Pineconn
07-24-2007, 09:28 PM
Hey AGN! Some of you may remember that I was gone for two weeks June/July. Well, I was hiking 60 miles in Cimarron, New Mexico. Philmont is its name.
The following entry is the journal I took while hiking. If you're interested, go right ahead and read it all. I'll post the pictures I took soon.
2
6/23/07
Today our incredibly small airplane touched down at about 10:20 A.M. MDT in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We then took a chartered bus to Blake's Lottaburger where I had a burger (oh really?), fries, and a Diet Coke. Yes, Diet. I didn't want my 20 lbs.-lost-exercise program to have gone to waste! We then went to the Atomic Museum for 1/2 hour and saw replicas of the two atomic bombs among other things. After we had left the museum, I had remember noticed realized that I left my rain suit in the museum... wonderful. After visiting Old Town Albuquerque, we went back to the museum to retrieve my stuff... yay. So then we headed to the Sandia Mountains ("sandia" is Spanish for "watermelon") and rode the world's longest tram (2.7 miles) up to the top, which was 10,500 feet from sea level. After screwing around a little, we went back down, and headed to the hotel (Marriott Pyramid Hotel - beautiful!). After a little ^more screwing around, we'll go to bed (hopefully ;)). Apparently we're whitewater rafting tomorrow. So I should zzzzz.
1
6/24/07
Breaking of teh fast was okay. Eggs, bacon... the basics. So we went to the Bandelier (ban-deh-LEER) National Forest (2 hours away) and viewed the ^ancient Anasazi (boring). After lunch, we went to the Rio Grande (2 hrs away) and, indeed, whitewater rafted it, which was FUN. After 1 and a half hours of that, we went to some all-you-can-eat buffet (2 hrs away), which was pretty perfect. So then we went back to the hotel, which eez where I am now. I have to pack up and hit the sack for tomorrow! G'night! :D Overall casino count: 7.
1
6/25/07
So after a !grody! 3 hour bus trip to Philmont Base Camp (grody because of the large quantities of gas), we unloaded everything into our crews. We got assigned a trail guide, Matt, who showed us around camp. Lunch was composed of pizza, broccoli (ewwww!!)(though I ate it...), and an ice cream cup. We did some other crap, dodged some rain drops, and got all of our pack gear evaluated. The trail guide isn't going to let me take my cup, the douchebag. Dinner: spaghetti, mixed veggies, breadstick, and a cake/brownie thing. What we originally thought were nuts topping the brownie were actually very stale Cocoa Rice Krispies. After a little card-playing, we went to a 1/2 hour opening campfire and got to see the other 34 crews going tomorrow. So... zzzz-time.
1
6/26/07
Last night, I learned that the objective of rummy is not to be the first to run out of cards, but to amass the most points. Huh. Anyway, we had French toast, eggs, and fruit for breakfast. We got our picture taken, packed up, and waited for the bus to pick us up. For 5 hours. Well, subtract half an hour for lunch. Thank God for cards. So at 3:00 the bus came, and we packed up and rode (on the zaniest bus ride of my life! We were seriously speeding down a dirt road!) to a little area called Zastro Turnaround. And then we backpacked for 2.8 miles. It was pretty easy, luckily, and the elevation was slightly uphill. When we got to camp, Old Abreu (uh-BRAY-you), we sent up our bear bags (bags filled with items that would attract bears, like food or toothpaste, e.g.), dining fly, tents, and "kitchen," and finally ate dinner @ 9:00 friggen P.M. Dinner was chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, and (crunchy) corn, all mixed together; crackers, and we were suPOSSED to have apple cobbler, but 'twas late.
1
6/27/07
Last night was quite nice, with a river flowing right by, providing us with a calming sound. Breakfast was a bunch of assorted trail foods (GORP, granola bars, etc.). Then we hiked a mile to a little staff site called Carson Meadows, where we did a search-and-rescue activity. We left at about 10:30 and hiked to an excellent look photo-op where we had lunch (canned chicken w/ crackers, fruit bar, Nutter Butters, and Gatorade mix). After so, we went another 1-1/2 miles (3.8 miles overall) to Crags camp. We took our 50 pound packs off, set up camp, had dinner (chicken stir-fry, Ramen Noodles, pecan shortbread, and the apple cobbler from last night =D).
~A little later~
God dang, we didn't eat the cobbler.
1
6/28/07
Using a different pen. After our trail guide finally left us, we hiked about 4 miles to a place called Fish Camp. There we took a tour of a cabin built in 1925, made flies (for fly fishing), and ate lunch. Then we hiked another 4 miles, uphill, to Lost Cabin camp. After setting up - I mean, directly after - it started to hail. Mostly pea-sized, but some dime- to nickel-sized ones. When everything stopped and we got out of our tents, we noticed that the temperature dropped from about 85°F (29°C) to 45°F (7°C). COLD!!!!!!!!!!! So then <<shiver>> we made supper and dessert. FINALLY we had the apple cobbler!!.......mixed with tonight's designated dessert, apples & spices. It was very good, actually.
1
6/29/07
We got up at 5:30 A.M. Wheeeeeexapoiunhfgp. We ate breakfast and left around 7:00 A.M. and pulled into Apache Springs camp at 7:30. We then left at 11:30. Yes, we stayed there for FOUR HOURS. We DID, though, take a tour of a tepee, involve ourselves in 3D archery, and pick up food. We hiked another 5.7 miles through oscillating elevation (lunch in the middle) and arrived at Beaubien (BOH-bee-en), the first staff camp that we stay at. And what is great is that we don't hike tomorrow!! After a supper of vegetarian chicken noodle soup (you read that right), we went to a joke-telling contest and a fun campfire. There were songs, skits, and a hilarious 30 minute story. Bed.
1
6/30/07
When I woke up, I almost forgot that I didn't have to pack up! And then I recalled a dream... about AGN. This bear and this mountain lion were pinning me in, about to eat me, and they transformed into n00bs/hackers at AGN, and kept on banning me (and Amaster), then I think Eckels came in and stopped it all. Weird, I know. After breakfast, some of the crew went horseback riding, while I watch a valiant yet unsuccessful attempt by Alex to catch a mini-bear (which is a ground squirrel). After lunch, we took part in a 3 hour conservation project (I used loppers). Two guys and I backtracked toward Lost Cabin a little to Phillips Junction Commissary to pick up more food (this side trip was a total of 4 miles). As we got back to Beaubien, the camp had a nice little chuck wagon-style dinner ready for all of the crews. Y'know: stew, biscuits, and peaches. After, we pretty much went to bed.
1
7/1/07
Happy July! or something. We had a pretty easy hike to Black Mountain camp (a staff camp)(3.5 mi). We had lunch after we set up camp, and as 3 of us 5 scouts went to do program (i.e. rifle shooting and blacksmithing), Alex and I slept in out tent... for 4-1/2 hours. Very nice. They came back. Dinner. Sleep. Yup.
1
7/2/07
So when we tore down camp, we didn't eat breakfast. Dumb, crew leader! Dumb! Moronic! And y'know what else? "We" decided to go a different route. Either way we would have had to climb almost 2000 feet in 3 miles. The remaining mile was downhill... 800 feet. At the end of this madness was Red Hills camp (a trail camp). Wait... that description just doesn't do it justice. It was hard, man. Very, very hard. Very, very, VERY steep. Very. So as we got to camp, some guys decided to side hike to Mt. Phillips, and the rest (including myself) decided to sleep for 5 hours this time. When they came back, we had dinner, etc.
1
7/3/07
We hiked 6.1 miles to Cypher's (SIGH-fers) Mine camp, mostly downhill. Luckily, we got to sleep in an Adirondack, so we didn't have to set up tents or the dining fly! So, I like, took sumthin' called a "shower," and it was great. We then did blacksmithing (again, for some) and then a tour of a mine. That gave me design ideas for my hopefully upcoming 3rd quest. ;) After din-din (the 4 adults cooked and cleaned!! Ha!), the staff put on a musical performance (w/ jokes 'n' stories). Then... sleep!
1
7/4/07
We hiked only 4 miles, downhill, to Cimarroncito (English: SEE-mah-rahn-SEE-toe)(Spanish: SEE-maw-rrone-SEE-toe, with the rr rolled) camp, a staff camp. As soon as we got there we ate lunch. We sent 2 people north to Ute (yoot) Gulch Commissary to get food, which was but a 3 mile hike round trip. We then set up and went rock climbing/rappelling, and I unfortunately couldn't make it up (since I had the harder side of the rock to climb). After, we had dinner... and slept. Pretty boring campsite.
1
7/5/07
We woke up... tore down camp... ate... and hiked... 9 flippen miles to Tooth Ridge camp. But let me break this down for y'all. The first mile: downhill, to Hunter Lodge camp. The next mile: uphill slightly to Clarks Fork camp. The next 4.5 miles: uphill, severely at some points, through some campsites. The remaining 2.5 miles: oscillating, though overall downhill, I suppose, on a very rocky ridge to Tooth Ridge camp. After, I felt pretty bad. Turns out I had a minor case of heat exhaustion.
1
7/6/07
The last day. The very last day of hiking. Just 5.2 miles... downhill. All downhill. Joy! We got to the "You made it!" sign, and I was overjoyed! But here's the great part. As we were descending, two guys decided to break off the main trail and take a "short-cut." Heh, yeah right. As we got to the sign, they weren't there. Turns out that this trail dead-ended. I got out my whistle and they eventually found us. Their dads whooped their butts!
2
This ends my journal. We flew back to Ohio on the seventh of July, where this great Philmont expedition was set behind me. Overall I lost 7 pounds. A lot was learned on this trip, friendships were fostered, and a lifetime full of memories were made. Despite the hardships, I suggest that you go on this adventure in New Mexico.
The following entry is the journal I took while hiking. If you're interested, go right ahead and read it all. I'll post the pictures I took soon.
2
6/23/07
Today our incredibly small airplane touched down at about 10:20 A.M. MDT in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We then took a chartered bus to Blake's Lottaburger where I had a burger (oh really?), fries, and a Diet Coke. Yes, Diet. I didn't want my 20 lbs.-lost-exercise program to have gone to waste! We then went to the Atomic Museum for 1/2 hour and saw replicas of the two atomic bombs among other things. After we had left the museum, I had remember noticed realized that I left my rain suit in the museum... wonderful. After visiting Old Town Albuquerque, we went back to the museum to retrieve my stuff... yay. So then we headed to the Sandia Mountains ("sandia" is Spanish for "watermelon") and rode the world's longest tram (2.7 miles) up to the top, which was 10,500 feet from sea level. After screwing around a little, we went back down, and headed to the hotel (Marriott Pyramid Hotel - beautiful!). After a little ^more screwing around, we'll go to bed (hopefully ;)). Apparently we're whitewater rafting tomorrow. So I should zzzzz.
1
6/24/07
Breaking of teh fast was okay. Eggs, bacon... the basics. So we went to the Bandelier (ban-deh-LEER) National Forest (2 hours away) and viewed the ^ancient Anasazi (boring). After lunch, we went to the Rio Grande (2 hrs away) and, indeed, whitewater rafted it, which was FUN. After 1 and a half hours of that, we went to some all-you-can-eat buffet (2 hrs away), which was pretty perfect. So then we went back to the hotel, which eez where I am now. I have to pack up and hit the sack for tomorrow! G'night! :D Overall casino count: 7.
1
6/25/07
So after a !grody! 3 hour bus trip to Philmont Base Camp (grody because of the large quantities of gas), we unloaded everything into our crews. We got assigned a trail guide, Matt, who showed us around camp. Lunch was composed of pizza, broccoli (ewwww!!)(though I ate it...), and an ice cream cup. We did some other crap, dodged some rain drops, and got all of our pack gear evaluated. The trail guide isn't going to let me take my cup, the douchebag. Dinner: spaghetti, mixed veggies, breadstick, and a cake/brownie thing. What we originally thought were nuts topping the brownie were actually very stale Cocoa Rice Krispies. After a little card-playing, we went to a 1/2 hour opening campfire and got to see the other 34 crews going tomorrow. So... zzzz-time.
1
6/26/07
Last night, I learned that the objective of rummy is not to be the first to run out of cards, but to amass the most points. Huh. Anyway, we had French toast, eggs, and fruit for breakfast. We got our picture taken, packed up, and waited for the bus to pick us up. For 5 hours. Well, subtract half an hour for lunch. Thank God for cards. So at 3:00 the bus came, and we packed up and rode (on the zaniest bus ride of my life! We were seriously speeding down a dirt road!) to a little area called Zastro Turnaround. And then we backpacked for 2.8 miles. It was pretty easy, luckily, and the elevation was slightly uphill. When we got to camp, Old Abreu (uh-BRAY-you), we sent up our bear bags (bags filled with items that would attract bears, like food or toothpaste, e.g.), dining fly, tents, and "kitchen," and finally ate dinner @ 9:00 friggen P.M. Dinner was chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, and (crunchy) corn, all mixed together; crackers, and we were suPOSSED to have apple cobbler, but 'twas late.
1
6/27/07
Last night was quite nice, with a river flowing right by, providing us with a calming sound. Breakfast was a bunch of assorted trail foods (GORP, granola bars, etc.). Then we hiked a mile to a little staff site called Carson Meadows, where we did a search-and-rescue activity. We left at about 10:30 and hiked to an excellent look photo-op where we had lunch (canned chicken w/ crackers, fruit bar, Nutter Butters, and Gatorade mix). After so, we went another 1-1/2 miles (3.8 miles overall) to Crags camp. We took our 50 pound packs off, set up camp, had dinner (chicken stir-fry, Ramen Noodles, pecan shortbread, and the apple cobbler from last night =D).
~A little later~
God dang, we didn't eat the cobbler.
1
6/28/07
Using a different pen. After our trail guide finally left us, we hiked about 4 miles to a place called Fish Camp. There we took a tour of a cabin built in 1925, made flies (for fly fishing), and ate lunch. Then we hiked another 4 miles, uphill, to Lost Cabin camp. After setting up - I mean, directly after - it started to hail. Mostly pea-sized, but some dime- to nickel-sized ones. When everything stopped and we got out of our tents, we noticed that the temperature dropped from about 85°F (29°C) to 45°F (7°C). COLD!!!!!!!!!!! So then <<shiver>> we made supper and dessert. FINALLY we had the apple cobbler!!.......mixed with tonight's designated dessert, apples & spices. It was very good, actually.
1
6/29/07
We got up at 5:30 A.M. Wheeeeeexapoiunhfgp. We ate breakfast and left around 7:00 A.M. and pulled into Apache Springs camp at 7:30. We then left at 11:30. Yes, we stayed there for FOUR HOURS. We DID, though, take a tour of a tepee, involve ourselves in 3D archery, and pick up food. We hiked another 5.7 miles through oscillating elevation (lunch in the middle) and arrived at Beaubien (BOH-bee-en), the first staff camp that we stay at. And what is great is that we don't hike tomorrow!! After a supper of vegetarian chicken noodle soup (you read that right), we went to a joke-telling contest and a fun campfire. There were songs, skits, and a hilarious 30 minute story. Bed.
1
6/30/07
When I woke up, I almost forgot that I didn't have to pack up! And then I recalled a dream... about AGN. This bear and this mountain lion were pinning me in, about to eat me, and they transformed into n00bs/hackers at AGN, and kept on banning me (and Amaster), then I think Eckels came in and stopped it all. Weird, I know. After breakfast, some of the crew went horseback riding, while I watch a valiant yet unsuccessful attempt by Alex to catch a mini-bear (which is a ground squirrel). After lunch, we took part in a 3 hour conservation project (I used loppers). Two guys and I backtracked toward Lost Cabin a little to Phillips Junction Commissary to pick up more food (this side trip was a total of 4 miles). As we got back to Beaubien, the camp had a nice little chuck wagon-style dinner ready for all of the crews. Y'know: stew, biscuits, and peaches. After, we pretty much went to bed.
1
7/1/07
Happy July! or something. We had a pretty easy hike to Black Mountain camp (a staff camp)(3.5 mi). We had lunch after we set up camp, and as 3 of us 5 scouts went to do program (i.e. rifle shooting and blacksmithing), Alex and I slept in out tent... for 4-1/2 hours. Very nice. They came back. Dinner. Sleep. Yup.
1
7/2/07
So when we tore down camp, we didn't eat breakfast. Dumb, crew leader! Dumb! Moronic! And y'know what else? "We" decided to go a different route. Either way we would have had to climb almost 2000 feet in 3 miles. The remaining mile was downhill... 800 feet. At the end of this madness was Red Hills camp (a trail camp). Wait... that description just doesn't do it justice. It was hard, man. Very, very hard. Very, very, VERY steep. Very. So as we got to camp, some guys decided to side hike to Mt. Phillips, and the rest (including myself) decided to sleep for 5 hours this time. When they came back, we had dinner, etc.
1
7/3/07
We hiked 6.1 miles to Cypher's (SIGH-fers) Mine camp, mostly downhill. Luckily, we got to sleep in an Adirondack, so we didn't have to set up tents or the dining fly! So, I like, took sumthin' called a "shower," and it was great. We then did blacksmithing (again, for some) and then a tour of a mine. That gave me design ideas for my hopefully upcoming 3rd quest. ;) After din-din (the 4 adults cooked and cleaned!! Ha!), the staff put on a musical performance (w/ jokes 'n' stories). Then... sleep!
1
7/4/07
We hiked only 4 miles, downhill, to Cimarroncito (English: SEE-mah-rahn-SEE-toe)(Spanish: SEE-maw-rrone-SEE-toe, with the rr rolled) camp, a staff camp. As soon as we got there we ate lunch. We sent 2 people north to Ute (yoot) Gulch Commissary to get food, which was but a 3 mile hike round trip. We then set up and went rock climbing/rappelling, and I unfortunately couldn't make it up (since I had the harder side of the rock to climb). After, we had dinner... and slept. Pretty boring campsite.
1
7/5/07
We woke up... tore down camp... ate... and hiked... 9 flippen miles to Tooth Ridge camp. But let me break this down for y'all. The first mile: downhill, to Hunter Lodge camp. The next mile: uphill slightly to Clarks Fork camp. The next 4.5 miles: uphill, severely at some points, through some campsites. The remaining 2.5 miles: oscillating, though overall downhill, I suppose, on a very rocky ridge to Tooth Ridge camp. After, I felt pretty bad. Turns out I had a minor case of heat exhaustion.
1
7/6/07
The last day. The very last day of hiking. Just 5.2 miles... downhill. All downhill. Joy! We got to the "You made it!" sign, and I was overjoyed! But here's the great part. As we were descending, two guys decided to break off the main trail and take a "short-cut." Heh, yeah right. As we got to the sign, they weren't there. Turns out that this trail dead-ended. I got out my whistle and they eventually found us. Their dads whooped their butts!
2
This ends my journal. We flew back to Ohio on the seventh of July, where this great Philmont expedition was set behind me. Overall I lost 7 pounds. A lot was learned on this trip, friendships were fostered, and a lifetime full of memories were made. Despite the hardships, I suggest that you go on this adventure in New Mexico.