October 2016 Volume 39, Number 5

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HIGHT h e M a g a z i n e o f COUNTRYt h e P h i l m on t S ta f f A sso c i at i on ® www.philstaff.org PHILMONT STAFF ASSOCIATION PHILMONT STAFF 17 DEER RUN ROAD CIMARRON NM 87714 Mission unites (PSA) Association Staff Philmont The and present— staff—past Philmont the adventure, purpose of serving the the for Scout Ranch heritage and experience of Philmont Boy Scouts of America. and the Our Mission

High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 The 2016 Philmont Staff High Country®—Volume 39, Number 5 October 2016 In This Issue From the President

Ed Pease, Editor Emeritus Mark Stinnett, Editor Mark Dierker, Layout Editor Articles Going Places Dollie O’Neill, Associate Editor Bill Cass, Copy Editor 8 Worth a Thousand Words Ready for some good news? The sum- Our vision statement says it all: Dave Kenneke, Staff Contributor mer of 2016 at Philmont turned out to be “The Philmont Staff Association is Kevin “Levi” Thomas, Cartoonist 14 A Trek for the Ages the third largest ever in terms of atten- recognized and celebrated for outstand- Contributing Editors 18 My First Philmont Trek Robert Birkby, David Caffey, Bill Cass dance. Meanwhile, the PSA reached the ing service to Philmont Scout Ranch and Gregory Hobbs, Warren Smith 24 Charles Beaubien 3,400-member mark on August 18. That the Boy Scouts of America. We do great Mary Stuever, Stephen Zimmer 32 A Halloween Ghost Story represents an 8.4 percent increase from things for Philmont. We do great things Contributors to This Issue Gilbert Hervatin, Greg Hobbs, Eric Martinez, 2015. Amazing! for program. We do great things for Larry Murphy, Dollie O’Neill, Russell Smart Regular Features What that tells me is that Philmont youth. We do great things for the experi- © 2016, The Philmont Staff Association, Inc. Scout Ranch is alive and well and con- ence.” 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, NM 87714 All rights reserved. 3 From the President tinues to offer the best high adventure E-mail: [email protected] 4 PSA News program anywhere. To do that it takes a talented staff and Philmont continues Philmont Staff Association® 11 Building HOmE to find incredible people year after year. Board Of Directors 22 Ranch Roundup How does PSA help that effort? Often John Murphy, President 28 I-Camp Colleen Nutter, Vice President, Membership we pass on names of potential summer Tim Rosseisen, Vice President, Service 31 Short Stuff staff to the ranch, either friends, relatives Mariah Hughes, Vice President, Development Adam Fromm, Secretary 36 Trail Talk or someone we met through the local Matt Lindsey, Treasurer 38 Good Campsite council. Also, PSA offers the chance for National Directors scholarships to both first-time and return- Amy Boyle, Ken Davis, Bryan Delaney 39 Poems of Philmont Catherine Hubbard, Lee Huckstep ing staff. As former staff we understand I ran across this photo from a 2006 Dr. Dan Miller, Steve Rick the challenges of rising costs for travel backpacking trip to Wyoming. It remind- Other Stuff Regional Directors and expenses and are trying to make it ed me that with great challenges come Northeast: Kathleen Seitz, Rick Touchette an easier decision to work at Philmont. Central: Mitch Standard, Phil Winegardner 7 Bulletin Board great rewards. As we start to get closer Southern: Anne Marie Pinkenburg, Doug Wahl Applications for PSA scholarships are to the end of 2016, I just wanted to say : Nancy Stickelman, Michael Waggoner 12 Office & Museum Update available by calling the PSA office at 575- thank you to all PSA members for making Jim Lynch, Immediate Past President 19 Return of PASS and PAW 376-1138. Mark Anderson, Philmont Staff Advisor this a tremendous year. We have some 20 Photo: Storm Flees Zastrow With the completion of the election of exciting challenges ahead of us over the Ex Officio Members Emery Corley, Legal Advisor officers and directors for the PSA 2017- next couple of years and I know we are Douglas Fasching, Technology Manager On the Cover: “Bonding Time,” by Peter 2019 term, I want to take this opportunity up for them. We look forward to provid- Dollie O’Neill, Executive Director Randolph – First Place, Camper Activity and to personally thank each of you who ran ing more staff scholarships, creating new for an elected position or offered to serve PSA® FELLOWS First Place Overall in the summer staff photo events for members at the ranch and on a committee. In this busy world, it is across the country, and seeing the PSA Bob Harvey Fellow contest. See story on page 8. PAUL AND MARY JANE HARVEY great to see those willing to take on a role office building at the Seton become a real- Glenn A. Fowler Fellow to help lead us toward the next decade. ity. So get ready! Together we are going BRUCE BARNES We have many very bright and talented places. I look forward to seeing you back George A. Bullock Fellow MEMBERS ONLY ACCESS WILLIAM D. BRYCE members and because of your willingness at Philmont. Username: Baldy2016 Joe Davis Fellow to serve, whether it be on a committee or BILL CASS Password: FallAspen in a leadership role, the PSA continues John Murphy John A. Maxbauer, Jr. Fellow ANONYMOUS to be a strong and effective organization. President

2 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 3 National Directors: PSA® News

Congratulations to the following members elected to the association’s Board of Direc- Sarah Burgess, Wisconsin Dells, Wis. tors for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2017. We asked each of them to provide (Ranger 03-04, RT 05, Rayado Coord. 06, ACR 07-09, Sust. Resource Spec. us a Twitter-sized statement about Philmont or the PSA. Enjoy the responses: 10-11, STEM Coord. 13-14, Assoc. Dir. Cons. for Env. Educ. 15-16) Lead Research Naturalist, Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center National Officers: “Thanks to PSA, opportunities, friends and stories will continue.”

President: John Murphy, Tyler, Tex. Cathy Hubbard, Middleton, Wis. (Ranger 72-74) (PTC Dining Hall 76, Ranger 77, Infirmary Nurse 2012, 2014-15) Landscape Architect and President, Site Integration Studio Nurse Practitioner, Univ. of Wisconsin Medical Foundation “Serving Philmont through the PSA and being able to give back to current staff “From the moment I arrived at Philmont as a camper in 1975, I knew that it is an honor and a privilege.” would have a special place in my heart.” Lee Huckstep, , Tex. Vice President – Membership: Amy Boyle, Lander, Wyo. (CHQ Food Svc. 71, Cito Comm. Mgr. 72, Postmaster 74, Asst. Registrar (PTC Asst. Group Leader 78, PTC Group Leader 80) 76, CD Phillips Junction 77) Project Geologist, Wyoming Dept. of Environmental Quality Asst. General Counsel, KBR “PSA provides a great opportunity to connect, reconnect and to support “I could never have imagined in 1968, when I stepped off the bus onto Philmont Philmont for future generations!” soil, what an influence it would be on my life.”

Vice President – Service: Bryan Delaney, Atlanta, Ga. Doug Palmer, Valdez, N.M. (Ranger 98-00, MTC 01, ACR 02-03, Camping Projects Coord. 04-10) (Assoc. Director of Program 88-11) Mentor, Second Nature Blue Ridge Retired B.S.A. Professional “Our opportunities for service to Philmont abound in the PSA – we each need “I was privileged to work with thousands of Philstaff – it’s an honor to serve as to find our best way to give back.” a director of America’s greatest alumni group!”

Vice President – Development: Mariah Hughes, , Colo. Tim Rosseisen, Wheat Ridge, Colo. (HL Recept. 83, Ranger 84-85 & 87, EPC Cito 88, CD Dan Beard 89, (Ranger 84, PC Cito 85, 87, PC Miners Park 86, HR Dean Cow 88, CD CD Crooked Creek 90, Assoc. Dir. Cons. 91, Dir. Cons. 92) Dean Cow 89, CD Cito 90, CD Beaubien 91-92, HL Support 93 & 95) Director of Operations, IX Power Clean Water, Inc., Golden, Colo. Owner / Operator, Vacation Home Services, Breckenridge, Colo. “IWGBTP – for me, that means I wanna GIVE back to Philmont!” “We (the PSA) have truly made a mark on Philmont with our presence.”

Secretary: Kathy Seitz, Glastonbury, Conn. David Wilson, Orem, Utah (PTC Dining Hall 81, PTC Trading Post 82, CHQ Services 83) (LDS Chaplain and Chaplain Coord. 02-14) Voice Services Tower Lead, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Executive Officer, Utah Energy Conservation Coalition, Inc. “I got involved after the 2005 PSA event and never looked back! I’ve recon- “Philmont is God’s Country for any and all faiths and religious traditions. nected with those who love ‘this pile of rocks’ as much as I do.” This is what sets it (people and place) above all else.”

Treasurer: Matt Lindsey, Nacogdoches, Tex. Phil Winegardner, Overland Park, Kans. (Wrangler 87) (Ranger 69, TR 70, CD Fish Camp 71-72, CD Baldy Town 73, CD Cito 74) Asst. Prof. of Management, Stephen F. Austin State University Retired Systems Architect for AT&T and IBM “Looking forward to a second term as treasurer. It has been a great experience “I’ve never been too profound or witty. I love Philmont and I love the PSA – I working with committees and the board during my first term.” hope I can continue to help and give back to both.”

4 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 5 Regional Directors: Western Region

Northeast Region Piper Niehaus, Denver, Colo. (Ranger 06-08, RT 09, Rayado Coord. 10) Ken Davis, Alexandria, Va. Software Engineer, Pivotal Software, Inc. (PTC: Staff 60-61, Field Sports Dir. 63, Asst. Prog. Dir. 62, 65) “Philmont will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m grateful for PSA’s Retired Senior Civilian Mgr., U.S. National Archives & GSA work in keeping bonds between staffers alive.” “Philmont was for me, like many, a seminal experience. It led me to study his- tory for a career and broadened my love of my country.” Mike Waggoner, , Utah (Cons. Work Crew 94, Cons. Trail Crew 95, Ranger 98, TR 99, Mtn. Trek Father Don Hummel, Paramus, N.J. Coord. 00, ACR 01, Chief Ranger 02-05) (Catholic Chaplain 92-present) Regulatory Business Self-Testing Compliance Mgr., American Express Chaplain / Teacher, Paramus Catholic High School “I’m excited for the opportunity to continue to be part of the PSA.” “25 years as a PhilChap. So many challenges, even more cherished friends. Lives changed forever. Always new. The magic continues.” PSA® Winter Adventure Announced!

Southern Region PSA members have repeatedly asked to ters, sledding, snow tubing, avalanche participate in Philmont’s winter program safety and snow science, and learning Amy Hall, Edmond, Okla. - just as we’ve done with the summer trek cold weather camping skills. The final (PTC: Small Fry Dir. 96, Group. Leader. 97, Asst. Prog. Dir. 98-99, 01, and Autumn Adventure. Now we can! day will feature a trip to Red River for Fall Staff 01, Co-Program Dir. 02-03; TP Winter Staff 02) The inaugural PSA Winter Adventure is downhill skiing, tubing, or just enjoying Mom and teacher to four kids set for February 17-21, 2017. the town. Trained guides, specialized “Look forward to giving some of my time, energy and life to PSR.” Originally known as “Kanik,” this equipment, plenty of food, and great PSA Philmont program began in 1990 and was fellowship all provided! Dr. Daniel Miller, New Smyrna Beach, Fla. renamed Winter Adventure in 2011. It Complete details and costs will be (Phildoc 06-08, 10-11, 13-15, PTC Physician 16) provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy posted on the PSA Website and Facebook Ophthalmologist, Volusia Eye Associates Philmont’s winter beauty, learn new page. Participation is limited. Web sign- “Coming to Philmont in 1968 influenced my remaining life. Maybe I can now skills, and, most importantly, have fun. up will begin on Monday, October 24 at be an influence on a Scout, parent or young staff member.” The PSA crew will have the opportunity 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 12:00 noon Central, to participate in cross country skiing, 11:00 a.m. Mountain, and 10:00 a.m. Pa- Central Region snow shoeing, building snow shel- cific times. Caitlin Lowe, Lincoln, Neb. BULLETIN BOARD (PC 07-08, NPS Photographer 09, CD Fish Camp 10, CD Abreu 11, Upcoming PSA® Events CD Beaubien 12, Fall & Winter Guide 11-12, Backcountry Mgr. 13) Project Coordinator., Dimensions Educational Research Foundation PSA® Autumn Adventure Trek (NEW WEEK ADDED!) “Family is my soul, nature my compass, the Sangres my HOmE!” October 9-14, 2016 AND NOW October 16-21, 2016 at Philmont Contacts: Stephen and Cynthia Truemper at Mitch Standard, Macomb, Ill. [email protected] or [email protected] (Ranger 84, PC Miners Park 85) Surveyor / Construction Inspector, McClure Engineering Assoc. New Year’s at the Ranch “Happy to continue serving the PSA in this role. As co-chair of the Building December 30, 2016 – January 2, 2017 HOmE campaign, looking forward to great success there.” Contact: Dollie O’Neill, [email protected]

6 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 7 Worth a Thousand Words The Detective Story by Mark Stinnett The photo itself provided the only High Country Editor available clues to the identities of these trekkers. On close inspection, we could Our cover this month features a remark- see that the adult’s shirt had the word able photo that says so much about what “Troop” at the top, and that he had a Philmont is all about and why we all do “U.S. Army” emblem on his day pack. what we do. Changing lives. Making a Enlarging the photo revealed the com- difference. Delivering wilderness adven- plete unit name on his shirt, “Troop 66,” tures that last a lifetime. and also clearly showed a letter “F” Now, we usually don’t write entire adjacent to his pack. But the rest of the stories about photos. It’s typically the shirt’s information remained obscured by other way around – we publish photos the pack. to illustrate stories. And normally, for a That army day pack led us to surmise cover photo, we just print a sentence or that the “F” might be the first letter of the two about it on the contents page, along word “Fort,” and that this might thus be with the name of the photographer, and a Scout troop associated with a military that’s it. base. A Google search for “Troop 66 What a great story we found by tak- fort” yielded an immediate candidate: ing a different trail. Troop 66 from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The Photo Story Helpfully, they had both a website and a The Facebook photo – that’s our Scout! Facebook page. Peter Randolph, On the website, we found that the a Logistics staff troop regularly sent groups to Philmont. The Rest of the Story member from Now we knew that they might indeed Boaz, Ariz., shot have been at the ranch in July when the Marco Conners, an assistant Scoutmaster the photo after photo was taken. On scouring the posts with Troop 66, called us the same day ascending Baldy on their Facebook page, we located a May he got our forwarded e-mail. He veri- on a day off back 7 reference to “Philmont train up hike fied that our cover photo does indeed Peter Randolph in July. He had #3.” Confidence rose that we had the depict him with his son, Ethan, on Baldy no idea who his right troop. Mountain back in July. We asked a few subjects were. “There was just some crew And then we struck gold. As we basic questions and learned that Marco up on the summit while I was there,” he a father and son sharing a hug on top reviewed the posted photos from the retired from active duty in the Army in said. “I turned around and saw those two of Baldy made a big impression on the training hike, there, in living color, stood 2005. He’s now a civilian employee at together, and snapped a quick picture.” judges. a Scout wearing the exact same blue shirt Fort Leavenworth. This was his third Philmont’s News and Photo Services If we had followed our practice of with gray stripe on the side, same green Philmont trip, each with one of his sons. department sponsors a staff photography recent years, we would only have run pants and same brown floppy hat as the He’d told each of them as they went contest each summer. Peter submitted this particular photo as part of a special unknown Scout in our cover photo! through Scouting, “If you make Eagle, I’ll his photo, entitled “Bonding Time,” in the electronic edition of High Country, and We sent an e-mail to a troop contact take you to Philmont.” All of them did. “Camper Activity” category. It not only you wouldn’t have seen it in print at listed on the website with a copy of the He told us about Ethan, his young- won first place in that division, it was the all. Instead, we decided to put it on this photo and our request for information est son, who just turned 14 and is now a hands-down choice for the “First Place issue’s cover, and set out to learn more about the folks in it. Then we got the call freshman at Leavenworth High School Overall” award. This simple picture of about it. that blew us away. (he was 13 and had completed the eighth

8 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 9 grade at the time of the trek). They Ethan’s particular problems, but that list trained for three years in preparation for obviously isn’t one normally thought Building HOmE Philmont. Ethan, per the family tradition, conducive to Philmont trekking. had already made Eagle. He wants to “Ethan thought he’d be off the trail become a pediatric cardiac surgeon and by day 3 or 4,” Marco said. “He fully Trails and Trials work in a children’s hospital. “Always expected to break an arm or fingers – he cheerful and helpful” is how Marco de- often has something broken. But he just My brother used to say that the Boy scribed him. And then he told us some- muscled through every day.” On day 6 Scouts of America has a habit of giving so thing else: “My son has a handicap.” of their trek, with the other members of much responsibility to people who never “Ethan has a bone disorder called os- Crew 701-L1, father and son made it to deserved it. As my Philmont experience teogenesis imperfecta,” Marco explained. the summit of Baldy, and into an other- provided me more and more challenges “It’s also called brittle bone disease.” Per wise random photo by a Phil-staffer on a as a program counselor, rock foreman, the OI Foundation’s website, it’s caused day off. camp director and Logistics communi- by a mutation in a gene that affects bone Ethan successfully completed the rest cations coordinator, I now more fully formation, bone strength and structure of of the trek with his crew. Marco wasn’t understand what he meant. I never felt other tissues. Its main symptom is a frag- at all surprised. “He is all heart and grit ready or that I deserved my new respon- ile skeleton – those affected experience and does not quit – not ever,” Marco told sibilities each year, but Philmont has a frequent broken bones throughout child- us. “He is a delight to be around and is funny way of making you deserve it in hood. Other problems can include bone the son all parents hope to have. He is three beautifully chaotic months. pain, low bone density, loose joints, liga- my hero.” As I move on to new adventures, I ment laxity, muscle weakness, asthma, Congratulations, Ethan and Marco will hold on to the lessons I learned be- easy bruising, fatigue, cardiac issues and Conners. We’re proud to have you on our ing tired, hungry and challenged in the a bunch of others. We didn’t ask about cover. woods each year with 22,000 trekkers and 1,100 staff members who were just came from but made a beautiful home as uncomfortable as I was. Those raw for ourselves here. Teaching young men experiences teaching and learning in the and women lessons they could never Philmont backcountry gave me an invalu- learn at their high school desks, helping able work ethic, a sense of duty to cus- them push outside of their comfort zones, tomers, and an appreciation for putting and watching some of them grow into others ahead of myself. The trails and Philmont staffers and management them- trials, the joys and despairs, and the deep selves are experiences that have humbled connectedness to people, the Earth, and me and given me purpose as I step into God make Philmont the most unapolo- the “real” world. Now I am proud to getically real experience I have yet had in continue giving back to this place and my well-traveled life. these people I hold so close to my heart I am proud to have been a Philmont by helping the PSA build a HOmE we can staff member. One of the many indi- all return to. viduals who never quite fit in where we Elisabeth Standard

Pledge today! www.philstaff.org/give/capital-campaign

10 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 11 ® ditional funds needed to make that hap- Our chance to have a permanent presence Museum Expansion and PSA Office Update pen. Challenge encountered, challenge right there represents a true testament by accepted. Philmont and the BSA to the contribu- Our Building HOmE capital cam- tions we have made, both as an associa- tors just have plenty to do right now. As paign goal is now $1.5 million, to be tion and as proud members of the staff construction like this in northern New raised over a now four-year period. The of the world’s greatest camp. Every time Mexico involves added costs for feed- increase will cover the extra cost for our you ever visit the ranch again, you will ing and housing workers from other building and, in keeping with our goal have a place there that will be your own areas, they just aren’t highly motivated from the outset of always giving back to HOmE. Every future visitor to Philmont to take on these types of projects right Philmont as well, the additional contribu- will see and experience this proud legacy now. That’s a great problem for the often tion the ranch needed to go forward with of the Philmont staff. economically challenged state of New the museum expansion. At Philmont, we meet challenges with Mexico to have, but not so good for us. The ranch needed our help, and we muscle, sweat, determination and grit. BSA management shared this news responded. Now we need your help to This one we can only meet with dollars. with Philmont Ranch Committee mem- finish this out. The PSA now has more We all have them, some more than others, bers on the morning of Friday, September than 3,400 members. If each member and we’re asking your help to make this 16. By the end of dinner that same day, gave only $10 a month over those four conquest. The mountain is a little higher committee members alone pledged the years, we’d be at and beyond our goal. and maybe a little steeper than we first additional $1 million needed to close Remember that roughly 40% of each gift thought, but it most definitely can be the funding gap created by the higher is going to the museum expansion, with climbed. We won’t meet our goal in a than expected bids. The PSA pushed the the balance to Philmont for our own day like Ranch Committee did, but we needle over the final mark with a pledge building. can sure meet it by the end of this year. of an additional $45,000 gift for the mu- We all need to remember that the PSA Pledge at www.philstaff.org. Thanks seum. building isn’t just for us – it will be an in- for your response and your support. For our own building, which will be tegral part of the new Philmont Museum Wow! We’re only a few months into our part and parcel of the museum complex and Education Center, the flagship visitor Below: Artist’s rendering of the entry plaza and Building HOmE campaign to raise $1.2 and thus has to meet its architectural and center for Philmont for its next 78 years. PSA building (on left). million for the Philmont museum expan- decorative standards, the total cost comes sion and our new PSA office building, to $858,000, approximately $250,000 high- and we’ve already secured pledges for er than expected. That’s proportional to more than $600,000! What a fantastic the increased cost for the museum expan- start! sion – nobody stuck it all to us. The issue But, there’s now a “but” at the end for our Board of Directors in September: of that sentence. At our joint Philmont should the PSA stay in the project and ac- Ranch Committee and PSA Board of cept the higher cost, or abandon the effort Directors meetings in September, we mid-stream? learned that all bids for both of these Not a hard call. We didn’t fold our projects (which were bid jointly with the tents and go home when we were on the expansion of Tooth of Time Traders), had staff, and we aren’t doing that now, either. come in substantially higher than our At its meeting on September 17, the architects had estimated. PSA’s Board of Directors voted to join It seems that we’re victims of some Philmont and the BSA, accept the higher bad timing – the construction industry than expected bid, go forward with our in Albuquerque has boomed in the last decades-long dream to have our own couple of years, and the major contrac- building at the ranch, and raise the ad-

12 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 13 7 days and usually 450 to 500 miles. My Kagawa. An active Scouting couple from A Trek for the Ages training miles are between 1800 and 3000 southern California who have served on per year mostly March through July. My PTC faculty numerous times since 2000. Fitbit says I average 5 miles a day walk- George Segelken from Pennsylvania. by Russell Smart (“Clutch” 2008) ing. Plan to increase to 10 miles per day. Ranger 1970s. Tracy Ohmart and his Photos by George Segelken I know backpacking means carrying a daughter Chelsea from Texas. Abreu staff load. When I was a roving ranger out of 1980s. Dal Tomlinson and his 14-year-old The year was 1954. Marilyn Monroe had Porcupine, we had Christmas in July on daughter Alexa (who became our crew married Joe DiMaggio and Roger Ban- the 25th. I have not hiked the other areas leader) from North Carolina. Ranger nister had run the first four-minute mile. but I know I will enjoy the whole thing.” 1990s. And of course, we would not fail In March, RCA sold the first color TV (12 Little did I know when I responded, to mention and thank our ranger, Joel inch screen – cost $1000). Ron Howard “Glad to have you, Sam,” that we had Neuhait (RT 2016). and Jerry Seinfeld were born. During that added a certified Philmont “rock star” to Until someone disputes it, my claim summer, Congress would add the words our crew. is that we hold the record for the crew “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance Ultimately our crew of ten would with the most years between the young- and Elvis would release his first record become one of the most eclectic and est member (14) and the oldest member titled, “That’s All Right (Mama).” In the interesting that I could imagine. John (78), plus the only PSA crew ever to have fall, The Tonight Show debuted on NBC. Park and me. Longtime friends and staff members from every decade from The Korean War had ended the previous hiking buddies from South Carolina. I the 1950s through the current 20-teens. year and Vietnam was still unknown to worked as a commissary driver in 2008 On checking in at each camp, the staff most Americans. Attendance at Philmont and John and I were co-advisors for a members would invariably do a double Scout Ranch was growing and that sum- Venturing trek in 2003. Rick and Debbie take when they checked our itinerary pa- mer would pass 7,000 campers for the 78-year-old PSA trekker Sam Kelsall. first time ever. In May, Eagle Scout Sam Kelsall cele- moon. It almost ended the marriage. brated his sixteenth birthday and arrived But both of them worked at Philmont in at Philmont Scout Ranch for his first sum- 1961 before he left to earn his law degree mer as a seasonal staff member. He had (University of Texas 1963) and then serve been a camper the previous year. That two years in the U.S. Army Quarter- first summer Sam was the CD at Harlan. master Corps. After that, Sam and Edie The second summer he was the laundry moved to Phoenix, where he started a clerk and photographer at CHQ. He was law practice. Although he often thought interviewed by National Geographic and is about his time at Philmont and became a mentioned by name in their iconic Sep- member of the PSA, he had not returned tember 1956 article as the “patch-banker” to HOmE. of Philmont. The third summer Sam was Until the PSA trek in 2016. a roving ranger at Porcupine, which was When I posted a suggested itinerary the commissary camp in that part of the for a PSA trek in Philmont’s south coun- ranch before Phillips Junction was built. try, I quickly got a number of positive During his seasons, Sam would serve responses. Here’s what Sam emailed me: several times as the Harlan CD and also “Russell, I would like to join you. I be one of the very first official Philmont too get a senior discount at McDonalds. rangers in 1957. He married his wife, I think I’m in pretty good shape. I have Edie, after the 1960 season and tried a ridden across Iowa 32 times in the last 36 Sam leads the crew on a creek crossing near Porcupine. hike up Bear Canyon on their honey- years. My skip was 85 to 88. The ride is

14 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 15 to base. And then hitch a ride back from and a 78-year-old man who was on staff base to the trailhead afterwards. in the 1950s, the crew leader turned to The site for Harlan had to be moved his buddies and simply said, ”All right. while he was there due to the well run- That’s it. No more whining!” ning dry. The staff was told to dig a And just in case you were wondering, temporary latrine for the old red roof un- Sam left Philmont and traveled to Iowa, til base could send a truck up to make a where he spent the last week of July com- more permanent facility. When the truck pleting his 33rd bicycle ride across Iowa failed to come and the latrine began to (RAGBRAI). This year the route was in fill from the 90-plus campers who visited southern Iowa and covered 419.9 miles Harlan each day, Sam sent several mes- with 18,488 feet of climbing. The orga- sages back to base with no result. Finally, nizers classified it as “moderate.” He e- in desperate need, he took a burro down mailed me that “First 3 days hardest ever. to the old Polo Barns and found a piece Hills and heat. Rest of week cool and of board and some paint. He made a sign overcast but still hills. Next year will be that said, “We need that truck at Harlan.” north and likely much flatter. You should He then rode the burro bareback through think about riding.” Okay, Sam…. Base Camp carrying the sign. “George Thank you Alexa, Chelsea, Debbie, Bullock chewed my ___ out about riding Rick, Dal, Tracy, George, John, and of the burro,” Sam told us, “but we got our course, Sam. IWGBTP. truck.” The afternoon we camped at Porcu- pine, I chatted with a regular crew who Editor’s Note: Registration for the 2017 PSA Notch buddies: John Park and the author, Russell Smart. was curious about our PSA crew. On Treks, set for July 29 – August 5, will open hearing that we had a 14-year-old female on January 1, 2017. Watch for details on the per showing one youth and nine adults. merous staffers. And everyone wanted to first-time backpacker as our crew leader website! This form used to be referred to as “your talk with Sam and hear one of his many life” but is now named for something stories about being on staff at Philmont precious to the crew leader. Ours was over sixty years ago. Here’s just a sam- designated as “Sasha,” one of Alexa’s two pling of his remembrances: dogs. In the 1950s there were no radio com- Our trek began with the hike from munications at Philmont. And even the Lover’s Leap Turnaround to Crater Lake, telephone service was a four-party line where Rick and Debbie are the 2016 Ami- (look that up if you don’t know what it gos, then to Beaubien, Porcupine, through means). Sam said that any time he had a Fish Camp to Crags. Our last night was problem to report that meant a two-mile at Abreu, where Tracy is the 2016 Amigo. hike from Harlan down to U.S. 64 to bor- We spent the night at Porcupine where row someone’s crank-action telephone Sam was the roving ranger along the to call the ranch HQ. Often, he would Rayado. Sam told us that the unused have to sit and wait for a while until the cabin that is there now was not the origi- line was clear and the operator could get nal one from his time. That one was built through. of aspen logs rather than pine. Likewise, to attend the Monday At every camp we had the chance to morning staff meeting, he would have The crew of 710-PS-5: Sam Kelsall, Dal Tomlinson, Russell Smart, George Segelken, Rick Kagawa, Alexa talk about our many experiences with nu- to hike down to U.S. 64 and hitch a ride Tomlinson, John Park, Tracy Ohmart, Chelsea Ohmart, and Debbie Kagawa.

16 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 17 My First Philmont Trek The Return of PASS and PAW: Helping Advisors to Be Prepared by Dollie O’Neill PSA Executive Director by Eric Martinez

I just completed my first Philmont PSA The Philmont Advisor Skills School Trek at 39 years old. I am newly off the (PASS) and Philmont Advisor Workshop trail, yet I cannot get the trail out of my (PAW) programs, launched last fall with head. There are so many emotions I feel overwhelmingly positive reviews, are and then I’m just speechless to describe coming again to a city near you! Courses this experience. will be offered from to Boston, Let’s keep it real: I was scared, anx- to Orlando, and nearly every- ious, excited and stressed about going where in between. on this trek. I had no idea what to expect The ladies of 710-PS-1 atop Little Costilla. Created to better train adult advisors and had no idea what I was getting in preparing their crews for upcoming PAW session in Madison, Wisc. myself into. In my busy day-to-day life of I knew everything was going to be okay, Philmont treks, the 44 PASS and PAW working full time, juggling my children, and I was going to have one of the best courses offered last year hosted more at Philmont; Field-PASS, an 8-hour trying to give all my commitments my experiences I have ever had in my life. It than 1,100 participants around the coun- Saturday or Sunday course, and PAW, fullest attention, it seemed like “moving was like closing the door on one set of try. That equated to almost 20 percent of a 2-hour weekday evening session. If mountains” to even get myself ready for emotions and turning toward the sun, as I 2016 crews that had at least one advisor you know any adult Scouters planning this trek. It was very difficult to release have never seen the sun before. attend a course. This success has led to a trek to Philmont, please direct them to from all of this day-to-day, unplug my There are so many wonderful mo- expansion of the course offerings this one of these courses. For schedules and stinking phone and just have a little faith. ments that I will carry with me, I don’t year and consolidation of the training information, visit the Philmont website at Faith was the key that I needed to set out even know where to begin: making into the fall season. Six experienced Phil- www.philmontscoutranch.org. on a trek or any quest of the unknown. new friends, listening to great Philmont staffers from the ranger and backcountry Last year the traveling course instruc- To be honest, having a little faith was a stories, hearing the coyotes howl at dusk, departments will lead the 2016 courses. tors logged 27,446 miles of driving, so lot harder to muster up, and definitely seeing the amazing sunsets in the Valle Advisors have three courses to choose keep an eye out for a white Philmont pushed my comfort zones. Vidal, feeling the wind gusts pushing me from: PSR-PASS, a 4-day, 3-night course vehicle in your neighborhood! Then came the day to grab my pack, around on top of Little Costilla, watching hop on the bus and go. This was it. Do my fellow hikers weave around the trail, or do not! The day was here and I was sharing the comradery between nature going and no turning back. I said good- and those that appreciate being surround- bye to my family, fought back more tears, ed in nature. got on the bus and off we went. I was the I will share the parting words that only one in my crew that had never been my ranger, Liz Claassen, shared with on a trek. That added a level of intimida- our crew as she departed: “Thousands of tion to my mixture of emotions. tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people But then, somewhere during the are beginning to find out that going to the middle of the trek, I relented, let go and mountains is going home; that wildness let the trek take its course. I couldn’t tell is a necessity; and that mountain parks you where on the trail or campsite or the and reservations are useful not only as exact moment this “letting go” happened, fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, it just happened. And after that moment, but as fountains of life” – John Muir.

18 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 19 Storm Flees Zastrow

2016 summer staff member Alexander Bohlen shot this amazing storm photo from the Zastrow ATV range. It took first place in the “Philmont Skies” category in the annual staff photography contest.

20 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 21 autumn programs at PTC and Camping End of the Trail Ranch Roundup . . . the fall staff includes a new “fencing crew” of four to work on needed fence The Conservation Department staged a repairs that will allow better rotation ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 13 to and make them available for scientific Museum 10-8 to Hardesty of pastures for stock . . . both the Chase celebrate the long-awaited completion of research and study. Ranch and Rayado will be open through the trail from Devils Wash Basin Camp Philmont’s Director of Museums Da- the fall season . . . a July 9 article in the to Harlan. The event on Deer Lake Mesa Campers had barely departed the ranch vid Werhane told High Country that “we Albuquerque Journal recognized the major marked the culmination of a nine-year in late August when staff literally began are very excited that these Seton collec- economic and social impact that Philmont project to allow campers to trek between the complete evacuation of the Philmont tions will now be available for science use has on northern . . . Cimar- the two camps solely on a trail with no Museum and Seton Memorial Library. in nationally renowned museums.” He ron Mayor Judy LeDoux told the Journal, need for hiking on roads. added, “At Philmont, we just do not have “If it would not be for Philmont, Cimar- The portion of the trail from Devil’s the facilities here to permit study of these ron would be a ghost town” . . . Philmont Wash Basin to Deer Lake Camp has been specimens in a scientific way.” experienced its third-largest season in in use since 2010, but campers still had to Seton’s mammal study skin collec- 2016, with a total of 22,619 Scouts and hike the old road between that camp and tion is headed to the Museum of South- adults participating in trek and individ- Harlan while the switchbacked stretches western Biology at the University of ual programs . . . more than 900 of those down the side of the mesa were built. New Mexico. That museum’s Division campers “showed up” without a prior The trail goes through a new trail camp, of Mammals collection ranks among the reservation, part of a growing trend . . . Lost Gap, and nearly circles the beautiful four largest in the world. the summer staff included members from Deer Lake basin. The American Museum of Natural all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Egypt, Japan, More than 23,000 campers worked on History in New York has accepted Philm- and the Dominican Republic. the 31,759-foot trail from 2007 to 2016. ont’s Seton collection of more than 1,000 After a summer of inspecting, inventory- bird specimens. AMNH already held 332 ing and cleaning basically everything in other Seton bird specimens, along with 35 the building, staff moved all of the books, volumes of Seton’s diaries, dating from exhibits, artifacts, displays, gift shop 1879 to 1946, plus field diaries and cor- items, and stored collections across the respondence. road to the Hardesty Casa Centrale. That The museum staff faced some chal- building, normally the home for daily lenges in moving these collections. “All advisor meetings, will serve as both mini- of the bird specimens were soaked in museum and storage facility for the next arsenic,” Werhane said. Per the National two summers during construction of the Park Service, arsenic compounds were new museum. commonly applied as a preservative to Advisor meetings will move next biological specimens from the late 18th summer from the Hardesty to the pavil- through the 20th centuries. Werhane ion adjacent to the infirmary. and his staff had to take HazMat-type precautions to prepare the specimens Donations Delivered for transport and then to clean out the contaminated vault where they had been As part of its moving process, the mu- stored for years. seum has donated two components of its Ernest Thompson Seton collection Notes From All Over to nationally known facilities that are Approximately 90 seasonal staff will better equipped to both preserve them work at the ranch this fall to support

22 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 23 Philmont History

Charles Beaubien by Larry Murphy area far distant from the Southwest. Born in October of 1800 at Saint-Jean-Baptiste Continuation of an ongoing series. de Nicolet, Quebec, Canada, he soon started on his way toward entering the No man contributed more to the early de- priesthood. Attending the local seminary velopment of Colfax County or northeast- for eight years, he developed proficiency ern New Mexico than Charles Beaubien, for Latin and a knowledge of the classics resident and leader in the area for over which would set him apart from most forty years. Arriving from his native of his later unlearned associates. But Canada soon af- for undetermined ter the opening reasons Beaubien of the Santa Fe soon decided to Trail, Beaubien abandon church used a keen life. Unwilling intellect and to return home in superior educa- disgrace, he appar- tion to assume ently changed his prominence in given name from New Mexico. Alexis to Charles As fur trapper, and departed for storekeeper, New Mexico. politician, judge, Although dur- land developer ing his initial years and comrade to in the Southwest many mountain Beaubien appar- men, he became ently became wealthy and directly involved in famous by 1846. fur trading, he was Beaubien never an enthusi- subsequently astic outdoorsman aided in the establishment of American and soon settled in Taos where he became rule as federal judge, while an important supplier for the fur busi- simultaneously developing extensive ness. He soon fell in love and married “French Trapper,” © Ron Sanders. Used with permission. Beaubien, like many French Canadians, origi- land grants in southern Colorado and Maria Paula Lobato, and from their union nally came to New Mexico as a fur trapper, but wasn’t much of an outdoorsman. northern New Mexico. When he died in nine children were eventually born. He 1864, men throughout the territory la- also became a naturalized Mexican citizen His business prospered as mountaineers often bought and sold furs for his friends, mented the passing of “an honored…and in 1829. sold him furs and purchased traps, food- became one of the wealthiest citizens of trusted man, friend, citizen, and patriot.” Subsequently, Beaubien’s influence in stuffs, and the like. Known for an ability the area. Beaubien spent his earliest years in an northern New Mexico increased rapidly. to judge pelts, the Taos storekeeper, who He also began to assume importance

24 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 25 from paying taxes on their storehouses and shops in an obvious effort to place the brunt of taxation on foreigners and naturalized Mexicans. In a further effort to drive their competitors out of business, informers were actively encouraged to report tax evaders. Provincial officials even raided the stores of Beaubien, Bent, and others in search of contraband. Just as this anti-foreign sentiment was rising, Beaubien was preparing to acquire additional property in the northern wilderness of New Mexico. Anxious to achieve success, he looked for influential Father Jose Antonio Martinez, Beaubien’s political opponent, held deep suspicions of all foreigners. As seen in these images, he must have been perpetually grim! partners to aid him. With the help of Governor Armijo’s Secretary of Govern- ment, Guadalupe Miranda, he soon set originally appeared in The Springer Tribune About the Illustrator: Ron Sanders is an out to acquire and settle what would as part of a series entitled “Colfax County award-winning artist now living in Florida eventually become Colfax County. Sketches,” which were later collected and pub- who’s previously done work for Boy’s Life. lished in the book Out in God’s Country: A His works include extensively researched About the Author: The late historian and History of Colfax County, New Mexico, © historical paintings such as the “French Trap- author Lawrence R. “Larry” Murphy worked 1969, Springer Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted per” appearing with this article. View his Charles Bent, Beaubien’s friend and fellow leader of with permission. works at: www.sanders-studios.com. the “foreigners.” ten years on the Philmont staff in the 1960s and early 1970s. He is also the author of in political matters, and an increasingly Philmont: A History of New Mexico’s large group of non-Mexicans looked to Cimarron Country. The preceding story him and his friend Charles Bent for lead- ership. Ceran St. Vrain, John Rowland, Stephen Louis Lee, and Antoine Leroux boasted of their friendship with the merchant. But Beaubien often found himself in opposition to the political organization which Father Jose Antonio Martinez had built up since his arrival in Taos during 1826. Ironically the two men had remark- ably similar backgrounds and interests, but Martinez was extremely suspicious of foreigners, directing much of his antipa- thy toward the American Charles Bent and Canadian Beaubien. New Mexican officials including Governor Manuel Armijo must have Beaubien prospered in Taos as a fur trader and sup- shared the clergyman’s distrust. In 1840 plier for the area trappers. Photo from 2015 meeting Beaubien Camp, one of Philmont’s largest, is fittingly named for this influential leader. Photo © Scott all native born citizens were exempted of the Organization of American Historians. Olmsted, from a 2011 trek. Used with permission.

26 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 27 The Tooth Brush The Tooth Novel I-Camp As one can readily see from the cover, Sue Tales of the Tooth Henry’s novel, The Tooth of Time, doesn’t Without question, the Tooth of Time story and photo that were picked up by have a lot to do with is Philmont’s most iconic natural fea- the Associated Press and published in the real Tooth and ture, and is, quite literally, the “face of several newspapers, including Plumb’s nothing at all to do Philmont.” Thousands of Scouts ascend hometown paper in Kansas City. with Philmont. It’s it each summer. No doubt, their Tooth Davis, now a resident of Belen, N.M., the second in a series conquests become proud parts of their posted the following account of his subse- featuring “Winnebago later trek tales. But everyone’s favorite quent climb a few years ago on a moun- driving, pistol-packing sixty-something In 2009, Dining Hall staffer Dan Wil- igneous extrusion of dacite porphyry has taineering site: “I did the first ascent of year old” heroine Maxie McNabb, an helm engineered a plot to give the Tooth a few good stories of its own that don’t the face of the Tooth of Time in 1972 with Alaskan, and her mini-Dachsund named a proper cleaning. Other conspirators involve trekkers. Randy Wright and Rick Barrett. The three Stretch, who manage to stumble on (and of us were climbers at Cito and did the joined the secret plan to construct a six- solve) various murders as they tour the The Tooth Ascent face in about five hours, as I remember, foot toothbrush from cardboard commis- country. with me doing the leading. It was either sary boxes. “Our tent became Area 51 as The first (and probably only) sanctioned 5.8 or 5.9 in spots, but mostly about 5.5, as several people were sent away when they The Tooth Portage climb of the Tooth’s steep south face hap- I recall. One of the notable features of the inspected the cardboard mayhem on the Philnews. pened in 1972. Lee Davis, a very experi- route is a tunnel that you actually climb floor,” Dan later wrote in In October 2014, to salute their fellow enced climber working as the head rock up through about halfway up the face.” On the appointed day, fellow staffers high adventure base staffers at Northern at Cito, wanted to do a rappel and climb. Sean McElligott, Daniel Porch and Robert Tier, a dedicated group of Philstaffers His ACD, Brad Plumb, approached Direc- The Tooth by Air Root made the ascent with Dan up the carried a genuine Northern Tier canoe tor of Camping Joe Davis with the idea pasture trail. After posing for pictures up the Tooth on the “ultimate portage.” and amazingly received permission. U.S. Air Force Maj. Tim Paschke, who’s with several crews, the quartet “brushed After the photo was posted on Philmont’s stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in swarms of ladybugs that were covering Facebook page, one viewer offered this Albuquerque, took this photo in August the Tooth” for about an hour before head- sound advice: “Just don’t try to carry one while flying an MC-130J aircraft on a low- ing back to base. They hung the tooth- of those three-masted sailing boats from level special ops training mission over brush in the camper dining hall for the Sea Base up there.” Another commentator the ranch. He tweeted the photo with the rest of the summer. described it best: “Epic!” message, “Never been to Philmont on the ground, but here’s a cool perspective for Tooth of Time Tuesday.” Roger that!

The duo made their successful rappel soon thereafter. Davis wanted to do a rappel first to scout out the face for a later ascent. Philmont sent a photographer out to record the event and distributed a

28 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 29 Tooth Lightning Short Stuff

Tom Wilson, Director of Support Services for the Atlanta Area Council, attended a The Want To Be In It Seeking Sawmill risk management conference at PTC in 2014. While sheltering under a covered I really enjoyed your June issue of High Congratulations to the High Country staff porch at one of the Tent City shower- Country. The cartoon of a great sunset for a terrific August issue of the maga- houses during a monsoon rain, he set with someone wondering what was zine. The centerfold photo of Sawmill up his camera on a tripod, took aim at on TV right now was the last straw. I Camp by Greg Noeninckx is a view I the Tooth, and started shooting. “I just have to write to tell you what a differ- wish I had seen when Explorer Post 1 hoped that lightning would strike while ence Philmont and the Eagle Scout merit from Colorado State University attempt- the shutter was open,” he said. On shot badges made in my life. ed to reach this camp in a snow storm number 147, it did, with spectacular I am 66 years in March of 1983 (could’ve have been results. old, and I just fin- 1982 or even 1984 or ‘85). After trekking ished my fourth over Ute Pass, and post-holing in snow backpack for the for much too long, a group decision was month. And no, made to return to base camp. I don’t do trails, I go cross-country Terry Dunn through the New Abreu & Porcupine 1966 brush just like PTC 2004, 2006 I learned to do Alan Frierson backpacking at Philmont. I From the Chief of Staff in Slovenia. learned with the physical fitness merit badge to stay in Many thanks for sharing [the August is- shape year-round, so I could cross-coun- sue]. I’m sure my staff will enjoy reading try ski in winter, again with a backpack what a 20-year-old was thinking about on so I could spend the night out if I had 30+ years ago! Glad I joined the Air to. Be prepared. Force. Am thinking I would not have I saw bears my last two trips out and made it as a song writer…. of course thought of Philmont. I am still phobic of them. I carry a big tent and Dave Goldfein keep it meticulously clean of scents. But Ranger 1980 the Pacific Crest Trail hiker I met last week says he sleeps on his food to protect it, and that has worked well for him for 45,000 miles. He didn’t learn that at Philmont! Yes, being at Philmont changes you. You want to be in nature, not watch it on the screen.

J. Alan Frierson, M.D. Ranger 1968-70, 1972 Gen. David Goldfein. U.S. Air Force photo.

30 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 31 A Halloween Ghost Story

by Gilbert Hervatin

When I was fourteen years old, I was a Boy Scout and attended Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. It was two weeks of high wilderness backpacking through mountains, deserts and forests. Along the way, we came across various historic areas from the Old West, i.e., an abandoned gold mine, deserted ghost town and an hideout. One of the famous that had his hideout on this 135,000-acre ranch was named Black Jack Ketchum. One of the highlights of the trip was locating Black Jack’s moun- tain hideaway, where he was eventually captured by federal marshals. When we arrived at the hideout, it was somewhat of a letdown, more of a rock overhang with some initials carved on the stone face. But we felt that it would be fun to spend the night there. Unfortunately, our adult leader told an exit sign in a movie theater. Content, us that we had to camp at the nearby I drifted off thinking of Black Jack, when designated camp. Disappointed, several I heard something in the bushes. I looked of us set up our tents several hundred up suddenly only to find myself para- feet away from the leader’s tent, with lyzed. It was as though something was the hope of stealing away later that night holding me down. I tried to call out to with our sleeping bags so as to actually Mike, Marty, John and Andy, but they sleep in Black Jack’s hideout. were fast asleep and my throat was all Around 11:00 p.m., the rest of the knotted up. camp was fast asleep, so John, Mike, Then I saw a man in black, dressed Marty, Andy and myself quietly stole into like a , come running out of the the night and on to Black Jack’s place. We bushes toward the hideout. He wasn’t set up camp under the rock overhang and like something you’d expect to see in a quickly built a fire. We talked about the movie – he was filthy dirty, more like trip so far, but soon fatigue set in as we what a homeless man looks like, only his had covered about twenty miles that day. clothes were definitely from the period The fire had burned down to bright of the late 1800s. He was all red in the “ Sunset” by Gregory Gamble, third place, red coals, enough to fill the rock overhang face and I remember he had a black ratty “Philmont Skies” category, 2016 staff photo contest. with the kind of light that you’d see from , terrible yellow teeth, lots

32 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 33 of facial hair die. It was more than real. I had a surge earlier in the evening. After about an About the author: Gilbert Hervatin made his glistening with of adrenaline and thought I was going to hour I fell into a deep sleep. only Philmont trek in the early 70s. He went sweat and he explode because of the combination of Very early the next morning, Andy on to become an Eagle Scout, and recalls his held a revolver. blood pounding in my body and paraly- and the others had to shake me repeat- Philmont trek as one of the best experiences I definitely saw sis holding it all back. edly to wake me up. We had to clear of his life. Later on in the 90s, he was reading the gun. He Then all of a sudden, he uncocked camp quickly and make it back to our ghost stories on several websites and thought seemed solid, his pistol, looked at me real close (I could tents at the designated camp before our that he could write a better one himself. He but parts of smell his bad breath reeking of tobacco) adult leader found out about our previ- chose his Philmont trek experience as the basis him seemed and said, “You’re not supposed to be ous night’s excursion. As we broke camp for that effort. In the story above, the names of translucent. I here,” and then he just disappeared, just and put out the fire, I told my friends his fellow trekkers, their exploration of Black had to actually like smoke into clean air. But the smoke about my “dream.” They thought it was Jack’s Hideout, and their camp nearby are real stay focused on didn’t float away. It just faded into itself amusing. – you’ll have to be the judge about the rest! him, like he was (hard to explain). By then, the sounds Then as I rolled up my sleeping bag, moving away and mist had all disappeared completely. I noticed a few shiny objects in the dirt. Historical Note: Notorious outlaw Black Jack from me and All of a sudden, I could move, and Looking through the dust under my bed Ketchum was not actually involved in the toward me at jumped out of the sleeping bag com- from the night before, I found six shell famed gun battle with marshals at his hideout the same time. pletely covered in sweat. I looked around casings! My friends thought I set it all up in Turkey Creek Canyon in 1899 – that was I still and even ran down to the stream where and brushed me off, but I kept the casings his brother, Sam, who was wounded in the couldn’t move, but it was obvious that he the man and sounds had come from. It and checked with a friend’s father who fight and later captured. Tom Ketchum, a/k/a was not aware of me or my camp mates. took me about thirty seconds to regain was a gun expert when I came back from Black Jack, was wounded in another train I was frightened by the man, but I was my senses and begin to feel my vocal the trip, and the casings were dated from robbery attempt a few weeks later, after which more frightened of the paralysis and cords loosening. I splashed some water around 1878, but were in almost brand he was captured, tried and hung in Clayton, inability to speak. I then heard (accompa- from the stream on my face and tried to new condition. You could still smell the N.M. He was the only person ever executed in nied by a strange fog that emanated from make sure that I was awake. I stuck my gunpowder in them. My friend’s father for the crime of “feloni- the tree line across a tiny stream) horses, head under the water to calm down. I even told me that the gunpowder mixture ous assault upon a railway train.” men yelling unintelligibly, and then pulled my head out, and all was quiet. I was one that was used in muffled gunfire. The man in front of me couldn’t even hear the crickets or night the last century, but not fired six times at the trees, ran back and owls – that was strange. There were today. stood right over me, still unaware of my always noises at night there. I kept those casings for presence. He was wounded in the shoul- Gradually the normal night sounds years, but unfortunately der and discharged six shell casings from returned and after a few minutes, I after I moved from home, his revolver right on top of me! They all caught my breath and my heart rate my mother threw them disappeared into nothingness as they fell returned to almost normal. I wasn’t out along with some great onto my sleeping bag. sure what to do. I wanted to wake up valuable comic books and After reloading, he fired a few more my friends, but they were all asleep and baseball cards. times and then suddenly saw me! That’s I knew they would have killed me if I when I became terrified. I felt as though would have awakened them with my my heart was in my throat. I tried to “story.” After all, I couldn’t really tell if Black Jack Ketchum’s actual Colt .45 scream, but I couldn’t breathe. He looked it was a dream or real. I figured it had to “Peacemaker” Single Action Army confused and confounded because to be a nightmare, right? After all, I’m a ra- revolver, now on display at the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum him, I think I must have suddenly ap- tional guy. It had to be. I took a big drink at Bass Pro Shops, Springfield, Mo. peared before his eyes. That was the kind from the cold stream and made my way Photo provided by NRA Museums, of expression he had on his face. Out of back to my bag and eventually shrugged NRAMuseums.com. reflex, he aimed right at my head. That it off to an over-active imagination and Image on opposite page from istock. is when I really thought I was going to the bad freeze-dried trail meal we had com/Keith Bishop.

34 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 35 Abbott Rd., Lincoln, NE 68516. E-mail: MAKE PLANS NOW FOR THE rail alk [email protected] T T 2017 PSA® WEEK AT PTC! Ryan Smith (Wrangler 15, South Cav- We only hold this event once every William T. “Tem” Horna- cubs.” She writes: “Working at Philmont alcade Horseman 16) is working on an 1960s five years – a full week at PTC day (Ranger 69-70) served taught me more than I can verbalize. Con- MBA at Waynesburg University. He from 1971-1977 as an electronics techni- fidence, humility, service to others and with all of its spectacular family received his undergraduate degree in programs for you, your spouse, cian in the U.S. Navy. After earning his love for nature are just the highlights of international cultural studies at the same and your kids! degree at Purdue University, he worked my incredible experience.” Address: 6603 institution in 2015. Address: 204 Victo- from 1984-1997 Hemlock Pl., Amarillo, TX 79124. E-mail: ria Dr., Waynesburg, PA 15370. E-mail: July 23-29, 2017 as an electron- [email protected] [email protected] ics engineer at Watch your kids of all ages experi- the Naval Air 2000s Bud Harrelson (PTC Fac- Patrick Wilson (PTC PC 16) attends ence the magic of Philmont while Warfare Center in ulty 03-04, 16) received his Purdue University. He enjoys theater, you and your spouse enjoy terrific Indianapolis, and Master of School Administration degree climbing and hiking in Indiana and sur- programs and speakers. We’ll have from then until in 2013, and is now working on a Ph.D. rounding states. He serves as an assistant courses, events, service oppor- tunities, day hike options, treats, his retirement in education at the University of North Scoutmaster and remains active in OA contests, music, you name it! in 2014 at the Carolina at Chapel Hill. Address: 1000 (Sakima Lodge). Address: 315 Smiley St., Space and Naval Smith Leve Rd., Apt. A21, Carrboro, NC West Lafayette, IN 47906. Warfare Systems 27510. E-mail: [email protected] You won’t find a better or more E-mail: [email protected] economical vacation for your Center, Pacific. He enjoys backpacking family anywhere. When you figure (“of course”), running and photography. Dennis Kohl (PTC what it would cost you for hotels Address: 4384 Bonillo Dr., San Diego, CA Faculty 07, 11) serves and meals for seven days anywhere 92115. E-mail: [email protected] as the Scout executive Look for the PSA on else, you’ll see that this is a bar- of Patriots Path Coun- GIVING TUESDAY gain – and it’s all at Philmont! 1970s Gary Wright (Food Svc. cil. He is a recipient Registration will open later this 69, Ranger 70, PC Apache of the Distinguished November 29, 2016 fall. More details in our December Springs 71) is now retired after working Eagle Scout Award issue. as editor and owner of six newspapers and the National OA in Nebraska and North Dakota. He also Distinguished Service started a Nebraska-wide golf business. Award. Address: 10305 Warrens Way, Gary has made eight Philmont treks as an Wanaque, NJ 07465. E-mail: advisor. His son, Andrew, also worked [email protected] on the Philmont staff. Address: 19356 E. LaSalle Pl., Aurora, CO 80013. Tyler Minchow (PC E-mail: [email protected] 2010s Clarks Fork 13, PC Cyphers Mine 14, Andee Barnett (PC Head ACD Ponil 15, 1990s of Dean 99, Ranger 00, CD Cyphers Mine Rayado Ranger 01) received her B.S. in 16) is studying nursing at West Texas A&M in 2009. She mathematics at and her husband, George (“he delivers the University of babies”) live in Amarillo, where she is Nebraska – Lincoln taking time off from being an organ trans- (“four years com- plant coordinator to raise their two “man- pleted, one more year”). Address: 4332

36 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 37 Good Campsite Poems of Philmont

Hunting Lodge Miranda Meadow In Early June All the promise of an early June Waite Phillips knew a good campsite! you plant, surely and easily, upon He saw a beautiful little meadow above the vertical side of a rising mountain. the banks of Cimarroncito Creek, and built the “Cito” Hunting Lodge in 1926. Iris eye--your paintbrush--the look Those early days saw the lodge used and feel of this slope primarily as a retreat and hunting camp bring you here. for Phillips and his guests. The limited fishing opportunities of the Cito Creek Completely on its own, the mountain soon expanded as construction of the marks your work with a fault line Cimarroncito Dam and Reservoir, a short of its own creation. distance downstream, also began in 1926. The location of the Hunting Lodge A breeze seizes your paper, was chosen as the site for one of Philm- wrinkles a crease you populate ont’s early staff camps . . . Cimarroncito. with bloom and grass. It was used as a base camp similar to Ponil in Philmont’s early days with a or hikes around the region. That use has Greg Hobbs commissary and corrals full of horses and continued, and now includes snowshoe- burros. “Cito” moved up the canyon to ing with the present Winter Adventure its current location in the mid-1940s. program. Editor’s Note: Author Greg Hobbs penned this poem a few years back when he acquired a paint- The Hunting Lodge spent the next After nearly 70 years of use, the lodge ing, Baldy Mountain from Miranda Meadow, from artist Dawn Chandler. Dawn didn’t several decades being used primarily was in need of some repairs. In the mid- have a high-res image of that particular painting to share with us, but graciously provided her by Training Center groups, local Scout 1990s a Philmont cabin restoration crew similar work, Baldy from Miranda Meadow, for our illustration. Our thanks to both. troops and ranch employees for campouts used native timber to replace logs that and special events. In the early 1990s, were in poor condition. The crew also the Kanik winter camping program used treated the remainder of the cabin and the campsites around the lodge as a base re-chinked walls as needed. area for day trips of cross-country skiing In 2002 the Hunting Lodge opened as a staffed camp. Staff members dressed in garb of 1930s guests at the lodge now greet participants and offer tours of Phil- lips’ historic lodge. Evening programs include fly fishing excursions to the Cito Reservoir and instruction of crews in the fine art of biscuit making. You ought to schedule a trek for next summer and check them out – they’re worth the hike!

Dave Kenneke

38 High Country ▫ October 2016 High Country ▫ October 2016 39