On June 22, a group of 13 local boy scouts and six of their leaders set out on a trek of more than 130 miles through Northeastern New Mexico.
The group traveled through the Sangre de Cristo mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. Philmont is a total of 214 square miles, with trails that can climb anywhere from 6,500 feet to 12,441 feet.
Having arrived back on July 3, the scouts and their leaders were amazed by the vastness of Philmont, according to Ryan Geer, an adult advisor on the trip.
Tom Geer was the scoutmaster for the trek, this being his 13th year going to New Mexico with Boy Scouts since 1982.
Tom Geer, according to Ryan Geer, always has two trips that must be made along the trek; Baldy Mountain, Philmont’s highest peak at 12,441 feet, and the Tooth of Time, standing at 9,003 feet.
The Tooth of Time is Philmont’s most recognizable summit, and a Santa Fe trail landmark.
These two peaks are offered on a limited number of itineraries and are at opposite ends of the scout ranch’s 137,000 acres.
The group spent 11 days hiking through the wilderness carrying their tents, fuel, limited clothes, camp stoves and freeze dried meals.
They never passed a house or town along their journey, only stopping for a short time every few days at bear proof “commissaries” to grab more necessities, according to Ryan Geer.
Cell phones were limited to the leaders, however service was only available at the highest peaks or openings, with nowhere for charging unless they used a battery pack or solar charger.
Families however were informed of the progress of the journey through scout Facebook pages, or by newspaper.
“Scouts grew very adept at quickly hanging daily bear bags, cooking and cleaning in the backcountry, and setting up tents before fast moving mountain storms crept in,” stated Ryan Geer.
Seasonally staffed camps offered programs such as blackpowder rifle firing, blacksmithing, climbing a pole with only spikes on your ankles and a leather band, as well as panning for gold.
While blacksmithing, they created a group piece of art.
The group also got to take the time to enjoy vistas from the peaks of mountains, as well as a site called Vista Grande.
Vista Grande was filled with jungle-like forests and gorges.
“Every night after dinner and before climbing into their tents each scout reflected on the day with ‘Roses, thorns and buds’,” said Ryan Geer.
Rose, was their favorite thing they experienced on that day; thorn, was something that they didn’t like; and the bud, was something that they were looking forward to tomorrow.
According to Ryan Geer, common roses were summiting mountains, a great view and maybe catching sight of a bear. Thorns were mostly blisters, hurt knees, a wet tent or a twisted ankle.
“It was the most unpleasant/pleasant experience of my life,” stated Michael Good, 18, of Troop 410 in Mount Jewett.
“Philmont helped me grow stronger both physically and mentally,” said Matthew Nolte, 14, of Troop 410 in Mount Jewett. “I pushed myself further than I thought I could.”
The scouts together summited Baldy Mountain at 12,441′, Mount Phillips at 11,736′, Comanche Peak at 11,303′, Big Red at 11,020 and Tooth of Time at 9,003′.
The Scouts on the trip were as follows: Colton Lawton and Keenan Kost, Troop 410, Mount Jewett Eagle; Brandon Yorth, Troop 222 Newport; Nathan Kwiatkowski, Troop 621, Olean, N.Y.;
Nick Evans Troop 410, who in Port Allegany; Stephen Bressen, Troop 560, Eagle Scout, Port Allegany; from Troop 410, Mount Jewett, Michael Good, Dylan Keller – Eagle Scout, Tristan Carney, Ronald Reynolds, Austin Eschrich, Austin Swanson – Eagle Scout, and Matthew Nolte; and Hunter Alexis – Eagle Scout, Troop 499 Bradford.
The adult advisors were Stephanie Kost from Lantz Corners; Ryan Geer from Eagle Scout Troop 410 in Mount Jewett; Nichole Krietemeyer, a Kane elementary teacher from Mount Jewett; John Carney from Troop 410 in Mount Jewett and Tom Geer, scoutmaster, from Troop 410 in Mount Jewett.
