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Maui Eagle Scout first to earn High Adventure Triple Crown

Eagle Scout Christopher M. Baker, son of Bobby and Julie Baker of Kula, recently returned from serving as a member of a Northern Tier High Adventure Base crew in northern Minnesota and Canada. His completion of this 11-day canoe adventure qualifies Baker to be the first Boy Scout in the 102-year history of the Maui County Council of Boy Scouts of America to earn the Triple Crown Award, signifying his completion of a program at each of the BSA’s three High Adventure bases in the United States.

“I’m excited to be receiving the Triple Crown and honored to be the first in my troop (Troop 100) and in the Maui County Council of BSA to do so. I look forward to sharing my experiences and hope it will motivate more Scouts to earn this award,” said Baker.

Baker’s recent wilderness adventure began June 16 as a member of the Order of the Arrow Canadian Odyssey Crew. The crew of seven Scouts and two adult foremen shared three canoes, which carried all of their gear plus all of their food for the full trip.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (northern Minnesota) and Atikaki Provincial Park of Manitoba covers almost 6 million acres of canoe-access only wilderness. Though most of the 120 miles covered was by paddling, the crew also had to endure 20 portages (carrying the loaded canoes over land). By paddling more than 100 miles in a canoe, Baker has also received the “100 Miler Award.” Founded in 1923, Northern Tier is BSA’s oldest national High Adventure program.

Baker served as a crew member at the Florida Sea Base in 2011 with a Boy Scout troop from Louisville, Ky. This adventure included learning hands-on sailing in a schooner throughout the Florida Keys.

In 2012, Baker completed a trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico. Philmont is BSA’s second-oldest High Adventure base and covers more than 214 square miles of rugged terrain.

The crew from Maui, led by Scoutmaster Fred Ventura of Maui Troop 49, trekked a total of 74 miles in 10 days carrying all gear and food (and sometimes water) for several days at a time. Baker and the crew hiked to the top of Black Mountain (10,878 feet) during their trek. Their itinerary included stops at camps offering activities such as black-powder rifle shooting, rock climbing and rapelling and blacksmithing.

“Chris is an exceptional leader and a true Eagle Scout. Having him on the crew was essential to making the trip as amazing as it was,” said Nate Newsome, his Northern Tier foreman.

Baker is a founding member of Troop 100, which is chartered by Waipuna Chapel in Kula.

Baker has attended Seabury Hall the last six years and will be attending the Army and Navy Academy of Carlsbad, Calif., for his senior year.

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