Troop 55 High Adventures continue to move forward.

We have 20 scouts and adults headed to SeaBase in March. Final swim tests are this weekend.

We have 2 crews headed to OKPIK next January. One for Ice stay and one for cabin stay.

We will go to Bechtal Summit in 2027 for the FIRST time. We have 2 crews going. One will be doing the water adventure and the other the Summit Experience. We still have room to add a few more to both crews. Email us if you want to join us! Our goal is to fill both crews.

They have changed the requirements for the 50 Miler patch. You now need 10 service hours, in the past it was 3 hours, which you got at Philmont. We completed our 3 hours at Philmont. Last weekend, we completed the other 7 hours replacing 14 railroad ties and moving 6 others to where they should be. We were very lucky with the weather being in the 70’s and no mosquitos.

I finally had time to add my trip notes from our latest Philmont Trek. It includes day by day notes. Hope it helps other crews doing the same trek. It was a really fun trek with lots of program.

Philmont 2025 is in the books. Our 65 mile trek was 85.5 miles without a side hike to Trail Peak as the timing didn’t work out. We still hiked over 5 mountains including Phillips at 11,700+ feet, Bonito, Big Red and tooth of Time, plus 1 more. Got hailed and rained on 6 times, all at camps, never on a mountain top. They had SO much rain previous to us arriving that everything was much greener than any previous trip. Had rain on 3 different days, and hailed on 6 times.

The hike up from Clear Creek to Mount Phillips has been really improved with lots of switchbacks and is much easier than the old trek. Also, hiking from Miners to Shaefers is much easier. This was the first time in 6 treks that the spring at Shaefers was running, and not a trickle, but running fast. \

They have also improved the trail from Shaefers to Tooth of Time as well as the hike up to Tooth of Time. while not easy, it was much better than previous treks.

We have a full crew heading to Philmont in about 8 weeks. We have been out about twice a week working on hiking, learning the pack and increasing the weight and learning the socks they need. They are doing great!! Looking forward to an amazing trek!

we have started Philmont training hikes. they are doing amazing with treks over 6 miles at about 2 hours. You can’t train for the altitude, but you can do the miles.

While not everyone has been able to make each outing, we are doing the best we can. I am very impressed with how everyone has done with each hike. I was really excited after Victor showed us a new trail to hike on during our last hike. Less concrete is always a win.

The lottery is finished. We got our top pick, trek 16. Lots of program and great staff camps. Looks to be a lot of fun. Now, the serious training starts.