People Finder
Scouts at the summit
NEW HEIGHTS Aditya Mandke, a sophomore at Stratford High School, has been part of Scouts for the last five years. He is currently a Life Scout in Troop 642. This summer, his troop went to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. They summited seven named peaks and participated in activities such as spar pole climbing and tomahawk throwing.
Challenging experiences were once a core part of being human. Today, surrounded by modern comforts, it’s easy to forget what it means to push yourself to the limit. I rediscovered that feeling on a 12-day, 65-mile trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
My journey began last September with months of preparation: learning skills such as first aid, packing and carrying a backpack weighing over 50 pounds, and team building through practice hikes. In July, we arrived at base camp. We spent a day acclimatizing to the altitude, during which we undertook a conservation project of planting about 200 trees to promote the beaver population. Before setting out, a Philmont Ranger taught us key wilderness survival skills.
Even though I had prior hiking experience, nothing could have prepared me for what lay ahead. Each day presented different challenges, from steep hiking routes to weather turning on a dime. I loved watching the clouds roll in the sky and trees sway on high peaks to predict the storms, so the crew appointed me the “Weather Oracle.”
Our days started early with 3-4 miles of hike across ridgeline, valleys, ankle-deep streams, and charred forest. Upon reaching the campsite, we set up our tents, participated in tomahawk throwing, horseback riding, rappelling, and spar pole climbing. After cooking dinner and cleaning, we reflected on the day – the highs and lows, and what we were looking forward to. At first, I doubted whether I could finish the hike. But there was no turning back. I was determined to overcome the challenges. With that determination, surprisingly, the later days became easier. I began to understand and enjoy what Philmont truly was about.
During our trek, we summited Mt. Phillips, the highest point of our trek, at 11,736 feet. We also had a 15-mile day, during which we bouldered up the Tooth of Time. We were all elated after completing the hike. I knew I only finished due to persistence.
Philmont changed how I approach challenges, physical or otherwise. If I’m ever in difficult situations, I remember the climb up Mt. Phillips and all the other scary, exhausting, and seemingly impossible things I did. Survival may no longer be my daily struggle, but Philmont gave me back a taste of it – and with it, a deeper respect for what it means to live fully.
Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to [email protected].
Want more buzz like this? Sign up for our Morning Buzz emails.
To leave a comment, please log in or create an account with The Buzz Magazines, Disqus, Facebook, or Twitter. Or you may post as a guest.
