The crew, on the peak of Mount Phillips, from left are Ross K, Doug K, Bill O, Don W, Billy O, Jake W, crew leader Stephen F, Andrew F, Ankur M and advisor Mike F.
The beautiful but rugged mountains of northeastern New Mexico were full of wildlife -- mule deer, elk, bears and rattlesnakes.
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The northern section of the camp was closed due to forest fires, but 11 Boy Scouts and eight adult advisers from Oconee County stayed right in the midst of this wild country as they completed an 11-day backpacking trek into the untamed country.
Boy Scout Troop 149, sponsored by Friendship Presbyterian Church, journeyed to New Mexico to hike at a scouting adventure camp called Philmont, comprised of more than 214 square miles near the city of Cimarron. The scouts hiked more than 50 miles over the rugged terrain, including climbing more than 10,200 feet in elevation.
The scouts divided into two crews and used compasses to navigate the mountain trails. They camped at places such as Rayado River, Urraca Mesa, Crater Lake, Fish Camp, Bear Canyon, Wild Horse, Commanche Peak, Upper Sawmill, Hunting Lodge, and Tooth Ridge Camp.
They participated in programs about Indian life, fishing and fly tying, rock climbing, rappelling, 3D archery, 30.06 rifle shooting and spar pole climbing.
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They tested the skills they had learned as scouts. One morning, they awoke in a severe lightning storm with hail. They broke camp in a lull, then the storm intensified and they had to spread out and hug the ground to decrease the danger of a lightning strike.
On another evening, the crews had an emergency evacuation when a forest fire was mile away from camp.
The scouts had to break camp in 15 minutes and hike three miles at a fast pace in the dark.
The fire was contained and scouts were allowed to return to the area to complete their trek the next morning.
To prepare for their New Mexico adventure, the scouts hiked the entire Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail during five weekends. The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club recognized their accomplishment with a ''Thru Hiker'' award.
On the Appalachian Trail, the scouts practiced first aid, cooking dehydrated food, purifying water and dealing with elements.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, August 14, 2002.