One in the Backpack!

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, but some interesting things came up, so I'm just getting a chance to get thoughts to keyboard. More on the chaos in a bit

I was obviously very excited to get my first crew, but it didn't start off so well. According to the schedule, they weren't supposed to arrive until 12 noon last Thursday (6/12). I was a bit run down, so I slept late-ish, skipped breakfast and reported to the Ranger Office for our regularly scheduled coordination meeting at 8 a.m., where I was told my crew hadn't arrived. As expected. Yeah, famous last words. I "signed out" indicating I would taking a shower and then be in my tent should they arrive early.

Which they did. Very early. SO very early. In fact, they had arrived the night before. Thankfully I was done with my shower, but it's still odd to have someone call your name in a public shower in an out-of-breath rushed tone. "Bob (puff puff), are you (puff puff) in here." Only a shady white van might have been creepier. So, not the first impression I was hoping for as I rushed to meet them, but I couldn't be any cleaner, so there's that. Gold Star?

Crew was from Salt Lake City, three male advisors, one female advisor and six girls. All advisors were a parent of one of the scouts, which I am hearing is more and more common. There were supposed to be 2M/2F, but one scout had to drop due to a minor injury and when she did, the mom dropped as well. This will figure into the story in a bit.

Basecamp orientation went well, though it was a little squeezed for time as they wanted to visit the Villa Philamonte (Waite Phillips' summer home, donor of Philmont to BSA, across the street). One of the Ranger mottos is "Scramble, be flexible", and boy did I have to. Not only was there this pause in orientation of a few thankfully short hours, during the shakedown later in the day (this is when I review what they brought and usually encourage them not to bring too much), it started to storm. A rough first outing, but we got it done.

After basecamp day, we left the following day to begin the actual trek. As a Ranger, I am with the crew for two full days where I train them on Philmont specific items (hanging bear bags, patrol cooking method, raising a dining-fly, first aid, trail etiquette, and so on and so on), and then depart on the fourth morning (third day on trek/trail).

Trailhead stuff went well, hiking was smooth, and camp training went well; the scouts were eager to learn and it wasn't too hard to convince the dads to back off a bit and let the scouts do stuff on their own, mostly. I know how they feel, it's hard to step back and be quiet when you know the answer and JUST WANT TO HELP! I want the gold star! Pick me, I know the answer!

A view on our way!

I thought it might be awkward being an older man leading a group of girls, but it really was pretty seamless. They were a relatively tight group having come together over the last few years in scouting, and all pretty easy going and friendly. After a short period of "indoctrination" I seemed to be let into the inner circle and that was very rewarding, and very interesting! I learned a lot about a crush the girls had (but claimed not to have) on a camp counselor, and once the stories started (SO many stories), they became a common topic on the trail. Besides being very funny in their own right, it does help churn the miles. I think I'm happy to have had two boys.

The most difficult part was the female leader as she wasn't quite ready for the trek. Her pack was not a good fit (and was not adjustable), and she was having some problems with one knee and the other hip (which were also not adjustable). Our pace was very slow, which she did feel bad about, and which I tried to reassure her wouldn't be an issue with some good planning. This is where we ask ourselves, then why is she here. And the answer is that, if she hadn't stepped in, then the scouts could not have attended since at least one female advisor is required if girls are on the trek. And if she left the trail, it probably would mean the end of the trek. So we all worked together to make it possible.

I have to admire her, she really was taking one for the team. Philmont tests people in many ways, and some more than others. Unfortunately I don't know how the story ends, and it bugs me a bit. I believe she had the tenacity to stick it out, but I also know sometimes things are out of our control. I had hoped to meet them back in basecamp for closing campfire, but I had a schedule change and wasn't available. I did send a note explaining my absence with my apologies, but that might be the end as I know it.

All in all, it was a great first trek/crew! It reinforced why I wanted to come to Philmont. To share my passion and to teach some good skills (not just backpacking!) and to help set these scouts on the path to what could be the greatest adventure in their life. An experience they can draw on when things get tough, and know they made it here and can make it anywhere (might be a good song lyric, anyone?). I hope I did this, I think I did, but we'll never really know. I'll just have to have faith in the process.

Ok, so the reason for my delay in posting this blog was because when I returned to basecamp, I was given the role of "alternate" the following day. While infrequent, the alternate steps in if a Ranger becomes sick or injured, which is what happened. The day after returning, I was assigned a new crew and headed back out on trail, just returning today (June 19), blog to follow, but that's enough for now!