Philmont Expedition 727-E1-1994 – Troop 118, Cornwall, NY

Disclaimers and Introductions

What follows is a more or less accurate account of Philmont Expedition 727-E1-1994, crewed by a group from Hudson-Delaware Council Troop 118. It’s been 25 years, so some details have faded from my memory. But between my photographs (from a cheap 35mm camera prone to jamming and a single-use panoramic camera that did not survive the trip unscathed) and my notes from the trip, I should be able to reconstruct the events with some degree of accuracy. I have not consulted with anyone else mentioned in this story and will note whenever possible where there is some uncertainty. Events have not been embellished for effect or fabricated to fit a narrative. Unnecessary or unclear details have been omitted to avoid confusion or errors. Opinions and recollections are entirely my own and are filtered through my personal biases, documented here as best I can.

This is the true story of nine people going for a hike in one of the most challenging environments BSA has to offer, Philmont Scout Ranch. Tens of thousands of people make similar trips every year; this story is not particularly unique or notable. There will be no movie made of these events, there are no shocking twists or cinematic action sequences. It’s literally a bunch of people walking in the woods. There is danger at every turn and there are frequent reminders of mortality and the consequence of human error. But everyone made it back alive and unharmed.

Pre-Departure: Background / Preparation
25 July 1994: Now you see it… / Day -2: Flying Away
26 July 1994: Pizza Problems / Day -1: In the Clouds
27 July 1994: On the Rocks / Day 0: Calm Before the Storms
28 July 1994: Friendly Fire / Day 1: Hitting the Ground
29 July 1994: March Madness / Day 2: Ashes to Ice
30 July 1994: Delayed Gratification / Day 3: A New Beginning
31 July 1994: Rain and Shine / Day 4: Best laid plans…
1 August 1994: Man(hunt) Up / Day 5: Midnight Horse at Clarks Fork
2 August 1994: Tower Inferno / Day 6: Highway to Nowhere
3 August 1994: Trails and Tribulations / Day 7: Hump Day
4 August 1994: Spiked, Set, Bumped / Day 8: Eve of Baldy
5 August 1994: A Hike Up Schunemunk / Day 9: Baldy
6 August 1994: Growing Pains / Day 10: Burros and Spar Poles and Bears
7 August 1994: Everything Falls Apart / Day 11: Finish Line
8 August 1994: Have Canoe, Will Paddle / Day +1: Along for the Ride
9 August 1994: Day +2: Homecoming / Aftermath

Cast of Characters

Our story has a central cast of nine plus one and several supporting characters who factor in outside the main story. The names have not been changed because there was no need to.

Front Row:

Billy – Second of four sons of one of our Assistant Scoutmasters, Billy had deep ties to the troop. Prone to playing the comic relief role, he nonetheless was competent and reliable. He played acting Assistant Patrol Leader to my acting Patrol Leader when our official Patrol Leader was (frequently) absent during my second year with the troop. We both served on our council’s Junior Leader Training staff in 1992 and 1993; he took on the role of quartermaster in 1993. He also held office in our OA lodge.

Ron – Our Scoutmaster and the father of three sons, all Eagle Scouts by the time of the trek. Ron had a natural talent at getting cooperation from those around him without coming off as bossy. He always put the kids in the troop in a position to succeed but would not hesitate to step in when necessary.

Mike – Mike was our assigned Philmont Ranger for the trek. He got us ready at base camp and then spent the first two days on the trail teaching us how to follow the rules and stay safe. On the third day, he departed for parts unknown, taking several of our troubles with him.

Dan – I never knew Dan very well. He was in the next wave of junior leaders after me and our paths never crossed in patrols.

Keith – Keith and I never seemed to get along. We were rival Patrol Leaders from summer camp in 1991 to summer camp in 1992 and then faced off as rivals for Senior Patrol Leader twice after that, with both of us losing in 1992 and Keith coming out on top in 1993. We also both took part in preparations to be on our council’s Junior Leader Training staff in 1992, but he didn’t show up for the actual training for unknown reasons.

Back Row:

Matt – That’s me. Largely unremarkable, I spent years longing to join the Boy Scouts as my father and older brother took part in all the activities it had to offer. My brother went to Philmont in 1988 while my parents were on vacation and I was stuck with my grandmother (while still responsible for taking care of everything at home). Six years later, I finally got a chance to experience Philmont myself.

Sean – Along with Keith, he crossed over from Cub Scouts a few months after I joined the troop. Though I didn’t know him particularly well, we got along well enough after being tentmates at summer camp in 1990. He would also be my tentmate during the trek.

Joe – Ron’s oldest son and an Assistant Scoutmaster in the troop. He was bigger and stronger than just about anyone, but he was also one of the friendliest and most welcoming people I encountered when I joined the troop.

Travis – Travis was a bit of an odd one, somewhat obsessed with all things military in a completely non-threatening way, if that makes any sense. He was in my patrol at summer camp in 1991 (I think) and also served on our council’s Junior Leader Training Staff in 1992.

Tom – Keith’s father and a member of the troop committee. Despite not holding a uniformed position, he was always willing to lend a hand whenever it was needed. He had a knack for pointing out photo ops, sometimes at inopportune times.

Not Appearing on the Trek

Ronnie – Ron’s youngest son and my Patrol Leader during my first year at summer camp and the following year. He never took things too seriously and had no interest in Philmont, suggesting the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base as an alternative. He made Eagle alongside Neil.

Neil – Billy’s older brother. The more serious alternative to Ronnie, Neil wasn’t as popular with the Scouts. Still, he was generally well-liked and respected. He made Eagle alongside Ronnie.

John – My first Assistant Patrol Leader, John would be elected Senior Patrol Leader in 1992 and serve as an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in 1993. Unlike most of the other kids mentioned here, we went to the same high school, though he was in the grade behind me. He was on our council’s Junior Leader Training Staff in 1992 and 1993, serving as a Patrol Councilor in 1993.

Lee – My tentmate at the 1993 National Boy Scout Jamboree. He also held office in our OA lodge. We also went to the same high school, though he was two grades behind me.

Billy, Keith, John, Lee, and I all received the rank of Eagle Scout together at a court of honor in 1996.

Josh – My tentmate during my first year at summer camp, we would frequently set up our tents next to each other on campouts to minimize the tripping hazard from guy lines. I have no memories of him after mid-1992 but found his name still on the roster in 1994.

Not in Troop 118

My Brother – Several years older, my brother was just finishing his time as a Scout when I was starting. He was a member of Troop 258 and finished at the rank of Star despite practically running the troop in his final years. His Scouting experience is what I modeled mine on.

My Father – His only youth Scouting experience was as a Cub Scout, but my father was involved as an adult in Troop 17 and Troop 258.