By Cole Stinson, Boy Scout, Gorham Troop 73

Over the last year and a half, a crew from Gorham Boy Scout Troop 73 has been preparing for a 9-day backpacking trip at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. The crew recently completed its fourth prep hike in the Mahoosuc Range to prepare for this trip. The boys have been working out and preparing physically for this trip in order to tackle the 12,000-ft. peaks at Philmont.

On Memorial Day weekend, the crew went to Shelburne, New Hampshire, and hiked part of the Mahoosuc Range where they covered about 16 miles and 3,800 ft. of elevation gain. The trail presented many challenges such as iron rungs, wooden ladders, and a few scrambles up and down boulders.

In addition to the challenging aspects of the trip, the crew had fun exploring a cave at the Gentian Pond campsite and relaxing in the shelters where they stayed both nights. On the day that the crew summited Mount Success, they encountered hail and winds exceeding 30 miles per hour.

With the trip to Philmont less than a month away, plans are being finalized to prepare for the trip of a lifetime.