Pictured, eight scouts and three advisors from Boy Scout Troop 221 in Vestal, New York completed a trek through in New Mexico at Philmont Scout Ranch.
A crew of Scouts and their leaders from Vestal Troop 221 went on a life changing summer trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. Philmont covers 214 square miles of vast wilderness with trails that climb from 6,500 feet to as high as 12,441 feet. The boy’s hiked over 60 miles.
The group consisted of Chester Bennett, Hunter Carter, Joey Haefner, Andy Isaacs, Eric Lethin, Jay Lethin, Preston Moore and Josh Tomaka, along with advisors Bob Haefner, Rick Isaacs and Peter Lethin.
These 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, rappelling, geocaching, .30-06 rifle shooting, black powder rifle shooting and horseback riding.
The trek included a conservation project where the scouts learned and participated in the upkeep of Philmont’s fragile ecosystem. Along the trek, Scouts endured tough challenges including backpacking in bear and mountain lion territory, steep climbs, and inclement weather.
Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America’s premier high adventure camp and the largest youth camp in the world serving over 1 million participants since 1938.
