Dr. Bob Klein, SM 111, Arlington, VA, always keeps a detailed diary
during his Philmont treks. The diary's intended audience are the
Scouts and Advisors in his Crew(s), as a permanent record of the events
of the trip. Recently, his diaries have been published on the web
in an effort to help others understand what a trek at Philmont really
entails. Many novice trekkers consider Dr. Bob's diaries to be
the most realistic preview of Philmont they received prior to their own
treks.
This year, Troop 111 took one Crew to the Ranch (717-I 1), as part of
the National Capital Area Council’s second "Unit Contingent"
group. The Crew undertook one of the "Fire Modified" versions of
Trek Number 32, specifically 32-NFM-2 ("New Fire Modified #2").
The Crew was fortunate in that much of the previously closed North
Country of Philmont (north of U.S. Rt. 64, and west of the Middle Ponil
Creek) was reopened on July 13, and so Trek 32-NFM-2 was fairly close
to the original Trek 32. In Dr. Bob’s opinion, the modified trek
was in fact both better and tougher than the original - which was
already one of the best of Philmont's many outstanding
itineraries. This year's diary is also unusual because I have
scattered hyperlinks to over 400 photos of the trek throughout the text
- making it (probably) the most highly illustrated Philmont diary on
the web. Each of these photos pop up in a separate window, so
they can be viewed without losing one's place in the text. I hope
you enjoy the final product, and that your own trip to the Ranch will
be as great as Troop 111's.
Yours in Scouting, Brad Jones (Ranger 2002)
As you were all aware, I kept a personal diary of our trek something to
help keep our shared experiences alive in your minds down the years,
along with the photos, patches and other memorabilia that you
received. I hope you'll enjoy it just as I've written it.
However, please keep in mind that it was written from my perspective,
and therefore includes various rantings and ravings, self criticisms,
comparisons with prior trips, and suggestions or reminders for future
treks. In addition, it is also missing descriptions of certain
activities where I didn't participate. There are certainly other
things I missed but that you participated in. I therefore
strongly recommend that you each "annotate" my writeup with your own
observations and experiences in this way, your copy will become more
personal. Don't wait too long to do your additions -
recollections rarely improve with the passage of time, and it's already
been more than six months since we returned. I hope you enjoy our
diary, now and down the decades. I also hope you all return to
Philmont someday, as I have now 10 times. Finally, do not forget
the "Bob Challenge" I gave to you upon our return to National Airport -
Pass your unique knowledge and skills to your fellow Scouts, and to
future Scout generations. It is all the Thanks I ask; if each of
you does his fair share, I will consider myself well paid.
Gentlemen, as always, it was a privilege.
- Bob
Over past years, I have received various critical emails from Scouters
who complained that my diaries paint an unrealistic picture of the
difficulties of the superstrenuous treks my Crews undertake (that is, I
make them sound too easy). In about half of these emails, I was
essentially blamed for these Scouters' poor Philmont experiences.
Unbelievable but true. So here is fair warning: Not only
are the treks we choose already quite challenging, we also occasionally
add significant amounts of extra mileage and/or select more arduous
trails to further enrich our experiences. We have great treks
regardless because we carry relatively lightweight packs (15 - 20
pounds per man less than the average Crew), are well versed in the use
of our equipment, spend months in physical training (especially our
Advisors), do realistic shakedown events, and follow a dawn to dusk
schedule on the Ranch. If you want an experience which is similar
or better to that portrayed in this diary, you will have to work very
hard for it. Frankly, if you're not willing to do so, you have no
business going in the first place. In the latter case, do
everyone (including yourself) a favor: Stay home - and
leave Scouting's Paradise to those who understand that the value of
what you get out of Philmont, is directly dependent on the value of
what you put in.
- Dr. Bob Klein, SM 111, Arlington, VA
Content Copyright 2002 Dr. R. F.X. Klein