RE: [Philmont]: Tooth Ridge Trail

I forwarded Jason's (the retired ranger who rangered my PTC Class on High Adventure Trek Planning in 2001) E-mail this thread to my three time Philmont staffer daughter and here is her response -

Here's my answer. I"m forwarding the original e-mail to Robbie so he may
send his 2 cents as well.

Here's the info as it was understood by PTC as of summer '05 (staff who
called logistics to ask if they needed to reroute the crews attempting
stockade) from a recent staffer:

Tooth Ridge Trail is long. It's also the safest.
It is also the 'official trail' that crews are supposed to take down.

Pasture trail and Stockade trail are not crew trails. They are ranger
trails and used for Rayado, possibly OATC and other 'special' treks.
PTC does use pasture for TB3 all day hike.

Pasture trail is slightly overgrown at the end where it meets the
jeep road. Though less so after summer 05' then the 2 summers prior.
Thanks to the new maps including pasture trail on them.

Stockade is literally straight up and down. Not safe with a full pack
and nearly impossible to do in a manner other than running/falling down
or sliding down on the bum. The knees of many strong hikers have
regretted it.

Plus, for those who don't have a bus or car @ Lovers Leap
turn around...they get to walk to turnaround road and the main road.
which yes is a Death march, one which even filling your water bottles @ the Stockade will not provide you with enough water for.

Why anyone would want to be on disgusting road versus their last chance to see all of the mountains from the far side of Tooth Ridge one last time...I'll never understand.

Though as a staffer I have opted many a time for the other trails.

So do the advisors knees a favor, teach the crew some patience, and try
to appreciate the mountains one last time - take Tooth Ridge on a crew trek.
Dare the kids to come back as staff/Rayado/OATC/etc and time themselves
on Stockade at that time.

And from her friend Robbie, another multi-year staffer

On Jason's E-mail -
This is possibly the most intelligent email in the history of email.

On Tooth Ridge trail
Well I am looking, I am searching, I have found near the ground my soul, myself. Beneath this trail.

Dave Lyons
Treks - 1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006-717E-5
PTC - 1991, 1994, 1999, 2001 (twice), 2003, 2005

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Received on Wed Dec 7 22:18:58 2005