[Philmont]: We're back!

Hi Philmonters!

Crew 724-M2 from the Bay-Lakes Council Wisconsin has safely returned from Trek 4! Outstanding trek, outstanding experiences, outstanding crew. We felt so prepared, in large part, because of all of you. For that, I thank you very much.

Met a couple Philmont list server members (Doug, Tom and others from Kansas City and their crew) and another whom I met at the Advisors meeting at basecamp after he noticed my name badge (I'm sorry, but I can't remember who it was).

Great experiences across the board with regard to Phil staff, program areas, trails and everything related to our trek. Our boys met the challenge and had a great time (and so did the advisors).

Camps: Lovers Leap, Urraca, Bear Caves, Beaubien, Crooked Creek, Clear Creek, Cypher's Mine, Webster Park, Tooth Ridge

Boys' favorite program areas: Rock Climbing @ Cito, C.O.P.E @ Urraca, Blacksmithing, etc. @ Cyphers (the advisors thought the laid-back atmosphere of Crooked Creek was a highlight as well).

Other highlights: Hiked up the south side of Trail Peak with packs (OMG!), my unexpected emotional experience on the top of Mt. Phillips (I'll never forget it), watching one of our boys who was standing down from the summit of Mt. Phillips staring out at the view for a long time and wondering what he was thinking (his father did nearly our same trek 30 years ago), seeing our council contingent come together as a crew and turn into a well-oiled machine about mid-way through the trek, listening to thorns, roses and buds every night, the unexpected tough climb over the rocks and boulders to the top of the Tooth of Time, and hiking through the gate coming back into basecamp.

We had a great trip! More later.

ICWTGBTP!

Pete Swiggum
Troop 1173
Green Bay, WI
Peter.Swiggum@sbcglobal.net

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Received on Sun Aug 7 14:00:45 2005