Philmont 2011
By Gary Hansen
Theodore Roosevelt Council sent 22 Scouts and leaders in a contingent to the Philmont Scout Ranch for a backpacking adventure from July 4 to July 18, 2011. The contingent left early on July 4th from LaGuardia airport arriving in Albuquerque where they were met by the tour company Blue Sky Adventures. Tam, our tour guide, leads us to the bus to begin our 2 day tour of the sites in and around Albuquerque giving us history of the region as well as begin our acclimation to the higher elevation. The airport sits at 5,352 feet so it is a greater height than Long Island by far.
Our first stop is lunch at Blake's Lot a Burger a local favorite where most try the green chilli on the burger and enjoy the fresh milk shakes. Our next stop is the National Atomic Museum where we can see the history of the nuclear program here in the United States, not far from the Los Alamos National Laboratory where the first experiments were carried out. We stop at Old Towne Albuquerque to shop and eat some ice cream before heading to the Sandia Peak Tramway . The tramway has the 3rd longest clear span in the world and it transports us up to an elevation of 10,378 feet where we were to complete a hike to the stone hut but the area was closed due to fire restrictions. We ride the tram back down and head to our hotel, the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid hotel, for a buffet style dinner and a swim in the pool.
The next day we are off to visit the Rio Grande Gorge for a 4 mile hike and a stop at Santa Fe, the capitol of New Mexico. Our stop in Santa Fe starts at the sculpture called “The Journey ” and a visit to the La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza. We make a quick circuit of the Plaza learning about the history of the city of Santa Fe and how it is well-known as a center for arts. We end at the Cathedral Basillica of St. Francis of Assisi which is a block or two away from the Plaza and down the street from the La Fonda. Next, our journey continued on to the Rio Grande Gorge , the grand canyon of New Mexico where the contingent hiked the La Vista Verde Trail in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area. Our last activity of the day is a trip down the Rio Grande in 2 person Fun-Yaks. A hybrid canoe-raft trip on the race course section of the river which is approximately 2 hours of white water river rapids and cooling off time! We finish up the day at Furr’s Fresh Express Buffet, a local favorite, for an all-you-can-eat dinner. We rest up at the hotel and prepare our gear for our trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch the next morning.
After an early wakeup call and 6 am breakfast at the hotel we board the bus at 6:30 for our 3 hour trip to Philmont . There is a lot to do for the crews on the arrival day at base camp. We meet our Rangers, one for each crew, who are both from Theodore Roosevelt Council. Jonathan Gillis was the Ranger for Crew W1 and Ryan Ratkowski was the Ranger for Crew W2. After meeting with the rangers we are off to get our wall tents for our night at base camp and then the fun begins. Each crew must go to logistics, registration, the post office, commissary, get crew gear and fuel. We also have our crew photos taken in front of the Tooth of Time and visit the Tooth of Time Traders store to pick up any last minute items. Our ranger also runs everyone through the crew shakedown where all the packs are emptied and specific items are for the trail or leave at base camp. If any person is missing something on the list it needs to be purchased before hitting the trail.
Once everything is completed at base camp we attend religious services and the opening program where we are introduced to the former land owners and learn the history of Philmont . The next morning our crews are ready to hit the trail and begin our backcountry experience. Each crew that attends Philmont can select 1 of 35 different itineraries with varying difficulty ratings and distances. Typical itineraries start at 50 miles and the more difficult treks are up to 120 miles. Each of the crews has selected a rugged trek which has included a hike to the top of Baldy Mountain , the highest peak at Philmont which reaches 12,441 feet, and covered at least 65 miles or more.
Programs in the backcountry included burro packing, cantina show, branding, black powder rifle shooting, gold panning, rock climbing and rappelling, horseback riding, chuck wagon dinner, and homesteading. A visit to the Continental Tie and Lumber Company (one of the backcountry camps) includes tie making, logger ball and spar pole climbing as well as an evening campfire program. Other programs at Philmont include challenge course events, .30-06 rifle reloading and shooting, 3-D archery, side hikes to mountain peaks, mesas and rock formations, fly fishing, hunting lodge tour and interpretive programs. Our crews truly enjoyed our time climbing to the highest peak at the ranch and participating in as many programs as possible to make the experience a once in a lifetime trip.
Each of the participants had a fantastic time and will look back on this trip with fond memories. This year the crews were from a few different troops from around our council. Crew W1 was led by youth crew leader John L., T485; Michael B., T240; Matthew C., T241; Mark D., T240; Tom L., T2830; Tom S., T660; Andrew T., T312; Michael G., T123; and Advisers Glenn Greubel, Jr., T123; Glenn Greubel, T123; Jim Loberto, T2830 and Gary Hansen, T485. Crew W2 was led by youth crew leader Aaron F., T351; Scott H., T351; Andrew L., T351; Matthew N., T351; Alex H., T40; Christian C., T40; Michael D., T40; Michael S., T40; and Advisers Scott Halleran, Sr., T351 and Doug Davis, T351.
Our council sends a contingent every year and if anyone is interested in attending next summer 2012 there are a few openings left for youth. Also, in March 2012 the council will be hosting the annual High Adventure Promotion Meeting and Sign up for 2013 crews to Sea Base and Philmont Scout Ranch. If interested in this program please contact High Adventure Chairman Gary Hansen at 516-616-6025 or harpo516@verizon.net or Adviser Kevin O’Shea at the Council Service Center 516-797-7600 x103 or Koshea@bsamail.org .