Philmont, July 2009

When you complete your trek and do the service project, you earn this Philmont badge.

Our crew fulfilled all of the requirements for the Philmont Duty to God award. It is the responsibility of your Chaplains Aide to see that you fulfill the requirements. It isn't difficult if you plan well.

Every trek at Philmont qualifies for the 50 mile award, if you do the service project.

The crew poses for photos prior to leaving on their trek.

We drove to Fort Madison, Iowa and waited for our Amtrak train.

Our train. It took about 16 hours to get to Raton, New Mexico. As much of it was at night, the ride was not too bad.

The train station at Raton is nothing special.

But, our bus was waiting for us. It was a 45 minute ride to Philmont.

The welcoming sign. There was a larger sign, but it was hit by a bus the day before and had to be cut down (seriously it did).

The group poses with a statue of Waite Phillips.

What a great background

After meeting your ranger, there was a gear shakedown to try and limit the amount of gear you took.

Each tent was for 2 persons and their gear. There were 2 areas of tents. One was for train-bound crews, and the other for home-bound crews. There were hundreds of tents.

Before the meals at basecamp, the rangers would tell a story standing by the bell.

The day before we left basecamp, we had time and went into Cimarron. They have a great soda shop there with wonderful malts!

The weather changes frequently in the mountains and at basecamp. A few minutes earlier, it was sunny.

The next day, we finally were ready to go. We left for Rayado Turnaround. They have a nice Kit Carson museum there. There was a band that played.

Is there anything more fun than throwing tomahawks?

Ron makes it look easy.

A short break on the trail

Dave and Carson take a break and admire the scenery.

Everyday, all of the food and "smellables" had to go up in bear bags.

The bags tied up and ready to go up

How bear bags are supposed to look.

Greg and Dan go over the map

The scouts start to put up the dining fly.

The dining fly set up. While we never had to eat or cook under it, it was nice to set al of our packs and gear underneath.

One of many campsites.

One of the better trails.

We found a fresh bear track on the trail. Never saw the bear.

Overlooking a nice vista.

At Miners Camp, we were able to do rock climbing and rapelling. A great site to do both. Steven shows how its done.

Along the way.

The next day we hiked to Black Mountain. 49 stream crossings! We counted.

Blacksmithing was fun

Michael and Trevor try their hand

The end result

The next morning, we shot black powder rifles before leaving.

This was one of the areas we had to filter water. It quickly showed the difference between a new state of the art filter and an older style. The new on could filter about 1 liter per minute. The older style, about 10 minutes per liter.

The next day we a food pick up. Most treks have 2 food pickups, besides what they give you to start. Depending upon what trek you take, determines how many days of food you get at each stop.

The next day was our service project. Helping to clean up a meadow, and some trail work.

Ready to work

There was a nice practice climbing wall at Cimerroncito.

They teach you to never trust the signs. Always check your map and compass.

Back on the trail . . .

How would you like to wake up to this view every morning? This was from the porch of Sawmill

They were taught how to reload 30.06 shells and fire them.

The next morning, it was off to Clarks Fork and horses.

After, a showerhouse, with warm water!

Ok, so its partially outside.

Yes, even time for laundry. And the clothes really needed it by now.

A few other activites there included, horseshoes, branding, lassoing, and a "Chuckwagon Dinner"

Waiting for dinner.

Looking down on one of our campsites.

Every night Dan (as Chaplains' aide) read a devotional reading before the meal, and often had a scripture reading to go with it.

The latrines were often in interesting places in the camps.

We had many campfires at night. They encourage you to have campfires as a way to get rid of dry kindling wood.

More scenery on the trail . . .

The next to last day was a hike to Tooth Ridge Camp. This was a difficult hike with an elevation change of 2000 ft over 1 1/2 miles.

There were areas with boulders where you wondered where was the trail?

It was a shock to see a sign commenerating a prior scout who died on this trek.

We had a beautiful camping site with "rock furniture".

In the evening

We had amazing rocks by our campsites. The scouts had fun climbing.

This latrines had a 5 star view. It overlooked basecamp.

Looking down at basecamp, while on the latrine(really)

Sunrise the next morning

Sunrise was really beautiful

The last 2 days are "dry" You have to carry water for both days as there are no streams or water sources. This was a cruel joke as it is 200 yards from the end, but doesn't work.

The picture that makes it all worthwhile! We made it!!!

Steven and Michael stand by the We Made it Sign at the Closing Campfire site.

Closing campfire

All of the Crew Leaders and Lead Advisors get recognized.

Yes, it hailed in camp.

Another landscape

One more

A map showing the 3 gifts of land that make up Philmont.

The last day, we took a tour of Villa Philmonte. It is an amazing building that used to be Waite Phillips summer home. Don't miss this!

Part of the courtyard.

A beautiful stained glass window in the building.

In his trophy room were lots of animals. And over in the corner . . .

the gun closet

In the garage was a beautifully restored 1906 Model N Ford.

Posted in Villa Philmonte. This was the philosophy of Waite Phillips. What more can you say?

I have now had the opportunity to complete all three High Adventures that the Boy Scouts offer. Each has its own challenges, and unique challenges. By far, Philmont was the most difficult and challenging High Adventure that I have done. Our trek was slightly over 80 miles. We were blessed by an amazing crew that worked hard together as a team and encouraged each other when we stumbled. Without their support and encouragement, I do't know that I would have finished. Would I do it again? In an instant! I am proud to say that of the 7 scouts on our trek at least 5 are seriously considering working at Philmont on staff when they turn 18.