A Crew, A Crew!

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 and start them on their awesome journey! June 12 is the day and it cannot get here quick enough.

The best I could do with CoPilot, very challenging.

There is a large contingent of Rangers for the summer including groups from both the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy, so it's bit slow until crews start arriving more frequently and we get into the full rotation. We are supposed to have 18,000 participants this year, which should mean at least 10 crews for me, but none of that matters when I see Rangers heading out and I need to wait! Good things come to those who do, or so I keep telling myself. It doesn't help.

I did volunteer to shadow another Ranger who picked up his crew yesterday (June 8) as a way to better prepare myself for my crew. I am very confident about the skills that I need to teach the crew (in basecamp and on trail), but there is quite a bit of paperwork and orientation that needs to be done before we can hit the trail, and it seemed a good idea to tag along with a Ranger to get a better idea of how best to do this. The large checklist they gave me isn't much help, except to know what I haven't yet done. I also needed some ideas and practice to be able to bring the high level of "stoke" and silly jokes that is expected to welcome the scouts. It was very helpful, though his crew arrived at 9 a.m. and so had plenty of time; my crew is scheduled to arrive at 12:00 p.m., so I'll have 3 less hours to do the same work. Not stoked.

Stoke, by the way, is one of those words that has a basis in reality but which has a life of it's own here at Philmont (at least this year). To bring the stoke is to act in a manner which brings partial ridicule upon oneself in order to resonate enthusiasm (and more stoke) in individuals or groups. There is clearly an amplifier effect, and it is a sight to behold. But it's a weird phrase. And why do we bring it, instead of just do it? So many mysteries.

Today (June 9) was a work day for me, where I assisted organizing and distributing gear for crews to take on the trail. Tents, dining flys, bear bags, bear ropes, pots, lids, and so on. SO much gear, not only for the participants, but in storage ready for use. I guess when you have that many scouts on trail at one time, you need to be prepared (BSA motto alert!). It's also interesting to see the wide diversity of troops and the equipment they need. Some are clearly deer about to be hit by headlights, and others just want a few pieces of equipment and they have all the rest. I guess that's one great thing about Philmont, it can be many things to many people and everyone gets something out of it, my goal is to make sure they get the most out of it!

Philmont Summer Snow

Oh, and it's been snowing. Well, a kinda snow. Turns out there is a very large collection of Cottonwood trees, the most common variety of all of the trees at Basecamp. For a blessfully short period of time in the early summer, these trees release their seeds in a fluffy cloud that looks and acts like snow. You can even pack it into allergy inducing snowballs. Claritan is flying off the shelves as fast as the seeds leave the trees. Even those of us lucky enough to avoid respitory issues, it's no fun getting them into your eyes, nose and mouth. Like many things, cool to look at, not so cool to experience. Oh well, should be gone soon.

3 days to trek day!