PHILMONT EXPEDITION 712L 2013 Trek 13
 

                                                                                                                      PHILMONT JOURNAL
                                                                                                                              by Danny Burke
 

Introduction:
The new lottery has worked well for us and  with another odd numbered year, it was once again time for another Philmont trek for Troop 50. With our troop split between a large group of younger boys and small group of older boys we fielded the smallest crew the troop has taken in quite sometime. But we were still looking forward to a great trek with a great crew. Getting to hike these trails once again with my good friends Charlie Dierker (he was on his 8th trek) and a new trekker Joel Lewallen I felt like this would be the best one yet.

 

As I've said in previous journals if you are lucky enough to have been to Philmont, then you might remember some of the places I mention in this journal. If you haven't been, hopefully someday you will have the pleasure of hiking these trails. You will once again find typos in my journal, thats because I typed it exactly as I wrote it down when I was in my tent after a tough day on the trail pushing shear exhaustion at times. The following is my personal journal from my 7th trek at Philmont.

Crew 712L
Adults:
Danny Burke
Charlie Dierker

Joel Lewallen

Youth:
Cody Eubanks - Crew Leader
Carter Dickson - Chaplin
Sam Lewallen

Josh Price - Radar
Michael Spurgeon

July 10th - Fort Worth to Cimarron

Slept pretty good last night, woke up at 4:50. Got up and loaded all the food and drinks in my truck. After a quick shower I said my goodbyes to Wendy & Cassie, then off to the SAM building. As much as I hated it I was last there even though I arrived at our scheduled meet time of 06:00. Matt was there to see us off, we decided to go ahead and Tap Michael out before we left. Now Michael is on silence until we eat breakfast. We loaded the packs in my truck and were on the road by 6:20. (After a few pictures) Made the Jolly Truck stop at 8:15 for breakfast. "Yoda" Unger met us for breakfast. With a smaller crew we were served in no time. Enjoyed a meat and cheese omelette with hash browns. We were back on the road at 9:30. Rolled up 287 to Amarillo for lunch and gas. Made a quick pit stop in Clayton New Mexico, watched the t-storms build as we crossed the plains to Springer. We arrived at Ponil CG at 5:00 MDT. Checked in, then went down and set up by the creek. Took the ice chests up to the pavillion for our sandwich dinner. The mosquitos are not as bad this year as in the past. The troopers played cards, Joel, Charlie and I sat and talked. Around 9:15 I went back to camp called and talked to Wendy then went to bed, its been a long day.
 

July 11th - Ponil Campground

Woke early today at 5:30, didn't sleep well at all. Went ahead and got up then went up and showered. Sat on my tailgate and watched sunrise with Joel and wrote in my journal. The crew rolled out at 7:30. We went in to town for breakfast, arrived at Heck's only to find out it was out of business, we looked around town and found the only other cafe in town the CC Diner. Pretty good food. after breakfast we drove out to Philmont, toured the Seton Museum then over to the Villa Philmonte for a 10:00 tour. Our tour guide Patrick did an excellant job and was very knowledgable. We stayed at the Villa for a while and talked with Patrick then over to the Waite Phillips Museum. The t-storms built up big today but no rain on us, however it did cool it down. Went over to the Trading Post and picked up souvenirs for everyone. We left Base Camp at 2:00 and went back to Ponil CG. Charlie, Joel and I sat under the trees and enjoyed the afternoon. We hit the pizza place at 6:00 and man was it crowded. Most of the crews came off the trail today, met one crew that like us arrives in BC tomorrow. After dinner we drove over to the old Colfax County Jail which was built in 1872. The walls are 10 ft. high and 4 ft. thick. Back to camp for the evening, its a comfortable 82* and breezy which helps keep the mosquitos down. The troopers are up at the pavillion, Charlie,  Joel and I are sitting under the cottonwood trees enjoying the evening. Most of the crews told us at dinner that it rained everyday on them. Sounds like the monsoon season is upon us. talked with Cody and Cassie today, always good to hear their voices. Miss them both. Going to call Wendy in a few then its bedtime. Very tired tonight. Base Camp tomorrow. What the heck am I thinking??

July 12th - Base Camp - Day 1

Got up at 5:30 today, took a shower then talked with Joel and Charlie until the crew got up. We broke camp ate a quick breakfast and left for Philmont. We arrived at the Welcome Center at 8:00 and the day begins. Our Ranger is Michael Biddeaux from Pennsylvania, kind of effeminate. Seems like a nice kid, but then I really am not a fan of Philmont Rangers. Seemed as if no one is in Base Camp until we went to our tents at 8:26 and a crew was still there doing shakedown of all things. Another goofy Ranger. We finally put our packs in a tent they emptied. Photo, Medical (my B/P 140/74), Services, Commissary, and Logistics. Had to check out Philtents, our Kelty tents are delaminating around the windows. Ate lunch then with storms building and the sun baking us we did shakedown. Ran into Michael Fazi at Logistics. We were finished by 2:00 so we finally had some off time. Stupid Ranger made us show everything we are carrying. Afternoon spent at the Advisors Lounge with Joel and Charlie. Called home a couple times. Dinner, Advisors Meeting, Chapel and Opening Campfire. Then our Ranger made us do Thorns & Roses. He is my thorn. Bedtime finally, start the hike tomorrow. -- Base Camp tent D7.

July 13th - Day 2 Lovers Leap Turnaround to Lovers Leap

Woke this morning at 5:15, had a good nights sleep. Went and took a shower then started cleaning my tent. Went to breakfast at 6:30, pretty good chow, French toast, sausage, hash browns. After breakfast I went to my truck called home and said my goodbyes to Wendy and Cassie. I had talked with Cody last night, he asked me for some jalapeno squeeze cheese. We checked out of our tents at 8:30, then to the Welcome Center for our 9:30 bus. We were the only crew on the bus and at Lover's Leap turnaround our Ranger went over Orienteering, Lightning Position etc. Had a little problem with the shutter on my camera not opening all the way finally got it working again. Our goofy Ranger went way overboard on latrine talk. Then spent the next 15 to 20 minutes going over how to take a dump in a cathole, while all around us the t-storms built. We finally hit the trail after an hour and a half of pure nonsense. I know there are crews that arrive her with no idea of what they are doing, but seriously when a crew arrives and shows it is up to date on everything this idiot went over why make it take so long just so you can check off all the spots in your Ranger log. Its ridiculous. The views of the Tooth on this trail are always amazing. We put on our pack covers when a small shower hit. We stopped at Lover's Leap and took some crew photos in a small shower. The shower ended and it got  cooler which is really nice. We made camp around 12:45 and set up the dining fly in site 9. This is the same site where Spike had his nosebleed in '03. The troopers hung the bear bags then came back and we set up tents, finally lunch. Charlie and I are in camp now while the crew is purifying water. I think its a consensus with the crew, our Ranger sucks. I mean seriously this yahoo spent 15 minutes explaining to us the different numerical softness/hardness of crap when you take a dump, and actually wants us to give him what number we have after each dump. He can take a flying leap off of Lover's Leap if he thinks I'm gonna do that. I realize I'm getting older and more set in my ways, but seriously I'm having a hard time keeping my mouth shut and not telling this guy to just shut up. Our sister crew from Virginia is camped next to us, they said they just spotted a bear, but unfortunately I didn't see it. More Ranger training in the afternoon, while Charlie, Joel and I sat on the hillside and looked out over the valley. Fixed dinner - rice, refried beans, and mexican beef. It would have been ok it was hydrated properly. Way to dry. That one is on the Ranger. After dinner, cleanup, T&R then in my tent and journal time. 

July 14th - Day 3 Lovers Leap to Crater Lake

Got out of camp in good, left at 6:20. Started out at to fast a pace though but we got it adjusted. Stopped for breakfast where we have stopped in the past. I took some photos of the Grizzly Tooth. While we were there our sister crew - who are from Virginia passed while we were eating breakfast. After breakfast we continued on our way. Almost into camp Carter's asthma flared and we stopped for him. We made it into camp, made our packline and went up for our porch talk. We filled our water bottles, left our trash and recyclables and then they took us back down the trail we just hiked in to the absolute worst campsite here on the entire ranch. Site #16, this is a mud hole, absolutely no grass cover whatsoever. I cannot believe they use this as a site. The crew who are really dragging and its only Day 3 decided not to side hike Trail Peak. A good choice I think. We changed our spar pole climbing time to 11:00. While we were at the poles of all people to show up Steve and Shirley Eubanks. They are here for the Philmont Staff reunion and they hiked out to see us. They went on to the cabin while we climbed. Everyone climbed except Charlie and I, already done that. We went back to camp and ate lunch under the dining fly as the t-storms closed in on us. When the water started running under the fly I moved to my tent, which of course is sitting in a puddle. Did I mention this is a terrible campsite? The rain let up and I got out of my tent and walked around camp. The troopers are all under the fly playing cards with the Ranger. Finally they are starting to open up and talk and I think have some fun. Charlie, Joel and I went up to the cabin for a while just to get out of the mud. We talked with the staffers, Crater always has a great staff. Arlie is from Arlington, Tx and worked staff at Worth Ranch, pretty cool. Back to camp for dinner - mac and cheese. Not quite what I wanted after smelling the steaks they were cooking in the staff cabin. Charlie and Joel went to Advisors coffee, I stayed in camp. There was only supposed to be 2 crews in camp tonight but the PSA crews swelled it to 10 so they were expecting 50 people under the porch. They moved campfire up since the rain finally stopped. Campfire was great as always with our boys getting to join in with the egg shaker. We also got to holler at Miners Park, always a blast. The rain came back and cut short the program, we sang the Philmont Hymn and slogged back to camp. a quick devotional and T&R. Still raining as we went to bed.

July 15th - Day 4 Crater Lake to Black Mountain

 

Rained hard all night, I had a small rivulet running under my tent. We delayed get up time til 6:00, but no dice it was still raining. It continued to rain on us as we broke camp. During our Wilderness Pledge, finally we are shed of our Ranger. We left Crater Lake at 7:30 in a misty rain. We slogged down to Miners Park where finally the rain stopped and the fog lifted. Pushing through MP we made our way down the trail to N. Fork Uracca Creek. The creek was flowing faster and higher then I've ever seen it. There was a crew crossing the creek when we arrived. We decided to take off our boots and socks and use our campshoes to cross this other crew waded it in knee deep water in their boots. I tied my bootlaces together slung them over my shoulder grabbed my pack and waded across the cold deep creek. When I got to the other side I dropped my pack and boots then waded back out to help the others across. We decided to leave our camp shoes on and continue up the trail to Black Mtn and the 51 more stream crossings. I hiked most of the way to Black Mtn in my slip on campshoes, they actually held up well. Everyone in the crew except Sam and I slipped and fell in. I was really lucky, I was also really happy I had my trekking poles they gave me great balance. We stopped for lunch about 12:30 then continued on. We decided later after the crossings didn't seem so wide and deep to put our boots back on. It felt good to get my boots back on, my feet were a little cold but most of the troopers were wearing canvas shoes. Blisters were a concern. We arrived in Black Mtn. at 3:00 after 7 1/2 wet, tough hrs on the trail. We checked in at the cabin, and were lucky enough to get to shoot the .58 caliber black powder rifles right then. I shot 3x and hit each target 2 neckerchiefs and I blew the button off the top of Sam's cap. Pretty good shooting I thought. We left the range and went to set up camp in #3. Everyone did their best to dry as much stuff out as we could. My tent was the worst of my gear and was soaking wet. We laid our stuff and hung our stuff  to let it dry as best as we could. Everyone of the other crews in camp had the same problem soaking wet gear. The staff here said they got 2 1/2" of rain here. Dinner was pretty durn good - mashed potatoes and chicken. Its 7:20 now, getting chilly out, I'm layered up. I'll be heading to bed soon after a long wet day.

 

July 16th - Day 5 Black Mtn. to Buck Creek

 

5:30 seemed to come fast this morning. We broke camp but the troopers just couldn't get with it. We left camp at 7:00. We made the slow climb up to the 4 wheel drive road and stopped there fro breakfast. While there I spotted a B-1 bomber flying between us and Trail Peak. After breakfast we made our way down to Beaubien, arriving there at 9:30. We checked in and signed up for the 10:30 Cons. At 10:30 we went to Cons and luckily were the only crew. Our Cons guys Jeremiah and John, both from North Carolina, were by far the best Cons people I've ever worked with in my 7 treks. Our project was again Timber Stand Improvement or TSI, and we cut down about 15 small pine trees and stripped them. We had a lunch break then finished up. Once again Cons is done. YEAH!! We presented both John and Jeremiah with a T50 challenge coin. They both choked up, it was a great Cons experience. We loaded up our packs and left Beaubien for PJ. At PJ we were given 4 days worth of food really filled my pack taking 6 meals. We were also given some strawberry flavored milk and fruit. Both the milk and the pear I had were great. I mailed post cards home at the Trading Post then went back to my pack. We loaded up and started the long slow climb with full packs up to Buck Creek. I noticed my boots are starting to delaminate where I repaired them, I hope they last the trek. They both have small holes in them so this will be their last trek. We made camp in site #3 at 4:00. This is a really nice camp next to a babbling brook. There is only us and our sister crew in camp tonight. They are from Virginia, they didn't make Black Mtn until 11 pm last night, instead of criss-crossing N Fork Uracca at flood stage like we did, they climbed up to Shaefer's Pass and went up and over Black Mtn. They spent 14 hours on the trail. WOW! We ate dinner under the fly today was cloudy and cool most of the day. When we got to camp it was sunny so I set my tent out to try and dry it. But of course it began to rain. So another rainy day. I sat for a little while after dinner. We joked and sang Jerry Jeff Walker and CW McCall songs. After T&R I went to my tent because I was cold. Caught up on my journal, now its bedtime very tired after a very long day.

 

July 17th - Day 6 Buck Creek to Wild Horse

 

Woke at 5:15, slept pretty good last night just not long enough. Charlie is really struggling from his fall along N Fork Uracca Cr. After working Cons yesterday he really had a hard time hiking, breathing etc. including getting into his tent. We decided to go back to PJ and send him down to Base Camp. we rolled out of camp at 6:30 and hiked down to PJ. I always hate losing a crew member, especially Charlie. We took a crew photo, said our goodbyes and rolled up Rayado Creek to Crooked Creek. We took the cabin tour then the troopers went and played with the animals. They also made candles. We left Crooked Creek at 10:45. Our sister crew rolled in as we were leaving. We hiked up the trail to Wild Horse, it is a rough trail so we caterpillered. That really helps, but damn its still a rough trail. We made camp at 12:30 stopping at site #6. We were able to set up and dry out our tents. The spring was really running slow and took time just to fill the bottles. After lunch we sat in camp during the afternoon in the sunshine. sure felt good. We are camped at 10,420 ft and its cool in the shade. Sitting here while the troopers play Spades, durn it Carter put your cards up so the others can't see what you have in your hand. I'm very very tired after the trail today. Bedtime will come early tonight for sure! Had a rousing evening tonight a lot of good laughter, most of it aimed at Carter because of him lying in the field and letting the goats at Crooked Creek lick his face. Supper wasn't the best tonight, in fact none of the meals today were very good. Guess I'll just notch up my belt somemore. Oh for a Charlie's Cheeseburger right now. My R knee is really hurting this evening, not sure what I did but will wear my knee brace for sure the rest of the trek. Its 8:00 now, I'm in my tent bedtime coming very soon. Tomorrow we climb Mt. Phillips.

 

July 18th - Day 7 Wild Horse to Mt. Phillips

 

Left camp at 6:30 hiked over to Clear Creek and arrived at 8:00. Checked out the cabin and then threw the tomahawks, the crew decided not to shoot black powder since we shot at Black Mtn. We filled our water bottles then started the long, steep climb up Mt. Phillips at 9:15. We stopped for a couple packs off breaks, finally made the top around 12:15. I cannot believe this is my 5th time up here, this trail was really tough today. Both my feet hurt and my knee is really sore. We set up camp in site #1 as usual and ate a quick lunch then out on the summit for crew photos. The lads launched fruit off the summit also. I texted home to let them know we were here. Unfortunately I found out Cody is going to get laid off in Oct. Depressing. Didn't get ahold of Wendy and Cassie will try later. I also texted Charlie, he does have a fractured rib but he said he was going to try and make it back out on the trail either tomorrow at Cypher's or 'Cito the next day. The storms are building all around us, but right now we are the only ones on the top. The boys played Spades under the dining fly. I took a power nap it really helped I am exhausted. Texted Wendy and Cassie, talked with them for a while. Then sat on the summit and enjoyed the view. It is spectacular, watched a thunderstorm build off toward Wheeler Peak. After a while I went back to camp where the troopers were still playing Spades. We made supper and had to choke it down. After having good meals the last two treks this trek all the meals have sucked. After dinner Joel and I went out and stood on the ridge and just enjoyed the view. Our sister crew rolled in to camp about 6:30, six hrs behind us. 7:15 now and I'm in my tent, going to bed soon. I'm very tired. 

 

July 19th - Day 8 Mt. Phillips to Lamberts Mine

 

The temp dipped to 38* last night, a chilly morning to break camp with the wind blowing. We started the long slow downhill. This is not one of my favorite trails because of the down, and the rocks. We ate breakfast at Comanche Peak. We stopped for crew photos at Thunder Ridge. Looking N we could see the Spanish Peaks in Colorado, they were shrouded in smoke from what looked like a large forst fire W of them, I presume it was still the West Fork fire that started near South Fork Colorado. We hiked and stumbled down to Cypher's Mine. I sat on the porch while Joel and the troopers went up to the forge. My feet and knee are really hurting from all the down, and I'm not feeling well at all today. Charlie rejoined us at 11:30 what a hoot to have him back. Earlier I watched 2 turkeys and 4 chicks pecking around the trail. The troopers wanted to do the mine tour but had to wait for a staffer. By the time they got back it was almost 2:00. The Crew Leader decided we would cook dinner for lunch. With the afternoon storms building I was a little concerned. We ate lunch it was of course terrible, cleaned up and started our hike over to Lamberts Mine as the sky darkened. We met our sister crew heading back to Cypher's for program. About a mile out of camp the sky opened up we put on our raingear, sure wish I had put on my rain pants. The rain got harder then lightning, and hail. Shades of Greenwood Canyon back in '01. We grabbed the first campsite and quickly set up the fly. We crawled under and rode out the storm. When the rain let up we went and chose another site that was a little more level and not as muddy. After setting up the tents we went back to the fly to eat dinner. The rains came again. After eating dinner I went to my tent about 6:30. Ripped the fly on my new tent trying to get in. Luckily it didn't leak. The rest of the crew except for Josh and I went back to Cypher's for the "Stomp." I went to sleep listening to the driving rain. 

 

July 20th - Day 9 Lamberts Mine to "Cito

 

Didn't sleep to well last night with the driving rain and the fact my tent was on a slope. Luckily at 5:30 wake-up time it had stopped raining and we were able to break camp and head toward 'Cito at 6:40. The trail was running water like a creek. Charlie spotted some grouse on the side of the trail. The stream crossings were of course flooded so most everyone got their boots wet. Mine had gotten wet in the rain. We made our way down across several flooded crossings. While hiking we ran into John Mark one of our Cons guys from Beaubien, who was heading up the Middle Fork of 'Cito creek. He told us we had 3 more stream crossings to go. On the last crossing somehow I managed to get water in my L boot, bummer! We slogged on down to Hunting Lodge, passed through and on to 'Cito along the new trail. Along the way Charlie spotted a black bear on the side of the trail sitting between 2 trees. We stopped and took photos, the bear just laid down and rested looked like no cares in the world at all. We arrived in camp at 10:15, had our porch talk then went up to our campsite #3. Everyone put their wet stuff out to dry, the sky is crystal clear with some storms building to the N. While eating lunch another black bear and her cub circled the outside of camp heading away from us up the hill. Pretty cool to see 3 bears in one day. Charlie, Joel and I are sitting in camp, the troopers went to Ute Gulch to pick up the last of our food. What a beautiful afternoon, the rest in camp is well needed I am very tired. The troopers returned from Ute Gulch Comm around 4:30. We sat and enjoyed the afternoon, a t-storm built up N of us, sure hope it doesn't rain. Dinner was served finally a decent meal - Stove Top stuffing. We did T&R after dinner. Cleaned up camp, the troopers and I stayed in camp while Charlie and Joel went to Advisors coffee. The troopers played cards while I just sat recovered from this ordeal of ups and downs and flooded stream crossings.

 

July 21st - Day 10 Layover 'Cito - side hike Hidden Valley

 

Wake up time today was 7:00, I got up at 6:30. Sure felt good to sleep a little longer. The crew was up at 7:00, they dropped the bear bags, got out a breakfast and lunch then we went down to do climbing. Charlie and I sat on the porch of the staff cabin while Joel and the crew went to climb. We ate breakfast and enjoyed the morning. Both of us discussed our previous treks here and the great times we've had. I think we both realize and have decided its time to let someone else take over this Philmont thing. The crew returned and ate a quick breakfast then we set off for a side hike to Hidden Valley. What a peaceful and beautiful hikes, its always been one of my favorites on the ranch. We made our way up to Window Rock where we took crew photos and talked about our hike tomorrow. Charlie pointed out the various hilites of Tooth Ridge. We then crossed over to Cathedral Rocks, where I pointed out our route down the canyon from Mt. Phillips to Cypher's to Hunting Lodge. We then made our way down to Hunting Lodge where we took the tour. A much better tour then the last time I was here where the staffer pointed a rifle at me. After the tour we ate lunch then took the new trail once again back to 'Cito. Arriving back at 'Cito, Charlie led us down to the totem poles that are here. These totems were carved by scouts when Cimarroncito served as Base Camp here at Philmont for the Wagon Treks and earlyPhil treks. The oldest totem dates to 1949. Its sad to see the state these poles are in, seems a shame that they aren't taken better care of. Back to camp now, the troopers are playing cards under the fly. I'm in my tent writing these memories down. Just enjoying a little downtime, my knee really hurts, me feet are of course sore. I don't like the food and so have already lost weight. I feel like I'm near the point of total exhaustion, why do I keep doing this? My socks are torn and my boots are falling apart, this is my last trek. I know I've said this everytime I've come but, its no longer fun it has become an ordeal and tomorrow we face Tooth Ridge. But then Base Camp and home. Two more days I will prevail. Bed will be early tonight. The troopers and Joel just went up to do indoor climbing. Charlie is up on the porch and I'm the only one in camp. Thunder is rumbling in S Country and we had a small shower. For supper we had something resembling lasagna. It was reall bad. After dinner and clean-up the troopers played cards while Charlie, Joel and I sat and enjoyed the evening. Bedtime at 8:30 felt good to lay down and relax.

 

July 22nd - Day 11 'Cito to Tooth Ridge

 

Got out of camp in 40 minutes, leaving at 6:20. Made it past Hunting Lodge and on down to Clark's fork where we stopped for breakfast and to fill up our water. We left from Clark's Fork and pushed up the long steep trail to Shaefer Pass. We made the pass in a hour and a half stopped there and took a packs off break. After our break we climbed up and around Shaefers Peak and out onto Tooth Ridge. It was already getting hot with no breeze. This trail and I do not get along, feet are really starting to hurt. We slowly pushed across the ridge making the Tooth of Time bear lines where we turned the troopers loose to get to our campsite. Charlie and I slowly worked our way down to camp. Cody and Michael came back and offered to take our packs so we let them. I was near collapse by then anyway. We set up in site #10 after 7 1/2 hrs and 11.3 miles on the trail. My feet were hurting so bad I couldn't see straight. The pain at times was unbearable all the more reason not to do this again. I got my boots off and rubbed my destroyed toes but nothing eased the pain. Finally I was able to wobble to the fly to get out of the sun. I pretty much collapsed when I got into camp and just lay there on the ground next to where Cody had set my pack down. Joel came over and pulled out my Thermarest for me so I could at least get off the ground. I ate some beef jerky and M&M's for lunch. Pretty much everyone is either sleeping or resting now. The bear bags are hung, and I still need to put up my tent. Maybe later. Went up on the ridge overlooking Base Camp and just sat and enjoyed the afternoon. Saw some buzzards riding the thermals. Then saw a bald eagle. Charlie and Joel joined me and we sat and enjoyed the afternoon hearing and watching the eagle. I can hardly believe this trek is almost over but I'm looking forward to a shower and better food. Getting ready to eat, then T&R and to bed its been a very long hard day. 

 

July 23rd - Day 12 Tooth Ridge to Base Camp

 

I got up at 5 and started packing up my stuff in my tent for the last time. The crew left for sunrise on the Tooth at 4:45. I woke Charlie at 5:30 and we sat on the ridge next to camp and watched another beautiful NM sunrise for the last time on this trail. The crew arrived back at camp about 6:30, we broke camp, ate a quick breakfast then started the Trail of Tears down to Base Camp. We kept a pretty good pace all the way down. My feet still hurt and my knee too. While hiking I felt a sharp pain go thru my L calf, great now my calf muscle hurts. We made it back to Base Camp at 9:30. there sat Steve and Shirley Eubanks waiting on us. We took photos, drank gatorade and ate chicken. We checked in at the Welcome Center, went thru all check-in procedures, finally to our tents and that long awaited shower. My first in 10 days, not counting all the rain on the trail. Lunch was at 11:45, then lounging around Base Camp at the Advisors Lounge watching the new Trailbound crews following their Rangers around. Charlie, Joel and I went into Cimarron to the St. James Hotel to have a drink, some chips and salsa and cheddar poppers and write our evaluations. Back to Camp after showing Charlie and Joel around the St. James Hotel. I called home a couple of times, talked with Wendy and the kids. Dinnertime, then over to the Fire Station for our final T&R and to hand out our patches. We went to Chapel Service and then Closing campfire. They changed campfire some I was a little disappointed they took out the mini-bear attack. Back to my tent and cot, ready for bed, a long drive tomorrow, but I'm ready to go home.

 

July 24th - Philmont to Fort Worth

 

Woke up at 4:30 listened to the coyotes. Got up at 5:00, packed up the truck, cleaned our tents out and off to breakfast at 5:45. Ate a quick breakfast and we were on the road home by 6:20. Stopped for gas in Springer then rolled SE. Lunch at the Whataburger in Amarillo, then on the road again. Gas stop in Childress, pit stop in Iowa Park. We arrived at the SAM building at 5:45 and my 7th and final trek was done. Wendy, Cody and Cassie were there to greet me it was great to see them. We unloaded our gear, passed out our crew photos then said our goodbyes. All in all a great trek. but I am certainly tired, battered and bruised. Mama's Pizza for dinner, then finally ....home.

 

Final thoughts - 7 treks, this one 75 miles total. Not sure if its my age or mental capacity, but probably the hardest trek I've done. Of course the terrible food doesn't help. When you don't eat and refuel your gonna make mistakes and get hurt and thats exactly what I did. But its hard to eat when your gagging on each bite. Philmont once again tested me, I finished the trek, but Philmont almost finished me and showed me who was boss.

 

Charlie and I both decided this would be our last trek. Between the two of us we've done 15 treks, hiked over 1500 miles at Philmont, had the honor and the priviledge of hiking with 23 different adults and 81 different Scouts at this Scouting paradise. Of those 81 Scouts 56 have become Eagle Scouts. To me that is exactly what Philmont is all about, making great friendships and making great memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Thank you Mr. Phillips for giving us this great place to enjoy and make all these memories.