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 Philmont 2007: Different Paths and Different Experiences

 In July 2007, a contingent (709-J) of 22 Scouts and 11 Scouters from South Texas and Alamo Area Councils completed a 15-day trip to Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron, New Mexico. The contingent was divided into three crews: Crew 1 was composed of individuals from Beeville (Troop 316), Kingsville and Riviera (Troop 186), Portland (Troop 349), and Rockport (Whooping Crane District); Crew 2 represented Troop 87 of Corpus Christi; and Crew 3 represented Troop 360 of San Antonio.

 Philmont Scout Ranch, located in northeastern New Mexico, is a national camping area owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America. Philmont has 215 square miles of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Range of the southern Rocky Mountains. Elevations range from 6,508 feet at Rayado Turnaround to 12,441 feet atop Baldy Mountain.

Crews 1 and 2 departed Corpus Christi on a chartered bus at 5:50 AM on July 8. Crew 3 was picked up on the northwest side of San Antonio. The contingent spent the night in a gymnasium at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico, and reached Philmont at 10:30 AM on July 9.

Crew 1 followed Itinerary 7 (57 miles and classified as challenging) through the northern and central portions of Philmont. This itinerary included a bus ride to Six Mile Gate on the first trail day, views from atop Shaefers Peak (elevation 9,413 feet) and the Tooth of Time (elevation 9,003 feet) on the tenth trail day, and a hike into Base Camp via Tooth Ridge Trail on the eleventh trail day. Overnight camps included Anasazi, Indian Writings, Ponil, Dean Cow, Harlan, Deer Lake, Sawmill, Webster Parks, Upper Clarks Fork, and Tooth Ridge. Itinerary highlights according to the crew included .30-06 rifle shooting and shell reloading at Sawmill, shotgun shooting and shell reloading at Harlan, rock climbing at Dean Cow, and horseback riding at Ponil. The crew hiked through areas affected by the June 2002 lightening-induced forest fires that affected 18,000 acres in the northern portion of Philmont. Cheese cake and Rice Krispies Treats were the favorite foods and Tooth Ridge was the favorite overnight camp. Three hours of conversation work were completed by participating in the building of a new trail at Harlan Camp. The Crew Leader was Morgan Lutenbacher and the Crew Advisor was Larry Luehring. Other crew members included Zachary Luehring, Andrew Jaramillo, Michael Cortez, Daniel Poorman, Marcus Menchaca, William Brown, Kenny Cox, Jonathan Schwindt, Michael Luehring (adult), and Lee Green (adult).

Crew 2 followed Itinerary 16 (67 miles and classified as rugged) through the southern and central portions of Philmont. This itinerary included a bus ride to Lovers Leap Turnaround on the first trail day, a view from atop Mount Phillips (elevation 11,736 feet) on the seventh trail day, a view from atop the Tooth of Time (elevation 9,003 feet) on the tenth trail day, and a hike into Base Camp via Tooth Ridge Trail on the eleventh trail day. Overnight camps included Lovers Leap, Crater Lake, Black Mountain, Beaubien (2 nights), Wild Horse, Mount Phillips, Cimarroncito (2 nights), and Tooth Ridge. Itinerary highlights according to the crew included rock climbing at Cimarroncito, mining activities at Cyphers Mine, climbing the Tooth of Time, and the view from atop Mount Phillips. Club Crackers were the favorite food and Crater Lake was the favorite overnight camp. Three hours of conservation work were completed by cutting wood and trees at Beaubien Camp. The Crew Leader was Marcos Garcia and the Crew Advisor was Terry Beck. Other crew members included Timothy Flannery, Jamie Thomas, Daniel Beck, James Davenport, Enrique Garcia (adult), Patrick Flannery (adult), and James Davenport (adult).

Crew 3 followed Itinerary 29 (83 miles and classified as strenuous) through the southern, central and northern portions of Philmont. This itinerary included a bus ride to Rayado Turnaround on the first trail day, a view from atop the Tooth of Time (elevation 9,003 feet) on the third trail day, a view from atop Baldy Mountain (elevation 12,441 feet) on the eighth trail day, and a bus ride back to Base Camp from Ponil Turnaround on the eleventh day. Overnight camps included Olympia, Crater Lake, Shaefers Pass, Hunting Lodge, Visto Grande, Upper Dean Cow, Miranda (2 nights), Flume Canyon, and Ponil. Itinerary highlights according to the crew included spartree pole climbing at Crater Lake, challenge events at Head of Dean, chuck wagon dinner and breakfast at Ponil, and climbing Baldy Mountain and the Tooth of Time. The crew also enjoyed seeing bear, deer, elk, and turkey. Cheese cake was the favorite food and Upper Dean Cow was the favorite overnight camp. Three hours of conversation work were completed by cutting logs and clearing brush at Cimarroncito Camp. The Crew Leader was Christopher Gower and the Crew Advisor was Richard Gower. Other crew members included Gerardo Barrios, Thomas Layden, Stuart Whitfield, Justin Landry, Taylor Cote, Eric Crosson, Ryan Durkee, Robert Crosson (adult), Kevin Whitfield (adult), and William Layden (adult).

The contingent was scheduled to depart Philmont on a chartered bus at 8:00 AM on July 21 but a bus scheduling error caused a 16-hour delay and a departure around midnight. In an attempt to achieve the planned return date and time, the contingent traveled almost non-stop with multiple driver changes, omitted the planned overnight stop in San Angelo, and reached Corpus Christi at 5:40 PM on July 22 (only 3 hours past the planned arrival time).

If you have other questions please contact Mary Garcia at (361) 814-4300 ext. 13 or email mgarcia@stxbsa.org