Philmont Scout Ranch 2003

Scouts:
  Ryan C (crew leader) - GTM
  Michael C - D9, toughman
  Austin D - Pony boy
  Jason G - Pushup champ
  William G - Bamboo boy
  Clayton K
  Clark O
  Chad S - Chadman
  Daniel V - Danimal
Advisors:
  Mr. D
  Dr. O
  Dr. V
Ranger:
  Andrew

Log (102 miles total)
Sunday July 6, 2003 (3 miles)
Anxious to get started, but uncertain about the trip we take a bus to the turnaround, then hike to Old Abreu camp, View OA cabin, corral donkeys, Ranger training, light afternoon shower to get us used to mountain weather

Monday July 7, 2003 (6.75 miles)
hike to Crater Lake camp,  wicked hail storm, Continental Tie and Lumber Co, Campfire program, "I'm a pony!" and "Lunch with Poncho Via"
even after a late start, Micheal won the Tough Man competition with this story
" I had a big box of Krispy Kreme donuts: assorted filled and chocolate-coated. I set it down and a huge black bear came and tried to steal it. That was unacceptable! I raced over and put that big black bear in a head lock.  'grrrr!' Just as I wrestled that one bear to the ground and started to get my donuts back, a second bear, bigger than the first, jumped me. As I was putting the hurt on that ugly bear, a chipmunk bit my left ear. I grabbed the chipmunk and shoved it down the throat  of the second bear. I growled at the two frightened bears and they ran off like a pair of puppies. It was the best box of Krispy Kreme donuts I ever had."

Tuesday July 8, 2003 (11.5 miles)
hike to Shafers Pass camp,  Trail camp, side hike to Tooth of Time Ridge

Wednesday July 9, 2003 (10 miles)
hike to Cimarroncito camp,  climb Window Rock, don't get too close to the cliff, Austin!



Thursday July 10, 2003 (6.75 miles)
hike to Harlan camp,  12 gauge shot gun shooting and reloading, burro racing, hey, the burro can run, why can't you?

Friday July 11, 2003 (10.25 miles)
hike to Cimarron River camp,  Trail camp, hey, where did they get that pizza?

Saturday July 12, 2003 (Michael's birthday) (11.25 miles)
hike to Head of Dean camp,  Challenge events, just don't be the last one over that wall!

Sunday July 13, 2003 (9.75 miles)
hike to Baldy camp,  Mountain Man rendezvous at Miranda, our valiant Crew Leader shows us how tomahawks are meant to be thrown!

Monday July 14, 2003 (12.5 miles)
camp second night at Baldy  camp,  On top of mount baldy... Climb Dr Valvano! climb!!!

reflections by Daniel V.
The trees broke at the top of the mountain revealing an open meadow, and the path ascended into sunlight, a stark contrast to the cool shade we had enjoyed on the walk up to this point. It was not over yet, though the steepest climb was behind us. Only a few hundred feet remained of the legendary Mt. Baldy, the tallest mountain on the property, but those steps would not be easy. The sun gazed down from high in the New Mexico sky; it had watched us since the beginning of our journey at dawn and was preparing to watch as we finished the climb. Just as it has watched us before, the silent sun will follow us forever, even after our mountain journey ends. The air was cool and the sky cloudless. Towering pines swayed knowingly, and a squirrel observed his kingdom below, chattering at us invaders. A mountain breeze gently ruffled hair and clothes. The clearing we reached was devoid of living trees or brush growth, but twisted, gray logs of old wood lay scattered from trees long defeated in an impossible environment. They grew too fast, too uninhibited, ran out of strength, and died. However, life is resilient and was abundant even above the tree line, where most large plants called it quits. The grass was a metropolis of tiny, hovering insects. Birds circled, and chipmunks foraged for discarded breakfast food. The air grew thin. Inhaling was like breathing with a sock in the mouth. We took a rest and ate the breakfast we saved. The view looking down off the mountain was spectacular. Cities spread out, and cars and trucks lazily sauntered down the highway far below. A lake was a glassy image of the sky above. Against the horizon, mountains stretched like groggy giants toward the sky, daring adventurers to climb them. Massive cliffs and ice-capped peaks seemed within arms reach. Being completely rested, the final steps of Mt. Baldy seemed a lot less intimidating.

Gold Panning &Mining at French Henry

Tuesday July 15, 2003 (16 miles)
hike to Puelbano Camp,  do conversation project, climb spar poles, watch campfire
hike to Flume Canyon camp in the dark,  Trail camp

Wednesday, July 16, 2003 (4.5 miles)
hike to Ponil Turnaround, bus back to Camping Headquarters, closing ceremonies, sleep in tents at tent city, Camping Headquarters



Page by Ryan G., Michael C. and Daniel V.