Arrived Philmont Base Camp (Welcome Center) around 7:45 a.m. Unloaded gear into a pack line while the drivers moved vehicles into the parking lot. Met Ranger Jason Berry. Went through the check-in process with visits to Itinerary Services (Recent bear attacks required an itinerary change from Old Camp to Rich Cabins.  We were all excited about the prospect of seeing a bear, this trek.), Health Services (medical re-checks), News and Photo Services, etc. Jason was very efficient in getting us through all the major stations before lunch. In the afternoon, the only thing we had to do was the shakedown. That allowed time for crew members to visit the Villa Philmonte. There were meetings for the Crew Leader (Alex) and adult advisor, right after supper. This was followed by chapel services (four options to choose from) and an opening campfire, which was made more exciting by the dramatic wind storm which kicked up during the program.

Had a lot of packing to do, before breakfast, as most of the crew gear had yet to be distributed. Stored extra gear in the Troop trailer. Met Jason at the Welcome Center at 7:30. Filled water bottles and weighed our packs. Needed to re-distribute the weight a bit, as some of the crew members were coming up short of their 'fair share'. Bus arrived before 8:00 a.m. Loaded our gear and boarded, along with crew D-4. Rode to the Ponil turnaround, with an intermediate stop at Six Mile Gate to drop off D-4.

Unloaded at Ponil Turnaround, where Jason Barry went through a brief review of orienteering skils. He also introduced us to "Red Roof Inns" (latrines).  Hiked on to Bent camp, with a brief stop at Ponil. In camp, Jason went over many of the Philmont camping procedures, including instructions on hanging a bear rope, first aid techniques, etc. By early afternoon we were ready for a break, so the crew hiked back to Ponil (about 2 miles each way) to visit the Cantina and have root bear and peanuts.  On the way we saw a first for our crew, a rattlesnake. It crossed the road in front of us. Then back to Bent for dinner and our first night along the trail.

Hiked through a lovely valley from Bent camp to Dan Beard. Took less than two hours to hike the nearly five miles. Broke several water bottles today, taking off packs. Need to be more careful if our supply of bottles is to make it to the end of the trek. Got out camp set up then went to the staff area to go through the Challenge course. Just as we were getting started, there was a light rain and the staff had to call off the activities. As a result, we went back to our camp site and had lunch before resuming the course in the early afternoon. In the 'Chicken Coop' event, unable to figure another way out of the pen, Chris took a flying leap over the barrier ropes and made a perfect tumbler's landing. Gave everyone a scare, for a moment, however. Got all the Scouts over the climbing wall, but only with a great deal of effort.

After supper, Ranger Jason led us to an area near the challenge course, where he reviewed the elements of the Wilderness Pledge before giving crew members their cards to sign.

Ranger Jason left after breakfast, today and the Crew was now on their own. Today we also ventured off the Philmont property into the Valle Vidal. The land through which we hiked is part of the Carson National Forest, but some of it is used by ranchers for cattle grazing, etc.

Started our hike today on some trail, which followed a stream bed. However, after only about a mile, we left the trail and began heading due north. Alex served as our main navigator, working with his map and compass, but received 'advice' from time to time from other crew members. Had one bluff we had to climb, the route was generally flat and easy going. Continued in this fashion for about 8 miles, until we intersected the road running to Sealy Canyon Camp. Turned to the East, and followed the road to the camp.

Did our service project at Seally Canyon. The project consisted of trimming back small, weak and deformed trees, and piling the debris around larger unhealthy trees. All of this was to prepare the area for a future 'burn' by the Forest Service.

Northwest of Seally Canyon Camp, is an steep and narrow ridge, named 'The Wall'. Once again following our compasses, we made for the northeastern end of this formation. When we reached the highest point, we dropped our packs and climbed the rest of the way to the top. At the crest, this ridge is like a knife edge sticking up in the air, with sheer drops on both sides. Some of our members chose to 'rock hop' along this edge, while Scoutmaster King and Jeff MacHott did a 'jig' on the top.

After the visit to the wall, reclaimed our packs, and headed over to Ring Place for our food pickup. The Ring Place location is on the site of a former homestead and ranch, run by the five Ring sisters. The Philmont staff, working this site, had fresh oranges for everyone, a real treat. There were also telescopes set up and we could see crews heading up to the top of Baldy. Speculated about whether any of the people we were seeing were associated with other crews from Troop 520.

Hiked in a somewhat northeasterly direction from Ring Place to Whiteman Vega. Philmont has placed a yert (octagonal building, covered in canvas) here for the staff. It can be seen from quite a distance away. The staff runs a mountain biking program here, and after getting camp established, most of our members went off to try their luck on the bikes.

After dinner, the adults went to the Advisor's Coffee, while several of the scouts joined in an impromptu volley ball game at the headquarters area.

Retraced our steps from Whiteman to Ring Place. Arrived there even before the staff got things opened up. However, they welcomed us with more oranges and even provided donuts and a cupcake to celebrate Rick's birthday.

We expected this day to be our longest hike. Consequently, we asked the Ring Place Staff the best route for us to take to Rich Cabins. They suggested following an abandoned road back to Seally Canyon, then around to Beatty Lakes, and then heading due South after we pass the second lake. This was our route, and while much of it followed old roads and trails, the last two miles or so went cross country. And the last half mile, was a steep downhill into Middle Ponil Canyon. Since there was no trail, we had to pick our way down the side of the canyon, working through a ravine for part of the distance. Some places you had to sit to make the next step down. It was very tough on the feet and legs.

At the bottom, we came to our camp destination, Rich Cabins. Since a tour of the cabin was about to take place, we decided to do that before heading to our camp site. When we came out of the cabin, it was raining and because of the late hour, most of the sites were already taken, so we ended up at the last site on the trail back toward Ponil. Heard there had been a bear in that site the day before, but we saw no signs of one during our stay. Mr. Roeber was the only adult to go to the Advisor's Coffee, but he brought back some pioneer cake, fresh baked by the staff.

Today's hike was all in Middle Ponil Canyon and part of the trip was familiar ground as we hiked from Rich Cabins to Bent and then on to Ponil. On the way to our camp site, stopped at the shower house for a warm shower, laundry and related cleanup activities. Took our wet things to the campsite to dry, where we also had lunch. Were scheduled for horseback riding at Ponil and while our Scouts were heading to the coral, they saw a bear. He had been rummaging for food in the building where the chuck wagon dinner is prepared, and was in the process of being chased by the staff. Alex and Chris ran back to the campsite to tell the others about the bear sighting, and to get Mr. Bereit, whose reputation for not seeing a bear at Philmont has become legendary in Troop 520. Everyone, rushed to the main area of camp and saw the bear, now up on the side of the valley. Yes, Mr. Bereit saw the bear! The staff were using rifles with rubber bullets, to drive the bear away.

We were scheduled to have a chuck wagon dinner at Ponil. However, because of the staff's involvement with chasing the bear, that activity didn't quite come off as planned. We did have the stew, but there were no biscuits and no cobbler.

There is supposed to be a show at the Cantina, but several of the staff members were out of camp. Consequently, the campers were left to work out their own entertainment. And did they ever. There was a scout in another troop who could play the piano very well. Mostly, classical music. However, we were able to sing along with 'Home on the Range', etc. Had a great time, drinking root beer, eating peanuts and talking. Jason demonstrated his back rubbing skills on one of the staff members. Stayed until the staff closed the Cantina.

Mr. Roeber and Mr. Schleif went to the Ponil cook shack first thing to help prepare a special pancake breakfast. The rest of us broke camp and then headed over for the meal. When we got there, discovered that the bear, we had all seen yesterday, had been lured into a trap. There he waited, to be transported far away from Philmont.

Following the chuck wagon breakfast, went to the trading post to pickup our ration of food. Also needed fuel, and had to track down the staffer who could unlock the tank for us. Our hike today began with a hike up to Dean Skyline. Beautiful climb out of Ponil Canyon. Jason led us in our chapel service at the very top of the ridge. Most appropriate location. Dropped down from the Skyline to New Dean Camp, where we filled up our water bottles, before heading down the dry Dean Canyon to Dean Cow camp. Arrived there just as afternoon climbing program was beginning, Staff beckoned us to come over and our Scouts each took their turn on climbing the cliff and rappelling back down.

Mr. Bereit had been enduring severe blisters ever since our descent down the hill to Rich Cabins. Tonight, he showed the blisters to several of the crew and got some help in bandaging his feet.

Adults went to the Advisor's Coffee at the Staff Cabin and were later joined by the scouts who participated in a staff run environmental awareness hike. Some of the boys stayed around the cabin, talking with other crew members until the staff kicked them out.

The trail from Dean Cow goes up over a ridge and then into Turkey Canyon. Problem was that the trail seemed to disappear after we reached the top. Consequently , we went some distance downhill in a cross country fashion before once again catching up with the trail. Once in the canyon, you still have to go downhill quite a way to reach the Cimmaron River and the highway crossing. Mr. Roeber recalled his previous trek over this stretch in 1997, when he had to traverse the route twice because of a scout with an injured leg. The trail isn't all that difficult, it's just very exposed and very hot.

Stopped at the highway for our lunch break. Then we crossed the Cimarron River and began the climb up to Vaca camp. As we were climbing, some storm clouds rolled in and we had to drop our packs and take defensive maneuvers to avoid being lightening targets.

Could tell, Mr. Bereit's feet were really hurting him. Had a difficult time moving after each stop. When we reached Vaca, he was the first to pull off his boots. The feet looked real bad and consequently Mr. King, Mr. Roeber, Alex and Chris set off to Harlan camp to get some advice from the staff there. Took them about an hour and a half to make the round trip. The advice was to leave the feet uncovered for the night, then bind them up real good before beginning the hiking in the morning.

While part of the crew was away, Mr. Schleif, Jeffrey, John and Jason prepared the dinner, all the while dodging light rain showers.

Mr. Bereit's feet had bled overnight and they looked even worse in the morning. Consequently, the decision was made for him to hike over to Harlan, catch a ride to base camp, where better medical facilities would be available. Following breakfast, we divided up Mr. Bereit's share of crew gear and headed off to Harlan. Reached there shortly after 8:00, and had to rouse the staff. This had to be the low point for the crew to leave Mr. Bereit, but all knew it was for the best and off we hiked to Aspen Springs.