Scouts hike 70 miles in New Mexico

East Brunswick Boy Scouts and adult leaders are pictured at the exact moment they completed their 12-day journey through the New Mexico mountains. From left are Stephen Markel, Mike Marcel, Kyle Ryan, Tim Molyneux, Jeff Newman, Colin Joyce, Vincent Buccigrossi, Anthony Buccigrossi Sr., Anthony Buccigrossi, Jaison Suprina and Darren Suprina.

EAST BRUNSWICK - It was easily the "high point" of the summer for 11 township residents.

The group, including Boy Scouts and adults from troops 223 and 252, spent 12 days trekking through the back country of New Mexico at Philmont Scout Ranch. Led by crew member Jeffrey Newman, they hiked nearly 70 miles, traversing paths of varying terrain at elevations ranging from 6,000 to nearly 12,000 feet, according to the adult leader of the trek team, Anthony Buccigrossi. The crew reached its highest point at the apex of Mount Philips, which is 11,711 feet.

On day 11, the group climbed the Tooth of Time, one of the more famous icons of Philmont, which is located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico.

In addition to hiking, the Scouts participated in training events and skills that included orienteering, a search-andrescue mission, fly-fishing, 3-D archery, black powder rifle, a mine tour, gold planning, blacksmithing, horseback riding and branding. They also went white-water rafting on the Rio Grande.

Of course, none of this would be easy, and the crew trained over a six-month period prior to the trip, hiking various venues, including the Battle of Monmouth Trail in Manalapan and a 22-mile section of the Appalachian Trail.