[Philmont]: autumn adventure

Back to more input on Autumn Adventure. Gary writes: What is the preferred
length in the outback? Being from New Jersey, with the distances and cost of
travel, I have gone with a seven day, six night trek, as Al also suggested.
In 2001 and 2003, we travelled out Friday evening, but this year found that
flying out early Saturday morning to Albuquerque put us at the Ranch in the
preferred 6 to 7:00 timeframe. Hit the trail Sunday morning, leave the trail
in the a.m. on Saturday, drive to Albuquerque Saturday night, and fly home
on Sunday. No one has to take more than a week off.
 
Because we are adults, however, we can be flexible enough NOT to travel
together, if some crew members can get more time off and leave earlier or
stay later for some Southwestern sightseeing outside the Ranch. You will
probably have to rent more than one vehicle anyway, so no problem. As long
as we all get there between 6 and 7 on Saturday, I don't care. Make sure
your tour permit accurately reflects any varying travel arrangements.
 
I understand from our 2005 guide, Eric, that the typical crew spends a
shorter time in the backcounty than we do, 3 or 4 or 5 days, and certainly
not everyone backpacks each day. This may reflect that the program is more
popular with Scouters who live closer than do Al or myself.
 
I also understand from Eric that we are the first crew he had ever seen
perform The New Mexico Story campfire (the opening night HQ campfire from
the summer program) on the trail, with crew members taking turns reading the
parts. I have a script, and if anyone wants to give me their snail mail
address off list, I would be happy to send a copy (within reason-Autumn
Adventure only. Those attending in the summer will see the show in all its
glory, in due time). I study up and do The Philmont Story campfire
extemporaneously, describing the contributions of Kit Carson, Lucien Maxwell
and Waite Phillips. I also understand from Eric that some of the Philmont
Story campfires, particularly in the North, incorporated stories of the
outlaws or perhaps even the Colfax County wars, but I have yet to
incorporate that material. Maybe in 2006.
 
Gary also asks: What is the best site to camp in and take day hikes from?
This goes back to my first suggestion-get the sector maps and pore over
them. Since you are blessed with four former Advisors in your crew, you have
a wealth of experience to draw on. Also asked is "have you ever done any
peaks on AA?" I will combine my response. Since you can't do the whole ranch
even on an 11 day trek, you do have to do some narrowing. As I said
previously, if you get to the point in your planning where you say "we'll do
this trek this year and explore this other area next time", you're well on
your way.
 
I'm a South Country guy. Although my first Philmont expedition in 1970
started by being dropped off at Ponil for the hike to the starting camp at
Bent, then to New Dean, then to the Bench, and into the Central and South
Country, I have not been back north since, except to drive up to Ponil to
examine the devastation from the fire. I understand the area is springing
back and perhaps others could contribute insight into the North
Country-South Country debate both for the benefit of AA participants and
those facing a choice of itineraries for the summer program.
 
In my view, the South has all of the peaks with the exception of Baldy, most
of the trout streams, and more room to roam. It is greener, lusher, and
cooler in temperature. The North Country seems topographically to consist of
a number of ridges coming off Baldy. The South has nultiple peaks and
multiple streams and valleys betwen those peaks. The South (and part of the
Central) is where Waite Phillips located his hunting lodges and recreational
pursuits. The first area he gave away was the north, reserving the South to
himself and his family for another three years. The South is geologically
more interesting-the second group of astronauts was sent there to study
geology in preparation for the moon landing. Although many have included an
ascent of Baldy as a highlight of Autumn Adventure, it can also get an early
snow cover. Certainly, I have seen the Colorado peaks visible from the Ranch
snow covered the second week of September. (That is not to say that Mt.
Phillips, for example, cannnot experience severe or even life threatening
weather in the fall, or even in the summer) .Baldy seems to me isolated,
requiring a three day committment for ascent. One day to get into position,
one day for the ascent, and one day to get out. Autumn Adventure will,
however, drop you off at the Maxwell turnaround, something seldom or never
done in the summer, as it exposes crews to high altitude very early in the
trek. Remember, in the summer, no ascent of Baldy is allowed after an 8:00
am start time. How much would this be restricted (on the basis of you and
your guide's individual assessment of the prospects, not because there are
some sort of "Baldy police" stationed up there in the fall), with the late
sunrises and early sunsets of September and October.
 
For additional discussion of the North-South debate, see William Cass,
Return to the Summit of Scouting (available at Tooth of Time Traders) at pp.
135, 227-228, and 254-255. This book is written from the perspective of a
former Philmont Staffer and Ranger who returns to the Ranch in the 1990's as
an advisor to his son's crew. I HIGHLY recommend this book for all advisors,
whether summmer or AA.
 
For trip planning purposes, I also highly recomment Rock Rohrbacker's book
Philmanac, A Guide to the Philmont Backcountry (also available at TOT
Traders). Rohrbacker, a Philmont summer staffer for several decades, claims
to have camped in EVERY Philmont camp, past and present, and gives a full
description of each. Incidentally, he also gives tips on various trails
between these camps. I know of no Phlmont "Trail guide" as such (as are
available for the White Mountains in New Hampshire and other Appalachian
Mountain Club areas of interest).
 
Well, I'll close here, although I have more to say. I'll write again (you
have until the fall to finalize your plans). Keep asking questions.,
 
Bill Sheehan, ASM
Troop 55, Pitman, N.J.
Philmont '70.'72, Autumn Adventure '01,'03,'05 and hopefully '06

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Received on Sun Jan 8 22:06:23 2006