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Return to Philmont: Introduction to Backpacking

April 9, 2024April 6, 2024 by Ken Newquist

The borders are red and white tent material. At the center is a view of blue sky and pine trees, as seen from inside the tent.

March 2024 saw us hit the trail with an “introduction to backpacking” trek to New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest as part of our upcoming return to Philmont. It’s our traditional starter trek, which is meant to introduce new scouts and leaders to backpacking. It also gives more experienced scouters an opportunity to get out their … Read more

Returning to Philmont

April 11, 2024March 30, 2024 by Ken Newquist

A distant mountain range with blue skies competing with massive clouds.

It’s official: my son and I are returning to Philmont. We first went in July 2021, during a lull in one of the pandemic’s many viral waves. We were out west for 14 days; two days acclimating to the climate in Colorado Springs and then 12 days on the trail in the mountainous desert of New … Read more