St. James's Eagle Scout Takes on 90 Miles in the Wilderness of New Mexico

Written By: Lauren Hickey

In the summer of 2023, Nicholas Colao, who is an electrical engineering student of 19 years of age from Stony Brook University, Saint James, New York, completed a 90-mile bold journey across New Mexico. One of my friends, the Eagle Scout, was the one who, though he was very young, showed his full strength. The eco-journey and the ability to survive the life-threatening situation were the real proof of his potential, and they not only made him grow up but also made him achieve the impossible task.

Long before we both graduated from Smithtown East High School, Nicholas and I did many fun things together, like bike riding, traveling together, and so much more. Now an electrical engineering student at Stony Brook University and an Eagle Scout at the age of 19, Nicholas conducted a trip full of daring that lasted for two weeks in the summer of 2023 to traverse a 90-mile terrain in the various wilderness of New Mexico. His journey inside the slot canyons of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks and his visit to Baldy Mountain were his way of proving his toughness, scouting proficiency, and seeking peace beyond his hard school life.

Accompanied by his father, younger brother, and Scout troop, Nicholas considered the challenge as an opportunity to take the lead and to strengthen the bonds that had been established for many years through shared adventures. The troupe embarked on rugged trails in the Gila National Forest, slept overnight among the ruins of Chaco Culture, and conquered the cruel ascent of Baldy Mountain’s 12,441-foot peak at Philmont Scout Ranch. "It was an unforgettable moment while we were standing on Baldy with our family and troop," Nicholas stated, explaining how they conquered steep switchbacks and celebrated with high-fives at the summit. Yet, not only did this trip evaluate their physical endurance but also uplifted their emotional connection, since his father recalled scouting events from his childhood and his brother motivated new Scouts by being genuinely enthusiastic, consequently, the journey became a great combination of three things: family, leadership, and wilderness exploration.

In his capacity as an Eagle Scout, Nicholas was quite familiar with nature; however, on this particular occasion, he had a unique opportunity to offer guidance and coalesce with his family and troop. "Scouting makes it possible for me to find my way and plan a trip, but when I do this with my father, brother, and troop, I make it personal," he explained. As a group, they established a schedule that covered various terrains from Carson National Forest to Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico and the one that expectedly wound up at Philmont Scout Ranch, which is perhaps the finest place for a Scout. Their adventure was focused on Baldy Mountain, which is the steepest and is historically tied to gold mining, and the teamwork and determination that were the requirements to reach the goal.

Preparation was done as a team with Nicholas effectively preparing the scouts by getting the right equipment, food, and water for the 12-person troop, his father, and his younger brother. Their tents were lightweight, they had water purification systems, and they referred to maps from AllTrails and Philmont's resources to mark their 90-mile route. "I'm a person who loves solving problems, especially with my engineering major," Nicholas stated. "Planning of daily journey and water stations for the group was like solving a puzzle in a circuit-everything had to connect." The clogging of a filter in the Gila Wilderness was one of the problems, but the group's unity and their ability to solve the problem helped them to make progress along the route.

The journey was eventful with some really great experiences, like going on the trek through Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks. There, the team was quite astounded by the volcanic rock formations. "The slot canyons were like a maze from another planet," Nicholas recalled. “We were all so amazed, it was a feeling of traveling through them together.” Safety was the most important aspect, especially with the flash flood risks of New Mexico, like the 2015 tragedy at Philmont. The group checked weather reports and avoided low-lying campsites. On a dark, stormy night, in Carson National Forest, Nicholas and his father, who were the first to respond, were the ones to move the group to a place with a higher elevation, and saved everyone when the rain came quickly and unexpectedly.

The unmistakable brightest moment of the adventure was when the group succeeded in their climb to the top of the 12,441-foot Baldy Mountain, really a challenge uphill through rocky switchbacks. The mountaineering was the most challenging and demanding moment of the journey, as the scouts succeeded in demonstrating excellent performance and working together most closely with their peers. "Baldy's summit was like a dream come true," Nicholas exclaimed. "Despite being exhausted, I was happy to experience this view and accomplishment with my dad, my brother, and my troop, witnessing the scenery of the Rockies and feeling like we were a worldwide victor." The group enjoyed giving high-fives and taking photos, thus the bond was established and made stronger through the win shared.

The journey to the top of Baldy Mountain was a physical feat for Nicholas, and at the same time, it made the relationship between him, his family, and his troop stronger. On the peak, they talked about their experiences and joked about their sore feet. "Going up there with my dad and brother was not just a hike," Nicholas reminisced, "It was like, you know, it's family love for the adventure which we are passing through the generations." The solidarity of the scout group was evident. He influenced the young Scouts who would like to be leaders like him, a quality he intends to maintain in his working life as an engineer.

At Chaco Culture, the group stayed at Gallo Campground while they were looking around old ruins that link them to New Mexico’s past. The 90 miles they ventured in total left Nicholas quietly impressed. “This made me understand how much people together can do,” he said. Upon returning to Stony Brook, he is utilizing the said teamwork for group projects, as he is also planning other adventures, possibly the Continental Divide Trail. In this Saint James Eagle Scout's case, Baldy Mountain was more than just a summit— it was a symbol of family, friendship, and the timeless lessons of the wilderness.