“Cool Outings” will be a regular feature of Northwest News. It is meant to share fun, interesting, or unusual events with our entire council family. If you'd like to share your “Cool Outings”, please contact marketing@nwsc.org. Cool Outings! Head West Young Man! Seldom does one get a chance to eat lunch at 13-thousand feet under the watchful eyes of a herd of mountain sheep! That’s one of an abundance of memories that the boys of Troop 335 in Palatine brought home from a big adventure out west last summer. Undaunted when they couldn’t get into Philmont, Troop leaders fashioned their own high adventure extravaganza – 14 days of backpacking, whitewater rafting, and touring in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. Get a taste of this travel menu: An overnight at Peterson Air Force Base near Colorado Springs along with visits to the Garden of the Gods, the “Flying W” ranch and Pike’s Peak – all in 24 hours! The troop then took a “breather” with two days of guided raft trips on the upper and lower sections of the Arkansas River – including Class V rapids through the Royal Gorge. Among its overnights, the troop stayed at two different Scout camps in Colorado – San Isabel and Spanish Peaks Scout ranch where the Santa Fe Council runs a backpacking program that it claims is tougher than Philmont. The five boys and four adults of 335 backpacked for 50-miles in the spectacularly beautiful Spanish Peaks Wilderness area. Conquering West Spanish Peak at 13,654 feet was but part of the challenge. While up at high altitude, the hikers had to weather an eight hour rain and lightning storm along with two hours of hail. You need not tell these high adventurers the importance of “being prepared”! They came home exhausted, but exhilarated, and filled with memories that will last a lifetime! If you’d like a taste of Troop 335’s Cool Outing, contact Ron Schagrin of Troop 335 in Palatine.