Hello everyone,
Just returned last night (6/21/2004) from our Trek (608I-2) Itinerary
#3 and all first time Philmont trekkers. All 11 of us had a great time.
Rain in Anasazi the first day, not bad where we were, I understand that
Base camp had hail and heavy rains.
Indian Writings was fun for everyone the staff was informative and kept
the boys attention by asking lots of questions.
Ponil was next (everyone's favorite), horseback riding, lassoing,
chuckwagon dinner and breakfast was filling and excellent, branding was
fun (everything that could be branded was branded) Jeff (head of the
camp there) is a laid back Californian and the kids really enjoyed
spending time with him and the rest of the staff. The show in the
Cantina was hilarious, partly because we were the first to see it and
they had not completely rehearsed it. (BURRO PICKUP HERE)
Pueblano and spar pole climbing was next and the boys really enjoyed
that as well. (So did I)
We went to Ute Meadows next (by way of Head of Dean and Miranda) this
camp should be renamed "Mosquito Meadows". They attacked as soon as we
arrived and never let up. Dropped off burros at Miranda, thankfully. We
got 2 burros that would not cross water. That was hilarious watching
the boys try to push/pull them across the water. We were all happy to
get rid of them.
Side hike to Baldy was next and took us 3 hours from Ute Meadows to the
top of Baldy. We went down to French Henry on the steep side. Lots of
rock and some snow for an impromptu snow fight (ambush). Beautiful on
Baldy!!
French Henry, Gold Panning and forging an "S-hook" kept the boys busy.
Also did the tour of the mine above French Henry. Walking out with no
lights and feeling your way to opening of the mine shaft was
interesting.
Head of Dean (by way of Baldy Skyline) was next. Challenge Events (COPE
type activities) was on tap and everyone had a good time figuring out
the best way to conquer each station.
Our sister crew (608I-3) challenged us to a volleyball game which we
won 3 games to 1. The staff 4 girls and 1 guy promptly came out and
beat us narrowly in the failing light.
The night's campfire included the travelling prospector (can't remember
exactly what they called him) who told stories and sang songs.
Next day we headed to New Dean and set up camp looking to do our Cons
project. Noone showed up and I set off for Dean Cow with 3 other boys
to find out what happened to the staff.
Along the way, we encountered a large (300-400 #) bear and got very
close up pictures (30 feet or less). We had the wind in our favor and
he never looked back at us.
While we walked to Dean Cow, the rest of the crew also had an encounter
with another bear (2 ear tags). Nice video of that one.
I sneaked within 10 feet of a group of Mule Deer bucks and got great
pix of that as well.
Cons went well. We scattered straw and raked the hillsides to allow for
reseeding of the area that was fire damaged.
Dean Cow was next and the boys had a great time rock climbing and
rapelling on the cliffs. Climbing the tower was later night and a new
record (15.80 seconds) was set by a boy from a Tennessee crew. Promptly
beaten by Evan (head of the camp staff in Dean Cow Camp) the record
stood at 15.22 seconds when we left.
Harlan was the last stop and the weather was great for a little trap
shooting. All of the boys hit the clay pigeons at least once.
Rained starting about 11:00 PM and stopped at @ 5:00 AM. We got up
early to catch the early shuttle to Base Camp to do a side hike to the
Tooth of Time. Never realized that the dry trail dust could turn into a
mass of mud that collected on boots weighing them down.
We were the first crew to arrive in Base Camp from the Trail.
I can say that most of the staff was very helpful and the closing
campfire was very entertaining.
Tony Helpenstell
--- "Dr. Bob Klein" <drbob@troop111.org> wrote:
> The first treks were 608, so the earliest anyone will be back home is
>
> June 20th. And one would guess that they won't be checking their
> emails
> first thing. Start looking for a few "quickie" reports between June
> 25th and 30th.
>
>
> Rsafl61660@aol.com wrote:
> > Has anyone returned yet from their trek? Leaving in 35 days and am
>
> > soaking up as much info as possible. I am possibly more excited
> than
> > any of the boys.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
> Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------
Received on Tue Jun 22 18:00:24 2004
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