One Connecticut Scoutmaster’s journey to the top of the world started much closer to sea level.
Mark Milewski, Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster of Troop 25 in Manchester, Conn., reached the summit of Mount Everest in May, and he says Scouting gave him the character and grit he needed to get there.
“I learned a lot in Scouts that helped me on Everest,” he says. “How to persist through hardship, how to be organized and live comfortably in the outdoors, how to execute a plan from A to Z, how to lead and follow, and how to work well in teams.”
After a 50-day adventure as part of a seven-person team, Milewski reached the 29,029-foot peak at 6:10 a.m. on May 20, 2016. In a photo from the summit, he’s holding his yellow-and-green Troop 25 neckerchief.
The top of the world is a great place to reflect on life, and Milewski could look back on several highlights: earning the Arrow of Light award in Cub Scouts, crossing over into Boy Scouts, backpacking on the Appalachian Trail with Troop 25, earning the Eagle Scout award and serving as an assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster for the past 26 years.
“I’m very grateful for the experiences, lessons and friendships Scouting has provided to me over a lifetime,” Milewski said.
His climbing goals aren’t complete. He has now conquered five of the Seven Summits, which is the nickname for the highest points on each continent. He lacks Vinson Massif in Antarctica and the Carstensz Pyramid in New Guinea.
Read more about Milewski’s adventure in this Scouting Newsroom article.
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