A Stay with Scout and Frodo – What to Expect

For the uninitiated, Scout and Frodo are one of the hiker host homes in San Diego, and act as a staging area of sorts for north bound hikers before the start of their hike. This means that for a couple of months every spring their home is overrun by excited/nervous hikers, while they and their team of volunteers do their best to maintain order (which they do extremely well) and set the hikers off set for success.
Generally, American hikers stay for one night, Canadians for two, and international hikers for three. Being Canadians, we stayed with them for two nights. Here’s a little of what we experienced!

Pickup

They sent us an email in advance of our stay, letting us know when and where at the airport to wait for pickup. Promptly on time, a van pulled up with the prearranged symbol, a yellow pompom, being enthusiastically waved out the passenger window. From there, it was a short 20 minute drive to their house.

The House

With so many hikers in and out of their home, a high level of organization is needed, and that Scout and Frodo have in spades. Upon arrival you are given a tour of their house and yard, which operates like a well oiled machine. Maps of their neighbourhood are available for your use, “hiker box zero” is set up, every drawers and cupboard in the kitchen is meticulously labeled, and (best of all) there is a resupply box station set up in the garage with boxes, tape and baggies. Large tents are set up in their yard for sleeping.

Meals

Around 6:00 Scout blows a conch shell signalling that the evening meal is served. Everyone fills their plate and gathers outside to hear Scout and Frodo speak. They give an imformative talk on Leave No Trace guideline (leave your soap at home and pack out your toilet paper), trail ethics and, being successful thru-hikers themselves, words of wisdom. Breakfast and lunch are also served, with a range of dietary restrictions being accommodated. You are invited to pitch in and help with meal preparation and clean up if you are available.

San Diego Services

Need to visit an outfitter or cellphone store? They’ve got you covered with daily shuttle runs.

Final Thoughts

Staying at Scout and Frodos was a bit like being back at summer camp, only a lot more international. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay while we got ourselves set up to leave. A huge thank you to Scout and Frodo, and their volunteers, for all of the work they put into this. It can’t be easy, but they make it look so.

For more information, visit http://sandiegopct.com/