A crew of young Boy Scouts and their leaders changed their lives this summer with a trek through the mountains of New Mexico at Philmont Scout Ranch. Philmont covers 214 square miles, a vast expanse of wilderness, of which Boy Scout Troop 109 covered 72 miles in 11 days.

The group of Scouts and their leaders hiked from small camp to camp, carrying their lives on their backs during the trek. Their backpacks, typically weighing 50 pounds, contained their food, water, clothing, tents, and other items required to survive during the trek. Though hiking through bear territory and often inclement weather, the Scouts participated in backcountry activities at their stops, including rock climbing, rappelling, black powder rifle shooting, tomahawk throwing, burro packing, and the study of conservation and ecology.

They spent most of their time hiking at elevations from 7000 to 9000 feet collecting and purifying water from streams when necessary. One of the highlights of the trek was an ascent of Mt. Baldy, a mountain peak reaching 12,441 feet including a snowball fight on the way back down to camp.

"They may meet only one other group of Scouts on the trail in an entire day of hiking," a Backpacker magazine editor wrote. "Even in the most crowded camps, each Scout group camps in isolation, out of sight and sound of all other groups."

The local group made what amounts to a Scouting pilgrimage with their trip to Philmont, the Boy Scouts of America's premier high-adventure camp - the top camp of the largest youth organization in the United States.