Crew 6-20 D-2

A crew from my troop back home arrived yesterday morning.  After months of preparation, they're ready to hit the trail on a 10-day excursion in the Philmont backcountry.  For the first two days they will have a ranger to teach them the ropes.  After that, it's all up to Jake (the crew leader) and the rest of the crew.  

I had the opportunity to eat a few meals with them before they left.  We went to the opening campfire program and I showed them around base camp.  It brings back memories of the first time I came to Philmont in 2008.  Hope they do alright-- they will.  I'll see if I can hike with them for a few days before they come back.  

Philmont Gateway

The Philmont gateway is a long-time tradition on the ranch.  Campers toss their boots over the top after a successful trek.  A few years ago, the old gateway was taken out by an incoming bus.  This gateway is new for the 2011 season.

Thanks to Deg for commenting on a prior post and asking for the photo.

Mt. Wheeler

First day off today.  Casey and me decided to climb Mt. Wheeler, the tallest peak in New Mexico.  

Horseshoe Lake, one of two lakes on the climb up.  

Checking to see if the sun was still there.  It was.  

At the summit, 13,161 feet above sea level.  Vicious winds; I almost blew over a few times.  

Full Moon

Moon at Philmont News and Photo Service (NPS). 

Full moon over base camp. 

Beatles Night

Snack bar theme nights have begun, starting with the Beatles this week.  I sold Peace Tea (a popular product out here) as a hippie on the snack bar patio for two hours.  I sold a total of 32.  The last song was "Hey Jude".  We all liked it.  

Dinner in Taos

Yesterday, I had the unique privilege to go to dinner with some friends from school.  Yes, from Mercyhurst in Erie.  Sarah and Natalie were part of a service trip to repair an old church in Taos, New Mexico.

We were able to hook up for dinner at a Mexican Restaurant-- La Cocina de Taos.  My amigo Cory took me there in his car.  We got the biggest fried ice cream sundae... and it was good.  

A Most Excellent Adventure

A few days ago, me and some co-workers went on an excursion to the nearest Wal-Mart--across the border in Trinidad, Colorado.  I purchased some necessities (shampoo, a sink stopper, a loaf of bread).  

Afterward we tried to get on the freeway to go home, but our driver made a wrong turn.  He ended up following a country road paralleling the interstate.  Miles later, the road ended-- thirty feet from the freeway.  So we turned around and went to Dairy Queen.  It was all better.  

Smoke Over Base

It's been arid here with little rain-- there is a very high risk of wildfires, so the ranch is banned from having any open fires. Yesterday was interesting outside.  I noticed a certain haze in the distance, then I smelled smoke.  Apparently, there were small fires in nearby Taos and across the border in Colorado.  But it's the Arizona fires that caused the haze.  We're hoping Arizona doesn't share what it started.  

On a lighter note, I enjoyed playing a game of volleyball last night until it got too dark.  The sand in the court was very course.  I wish we had Presque Isle sand here-- it would be much nicer on the feet.  

Tent City

Tent City is where most of the staff lives.  It's located at base camp, and seemingly goes on forever.

My tent is E-2.  Staff tents (including mine) are a tan canvas wall tent, situated on a 10x12 slab of concrete.  There are electrical outlets and triangle-zip windows included, as well as a locker, cot and mattress.  The locker is on it's side because in high winds, the tent has less chance of ripping on the locker's metal edge

Each tent comes with a tentmate.  My tentmate's name is Steve.  He's from North Carolina.  He knows how to keep clean and organized.  I like Steve because of this.  

Philmont at a Glance

Philmont is the world's largest youth camp with over 21,000 participants annually and 214 square miles 137,493 acres acres) of land.  There are 315 miles of trails, 34 staffed backcountry camps and 770 campsites.

Philmont is a working cattle ranch with 250 horses, 85 burros (donkeys), 320 cattle, 140 buffalo, and 7 ponies. Wildlife includes over 1,500 deer, 300 elk, 40-60 antelope, and 100-150 bears.

The Philmont vehicle fleet consists of almost 100 Philtrucks, Philvans, Philburbans, and Philcars.  They're all pretty much the same color, a light tan.

In 2011, Philmont expects: 22,733 campers, 3,500 training participants, 1,070 staff, and countless visitors and guests.  Every day, 350 arrive, 350 leave, and 3,500 are hiking in the backcountry.

Purging of the signs

So, I and another employee have decided that all the signs throughout the store are lame.  They frequently include cheesy clip art, pictures, and are in all different kinds of fonts.  Not only that, but they are put up with sloppy packaging tape all over the sides.

Tonight, we got rid of them.  We made new ones.  They look better.  Above is a before and after shot.  More work to do tomorrow, but I feel better making the store much more presentable, and the signs more readable.

Skip Yowell

A few days ago,  I met Skip Yowell, co-founder of Jansport.  He's a cool dude-- an old hippie who made it.  And he gave the keynote address to the 2011 Philmont staff.

In 1967,  Skips' cousin Murray created an innovative aluminum-frame pack.  It proved successful and they both decided to make and market more.  They needed someone to sew the packs, so Skip's cousin made a deal to his girlfriend, Jan.  If Jan sewed the packs, Murray would not only marry Jan, but he would name the company after her.

Skip has an awesome story, documented in his book: "The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Latter & Other Mountains".  I got a copy.  He signed it.  He also signed my Jansport backpack...

Stove Clinic

At the store, we've started to train on the products we sell.  Representatives from all over the outdoor industry are scheduled for the upcoming weeks.  This video highlights MSR (Mountain Safety Research), which makes backpacking stoves.  The rep shows how to light an MSR Whisperlite stove.