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There’s no doubt that the primary reason that I wanted to be a Ranger at Philmont this summer was to be a Ranger. That is, to help crews...

As I reflect back, this post is WAY overdue! I guess I was so excited to become a Ranger and then to actually spend the time being a...

For many it strikes fear in their hearts. For others, it’s a bit of a novelty, something they’ve heard about and might be a bit curious....

As in, 10 crews down! Not that I'm on strike. Actually, it's been way too long since my last crew, and a bit longer from that when I...

Literally. Well, let's hope not completely, but I did finally ascend the final peak I needed to collect the full Philmont Summit Series...

Considering that we were told the average number of crews would likely be eight, I feel very fortunate to have gotten assigned crew #9! A...

I could use the arms to count the number of crews, eight! At the start of the season it was predicted that the average number of crews...

Another trek in the book and another peak to cross off my summer list! Another pretty solid crew, this one from Lansing MI. Three of the...

But I survived! Before you freak out, I wasn't afflicted by the bubonic plague, I was afflicted with a Ranger Challenge, almost as bad....

A lot has happened since I last posted. Let me see if I can recap, it is all a blur! And sorry for the long(er) post. Ok, when we last...

I'm about to head out with my thumb crew (see previous post), but wanted to quickly post my latest adventure following the last crew. I...

I've just returned from my fourth crew, one for every finger except the one that sometimes isn't a finger ("How many fingers do I have?",...

Ok, not a primary reason I've come to Philmont, maybe not even in the top 10, but it was nice that my third crew brought along one of...

I returned from my very first trek and was pleasantly surprised to see that I was scheduled as an "Alternate" on the following day (June...

Get it? One in the bag -- backpack -- Philmont humor? Funny, right? Please? Ok, anyway, I picked up my first crew (612-7J) a week ago,...

Today (June 11) was some time to recoup and get ready for my crew tomorrow. Not sure I really needed it, I'm itching to get the crew, but...

I have a crew! Well, I was assigned one just a few short days ago, but I need to wait a few more days until I actually get to meet them...

There's an eerie calm to basecamp today. Showers not as crowded, paths not as blocked, plenty of food and easy to get in line for seconds...

It's been quite the whirlwind of days, with much training and mucher (sic) hiking behind me, and even though I passed both the practical...

I cannot believe it is only Thursday evening, having arrived at Philmont right around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. At least that part went...