Local Boy Scouts Complete Summer Backpacking Trek in New Mexico
Neil Malakar
From July 27th to August 15th this summer, a crew of twelve Boy Scouts and leaders from Homer’s Troop 79 traveled to New Mexico for a twelve day long backpacking trip at Philmont Scout Ranch in the Rocky Mountain wilderness. Eight students of Homer High School, Tighe Gugerty, Neil Malakar, Jack Church, Andy Swenson, Tim Swenson, Andrew Thompson, Chris Delage, and Lucas Payne, were among those that participated. This voyage, nearly eighty miles long, was one that tested the mettle of this group as they climbed mountains, avoided black bears, and pushed themselves to their physical limits.
The crew arrived at Philmont’s base camp on Wednesday, the 29th of July, and set out on the trail the following day. They went with full packs, which often weighed between thirty-five and fifty pounds each. These were laden with all the gear they would need to take on the wilderness: dehydrated food, tents, sleeping items, mess kits, clothing, and crew items such as camp stoves or rope. Each day, the crew would walk anywhere from five to ten miles, almost entirely uphill, stopping for breaks, map checks, or to simply absorb the breathtaking views that seemed to follow them wherever they went. On the third day of the trek, the group side-hiked a mountain called the Tooth of Time, Philmont’s most iconic natural feature. At 9,003 feet, this would be one of two notable high peaks that they would surmount. The other one was Mount Phillips, sharing its namesake with Philmont, at 11,742 feet. Unlike most of New Mexico, which is arid desert land, the northeastern region is particularly green and heavily forested.
Despite the physically and mentally taxing nature of their itinerary, the boys were generally able to keep morale high through a perpetual flow of banter. They also got to enjoy themselves at the various staffed camps along the trail where they could experience a variety of engaging programs. These included horseback riding, homesteading, rock climbing and rappelling, bathing in a Navajo-style sweat lodge, fly fishing, rifle shooting, musket shooting, and tomahawk throwing. Overall, the trip was a life-changing experience for every member of the crew, and marked a great accomplishment for all who went.
