Yes, another High Adventure is just over the horizon. Our troop will be at OKPIK over Martin Luther King weekend. We have 2 crews going over the long weekend. After several years of trying, we have a Musher trek. All dogs, all the time for 3 days – should be a great time! Our other crew will be a normal trek out to the ice for 2 nights. Having done this 3 other times, it is a great trip.
Winter camping has its own set of challenges, but is really fun.
Philmont Trek 14, 2012 notes
I have posted notes from our trek this year. As always, it is an amazing journey. As they say, the journey is the destination! Each year and crew brings its own challenges and skills to the table. No trip is identical to a previous trip. I have been fortunate enough to be part of three different and wonderful crews!
My notes from this years trip can be viewed here
We’re Back!
What an amazing trip! Two crews, no injuries.
Our train left Fort Madison on time and got to Raton on time.
On the train were 5 other crews. They were all fun to talk to, but one gentleman was really interesting. This was his 31st trip to Philmont! Wow!
It rained on us 7 out of 10 days on the trail. But, we never set up camp wet or in the rain. We always had time to dry out the tents during the day at program stops. We often put the tents away wet.
In the past, we never saw a bear. This time, we saw a mountain lion and a cinnamon black bear. Our other crew also saw bears. Some of them saw 4 bears, the others saw those 4 bears and found 2 others along the way.
On the way back, the train was 1 hour late and got to Fort Madison 2 ours late.
SeaBase Book
While there may be many good books to use while at SeaBase, I have found “Cruising Guide to the Florida Keys” by Frank Papy to be a very useful book.
If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider using the link below. It takes you to our fundraising link for Amazon on our troop website. If you search for the book through our link, Amazon will pay us a small amount (it doesn’t cost you any more).
Philmont Books
There are a few books that I have found to be useful while at Philmont, or before:
While I have nothing to do with this book, if you are planning a trip to Philmont, I have found this to be invaluable.
A Backpacker’s Guide to Philmont by Bill Sassani.
This is a no-nonsense guide. It tells you how to train, what to bring, what to expect at Basecamp and in the back country. Nobody that I have recommended this book to has been disappointed – adults and scouts. It is an easy read, but packed with great information!
If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider using the link below. It takes you to our fundraising link for Amazon on our troop website. If you search for the book through our link, Amazon will pay us a small amount (it doesn’t cost you any more).
Philmont Fieldguide published by BSA – they published a new one in 2010. Didn’t use it my first time, but nearly wore it out last time. A great guide to plants and animals you will see. Only need one per crew.
I’m sure there are other equally good books, but I have found both of these to be excellent.
Philmont Budget
Follow the link to the budget we use for Philmont. This is an all inclusive budget for the trip. The only extra cost will be any souvenirs you wish to purchase.
This budget uses the train as travel and the bus from Raton. It includes fuel to the train station and back, food while traveling and on the train, all of your patches and white gas while on the trek. There also is budgeted a contingenc cost for any extra costs that may arise. Also included is money for an overnight practice hike and camping. If the crew is a blended crew and has not camped together, this is time VERY well spent.
SeaBase Budget
Follow the link to an Exel spreadsheet for the budget worksheet we use for planning for SeaBase.
We try and keep this all inclusive except for souveneirs.
This includes the cost of fuel to the airport, parking, airplane ticket, rental car, fuel for the vehicles, meals down and back, patches, etc.
