The Solo Hike was brought into existence by Bob Leavitt with the assistance of Ed Haseloff, Randy Smith, Bob Bouma, Jaime Valverde, Mike H and Tony Hunt during the summer of 1972. Bob Leavitt picked up the idea for the Solo Hike from an article in Scouting magazine. Though the article was several years old, he read it during the summer of 1972 and decided that the Solo Hike would be a fitting legacy to Camp Dale Resler and his gratitude for what Scouting meant to him. Participants in the Solo Hike are elected by members of the Camp Staff.
Participants can be youth or adults.
Participants are usually members of the Camp Staff but are not limited to Camp Staff members. The results of the election are confidential. Once elected a candidate must be approved by the Camp Director. If Camp Director approval is received, the Solo Hiker candidate receives instruction and guidance from those who have completed the Solo Hike in previous years. If the candidate successfully completes the Solo Hike they become a Solo Hiker.