LOCAL SCOUT TROOP HIKES AND CAMPS IN NEW MEXICO MOUNTAINS

  

A crew of teenage Scouts and their leaders went on a life changing trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico this summer. Philmont covers 214 square miles of vast wilderness with trails that climb from 6,500 feet to as high as 12,441 feet. During their trek Boy Scout Troop # 742 hiked 70 + miles over 12 days.

The group of 8 scouts and their 4 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 and rappelling, tomahawk throwing, making flies and fly-fishing, blacksmithing, a 473 foot mine shaft tour, made lead bullets for muskets, trapping, flint knapping, daily devotionals, wilderness survival, search and rescue aid, and gold prospecting. 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 (including getting hailed on at 11,500 foot in elevation).

“They may meet only one other group of Scouts on the trail in an entire day of hiking,” according to Backpacker Magazine. “Even in the most crowded destinations, each Scout group camps in isolation, out of sight and sound of all other groups.” The crew made what amounts to a Scouting pilgrimage with their trip to Philmont. 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.

Scout leader and lead advisor for the group, Jim Kruse commented….“The trail was very challenging.  Frequently scouts or adults will sustain injuries and one or more of a crew will have to be taken back to base camp for treatment, however that wasn’t our case.  We started as a crew and finished as a crew.  We had some mild cases of altitude sickness but we were very fortunate that nothing ended up being severe.”  Landon Kruse, life scout, served as crew leader.  Tanner Lewis, star scout, served as the crew’s chaplain and Allen Schwartz was the wilderness guia (guide).  A duty roster was constructed and all scouts had opportunities to serve as a navigator on the trail, cook, and as clean up.  Troop 742 is sponsored by St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham Texas.  Please call scoutmaster Jim Kruse at Bank of Brenham 979-836-3332 for information or how to join.