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August 15, 2024
CIMARRON, N.M. – Thunderstorm hit the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, where the Magpie campsite was located, overlooking the Philmont Scout Ranch base camp, providing a booming first night on the trail.
Prior to embarking on their week-and-a-half-long backpacking adventure, the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Boy Scout Troop 68 crew members attended an outdoor Mass, celebrated by Father Steven Hoffer, himself an avid outdoorsman and Philmont chaplain who leads Saint. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For this Oklahoma City-based crew, made up primarily of young Catholics, it was reassuring to have Mass in advance of their nearly week-and-a-half-long trek into the Sangre de Christo mountains. In all the crew would cover more than 80 miles, trails and side treks included.
High Adventure
Soon, the crew of 13 – nine Scouts and four adult advisors – was led from Philmont’s base camp and on the long and steady hike up to the first campsite of the trip, Magpie campsite, with the assistance of Philmont ranger and guide Chad Graham.
The wild weather on this first day and night, on a mountainside overlooking the campsite below, was memorable in that it set the tone.
From Magpie, the crew hiked southward to Urraca Mesa. It was difficult, but not impossible. The early June weather was pleasant, but the loose rock and skree on the hike down the south side of the mesa was treacherous in spots.
Making it to the next campsite at Abreu on Rayado Creek was a relief, as the site had a canteen with snacks and Mug Root Beer in frosted cups.
From Abreu, the crew made their way uphill to Fish Camp, where the fishing was said to be terrific. This was the site of Tulsa oilman Waite Phillips’ fishing camp away from Philmont base camp where his home-away-from-home was located.
Over the next few days, hiking over the western side of the scout ranch, Troop 68 would pop into Apache Springs – a beautiful and bucolic campsite, Crooked Creek, Wild Horse Camp and Clear Creek before heading back east towards base camp. These were the days that would have the crew stop for Mexican and chuckwagon dinners at camps along the long and winding trail.
Philmont offered plenty of activities along the way, from rock climbing to horseback riding to learning about the frontier way of life, as it was when Philmont founder Waite Phillips called this ranch home.
Making memories
Amanda Wendelken, whose son William is a scout, was one of the adult advisors. She had never been on a scouting high adventure before.
“It was awesome,” she said. “It was a great experience and there is a lot to think about.”
“I enjoyed Fish Camp,” William said, noting that a rough day for him was hiking to the top of Mount Phillips, the highest point in the southern part of the Scout ranch, without a rain jacket at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level and unexpectedly cold for an early summer rainstorm.
Still, William came out of the experience just fine. All the scouts would, save for two who endured brief foot-related injuries before returning to the trail a few days after some time at the base camp infirmary.
Yet these were temporary situations. For the most part, the rhythm of the trail worked its magic on Troop 68 and some of the younger scouts – like 14-year-old Prosper Clark – were in the lead, as the adults trailed behind.
This writer was on the trail with his 16-year-old son Maxwell Griffin. As the troop chaplain’s aide, it was his job to lead grace before meals and to read inspiring words from Catholic literature while on the trail.
“We had some spiritual moments on the trail,” Maxwell said. “I learned a lot of things about the troop from a spiritual perspective and hearing their opinions and perspectives on life and scouting.”
Troop 68 Assistant Scoutmaster Mark Matalik, who has led other high adventures with this troop, had led scouts before at Philmont and was eager to return this summer.
“I enjoy seeing how the youth grow over the trip,” Matalik said. “How much more mature they get, how many skills they get and you get to watch it. I think we appreciate it more because we see it happen. Plus being one with nature … and they youth are in charge out there.
“I wanted to spend some time with my son (Luke). This was the first time he was eligible, so that was cool.”
This fall, Troop 68 will nail down which high adventure they will tackle in the summer of 2025. Will it be Northern Tier in the Boundary Waters along the U.S.-Canada border? Will it be Sea Base off the Florida Keys? Or maybe Swamp Base down around Lafayette, Louisiana? Too early to tell, but in all likelihood, it will be a memorable adventure.
Andrew W. Griffin is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photos Andrew W. Griffin/Sooner Catholic.