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Nice hike!

1977 - Crew 1979 - Crew leader 1980 - Rayado 1981 - CHQ staff 1982 - Baldy staff 1984 - French Henry staff Needless to say when I did this, there was no such thing as taking video cameras up there. I am grateful that you did. I went to the summit every year, and twice in 1982. Having suffered a heart attack in 2015, I would never make it today. This is the pinnacle of your scouting career; only the best of the best. Edit later - start watching @ 25:00

Can you answer a question for me?

Hey, I’m a singer songwriter who wrote a song inspired by my time at philmont a few years ago. Could I use some of your footage in a music video? My email is in my channel profile. Thanks!

I got engaged there - 10 years ago - it was a total surprise :) Hiked to the peak of Stoney Man right before the sun came up - sat down on the rocks to enjoy the view. My husband (my boyfriend at the time) tapped me on the shoulder - he had a ring and he asked me to marry him there. We need to go back :)

I'm going next month, this video is perfect inspiration 🎉

I was at Philmont in 1955 in what was called a "wagon train" for 3 weeks. We hiked the whole ranch at that time. Sure does look different now.

I want to do this trail but me and my buddy are a little confused. Where do you park and start? Is the trail a round trip or do you have to go back from where you started?

Great video. Really captures the scene from there. Have hiked out of Scales many times but I always fail to take photos/vidoes. You guys did great!

It is beautiful from up there. I hiked it a few years back. New sub here.....nicely done!

Great captures. I hadnt considered a moon ascent. Thx

a legend was born

I was getting ready to brag on this group big-time for the absence of profanity…then the hail storm happened and my hopes were dashed. Other than that, I enjoyed your adventure. I realize it is rare indeed to be around young people, and basically almost everyone without hearing profanity, so I was so impressed. The narrator was almost absent of it, and I do appreciate that. Congratulations on your ascent!

Mark, I'm betting we're not your typical viewer but I just had to subscribe to say thanks for the attitude of gratefulness and awe as you hike and share your experiences. We're old enough to be your grandparents but share your love for nature and hope you keep that sense of amazement and awe and continue to hike and share. -Owen and Lynn

Yes. I was at baldy skyline last summer. Red roofs were so bad-flies everywhere lol

Crazy weather everywhere

awesome video! so cool to see this in May. I love the snow

I was there for that blizzard but stayed at the bottom of the mountain. I did go up to the top a couple of times and remember it was a heavy wet snow but the worst part was the wind.

8 pm is hiker midnight. If you were a thru hiker you might understand. But normally weekend warriors don’t experience it but once you hike many miles day after say bedtime comes earlier and earlier lol especially when hikers wanna be up at crack of dawn to get miles in.

Hey Mark! I went to philmont in 2021 as well, as part of 730-7C, on itinerary 7-17 (or so it was at that time), and we reached the top of Baldy coming from Black Horse Mine for my older brother's 18th birthday celebration on August 4th. In the hours following we received TONS of hail, which was a trend for our whole trek. Never a boring moment with the weather that trip, but it was a good time. More recently, in 2023, I was a member of 608-7C, on itinerary 7-6. The weather on that trip was PERFECT. We got a little bit of rain heading towards Ponil on day 1, and on/off rain and hail our FIRST night at Baldy Town (we stayed there for 2 nights), but it wasn't terrible, and dried quickly. We were not only the first crew in Baldy Town, but also the first crew to summit Baldy for the season. The weather on summit day was absolutely blissful. We also got to nickname the conservation crew's mascot at Sioux Camp, which was quite fun. Following that trek, also in 2023, I was a member of Rayado crew 620-RM6. That was the hardest trek of my life, but my crew and our experiences made it all worth-while. We got hailed on between Comanche and Mt. Phillips (our only weather event the whole trek luckily), and we climbed Baldy at Sunrise, among other things. Rayado is an experience I recommend to all who love Philmont, because it will change your life. Thank you for letting me relive some of that, even if it was only last year. This year I am returning to Philmont for a 4th time (all before I turn 18!) to do OA Trail Crew. I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for me.

What cameras did you use

why didn't you eat all the snow it has to be used for something

Climbing Baldy never gets old. If you get the chance in the future, consider sunrising the mountain. You might have to get up at 1-2 in the morning, but it's worth it for that amazing view. I climbed it twice, and sunrising it the second time was beautiful (we full packed it though, so it was painful, would not recommend that). Can't wait to climb it a third time this summer! Edit: That is the death trail/goat trail. I remember seeing some French Henry staffers running up to that trail after we heard that there were hikers at the top right before a rainstorm.

Hiked to the lodge in 2002 +/- on the last weekend in March & all roads were closed except part of the Cherokee Orchard Road. We hiked up the Rainbow Falls Trail & down Bullhead the next day. It was snowing when we started the hike & there was 8" @ the lodge. It was cold, but if you dress for the cold it isn't so bad. This video brings back memories. Nothing like hiking to the lodge in the snow. Thanks for the video.

What kind of equipment did you bring to record? How did you facilitate keeping batteries full?

5:17 Man i wish i couldve gone this year but next year i want to fs

Thank you for sharing your adventure. Well done!

Beautiful footage my friend! Leconte is truly the king peak of the smokies! ❤

AWESOME!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!! 😮😮😮😮❤❤❤❤

I worked there in '96, '97 and '98 as a trail crew foreman, ranger and training ranger. Lead a Rayado crew during the second session of 1997. This video brought back lots of good memories. Thanks!

Great videos Mark.

What a great documentary on Philmont...Awesome! I did a trek years ago in 1976...we climbed Baldy, brought back such great memories. Thanks for the memories! Bill from Texas troop 137

You guys rock! Beautiful!

Congratulations on topping Baldy! Thanks for bringing back great memories for this OLD scout. I was lucky enough to make the climb twice. The first was when I was 14 in 1967 and the last was in 1971 at 18. I was so lucky to see the world laid out at my feet! Seeing your video was wonderful and our reaction wasthe same! It will be a memory you will NEVER forget! You have brought a huge smile to the face of a 70 year old man.

Very nice vid. I live 4.5 miles to the east of Sharp Top.

Insnae WALLPAPER FOR LIFE

Any info on that house?

Nicely done Mark! I've section-hike the AT from Springer Mtn to Caledonia State Park in PA. When we hiked the section near Marion, we stayed at Hungry Mother State Park. For some reason, I've not heard of this area. However, thanks to you, I now know and hope to visit it one day. God Bless!

Hi Mark. Interesting to see these old buildings. Will look forward to being there one day. Thanks for the great hiking video. God Bless!

Hi Mark. First time viewer, an avid hiker age 70. Always enjoy good hiking videos and enjoyed yours. Have subscribed and will look at others. I am impressed with your video production, appreciate your mainly showing what the trail and area looks like (some mostly show themself talking). Also impressed with your association with the Boy Scouts, at what rank are you? As info, I've section hiked the AT from Springer Mtn, GA to Caledonia State Park, PA, and have documented those sections on my channel. So, I've seen this area, but did not take the time to hike up the Peaks of Otter. You've inspired me to do so one day with my oldest grandson (age 24) who also hikes with me. Keep up the great work, and God Bless!

We just went to Philmont last month, It was a great experience. It is neat to see how other people got there, some took planes some of us drove for 2 days. Fantastic video

Very good job on this. I went to Philmont first time in 1970, this brings back many memories. Waking g up on Tooth of time ridge and about 40 deer standing around. The sound of the wind in the trees. Crossing a wide open space trying to beat a storm. The food has changed. We had to cook Dehydrated food on camp fires. Only meal we did not cook was lunch. It was tuna fish. That looked like saw dust until til you added water. We were issued miner tents canvas. Remember there being snow on Baldy and the benchmark marking the elevation. Thanks.

Thank you for refreshing my memories of 49 years ago! I think all these young men will be successful in life. Remember the 12 Points especially the 12th one. They have served me well Don

Storm chasing has been on my bucket from the day I got sick. And it took off from there.

Wow just found your videos. Im not familiar with VA mountains yet, but I'm getting to know them more this Spring. I also have a HUGE passion for sunrises on mountains... and weather... and also that song is one of my all time favorites!

I went to whip mint twice and my first one was the same as y’all’s we had the campsite across that river it was just as high as that and we had a few guys fall in

I am going to the 2023 National jamboree and this video gets me so hyped up

Well done! Your video makes Philmont look beautiful better than any others I have seen. I can't wait for my trek in June.

We were 2 days behind you. 716-L-02. Thanks for sharing

Good job, heading there in a couple weeks. Thanks for sharing! Liked and subbed, will check out more.