Local Boy Scouts trek through Mexican wilderness

Recently two crews of teenage Boy Scouts and their leaders returned home from a life changing summer trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M.

Philmont covers 137,493 acres of vast wilderness with trails that climb from 6,500 feet to as high as 12,441 feet.

During their trek, 14 youth and seven advisors hiked approximately 100 miles over 10 days. The 21 total scouts came together from five different troops in the area to create a bond with each other that no one else can say that they were a part of. These troops include Troop 4 and Troop 82 out of Lockport, Troop 8 out of Cambria, Troop 28 out of Medina and Troop 278 out of Greece.

Leaders that were a part of the trek include Russ Larsen, Johnathan Fryer, Larry Richardson, Mitchell McFarlane, Howard Morgan, Joe Robinson and Tim Lanighan. Scouts that went were Brandon McFarlane, Trevor Richardson, Russ Larsen, Jacob Earle, Brandon Kulzer, Matthew Morgan, Ryan Fisher, Ben Chatley, Max Mayer, Mason Roberts, Matthew Witte, Marcus George, Roger George and Bryce Lanighan.

The group of Scouts and their advisors carried everything they needed to survive during the trek on their backs while hiking from camp to camp. They participated in backcountry programs along the way including rock climbing, western lore, branding and black powder rifle shooting. The trek included a conservation project where the Scouts learned and participated in the upkeep of Philmont’s ecosystem. Along the trek, Scouts endured tough challenges including backpacking in bear and mountain lion territory, steep climbs and often-inclement weather.

According to Backpacker Magazine, they may only meet one other group of Scouts on the trail in an entire day of hiking. Even the most crowded destinations, each Scout group camps in isolation, out of sight and sound of all other groups.”

The crews made what amounts to a Scouting pilgrimage with their trip to Philmont. They left by train from Buffalo on the night of July 5 and didn’t return home until the morning of July 21. Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America’s premier high adventure camp and the largest youth camp in the world, serving nearly one million participants since 1938. Everyone had some of the best times of their lives and can’t wait to go back again someday.