Local boy scout troop takes on rare adventure

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. John Cinnamon
  • 86th Flying Training Squadron commander
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Laughlin Boy Scout Troop, Troop 280, recently returned from a rare opportunity to hike the Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Cimarron, N.M.

The 12-day trek covered more than 70 miles of rugged terrain and over 22,000 feet of elevation change. The nine-member crew brought together many elements of the local Del Rio community.

The hike challenged the crew to carry 50 pound packs full of food and gear through some of the most beautiful countryside in our nation. A Philmont trek is typically an event that each scout remembers for the rest of their lives - and Troop 280 is no exception.

The crew for the Troop 280 Philmont Trek was led by the crew leader, Eagle Scout Daniel Cinnamon and the crew advisor, Lt. Col. John Cinnamon, 86th Flying Training Squadron commander. The others on the crew included Eagle Scouts and brothers David and Andrew Garcia and Josh Kjolhede and his father, Dan, Daniel Loftus and Austin Alderete and his father, Lt. Col. Rick Alderete.

The Philmont trek offered some of the activities that Troop 280 participates in regularly like hiking, camping, rock climbing and horseback riding as well as some opportunities that the scouts don't get very often, such as hiking with a burro for a couple days, using bear attack prevention techniques, spar pole climbing, blacksmithing and tomahawk throwing.

Many of the days consisted of getting up with the sunrise, packing out and hiking and navigating seven to 10 miles to a camp with some organized activity and making camp for the night. Troop 280 enjoyed good weather for most of the trek, but did get several opportunities to hike and camp in driving rain and thunderstorms.

Attending Philmont was the result of a two-year planning effort and the invaluable support of Laughlin base leadership and the local community. The scouts of Troop 280 will not soon forget the amazing views from the top of Mount Baldy, which has an elevation of 12,441 feet, or the enjoyment of being out in the pristine mountains for such an extended hike.

Troop 280 meets Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Chapel Fellowship Hall and is always looking for new base-affiliated members.