How can I begin to describe this experience?  I could start with the facts, maybe the emotional impact, the sociological interaction with the patrol, my paternal connection with my son…

The facts, we trekked 92 miles after all was said and done – the trip was to be 82 but we quickly learned that those were “Philmont Miles” an approximation at best.   How it went, beautifully – very little challenges along the way.  Steve, one of the other 3 dads did a great job preparing us and planning our trek in Philmont. We landed in Denver, and took a van to Cimerron, NM, that was my responsibility for the planning and execution of this life event.  I had organized the flights and the bus transportation. Airtran did a good job with our tickets and bags.  I had booked a group trip for the 11 of us as we were then assured seats and pricing. We had no issue getting our packs in the proper weight beforehand but a little trouble on the way home as this wasn’t an Airtran hub and they weren’t as forgiving.  We had our trusty driver arrive in a white van with a trailer, John – he safely took us along the 5 hour ride – stopped along the way for a little food and coffee.

4 Adults – dads who are referred to as Advisors and 7 boys – scouts who are pretty much running the show (when we let them).  Two of our scouts were without parents and they were fantastic, no issues, pretty darn independent.  In fact all of the boys really did an amazing job.  As we arrived we were organized at Base Camp, the boys got their orders from our guide Ethan, who turned out to be a nice Jewish boy from Pikesville.  Derrek, the lead boy and patrol leader got our maps set, itinerary (his “life”) that he took everywhere we went.  Our first official day was a stay in the canvas tents of based camp – looked like an army base. We had our shakedown – where Ethan made sure we didn’t take too much but had everything we needed. 

Our departure was the next morning – bright and early. We did our group photo and walked down to the van that took us to Mile 6 turnaround. From there we were guided by Ethan for a day and a half – then on our own. Here is what we did: Our Actual GPS Log in New Mexico:

View Philmont T87 2011 in a larger map

The details are a long story – in fact we walked 92 miles in 11 days with 40 pound packs (on average, some more some less), camped in tents at night, gathered and treated water, hung our food in bear bags, cooked as a patrol eating together, pooped in the woods or in “red roof’s” or out houses (holes in the ground with a toilet seat).  We worked together as a unit to support each other, sometimes got on each others nerves and sometimes we had a moment – where we really connected.

Each day involved an event, a place, or a hike.  One day, for example we climbed Mt. Baldy – rising 3 thousand feet above our starting point to 12 thousand feet; 12 miles in all up and down.  Another day we arrive in a little town like Miranda to shoot black powder or at Ponil where we climbed a spar pole. The evenings at certain camps had entertainment – campfire (fake as there was extreme fire danger due to lack of rain the previous months) and the folks who acted the part during the day did so at night. For example the guides at Ponil were loggers who dressed and talked the part, at night they gave us a guitar, banjo, washboard song and skit show – very funny and very good.

Most important for me was my personal growth and the connection I had with Daniel – my son.  Personally I felt great about the things I did, had time to reflect on how people are and how we interact socially, under stress, in the most basic ways. I had time to look at how I behave, how I react, how I can grow.  The outlook was literally and emotionally amazing to say the least – when you look at that big sky its pretty overwhelming. And when you climb all day to get there it really makes it stick.

I watched Daniel lead, share, laugh and achieve.  His is a most amazing young man and I’m proud and so happy to have him in my life.  I feel we are closer, have a bond forever and that we both have grown from this experience.

My last “Rose” or good thing about the day – on our last day was a poem I wrote.

Perspective

-12 Days, 10 activities, living in a tent with nothing but what’s on my back!  We fly AirTran airways to Denver from Atlanta tomorrow morning at 8:50AM; when we arrive A Charter Company will be taking me and 10 others to the Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, NM.

A- Philmont Scout Ranch - BSA

This is with my son’s Boy Scout Troop 87, we are 7 Boys and 4 Dad’s (one Scoutmaster, three Assistant Scout Masters – of which I am one).  The boys will manage the entire trip – we chose Itinerary 32- a “Super Strenuous” 82 mile trek that includes 10 different activities.

Map of Trek 32 - Philmont Scout Ranch

We backpack the entire time – carrying our cloths on our back and our tents too, basically one change of cloths we wash when we need to – have water.  We are issued a few days rations at a time – mostly freeze dried food, and other campfire food – cooking as a unit. All the boys have duties – from cook, to cleanup, to water, etc. The patrol leader sets the course from a map and orientation given by our trail guide who stays with us the first day – then its up to him to get us through the journey.  These boys are pretty self sufficient – 14-17 years old (Daniel is 14) with lots of backpacking experience as our troop typically goes one weekend a month.

This super strenuous (that just means its a long way with a few good “ups” – there are moderate and strenuous version of other itineraries – this one had all the good stuff from our point of view – and the chance to hike into camp from the mountain top Tooth of Time for our final day (a dramatic way to finish).  Our elevation will go from 7,000 feet to just over 12,000 feet and back down, with two decent mountains in the middle and end.

We start in historic north country with stops at Indian Writings for archaeology before hiking over Hart Peak to Ponil for western lore, branding and cantina. We then relive the days of Continental Tie and Lumber Company and enjoy the mountain man rendezvous prior to hiking Baldy Mountain (12,441 feet – we start that day at 9,000 feet). Then we hike back to the central country, enjoying shotgun shooting, burro racing and rock climbing. This Trek concludes with a victory hike over the Tooth of Time (9,000 feet from about 7,500 feet).

Details: At house canyon we get to see the world’s only Tyrannosaurus Rex Track and do some Ranger Training. At Old Camp we will tour Petroglyphs & Indian Writings. At Ponil we will learn western Lore, do Branding, have a Cantina Show and YUM – get to eat real food for a Chuck Wagon Dinner.  Publano (Day 5) has a Chuckwagon Breakfast (@Ponil) and we get to be lumber jack’s for a day – learning how they cut trees and made the railroad. At Miranda the next day we get to shoot Black Powder Rifle (just like the revolutionary war and frontiersmen used) learning other useful wilderness skills too. Then we have a 12 mile side hike up Baldy Mountain – without our pack as its a layover day, come down another 10 miles to do Gold Panning & Mining, Blacksmithing at French Henry Camp.  The next day we have some competitive fun at Head of Dean for Challenge Events after staying the night at Black Jacks Camp.  On to Harlan Camp for some shotgun shooting/reloading and burro racing (yea, burro racing – will be fun to see what antics DJ comes up with there).  Next we will learn some rock climbing and Rappelling skills as well as conservation skills in Ute Gulch and then finally we head to Ponderosa Park after hiking Hidden Valley to tour  a hunting lodge, enjoy Western Lore, Branding, and Horse Rides @ Clarks Fork.  Our final day is a hike up Tooth of Time – the pinnacle of Philmont – a beautiful peak with a great view and the great feeling of a 10+ mile hike back to base camp.    We walk every day to where we are going with our packs on our backs – mine weighs around 40-45 lbs with water (2 lbs per liter).

I’m really looking forward to getting to know the boys, the other dads and spending some quality time watching my Son be a man.