Philmont Crew 704-F summary

Select image above to see pictures!

We were on the trail for 11 days on Philmont trek 29. We hiked over 85 miles in rugged terrain at elevations from 6,000' to 12,441'. I made this trek with the grace of our father. I had a temporary crown on my tooth with a pulled hamstring and calf. While I spent as much time laying on the ground as hiking, I persevered. An amazing God!

Day 1 - Friday, July 3
After 2 years of planning and preparation, we are on our way to backpack 80 miles in New Mexico for two weeks. Getting ready to unplug the phone, email, media,...We made it to Denver and drove to Pike Peek's train depot. Rode the train the summit (14,000') Very cool ride....history, ponderosa and alpine trees, and breath taking Vista's. We actually saw the mountains that we would hiking at Philmont. It was 43 (38 with wind chill) degrees at the summit. We even got some hail while at the top. The boys had a small snow fight and enjoyed some doughnuts. Finished the day with dinner at the Ultimate Buffet on Bloomington Avenue in an outlet mall in Colorado Springs. We slept at HEARTLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF COLORADO SPRINGS' gym. The boys played a little basketball that evening. Lights out...
Day 2(1) - Saturday, July 4
Breakfast at McDonalds and off to the ranch. Lots of paper work and logistics. Checked into tent city. Attended Chapel and opening campfire. Picked up lots of food from base camp...we thought we were not going to be able to carry all of it.

Day 3(2) - Sunday, July 5
Enthusiasm - high, skills - low, procured more crew gear and took the bus to Zastro. Got a little rain and hail. The weather is truly fickle. Ranger training and hiked 2 miles to Rimrock. More training and camped. Stop by Woodbadge (Zastro). The boys attended a orienteering course. - We also stopped at Abreau and had some root beer.

Day 4(3) - Monday, July 6
5:30 wake up and hiked 7 miles to Urraca. Arrived at camp late and it was raining. We took the long route and saw some nice views. Betty's bra (Miners Park-repelling rock), Tooth of time, Urraca Mesa and the Sun rise from Urraca. One of the best I've seen. On the way from the Mesa we saw a few deer. One actually staked us. This area is know for ghost and mountain lions. Our ranger (Danika Foster from WI) gave a motivational story as we watch the sun rise. She reflected on her challenges and preservation of Philmont. It's the same trail her father hike many years ago. Preston fail on the trail and bumped his arm. We carried his pack for at least 1/2 of the trail.
Day 5(4) - Tuesday, July 7

5 O'clock wake up to hike about 13 miles. We have hiked to Shaefers point (9'900') and made it to the Tooth of Time base. Then to Clarks Fork for a very good chuck wagon meal and peach cobbler. We were too late for showers, but we will have another opportunity on Monday after the hike to Baldy.
Day 6(5) - Wednesday, July 8
We hiked at least 8 hard miles from Clarks Fork to Harlan by the way of Ute Gulch to pickup a lot of food. On the way we stopped at the hunters lodge. On the tour we got some cinnamon biscuits with honey...yummy. Phillips was know to only stay there six times with his wife. The lodge was built in 1941. It was very impressive with several interesting trophies and furniture pieces - expensive wood stove ($10k), yoke for a chandler, black bear (they are brown?)...beautiful lodge. We understand that Phillip had 15 miles of power lines run for one light bulb. The lodge is bear proof with chicken wire on the windows and extra locks on the door. We learned a lot about the animals in the area and the early days. Hunter come once a year for a fee of $10k. The hunters pay for every animal they kill, $10k for Buffalo and less for others.
Ellis discovered that that he had lost his life (our itinerary-named baseball equipment by Ellis), which we needed to get our food. Ellis, Mr. Jones, and Mr Chandler hike backed to Clarks Fork to discover they did not have the life. They did not give it back after dinner. Lilly at the Hunters lodge helped us to get a copy from HQ.
We arrived at Ute Gulch noon. We had to wait until 1PM to get our food. What a lot of food! We dumped a full dinner, part of a lunch and breakfast. The hike from Ute Gulch to Harlan was brutal on the ridge in the heat of the day. Preston had another thought day, but we made it to Harlan at 6 PM and got a site in the meadow. Site 1 was very windy. I thought my tent was going to blow away. At Harlan the boys enjoyed shot gun shooting, burro racing, and some baseball. The boys won 1st place in the burro races. The boys are doing well and are starting to form as a team.
Day 7(6) - Thursday, July 9
Matt from Harlan allow us to complete our conservation project this morning. We created a rock trench in the burro pen. This saved us at least six additional miles of hiking. We hiked 8 moderate miles from Harlan to Vista Grande. The views were breath taking. Beautiful views of the plains and North. We could see Baldy. We were hoping to eat a Philmont traditional meal but we were too late...maybe for lunch. The crew is starting to gel as a team.
Day 8(7) - Friday, July 10
We hiked about 6 miles from Vista Grande to Santa Clause. We stopped at Bears Canyon for a traditional Philmont lunch under the rock. ;-). We also washed our shirts in the cool briskly Cimarron river. What a great feeling! From the river we hiked uphill with ~1000' of elevation changes with a rather fast pace and made it to camp by 3PM. We got a great view of the South country with Urraca Mesa, Tooth of Time, Black mountain and Shaefers point. Today was a good day. The boys appear to be having fun. We discussed how we present ourselves and why Scouting is important to us. They were a little loud in camp today. They made a camp fire. We did thorns, roses, and buds as fire died down.
Day 9(8) - Saturday, July 11
We hiked 11 miles from Santa Clause to Miranda. We were up at 5:15 and on the trail by 7:30 and stopped twice in 30 min's. We were on the trail for 8 hours and 16 min's today as we took a wrong turn at The Head of Dean. We hiked to the Baldy Skyline. Just before camp we crossed a stream. The water look so good that I took a swig before my chlor tab dissolved...hope I don't get Giardia. The camp was another breath taking view. We finally made it to Miranda. Wow...what a sight to see. A meadow surrounded by Aspen and Ponderosa trees with lodge at the top of the hill. We got a tour of Miranda's trading post of 1838. We learned about the beaver pelt and how trades occurred (tea, knife without handles, concentrated liquor-"big fire", ink, and condiments). The term sleep tight was derived from the fact the the bed lashing would come loss every couple days and need to be tighten for a good nights sleep. Our ranger surprised us with Ice Cream for Preston's birthday. That was very thoughtful. Getting ready for bed for a 4:30 wake up to hike Baldy (the highest peek at Philmont).
Day 10(9) - Sunday, July 12
Up at 4:30AM and on the trial by 6:15AM. It was a long day hiking 13.5 miles. The climb to 12,441' was a challenge. The last 800' was shell rocks at 30 - 45 degree grades. From the bottom, it looked like a Pilgrimage. It was worth every step. We made it. At the top I wondered how one man could own such real estate to marvel at heavenly views all around...this is certainly Gods country. It's great he decided to share. At the top the air was so thin a few crew members (Joshua, Justin, and Preston) took a nap. We made our way down on the Copper park ridge trail marked by cairns (rock stacks indicating direction). Some of the trees were angled like in books. Some were gray with gray moss and no leaves...very different from home. We finally made our way to Baldy town. The commissary gave us apples and oranges with grub for the next few days. We hiked thru Ute Meadows back to Miranda for the evening around 6PM. The boys prepared spaghetti and bacon cheddar mash potatoes...not too bad. They needed a little help on what's next.
Day 11 (10) - Monday, July 13

We picked up burros at 8 to take to Flume Canyon then drop at Ponil on Wednesday. A few guys shot black power rifles. We finally hit the trail at 12:30 after lunch. It was a fairly easy hike. There were a few good views at The Head of Dean...we could see mountains in Colorado. Our burro #38 moved pretty well. The last group that had him called #38 Optimist Prime. We arrived at Flume Canyon. It was not a pretty camp. Site 4 looked the best but it was occupied. We made a spot and set camp in and unmarked spot. As we wanted to reduce smellables, we ate breakfast for dinner. Justin checked out the red roof an advised that it was all good. This seemed not to be such a great camp. As far as camps on trek 29, this was my least favorite next to Rimrock the Santa Clause (great view, but no red roof...just an open toilet). The boys played cards and called it a night. During roses, thorns, and buds we talked about the Philmont experience and encourage the boys to reflect on the positives with our Scouts back home. They really started to perform like a team by knowing what to do. They still lack punctuality on execution.

Day 12 (11) - Tuesday, July 14

Last day on the trail! We made it thru the night. It actually turned out okay listing to the Ute Stream flow thru the Canyon during the night. We were up at 5. We grabbed the burros and broke camp by 6:45. We made it to Ponil by 8. We got brands and grabbed some ice cool root beer. The boys finally formed a good pack line at Ponil and the bus stop. Joshua spoke about his Philmont experience and compared it to preparing for a game...it's hard, but it will prepare them for life. Well the bus is here. Base camp we are on the way!

Day 13 (12) - Wednesday, July 15
Complete most of the logistics, packed and took shower! Ken and Sylvester made it for the closing (outbound) campfire.

Day 14 (13) - Thursday, July 16
Ate breakfast and off the airport!...There's no place like home.

Other buzz words

• Mini bears
• Oops bag
• Smellable...5PM
• Who's not ready
• Cat hole
• Porch talk
• Bearmuda triangle
• Trekking, slowing, stopping
• Com' on
• Cloud formations
• Taking a walk...find a rock