Philmont

Last summer, I got the oppurtunity to go to New Mexico with my troop for a 12 day hiking trip. There were 10 of us in all (a couple in Kreiger's classes), and we spent one week in Colorado and about two in New M. I knew it was going to be a the most diffulcult thing that I've ever done, but thats what I like to do, challenge myself. It was honestly a trip of a lifetime. Its so different out there then it is here in New York. The land is different and the air is alot drier. The first couple of days into the hike, we kind of took it easy and got used to the cooking and other stuff like purifying our water. We were seriously out in the middle of no where. It was cool though, you were able to hear the animals and the wind and just use the moon as light. The next few days were pretty sweet, but a challenge. The seventh day, we had to climb this huge mountain, Mt. Phillips (14,000 ft.). But it was the best feeling when we got to the top. We were above the tree line so you could see anything. There was even a fighter jet that flew over (Air force acadamy was like 100 miles away). Before this mountain, at times I told myself, "I cant wait until this damn hike is over". But that was soon to change. I think it was the tenth day or something, we climbed the top of this huge rock called cathedral rock and when I looked at the view, something hit me. It was a feeling telling me, "damn colin, enjoy this moment, its one of a few". It was amazing. You could literally see for hundreds of miles. After this, I didn't want this hike to end. The last night, we slept near this mountain (basically rock) called "the tooth of time". This was a sign that santa fe was two weeks away or something in the 1800's. Anyways, some of us got up at 3 and watch a meteor shower. I remember laying there just looking up at the stars and watching them fall. Its cool just to look at how many they are how its possible. The stars are the one thing that I remember most. The next morning, we got up at 5 to go to the top and watch the sunrise from the "tooth". It was honestly the most amzing thing I ever saw. Sitting on the edge of this huge rock looking out hundreds of miles just looking at the sunrise. If you get the oppurtunity to do something challenging, do it, because theres something at the end that will reward you.