At approximately 11 pm, on August 16, 2025, the scouts and adults from Troop 2468. 468 and 2485 under Chinese American Scouting Association,  started their 22-mile ascent of Mt. Whitney. Their goal? Reach the 14,505 ft top and safely descend all within a 24-hour period.

Their year-long journey began on the John Muir Trail, and ended on the John Muir Trail. The northern terminus of John Muir Trail is at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley and the southern terminus is located on the summit of Mount Whitney.

On Labor Day in 2024, Troop 2468 Scouts completed a loop hike from Yosemite’s Happy Isles, the northern terminus of John Muir Trail, to Glacier Point and the Four Mile trail. These Scouts were eager for a greater challenge, and two options were offered: Mt. Whitney or the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim. 

Without hesitation, the Scouts chose Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, and the Southern terminus of John Muir Trail. 

And so, after months and months of training, on August 16 at 10:30 PM, the Mt. Whitney team—Scouts ages 12 to 16 from Troop 2468—gathered at the Whitney Portal trailhead in Inyo National Forest. In addition to Troop 2468, one Scout each from Troop 468 and Troop 2485 joined the challenge. Their goal was to summit the southern terminus of the John Muir Trail, Mt. Whitney.

By 8:30 PM on August 17, every Scout and adult leader had safely returned to Whitney Portal. Among the Scouts were two girls that were only 12-years-old. Each Scout had school the following day, and most refused to miss it. They sat through the long car ride through the night, arriving back home at 4:00 AM while simultaneously exhausted and covered in trail dust. (no sleep for 3 days and 2 nights)

The ascent of Mt. Whitney was more than just a hike. It was a test of endurance, teamwork, and heart. These young Scouts not only conquered the tallest peak in the Lower 48—they proved to themselves what they are capable of when they commit to a goal and support each other to the very end.

The scouts hope their story will inspire more youth to participate in outdoor activities, fostering resilience, teamwork and a lifelong appreciation for nature.

The story was initially published by patch.com and has been selected and reposted by msn news. It will inspire and influence the youth in the Bay Area communities and nationally.

Climbing Team Members: (From SVMBC/Polaris District/CASA, Troop 2468, 468 and 2485)

T468 scout: Justin Gu                   T2485 scout: Alina Yang

T2468 scouts: Grace Cao,  Joycelyn Gu, Hailey Chen, Joyce Huang, Joanne Huang, Jingning Zhuang, Fiona Su

Adults: Anise Wang, Xin Xu, Bin Cao, Eric Gu, Natalie Lu, Zhengrong Li, Min She