(above, l-r) Madison Boy Scout Troop 25 on Mount Baldy (12,441 feet) in Cimarron, New Mexico. Front row: Brian Axelsen, David Amieva, and Matthew Mauro; second row: Johnny Prout, John Prout, Dan Keane, Doyle Keane, Kian Deane, Kristian Kassis, Luke Schuszler, Philip Deane, and Jorge Amieva.
Madison Boy Scouts Trek Through New Mexico Backcountry
Submitted by Matthew Mauro
A crew of eight teenage Scouts and four of their adult leaders from Madison Boy Scout Troop 25 went on a life changing summer trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. A trek through Philmont is often considered the pinnacle of scouting. Philmont Scout Ranch covers 214 square miles of vast wilderness with 315 miles of trails that climb from 6,500 feet to as high as 12,441 feet. Each summer, Philmont hosts over 22,000 scouts across their 35 staff camps and 770 campsites in the backcountry. In addition to hosting crews, Philmont is also an active cattle ranch.
During their trek, Boy Scout Troop 25 hiked 68 miles over 12 days, with many more miles hiked within camps and between activities. At the climax of their trek, the crew summited Mount Baldy, standing at 12,441 feet high. Scout Johnny Prout remarked that ”the view from the top was absolutely superb. You could just see the landscape for miles and miles.”
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. “I especially enjoyed all of the activities and programs we did along the way,” said Scout Kristian Kassis. The crew participated in several programs during their trek including gold panning, tomahawk throwing, spar pole climbing, petroglyph tours, railroading, forging, and multiple campfires. Part of the trek also included a burro, named Alfonso, which the scouts packed and led on the trail. The trek included a conservation project where the Scouts learned and participated in the upkeep of Philmont’s ecosystem. During down time, Scouts enjoyed playing the card game Magic the Gathering with each other.
“I appreciated the breaks of rest and relaxation we had each night between hikes where I could hang out with my friends,” said Scout Doyle Keane. Along the trek, Scouts endured tough challenges including backpacking in bear and mountain lion territory, steep climbs, and often-inclement weather.
Looking back, Scout David Amieva reflected on his time in Philmont by saying that “the whole trek was a really special experience, one that few will ever get the opportunity to live through.”
The trek certainly was a unique experience for all involved. Scout Luke Schuszler added that “there were points in the trek where I was simply overwhelmed by the beauty and majesty of the backcountry, its sweeping hills and rocky citadels reminded me of humanity’s sacred duty to nature.” With a lack of technology, modern conveniences, and usual comforts, a trek to Philmont opens one’s mind to think deeper and explore new ideas.
“On a typical day, we would wake up early, pack up camp, and hit the trail. On the trail, we may hike through various environments, whether they be dry and arid or full of vegetation. We would also often only see one other crew on the trail on any given day. When we reached camp, our site was still isolated from other crews,” explained Scout Kian Deane.
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. Waite Phillips, the donor of Philmont land, once said that, “Nothing worthwhile was ever accomplished without the will to start, the enthusiasm to continue and, regardless of temporary obstacles, the persistence to complete.”
Boy Scout Troop 25 meets on Mondays during the school year at the Presbyterian Church of Madison, 19 Green Ave, from 7:30-9 p.m.
