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Philmont Trek Report

Philmont_Scout_Ranch_arrowheadTwo crews of Troop 407 Scouts and their adult advisors went on a life-changing summer trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico this summer. The two treks, 625E1 and 625E2, selected different itineraries (#23 and #19, respectively) to experience hiking and to participate in diverse activities. During their 12-day treks, the venture crews hiked 74 and 72 miles.

The groups of Scouts and their adult advisors carried on their backs everything they needed to survive during the trek while hiking from camp to camp. They participated in backcountry programs along the way, including archeology, rock climbing and rappeling, panning for gold, a tour of a gold mine, spar pole climbing, loggerball, roping and branding, teambuilding exercises and campfires featuring music and entertainment. Both treks included a conservation project where the Scouts learned about and participated in the upkeep of Philmont’s trails and ecosystem. Along the treks, the Scouts endured tough challenges and learned about special precautions associated with backpacking in bear and mountain lion territory, steep climbs and inclement weather.

“They may meet only one other group of Scouts on the trail in an entire day of hiking,” according to Backpacker Magazine. “Even at the most crowded destinations, each Scout group camps independently of other groups.”

These two crews represent the fourth trek for from Troop 407 that has traveled to Philmont Scout Ranch since 2002. Philmont is the Boy Scouts of America’s premier high-adventure camp and the largest youth camp in the world, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2013 and serving one million participants since 1938. The Ranch covers 214 square miles of vast wilderness with trails that climb from 6,500 feet to as high as 12,441 feet. Originally called Philturn Scout Ranch, the majority of the land that constitutes Philmont was donated to the Boy Scouts of America by oil executive Waite Phillips, who was impressed by the values and skills instilled in youth by the tenets of the Boy Scouting program. The former name of the Ranch represented a portion of Mr. Phillips’ name and the Boy Scout slogan “Do a good turn daily.”

The Troop 407 Scouts who attended Philmont would like to recognize and thank trek adult leaders Bob Murphy and Darius Fadanelli and the adult advisors for their guidance, support and hard work to make these treks a success. (Written by Nate T)

© 2024 Troop 407, Novi, Michigan - Boy Scouts of America
© 2024 Troop 407, Novi, Michigan - Boy Scouts of America