit with the largest number of participants that completed the 2010 Barefoot Mailman hike with 24 Scouts and adults. We had a two adults and one scout who completed the hike for the fifth time this year: Bill Lewis, Chris Houshoulder and Anthony Lewis.
I would like to thank all the adults who joined us on the hike and to all the support staff who assisted. Without the help of these people we would not have a hike . Bill Lewis, Chris Housholder, Chris Roper, Colin Yap, Mike Hugh, Raul Gallo and Robert Williams who joined us on our lengthy walk.
Also a big thanks to Kelly Garcia who arranged for a feast at the end of the hike and to all the support staff who were there to encourage us on and assisted with water supply: Kelly Garcia, Cyndi Murphy, Nena Myburgh, Barbara Wach, Chris Hugh, Sara Ycaza, Julietta Williams, Tatiana Yap, Nicholas Deacon, and Joshua Garcia.
Charl MyburghHikemaster Barefoot Mailman 2004-2010
Barefoot mailman hike - 2010
Parade of flags - last mile of the hike - 2010
20 mile pre-hike in the Everglades - Jan 2010
Troop 599 hikers - Barefoot Mailman 2010
Updated Feb 20, 2010
"Why did I agree to do this hike again...."
Chris Roper completed his second Barefoot Mailman hike in 2010
