Boy Scouts from Troop 349 and their leaders recently completed a trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. 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 the scouts hiked over 40 miles in 7 days.
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 black-powder rifle shooting and blacksmithing. 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.
