Boy Scouts hike
Members of Boy Scout Troop 4 hiked more than 10 days through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M.
A crew of teenage Scouts and their leaders went on a life-changing summer trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. 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, which began on July 19 and ended August 2, high school sophomores and freshmen from Boy Scout Troop 4, based at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, hiked more than 67 miles over 10 days in the rugged but beautiful terrain.
Scouts on the trip were Alec Albright, Davis Edwards, Jackson Freeland, Colin Harris, Robert Hill, Konnor Knoph, Stephen Mim, William Parker, Connor Ridgway, Colby Shealy and Thomas Sturdivant. Adult supervisors were Andrew Edwards, Jeff Albright, Quint Harris, Jim Sturdivant and Jim Hill.
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 mountain biking, land navigation, black powder rifle and single action revolver shooting. 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. They also climbed Mt. Baldy, Philmont’s highest peak at 12,441 feet above sea level.
