high countrYJune 2013 Volume 36, number 3

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PhilmonT STaff aSSociaTion®

board of direcTorS

Jim lynch, PreSidenTScoTT Toney, Vice PreSidenT, memberShiP

Tim roSSeiSen, Vice PreSidenT, SerViceJohn murPhy, Vice PreSidenT, deVeloPmenT

ray czech, SecreTaryJack PerSon, TreaSurer

naTional direcTorSray baTchelor

bill caSSken daViS

mark griffinlee huckSTeP

STeVe rickSTeVen zimmer

regional direcTorSnorTheaST

adam frommkaThleen SeiTz

cenTralcaTherine hubbard

chriS manheim

SouThernbryan delaney

mark leinmiller

WeSTernamy boyle

michael Waggoner

bill mckoWn, ranch commiTTee rePreSenTaTiVeed PeaSe, immediaTe PaST PreSidenT

mark anderSon, PhilmonT STaff adViSor

ex officio memberSemery corley, legal adViSor

douglaS faSching, Technology manager

randy SaunderS, execuTiVe direcTorJulia mcculloch, office manager

HigH Country®—Volume 36, number 3 June 2013

ed PeaSe, ediTormark dierker, layouT ediTor

randy SaunderS, aSSociaTe ediTordaVe kenneke, STaff conTribuTorkeVin “leVi” ThomaS, carTooniST

conTribuTing ediTorSroberT birkby daVid caffey

bill caSS gregory hobbSWarren SmiTh mark STinneTTmary STueVer STePhen zimmer

HigH Country® iS The official PublicaTion of ThePhilmonT STaff aSSociaTion® and iS PubliShed Six

TimeS Per year aS a benefiT To iTS memberS.

© 2012, The PhilmonT STaff aSSociaTion, inc. all righTS reSerVed. no coPyrighT claimed for

PreViouSly coPyrighTed or Public maTerial.PermiSSion granTed for non-commercial rePrinTing

or rediSTribuTion WiTh ProPer aTTribuTion.

HigH Country®, PhilmonT STaff aSSociaTion®, PSa® and The official PSa logo®

are all regiSTered TrademarkS of:

The PhilmonT STaff aSSociaTion, inc.17 deer run road

cimarron, neW mexico 87714575-376-1138

for memberShiP and SubScriPTion informaTion,ViSiT our WebSiTe aT:

WWW.PhilSTaff.com

HigH Country® WelcomeS arTicleS, PhoToS andleTTerS for conSideraTion for fuTure iSSueS.SubmiSSion doeS noT guaranTee PublicaTion.

The ediTorS and PubliSher reSerVe The righT ToSelecT and ediT maTerialS To be PubliShed.

Send SubmiSSionS, leTTerS or commenTS To “ HigH Country” aT The aboVe addreSS or e-mail:

highcounTry@PhilSTaff.com

if you Would like To receiVe HigH Country® in elecTronic raTher Than PaPer formaT, PleaSe

conTacT The PSa office aT PSadirecTor@PhilSTaff.com

oPinionS exPreSSed in HigH Country®are ThoSe ofThe WriTerS and, unleSS oTherWiSe STaTed,

do noT neceSSarily reflecT The VieWS of The PhilmonT STaff aSSociaTion®, PhilmonT

ScouT ranch, or The boy ScouTS of america.

PSA® FELLOWSBOB HArvEy FELLOW

PAUL And MARY JAnE HARVEY

GLEnn A. FOWLEr FELLOW

BRUCE BARnES

GEOrGE A. BuLLOck FELLOW

WILLIAM d. BRYCE

JOE DAviS FELLOW

BILL CASS

JOHn A. MAxBAuEr, Jr. FELLOW

AnOnYMOUS

in this issue columns

4 fromtheprez6 shortstuff8 ranchroundup25 ptcnews35 trailtalk38 goodcampsite

articles9 psanews-autumnadventure11 psanews-regionalreunions14 psanews-elections15 psanews-silversageaward17 psanews-phillipscelebration20 psanews-2013reunion21 psanews-C4P26 george28 philmonthistory29 johndenver33 staffamigos

other

5 bulletinboard5 underthezia33 87714pride39 poetry

Contributing Writerslee huckSTeP JaSon maSciTTi gayle reamS

S.g. riTzdorf Warren SmiTh mark STinneTT STeVen and cynThia TruemPer

MeMbers only ACCess

user nAMe: APACHesPrings

PAssWord: lostcabincamp

Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

On the cover: The Phillips family gates at Westwood Village Memorial Park, location for the PSA’s celebration of their lives February 1, 2014. Story on page 17.

Photo by Lee Huckstep.

bulletinboard54fromtheprez

fromthepresident

Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

BULLETIn BOARd Upcoming PSA® Events

PSA Summer Trek at Philmont – July 13-20, 2013Philmont Scout Ranch

PSA Annual Reunion – July 14-20, 2013Philmont Training Center

PSA Ohio Regional Reunion – August 10, 2013Sharonwood Park, Cincinnati, OH

Contact: Joe Parker at ruff489@fuse.net

PSA Northeast Regional Reunion – October 11-13, 2013Camp Wheeler, Stanhope, NJ

Contact: Rick Touchette at rick@rcda.org or David Setzer at setzer258@msn.com

PSA Autumn Adventure Trek – October 13-18, 2013Philmont Scout Ranch

Contact: Steve and Cynthia Truemper at struemper@earthlink.net

Celebrating the Lives of Genevieve & Waite Phillips Event – February 1, 2014Westwood Village, Los Angeles, CA

Contact: Lee Huckstep at lee.huckstep@kbr.com

Under the Zia: Out and About in New Mexico

June 22-23. Cimarron. Cimarron Days. cimarron-nm.com. 575-376-2417.

July 4. Cimarron. Fourth of July Maverick Rodeo. The real thing – and the longest-running open rodeo in the West. cimarron-nm.com. 575-376-2417.

July 12-14. Taos. Taos Pueblo Pow Wow. Dance, song, feasting, and celebration of a World Heritage site. taospueblopowwow.com. 575-741-0181.

July 19-21. Taos. Fiestas de Taos. Parade, traditional New Mexican food, mariachi and other music, dancing in the Plaza. fiestasdetaos.com. 575-741-0909.

July 27-28. Santa Fe. Traditional Spanish Market. Santa Fe Plaza all day. spanishco-lonialblog.org. 505-982-2226.

Itisoftenmisquotedthat“inademoc-racy,peoplegetthegovernmenttheydeserve.”Theactualquoteisfroman1811letterbydeMaistre(neverheardofhimbefore,orafter)andis“everycountryhasthegovernmentitdeserves.”Nonetheless,thePhilmontStaffAssociationonlygetsthegovern-mentitdeservesthroughhardwork,andplanning.Asavolunteerorgani-zation,weareblessedtohavealotoftalentedmemberswillingtoservetheAssociationandmoveitforward.Thenamesofthecandidatesforourboardandofficersontheballotyouwillreceiveinafewshortmonthsaren’ttheresultofcronyismoran“oldboysnet-work.”Insteadtheyaretheproductofawell-led,by-lawmandated,impartialnominationcommittee.ThisyearMarkLeinmillerprovidedtheleadershipasthechair.Themembershipofournom-inationcommitteeisspelledoutintheby-laws—itmustconsistofoneboardmember(Mark),oneactivemember[Chrystene(neeMatthews)Speed],andamemberofRanchmanagement(MarkAnderson).Thiscommitteemetmanytimesinthelastninemonthstocraftaslateofofficersandboardmembersthatwouldreflectthemembership.Theytriedtobalancedifferenterasofstaffmembership,differentgenders,differenttypesofformerstaffers(i.e.PTC,Ranger,BackCountry,CHQ,etc)tomakearepresentativeslateofcandidates. InApril,theboardreceiveditsproposednominees.Asrequired,twocandidateswerenominatedforeachboardmemberpositionandoneforeachofficerposition.Thereisaprovi-sionforwrite-incandidates,andthere

maybeoneortwoontheballot.IcanunequivocallysaythatEVERYmembernominatedandapprovedbythecur-rentboardwillbewelcomedtoserveasacommitteememberofthePSA,whetherelectedornot.TheyrepresenttheverybestoftheAssociation,andIhopethatweasanassociationexpressourappreciationfortheirwillingnesstoserveintheeventtheyareelected.Ifyouknowanyoftheindividuals,pleaseletthemknowhowimportanttheirsteppinguptobeplacedintonominationistothehealthofthePSA.AviablepoolofcandidatesiscrucialtoassuringthecontinuedgrowthandsuccessoftheAssociation. Thedownsidetothisqualifiedslateisthat50%ofthenominatedboardmemberswillnotbeelected.Itishardforthemnottotakethisasapersonalrejection—itshouldnotbeperceivedthatwayatall,butitishumannaturetofeelthatsting.I’dliketopointoutthatsomeunelectedboardmembershavecontinuedtoplayaleadershiproleoncommittees,andtheircontinu-ingcontributionsareappreciatedbyallboardmembers.Afewthatspringtotheforeare“Sam”Vivian,FredCrib-bettandDr.TroyPhillips,allofwhomservedwithdistinction.Iknowthereareothers,butIthinkyougetthepoint. So,whenyourballotcomes,knowthattheboardnominatedcandidatesareallqualifiedandvettedtoensurethattheAssociationwillcontinuetogrowandleadthePSAtoevengreatersuccessesinthefuture.

IWTGBTP!

JimLynch,President

6shortstuff buyabuckle7 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

Dawn painting “en plein air” outside of Gunnison, CO. Photo by Jonathan Houck.

shortstuff

2013marksthe75than-niversaryofPhilmontScoutRanchandthe40thanniversaryofthePhilmontStaffAssocia-tion.So,ofcourse,thePSAwillbesellinglim-itededitionbeltbucklestocommemoratetheoc-casion–andtheproceedsfromthesaleswillgototheseasonalstaffscholar-

Buy a Buckle: Support Staff Scholarships

shipfund.Ordersmaybeplacedonlineatwww.philstaff.comorbycallingthePSAofficeat575-376-1138.BuckleswillbeshippedbeginningJune1,andwillbeavailableforpurchaseinthe2013calendaryearONLY.

ThebuckledesignincludestheFishCampcabin,attheconflu-enceoftheRayadoandtheAguaFria,wherethePSAwasborn.And,witheachbucklepurchased,buyerswillreceiveacoinmadeofthecorrespondingmetal(pewter,bronze,two-tone)whichalsocommemoratesbothanniversaries.Thosewhobuythesterlingsilverbucklewillreceiveasetofallthreecoins.

Pricesare: Pewter: $25 Bronze: $30 two-tone: $65 Sterling Silver: $675

Intheearlysummerof1957severalrangerswenttothenearbycommu-nityofSpringertoattendamovie.ThegroupwentwithDickGalianoinhisnewyellowChevroletwithaFloridalicenseplate.UponleavingtheywerestoppedbyalocalconstableandinstructedtogodirectlytothelocalJP(JusticeofthePeace).Theypaidtheirfineandwereallowedtocontinueon.TheJPwasondutyatnight.InTexasandOklahomathesewereknownas“speedtraps”andinmoststatesnowareillegal. Afterthe1957seasonwasoveragroupofseveralwereheadingbacktoTexasandexperiencedcartroubleout-sideofSpringer.ThegarageinSpringerhadtoorderpartsfromeitherRatonorSantaFetoarrivebybus.ThisrequiredthegrouptoremaininSpringerover-night.Whilewaiting,theyinquired“Is

therealibraryinSpringer?”Thereplywas“No,butthereisamanthathassortofalibraryinhisbackyard.” Uponarrivingattheman’shouse,thegroupsawarailroadboxcarsittingonafoundationinthebackyard.Theownerhadpurchaseda“rollinglibrary”atauctionfromthestate.EarlyinNewMexicotherewererailcarssetupasalibrarywhichweremovedfromplacetoplaceandputonasidingforacertaintimeforthesmallcommunities.Therewasapotbellystove,shelvesandcom-fortablechairs.Oneofthegroupwasaliteraturemajoranddiscoveredsomerarebooks.Certainlydifferentfromthefirstvisitearlierintheseason.

Ed.Note: These glimpses from 1957 were shared with HighCountry by Gayle Reams, a member of the staff that year. We’re bet-ting he was part of both groups.

Springer, new Mexico : Summer of 1957

AneasywaytohelpthePSA’sAnnualFund–andtherebyhelpPhilmont–isthroughtheautomaticgivingprogramknownasthe19.73Club.It’ssimple–anditisreallymakingadifference. MembersoftheClubauthorizeamonthlychargeagainsttheirVisaorMasterCardintheamountof$19.73.Eachmonth,theMember’screditcardmakesanautomaticpaymenttothePSAinthatamount.Theresult:forpenniesaday,aMembercanmakeanannualgifttothe

Join the 19.73 club and help the PSA help PhilmontPSAofnearly$240–asignificantdona-tion. PaymentscontinueuntilsuchtimeastheMembernotifieseitherthePSAor

thecreditcardtodiscon-tinuefurtherdonations. Inlessthanthreeyears,the19.73Clubhasgrown

to81Members.Pleaseconsiderjoiningthem.FurtherinformationisavailablefromExecutiveDirectorRandySaundersat:psadirector@philstaff.comorbycall-ingthePSAofficeat575-376-1138.Thankyou!

psanews98ranchroundup Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

ranchroundup

PhilmontScoutRanchhasbecomethenewestpartnerwiththeAmeri-canKestrelPartnership,aprogramofThePeregrineFund.ThehistoricallycommonkestrelisrapidlybecomingararesiteinportionsofNorthAmerica,witha64%declineinpopulationinthesouthernRockies/ColoradoPlateausince1966.Becausethecausesofde-clinearenotpreciselyunderstood(pos-siblecontributorsincludedepredationbyCooper’shawks,competitionwithEuropeanstarlingsfornestingcavi-ties,andenvironmentalcontaminants

Philmont Partners with the American Kestrel Partnership

suchasrodenticides,heavymetals,andbrominatedflameretardantsfoundinelectronicsandtextiles),moreresearch–quickly–isrequired.Oneofthebestwaystoprovideanenvironmentforsuchresearchisthroughnestingmoni-toringdata–andthatrequiresnestingsites.Philmonthascommittedtopro-videboxesandothersitesthroughouttheRanchthissummerasafirststeptocreatetheenvironmentforintensivestudy.Forfurtherinformation,seehttp://kestrel.peregrinefund.org.

Sign up for 2013 Autumn Adventure trek

psa®news

byStevenandCynthiaTruemper

SeePhilmontfromadifferentperspec-tivethanthehustleandbustleofthesummerthatyouexperiencedwhilebeingonstaff,enjoythestillnessandserenityofthePhilmontbackcountry,backpackthroughthegoldenaspensandlistenforbuglingelk.JointhePSAthisOctoberfortheEighthAnnualPSAAutumnAdventureTrek.Thebackcountrycampswillhavealreadygatheredsotheprogramwillconsistofhiking,sightseeingandfellowship.AutumnAdventureisopentocrewsofsixtotwelveparticipantsaccompaniedbyanAutumnAdventureguide.KnowsomefriendsyouwouldliketosharethePhilmontexperiencewith?Formyourowncrewandcreateyourcustomitinerary.Don’tknowanyoneyoucangettocomewithyou?SignupandyouwillbeplacedinacrewofotherPSAmembers.

DatesTheAutumnAdventureTrekisOctober13–18.

cost and EligibilityThecostis$275perperson.Eligibilityrequirementsareasfollows:

• BeamemberofthePSAorTrek-eligiblemember.• BeamemberoftheBSA.• HaveacompletedPhilmontmedicalform.• Be14yearsoldORcom-pleted8thgradeandbeat

least13yearsofagepriortoparticipa-tion.• Beingoodphysicalshape.

Special Award PatchPersonscompletingtheAutumnAdventureTrekwillreceiveaspecialawardpatch.Itmustbeearned;itcan-notbepurchased.

trek Eligible MembersYoucanbringyourfamilyorfriendswhomeettheeligibilityrequirementsabove.

registration cut-offRegistrationcut-offisSeptember15,2013.Usetheprintableformonlineorpurchaseonline.

cancellation Policy• Cancellationspriortotheregistra-An American Kestrel

Photo by Mark A. Dierker

PSA Autumn trekkers cross the Cimarron River after an invigo-rating hike down Bear Canyon.

10psanews psanews11 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

For SaleciMArron Art gAllErY

WANTTOBENEARPHILMONTSCOUTRANCH?Followyourdream-LiveneartheBEST!

Art gallery • gift Shop • 1937 Soda FountainInbusinessfor22years

PriceDrop-NowOnly$150,000building(Buildingpriceincludessodacollection)

Websiteincluded!-Retailinventorysoldseparately1875sq.ft+office+storage+outsidestoragebuilding(attached)

Turn-keyBusiness-EnjoyanindependentlifestyleChildren?We’vegot4dayschoolweeks

Greatschoolsystem-CimarronMunicipalSchools

PleasecontactTimO’Neill@O’NeillLandLLC(575)376-2341

PSA/SSA attend north country rendezvous

AseveningdrewnearonFriday,March8th,PSAmembers,familiesandfriendsconvergedonCathyandFinnHub-bard’shouseinruralMiddleton,WIforanightoffood,musicandfun. Thesettingwasahomeinthesnow-coveredwoods,andthoughthenightwascold,indoorsitwasplentywarm.Guestsbroughtfoodanddrink,andweretreatedtopork,family-madecheese,wildricesoup,fruit,salad,locallybrewedbeerandrootbeer,andotherdelights. At7pm,TomMunch,Philmontstafffrom1978-1982,playedmusic-bothnewandold-fortheappreciativecrowd.Hissongswereinterspersedwithtalkoftheolddays,which–inthecaseoftheneweststaff–didn’t

reallysoundsoold.Atintermissiontherewastimeformoreconversation,foodandfellowship.MarkDierkerandSpencerElliott-Manheimbroughtoutsomeoftheirartwork,andofcourse,therequisitePhilmontmapsandbookswerecirculated.RandySaundersgaveaRanchupdate,andthenitwasontomoremusic.Theconcertendedwithasuperbversionof“WagonWheel’”andsmilesallaround.Itwaswithreluc-tancethatlasthugsweregivenandthepartydispersed.Itwasmidnight.Sev-eralfolksstayedovernight,grabbingasliceofcouchorfloor. OnSaturdaymorning,coffeeandbreakfastburritosgoteveryonegoing,buttheweatherhadturnedugly,soahikewascancelled,andtheonlyhiking

regional reunions

psa®newstiondeadlineofSeptember15,2013willreceiveafullrefund.• Cancellationaftertheregistrationdeadlinewillnotreceivearefund.MoniespaidcanbeusedforanotherPSAorExchangeProgramevent(priortotheendof2014)orcanbecontrib-utedtotheGeneralFund.• Inexceptionalcases,theExecutiveDirectorANDVicePresidentforSer-vicecanauthorizerefundsforcancella-tionaftertheregistrationdeadline.

the Schedule• Saturday,October12,meetandgreetattheSt.JamesHotel,7pm.• Sunday,October13,reporttothe

WelcomeCenterat9a.m,BaseCampcheckoutandhitthetrail.• Friday,October18,returnfromtrail.Dinner.• Saturday,October19,departPhilmont.

BaseCamptentsareavailableforthenightbeforeandthenightafterthetrek.QuestionsabouttheAutumnAdven-tureTrek?

contact:Steven&CynthiaTruemperatstruem-per@earthlink.netorRandySaundersat575-376-1138.

Philstaff, past and present, pose for a group photo after being treated to some live music from TomMunch. Note the way cool 87714 decal. photo by Mark A. Dierker

12psanews psanews13 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

Philfolks gather for reunion in St. louis

donewasupanddownStateStreetinMadison,combingtheeclecticstoresfordeals,andfinishingwithapintatPaul’sClub. ThePSA/SAAjointreunionwas

alsowellattended,thoughtheweatherkeptsomeaway.PhilmontandSom-mersstaffalumnimetatalocalrestau-rantandhadanicedinnerofwingsandothergoodies.

OnApril27,2013,PhilfolkfromallovertheMidwestjourneyedtoSam(81-83)andCharleneCraig’shomeinSt.Louistoreminisce,renewacquain-tances,andforgefriendships.Staffersfromthe1950stothe2010splustheirfamilieswereinattendance,totaling50peopleandrepresentingeverystaffgenerationexceptone.14future-staff-ers,ranginginagefrom2to13madenewfriendsandlearnedabitmoreofwhatPhilmontmeanstotheirparents.Plentyofdifferentmapswereonhand,datingbacktothe1980s,andaspecial

slideshowwithpicturesfrom“backintheday”sparkedmemoriesandremindedeveryonewhatgreatshapeweusedtobein.Specialguestsin-cludedPSAExecutiveDirector,RandySaunders,andRegionalDirector,CathyHubbard.RandybroughteveryonealittleclosertoNewMexicobyshar-ingnewsfromPhilmontandthePSA.Astheeveningdrewtoaclose,SteveWurtzelandhisguitarentertainedwithPhilsongs. Temperaturesinthe40sandanall-dayraincouldn’tdampenspirits,but

theydidpushtheoutdoorbarbequeindoors,makingitrathercozyinSamandCharlene’shouse.Peopleweretuckedintojustabouteverynookandcranny.ManythankstoDenisDroz-kowskiandFrankLewis.Theybravedtheraintopreparehamburgers,brats,andhotdogssothatthecrowdcouldstillenjoybarbeque.Everyonebroughtappetizers,sidedishesanddessertstoroundoutthefeast.Asisthecustom,thePhilmontGraceopenedthemeal. Thereunionhadstaffersattendfromnearandfar.TheSt.LouisareawaswellrepresentedincludingChrisBailey,RodBergman(08-12),JohnCalcaterra(70-74,09),EmeryCorley(79-83),BobCylkowski(75,76),DenisDrozkowski(12),RobFabian(05-08),DavidHoulle(70-74),FrankLewis(95,97,99,03,06),GeneSchnell(PhilmontLegend),DanielSchoenekase(93,95),

GeorgeShannon(76-78),DrewStone-braker(07-11),CynthiaTruemper(92,95-98),StevenTruemper(92-97),KellyWurtzel(06-10),andSteveWurtz-el(03-10).VisitingfromOverlandPark,KansaswereBobBroadway(59-63)andPhilWinegardner(69-74).MarlinGawithstoppedinonhiswaybacktoShawnee,KansasafterrunningintheKentuckyDerbyMarathon…inLouis-ville,Kentucky…thatmorning.MelissaNurre(12)andCathyHubbarddroveinfromWisconsinandKristiNoble(85,93)cameallthewayfromTulsa.Butthedistanceaward,notcountingRandySaunders,wenttoMelissaMc-Cormack(98-02)andherfamilywhotookabreakduringtheirmovefromMarylandtoColoradotopartakeinthefestivities.Thespouses,childrenandsignificant-othersofthesestaffersfilledoutthelivelyandanimatedgathering.

The reunion of Philstaff at Sam Craig’s home was so large that two group photos were required. This photo is round one.

St. Louis reunion group photo #2. How many future Philstaff you can count in this photo?

psanews1514psanews Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

AsourreadersknowfromstoriesinthepastseveralissuesofHigh Coun-try,2013isanelectionyearforthePhilmontStaffAssociation.AttheAprilmeetingoftheBoard,MarkLein-miller,ChairmanoftheNominatingCommittee,togetherwithNominatingCommitteemembersMarkAnderson,RayCzech,andChrysteneMatthewsSpeedpresentedtheirreporttoPSAPresidentJimLynch.Pursuanttotheassociation’sBy-Laws,hisacceptanceofthereportplacesthenamesreceivedinnominationforconsiderationbythemembership.IncludedinthisissueofHigh Countryisaninsertwhichpro-videsthenamesandshortbiographiesofpersonsnominatedforofficeranddirectorpositionsfortermsbeginningJanuary1,2014andconcludingDecem-ber31,2016.TheBy-LawsprovidethattheNominatingCommitteerecom-

mendonepersonforeachoftheofficerpositionsandnotlessthantwopersonsforeachoftheDirectorpositions.Thereportpresentedcomplieswiththoserequirements. Theassociation’sBy-Lawsalsopro-videforadditionalnominations,pro-videdthattheproposednomineebeamemberoftheassociationandsupport-edbythesignaturesofnotlessthan25currentmembersofthePSA.AnysuchnominationsmustbereceivedatthePSAofficenotlaterthanJuly15.OnJuly20,ballotswillbemailedtoallmembersofthePSA,withinstructionsthattheymustbereceivedinthePSAofficenotlaterthanAugust20.VoteswillthenbetalliedandtheofficersanddirectorsannouncedimmediatelyonthePSAwebsiteandintheOctoberis-sueofHigh Countrymagazine.

PSA to hold officer/Director elections

byMarkStinnett

Inhis1970essay“TheServantasLeader,”RobertGreenleafwrote,“Theservant-leaderisservantfirst…itbeginswiththenaturalfeelingthatonewantstoserve,toservefirst.Thenconsciouschoicebringsonetoaspiretolead.”Hecontinued,“Thebesttest,anddif-ficulttoadminister,is:Dothoseservedgrowaspersons?Dothey,whilebeingserved,becomehealthier,wiser,freer,moreautonomous,morelikelythem-selvestobecomeservants?” Greenleafwouldbeproudindeedofoursole2013SilverSageAwardrecipi-ent,Eugene“Gene”Schnell,forhehasepitomizedthoseconceptsofservantleadershipforalmostthreedecadesofservicetoPhilmont,itsprogramanditsstaff.Thisyear,asPhilmontmarksits75thyearofdeliveringwildernessadventuresthatlastalifetime,Genebeginshis29thsummerseasonasaninspireranddemanderoftheverybestthatthestaffersunderhischargecanprovide.

Aftereleventreksattheranch,GenebeganhisPhil-careerin1985astheDirectorofthePhilmontTrainingCenter(thefirstandonlyvolunteertoholdthatpost)andlaterservedfivesummersasManagerofHeadquartersServices.Heisbestknown,however,forhiseighteenyearsofserviceasaBackcountryManagerandhiscurrentpositionasBackcountryDistribution&SupportManager.Inthoseroles,thelegendary“Unit41”hasinspiredgenerationsofbackcountrystaffandisreveredbycurrentstaffforhisabilitytohikefaryoungerstaffersintothedirt,hisinsistenceonqualityinprogramandservicetoPhilmontparticipants,andhisunceasingworkethic.Indeed,GeneisregardedbyPhilmontmanage-mentasthedefactoqualityimprove-mentdirectorforthebackcountryoperation. Along-timememberofthenationalOrderoftheArrowCommittee,Genewasinstrumentalinthecreation,devel-opment,andcontinuedsuccessoftheOATrailCrewprogramatPhilmont.

PSA honors Schnell with Silver SageFirst Annual SW ohio reunion plannedJoinusfortheFirstAnnualSouthwestOhioPSAReunioninOhio’sQueenCity. OnSaturday,August10wewillopenthereunionattheHoneysuckleShelter,inCincinnati’sSharonwoodPark(seewww.greatparks.org)at11:00withapotluckpicniclunchandfel-lowship. AfterlunchyouareonyourowntorentarowboatatSharonwoodLakeinthepark,hiketheSharonwoodinterpretivetrails,orvisittheFree-domCenterdowntown(andjustthreeblocksfromthestadium).

WewillmeetfordinnerattheMoerlienLagerHouse,justacrossthestreetfromtheGreatAmericanBallPark(alsoknowntothelocalsastheGreatAmericanLaunchingPad).Afterdinner,wewillattendthehopefullydivisionleadingCincinnatiRedsvs.theSanDiegoPadres.StartingpitcherTBA. WewillconcludeourreunionwithabrunchatFirstWatchRestaurantonMontgomeryRoad,at9:30AMSunday. RSVPwitheventsyoumayattend,toJoeParker(Ranger’66andCDPor-cupine’67.Yes,Porcupinewasstaffedthen)email:ruff489@fuse.net.

Gene Schnell, the staff’s guardian angel, watch-ing over the group at the opening staff program.

psanews1716psanews Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

Hehasservedasstaffadvisorfortheprogramsinceitbeganin1995andhasbeentheprimary“shaper”oftheprogramanditsobjectives.ThehugesuccessoftheprogramnotonlyimpactedPhilmont,butitspreadtosimilarprogramsatNorthernTierandSeaBase,eventuallymorphingintoOAprogramswiththeUnitedStatesForestServiceandtheNationalParksystem.Heisa1986recipientoftheOrderoftheArrow’snationalDistinguishedServiceAward. Intheoff-season,GeneservesastheDeanofStudents,teachesindus-trialtechnologyandcoachesmen’strackatTrinityCatholicHighSchoolinSt.Louis.HehastaughtSituationalLeadershipinBSANationalLeadershipSeminarsformanyyearsandisalsoaninstructorinsolosurvivalskills.

Ina2010interviewwithPhilnews,Genesaid,“Whatwe’reallabouthereischanginglives–weareservantlead-ers.”Genecertainlyis,andhashadadirectimpactonhundredsofstaffersandthousandsofcampersthroughhisserviceduringnearlyhalfofPhilmont’sexistence. Inrecognitionofhismanyyearsofchanginglives,throughhisown“distinguishedandexceptionalper-sonalserviceandcontributionsofanimportantandlastingnature...forthebenefitofPhilmontScoutRanch,Philmontprogramparticipants,and/orthePhilmontstaff,”thePhilmontStaffAssociationhonorsGeneSchnellastherecipientofits2013SilverSageAward.TheawardwillbepresentedatPhilmonttheeveningofFriday,July19,andallarewelcometoattend.

byLeeHuckstepandJasonMascitti

YourconnectionwithGenevieveandWaitePhillips,whichlikelybeganasaPhilmontcamperorstaffmember,andwhichconnectionyoumayhavestrengthenedatthePSAReunioninTulsa,cannowextendtotheveryspotwheretheynowrest. OnSaturday,February1,2014,thegatesofthePhillipsmausoleuminLosAngeleswillbeopenedandyouwillstandinawebeforethecryptsofthetwopersonswhomadePhilmontpossible,andwhoprofoundlychangedyourlife:GenevieveandWaitePhillips. YourPhilmontStaffAssociation,withthesupportofthePhillipsfamily,ishonoredtoannouncetheCelebration

celebrating the lives of genevieve and Waite Phillips

oftheLivesofGenevieveandWaitePhillipsonFebruary1,2014,inLosAn-gelesattheWestwoodVillageMemo-rialPark,thecemeterywhereboththePhillipsesrest. You’vewantedtohonorandcel-ebratethePhillipsesforalongtime,andnowthetimehascome. Whyisnowthetime?January27,2014,marksthe50thanniversaryofthedeathofWaitePhillips,andFebruary1,2014isthefirstSaturdayafterthat.It’sthatsimple. Youwillnever,ever,haveabetteropportunitytohonorandcelebratetheirselflessgenerosityofthegiftofPhilmont.

APSANortheastReunionisbeingplannedfortheweekendofOctober11-13,2013atMountAllamuchyScoutRes-ervation,Patriot’sPathCouncil,StanhopeNJ.Funforthewholefam-ily!Programsthroughouttheweekendandon-sitecampingfacilitiesavail-able.Nearbymotels.40milesfromNewark,50

northeast reunion being planned

milesfromManhattan,100milesfromPhilly,160milesfromHartfordandonly250milesfromBoston!Savethedatenow!Detailstofollow.Tohelpusplanfortheweekend,pleaseletusknownowifyoumayattendandagesofchildren(noobligation).FormoreinformationcontactRickTouchette,rick@rcda.orgorDaveSetzer,setzer258@msn.com.

Genevieve Elliott Phillips’ initals in the mausole-um gate. photo by Lee Huckstep

Waite Phillips’ initals in the mausoleum gate. photo by Lee Huckstep

psanews1918psanews Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

the program is as follows:

--Friday,January31,mixer,8p.m.--Saturday,February1:

• 9:30a.m.,begingatheringatWest-woodVillageMemorialParkinwestLosAngeles.(NearUCLA)

• 10:00a.m.,ceremonycelebratingthelivesofGenevieveandWaitePhil-lipsintheWestwoodChapel,theverysamechapelwheretheirfuneralswereconducted.Amongthoseparticipat-ingisJohnClarkasthemoderator,EdPeaseasthekeynotespeaker,andRodTaylorisinchargeofmusic.Therewill

alsobeanaudio-visualofferingbyPSAfilm-makerLarryMcLaughlin.

• 11:00a.m.,visitthePhillipsmauso-leum,wherethedoorswillbeopenedandyouwillbeabletoseethePhillipscrypts,payrespects,takephotos,andleaveprivatenotesofappreciation.

• 11:30a.m.,selfguidedtourofWestwoodVillageMemorialPark–the“CemeterytotheStars”–whereno-tablessuchasMarilynMonroe,NatalieWood,FarahFawcett,DeanMartin,MervGriffinandmanyothersrest.YouwillunderstandwhyWestwoodVillageMemorialParkisabright,happyplace.

• 1:00p.m.,gatherforcelebratoryluncheonatnearbyrestaurant.

• 3:30p.m.,optionalsidetripto10659BellagioRoad(thenearbylastaddressofthePhillipses),hikeonWilshireBoulevardtolocateaddressesofWaitePhillips’soffices,ordrivetoWaitePhil-lipsHallontheUniversityofSouthernCaliforniacampus.

cost and reservations

Yourcostforthiseventis$55.At-tendanceislimitedto140persons–thefirecodelimitsforthechapelandtherestaurant.Thisnumberisahardceil-ing.Itcannotberaised.Don’tbeleftout. Reservationsareavailableonafirst-to-paybasis.YoucanregisterbysendingyourcheckpayabletothePSAat17DeerRunRoad,Cimarron,NM87714,oron-lineatwww.philstaff.com.

Ed.Note:The PSA’s celebration of the Phillips family generosity, held at Tulsa’s Philbrook Museum, Philtower and Philcade buildings in 2012, sparked a number of letters and emails about the Phillips lives and their impact in so many ways in addition to Philmont. The following is representative, and provides a look ahead to the Phillips story, to be continued by the PSA in Los Angeles next January.WhenIreturnedfromthereunion(thePSAreunioninTulsa,2012)IgotoutthebookBeyond the Hills,thebiographyofWaitePhillipswrittenbyMichaelWallis.Ihadpurchaseditwhenitfirstcameout,readitimmediatelyandputitinmyPhilmontgroupofbooks.OvertheyearswehadopportunitiestovisitthePhil-brookMuseumbutneverhadtouredeitherthePhiltowerorPhilcadebuild-ings.EventhoughIhadgreatopportunitytoappreciateRayado(article“WhenFishCampclosed”–Feb2005issueofHigh Country)andtheVillaPhilmonte(article“FiftyYearsago,summer1963“Feb2013issueofHigh Country)Ididn’treallyappreciatethegenerosityofthePhillipsfamilyuntilthePSAReunionof2012.Thewonderfultoursmadethisbookreallycomealive.ThenewownersofthePhiltowermadeeveryonefeelwelcomeandinvitedeveryonebackanytime.ThedetailshetalkedaboutandwhatIre-readinthebookalmostputsyoutherewithWaitePhillips.Heistrulyoneofmyheroes,andhisgiftschangedmylifeforever.GayleReamsl957-63,67,73

Mrs. Phillips’s favorite sculpture. She asked that it be brought to her final resting place from its former location in Tulsa. photo by Lee Huckstep

psanews2120psanews Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

ThePSAReunionConferenceatthePhilmontTrainingCenteriscomingsoon.Thisweek-longgatheringwillopenonSunday,July14andendonSaturday,July20,andthePhilmontTrainingCenterstaffisrollingouttheredcarpetforPSAmembersandtheirfamilies.It’snottoolateforyoutoregisterforthereunionandcountyourselfaspartofatrulyspecialweekatPhilmont. PhilmontScoutRanchiscelebrat-ingits75thanniversarythissummer.Therewillbeopportunitiesforyoutoparticipateinthefestivitieswhileyouareattendingthereunion.OneactivityfeaturedduringtheweekwillbeafieldtriptoRayado.WhileatRayado,wewillgetanexclusive“handson”talkandtourofKitCarson’shomeontheSantaFeTrail.WhilehearingaboutthehistoryofRayado,we’llalsogetsomeinsightaboutthefutureofthesiteandthePhilmontMuseum. SpeakingofthePhilmontMu-seum,thePSAwillbeinvitedtoaspecialreceptiononThursdayJuly18totour“TheGiftofInspiration.”ThisexhibitfeaturesformerPhilmontstaffwhohavebecomeprofessionalartists,andtheirworks.That’sright,DawnChandler,JeffSegler,SteveRick,TimothySeaman,BusterSimpson,GeorgeGomez,andothershavetheirartdisplayedatthePhilmontMuseumandwegettoseeit!Ofcourse,therearealsoexhibitsthattellthehistoryofPhilmont,andworksbyErnestThomp-

sonSetonondisplay. Therewillbeopportunitiestoex-periencemoreofPhilmontduringtheweek.Dayhikeswillbeoffered,includ-inghikingtheToothofTime.Therewillbeserviceprojects.WewillgettolearnmoreaboutPhilmont’spartnerships,sustainability,andmuchmore. FridaywillbeaveryspecialdayforthePSA.Ourtrekkerswilljointhereunionaftertheycomeoffthetrail.Rangersfrom1963willgatheronFridaytosharememoriesfrom50yearsago.OurSilentAuctionwillbetheperfectplacetopickupuniqueartifactsfromyourfellowPSAersaswellassupportourScholarshipFund.WewillalsobehonoringGeneSchnellwiththeSilverSageawardthatevening. AnD–ThePSAwillbecelebratingits40thanniversaryduringthereunion.ThePSA’sfoundingmemberswillbearoundthroughouttheweek,eagertosharestoriesfromthePSA’searliestdays.Therewillalsobebirthdaycakeandacommemorativepatch. But WAit –there’sstillmore!SinceourreunionisaconferenceatPTC,thereareprogramsandfacilitiesforthewholefamily.Thereareactivi-tiesforchildrenandspouses,aswellasfamilygatheringsintheevenings.TentcitiesatPTCarelargetwo-personwalltentsonwoodenorconcretefloorswithelectricity,lighting,awardrobe,andtwotwinbeds.Eachtentcityhasnewrestroomsandfamilyshowerhouses.Thereisalsoalaundromat.Mealsare

PSA reunion at Ptc – it’s not too late providedatthePTCDiningHall. So,it’snottoolatetomakeplanstoattendthePSAReunionConference,butnowisthetimetoact.Thisconfer-ence,withitsactivities,facilities,and

locationmakesaperfectfamilyvaca-tion.Visitourwebsite,www.philstaff.com,orcallthePSAofficeat575-376-1138formoreinformation.SeeyouinJuly!

ThePSA’sCampaignforPhilmont,a$1.4Mcapitalcampaigntosupportbackcountry,PTC,campinghead-quarters,andseasonalstaffscholar-ships,haspassedthehalfwaypoint.AsofMay1,atotalof$727,556hadbeenpledgedby281donors.Ofthatamount$467,144hasalreadybeenpaid.Becausethemajorityoffundsraisedtodatewereunrestricted,thePSAwasabletoadvancefundits$100,000pledgetoPhilmontforthenewHardestyCasaCentral(thereplacementbuildingfortheoldAdvi-

sors’MeetingRoom).AgenerousgiftfromtheHardestyfamilyprovidedtheremaining$400,000(notpartofC4P)necessarytoconstructthebuildingthreeyearsaheadofschedule.Asshowninthephotobelow,construc-tionisclearlyonpaceforanopeningpriortothestartofthe2013season.Ifyouhaven’tmadeyourcommitmenttoC4P,youstillhavetime.Thecampaignwillrunthrough2014,the75thyearofcampingatPhilmont.Forfurtherinformation,contactRandySaundersatthePSAoffice:575-376-1138.

PSA’s campaign for Philmont (c4P) Passes halfway Point

The back porch (as of April 25) at the Hardesty Casa Central, the new meeting building at Camping HQ. The building will be open when campers arrive on June 8.

22george george23 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

byS.G.Ritzdorf,‘12

Somesaythat,“lifeflashesbeforeyoureyes”duringneardeathexperi-ences.Icertainlydidn’tfindittobethatway.Othersstillsaythatduringsuchoccasionsonebeginstoseetheinnumer-ableregretsthathavepiledup.Again,I’dhavetodisagree.It’smorepurethanthat.Morefluid.Atleastthat’showitwasforme. Thesunwasatitshighestpointoftheday,castingmyshadowsquarelyontotheboxesatmyfeet.IwasinthebedofacommissarytruckunloadingthenecessaryfoodsuppliestheBaldyTownCampwouldneedfortheupcom-ingseveralweeks.IgrabbedboxesonebyoneandpassedthemdownoffthetrucktoJohnwhothenpassedthatboxofftoanotherpersonandsoonandsoforth.Irelishedthispartofthejob.Thebeautifulsunshine,theviewofBaldyMountainwithabandofcumulouscloudsbehind,andthecamaraderiesharedwithmyfellowBaldyTownStaff. DrivingthecommissarytruckwasanoldbucknamedBarney.Barneywasoldandsuntanned.He’dbethe

onetoseeitfirst.Overbehindthecabinandupthemountainwerethestaff’scanvastentsdispersedinsmallclearingsintermingledamongstaspensandtheremainsoftheoldnineteenthcenturyBaldyTown.Thesetentswerealllacedtogetherbyasingletrail.Itwasoutofoneofthesetentsthatabear,IfondlyrememberasGeorge(orGeorgia;genderbeingasofyetunknown),came. “Lookslikeyou’vegotabear.”Bar-neycalledoutfromthesideofthetruck.IhandedofftheboxI’dbeenholdingtoJohnandstretchedmybackasIfocusedmygazeonthetents.Indeed,therewasGeorge.Curiouslittlebugger,pokinghisheadoutofErin’stentlikeheownedtheplace. Itbearsnoting–nopunintended–thatnearthebeginningofthesummeritwassharedwiththebackcountrystaff,ofwhichIamapart,thatbearsshouldbechasedfromcamps,sothebearslearntobedeterredfrominteractingwithhumans. “Chasethebearsoff.”Wasthegener-allyunderstoodprocedure.Itwasillad-

visedtodothisaroundscouts,however,astheycouldbeoffendedorworse,bearwitnesstoyourslaughter. “Andwhatiftheychargeyou?”I’dasked. “Won’thappen.” “Yes,butwhatif--?”Therewasnoprocedureforthatexceptworkerscom-pensationandapersonalcallhometomomanddad.Funeralcostsultimatelytakenfromwagesearnedthusfar. So,bearingallofthisinmind,Ilaunchedmyselfoffthebedofthetruckandtoreoffinadeadsprintupthehillinthedirectionofthebearwho,uponobservingmypursuit,pausedforabittoobservethespectacleofasixfootfourinch,onehundredandseventy-fivepound,primatelike,halfred,halfgreenwithadashofCaucasian,animal. “Yeeehaaaw!”Ibellowed. Georgesnortedatme,oratleastinmydirection,beforeturningandheadingdownthetrail.BythetimeI’dreachedthetentshewasstillamblingdownthetrail,obviouslynotatallconcernedbymypresence.Adanger-ousthingwhenitcomestobears!Thatshouldhavebeenmyfirstclue!IfGeorge,thistwo-hundredfifty-pound

blackbear,isn’tperturbedbymypres-encethenhecertainlywon’tbeputoffbyotherhumansmysizeorsmallerdowntheroad.Somethingthatwouldbecomeveryrealtomewhenayounger,smallerboyencounteredabearlateronthatsummer. “GetgoingGeorge!”Iyelled.Thelogicbeing,ifmysizewasn’tdeterrentenoughthenmyshoutingwouldhavetocompensate.“Let’sgoGeorge!”GeorgeandIwereonafirstnamebasis.We’donlymetacoupletimesbeforethis,butIstillfeltwehadastrongconnection.Mylaborswerefruitless.IstoppedtocatchmybreathandobservedGeorgewalkingdownthepathstillathiscasualpace. “Well,inforapennyinforapound.”Icalledinasatiricallypseudo(terrible)-Britishaccent.“Let’sgothenGeorge!”Can’ttellyouwhy,butitworked!Perhaps,GeorgehadabitofprejudiceinhimormaybehesimplythoughtIdidn’thavethegonadstokeeponafterhim.Eitherwaywewereofftotheraces. Ipursuedhimoffthestafftentstrail,oversomerockyterrain,andthendownaslighthillaboutahundredyardsbeforemeetingupwiththewindingtrailthatultimatelyturnedintoswitch

george

Black bear eating raspberries

24george Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 ptcnews25 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

ptcnews

OneofthekeyelementsofthePhilmontTrainingCenterexperienceistheopportunitytoenjoyPhilmontasafamily.ThefamilyprogramsprovidedbyPTCaredesignedtogiveeachpar-ticipantanage-appropriatePhilmontexperiencethathelpsstrengthenfamiliesandinspiresthemtoseekoutfuturehighadventureopportunities.Familyprogramsareprovidedfromages2monthsto90+.Eachsum-merPTCGroupLeadersworkwitheachagegroupthroughouttheweek,leadingthemonhikesinPhilmont’sbackcountry,ponyorhorserides,crafts,games,shootingsportsandmore! For2013PTChasrevisedandup-gradedallofitsfamilyprograms.Be-lowarejustafewofthenewprogramstakingplaceatPTCthissummer:• Improveddailyflagceremonies• NewartsprogramforSilverados• MinutetoWinItgamesatTentCit-iesinevenings• IncreasedfocusonScoutingskillsforyoungmenages8-13includingorienteering,knots,outdoorcooking,plantidentificationandmorewithuseofRockyMountainScoutCampforadaytripprogram.• Increasedshootingsportsopportu-nitiesincludingtomahawks,slingshots,andairpistols.

new Family Program opportunities at Ptc in 2013

• ContinuedintegrationoftheAmeri-canHeritageGirlsprogramintogirlprogramsinrecognitionofthe“Memo-randumofMutualSupport”signedlastyearbetweentheBSAandAHG.• IncreasedemphasisonSTEM(Sci-ence,Technology,Engineering&Math)inourprogramsforages6-13.• Redesigneddayhikesandover-nighthikesforages9-20.• TheBroncosprogram,designedforteenagersnotparticipatinginMountainTrek,hasbeenrefocusedandwilloper-atemuchlikeaVenturingCrew.Bron-cosprogramparticipantswillbeabletochoosefromawidevarietyofopportu-nitiesincludingfishing,COPE,visitinglocalhistoricsites,hiking,horsebackridingandmoreeachsession. PTCisveryexcitedaboutthe

backswhichwoundtheirwayallthewayuptothesaddleofMountBaldy.Georgeroundedacurveinthetrailandheadeddownthatportionoftrailbeforeitturnedoncemoreandwentupward.Higherground.IgaveGeorgethehigherground. Ionlysawhimturnthecornerandthenstopped.He’dgonefarenoughawayfromthecamp.Atleastbymystandards.Noneedtogomuchfarther.Beforeturningbackthough,Istoodthere.Peeringintotheforest.Takingnoteofthediversefloralivingallaroundme;Indianpaintbrush,quakingaspen,skyrocket,pricklypoppy,andshrubbycinquefoil.Itwasabeautifulsight.Andthenasquicklyasmyattentionhadbeenstolenawaybytheflora,itwasseizedbythesoundofflorabeingtrampled. Foramomentitallseemedtoslipaway.Thenumerousaspens,thetrick-lingcreekrunningnexttothetrail,andthewhisperofthebreezeflowingdownfromthepeaknorthofus.Indeed,dur-ingthatbriefmoment,itwassimplythetwoofusintertwinedinadanceasoldastime.Icouldn’tbelieveit.Georgewaschargingme. “Fightorflight”provedtobetwowordstoolong.Myhandsdidnotshakenormyeyesaverttheirfocusfrommyaggressor.Ididnottremble,nordidI

contemplatethemeansofmyescape.Forthesewouldhavebeenmyundoing.Georgewastestingme.Heknewhehadthehigherground.Theadvantage.AndhealsoknewthathewasmuchstrongerthanI.However,Georgewasnotinter-estedinpursuingaconfrontationwithamoredominantbeing,soheneededtotestthewatersfirst.Sohebluffcharged.Istoodfirm.AsserteddominanceandcontroloverthesituationandGeorgeturnedhispathatthelastmomentandheadedbackintothewoods. TothisdayIholdagreatdealofrespectforGeorge.Throughthatexperi-encehehadtaughtmeaveryimportantlessonaboutlife.Thatbeing,inevitablychallenges,andaggressors,willcomeinmanydifferentformsandtimesandthatwhetherornottheeventhasapositiveornegativeresultisultimatelyuptome.AsGeorgetestedme,sowilllifetestmecontinuallytoseehowmuchIcantakeandhowinventiveIcanbenotdespitethecircumstances,butincelebrationofthem. So,no,lifedidn’tflashbeforemyeyes,nordidIponderregretsofold.Instead,Ifocusedonthemoment.Stoodconfidentlyandasserteddominanceoverthesituation,andthat,ultimately,madeallofthedifference.

Bear Procedures at Philmont

Philmontannuallypublishesatwo-pagedocumententitled“BearProcedures–BeBearAware.”EveryonewhoentersRanchproperty,andespeciallythosewhowillbeinorneartheBackcountry,needtobecomecompletelyconversantwiththisdocument.High CountryaskedsomeveteranPhilstaffersfortheirassess-mentofthewriter’scompliancewiththoseprocedures–andreceivedbasicallypositiveresponses.But,ratherthantakethisstoryasaninstructionmanual,wehopeourreaderswillreaditasintended–asanotherinterestingPhiltale.StudythePhilmontbearproceduresthoroughlyandaskquestionsofappropriatestaffifyouhavequestionsbeforeyou“headforthehighcountry”yourself.

26ptcnews Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 ptcnews27 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

chancetoprovideeachfamilythechancetocreatePhilmontmemoriestogether.Formoreinformationonhow

youcanattendPTCthissummer,checkoutthePTCwebsiteatwww.philmont-trainingcenter.org.

Asalways,PTCstrivestoofferthebestconferencespossibleintopnotchfacilities.Inpreparationforthe2013summerseason,severalimprovementsweremadetothePTCcampustomakeattendingPTCevenbetter.Improve-mentsincludednewwindowshadeandblindsintheAssemblyHallandbothdininghalls(providedbyformerPhilstaffersKermitandLizKirpes.See

Ptc campus facility improvements continue

advertisementonp.19),newflooringinseveralduplexes,theBusterBrownconferencebuildingandtheSmallFryCenter.Inaddition,theEastandSouthTentCityandSmallFryplaygroundsunderwentthefirstofathreephaseupgradeincludinginstallationofthreenewlargeplaygroundpiecesandnewgroundcovering.

ThePhilmontTrainingCenterisexcitedtooffernewcuttingedgeconferencestovolunteersfromacrossthenationin2014.Forthefirsttimeinhistory,thePTCschedulewillbeavailableinMayand2014registrationswillbeginonJuly1st2013.2014willalsopro-videPTCtheopportunitytohosteachregion,whichhaveselectedafullspec-trumofconferencestomeettheneedsofScoutsandScoutersintheirarea. Inadditiontoyearlyfavoritessuchas“PuttingMoreOutinginScout-ing”and“DistrictKey-3”,severalnewconferenceshavebeendesignedtohelpvolunteersandprofessionalsshareideasandbestpracticesandkeeppace

withtheexcitingchangesandnewdevelopmentsintheBSA.VisitthePTCwebsiteatphilmonttrainingcenter.orgformoredetails.Belowarejustafewoftheconferencesbeingofferedin2014!

getting the 411 on the nEW cub Scout Adventure-Discovertheadven-turesCubScoutswillexperience,fromtheteamwhowrotethem,astheBSA’snewCubScoutprogramrollsoutfor2015!You’lllearnaboutadventureslike-Tigers“OntheProwl”,Wolfs“RunningwiththePack”,Bearswith“BearNecessities”,andWEBELOSbeing“IronChefs”and“BuildingaBetterWorld”andmore!Beoneofthe

2014 Philmont training center schedule now available

firsttowalkthisdynamicnewtrailastraditionalScoutingvaluescombinewithrelevantnewScoutingskillstomapthenewCubScoutadventure.IfyouareinvolvedinCubScoutingataunit,districtorcouncillevel,comeandjoinus!

Programs that rock-AimedatBoyScout,VarsityScout,andVenturingleaders,thisnewconferenceintroducesparticipantstoengagingprogramtop-icslikegeocaching,searchandrescue,specialcooking,andadvancedpioneer-ing.Tryouttheactivitiesinaspecialround-robinformatatsitesaroundPhilmontandlearnhowtotakethembacktoyourtroop,team,orcrew.

Set Your hook on a Year round Fishing Program-Thisconferenceisdesignedtofocusonimprovingacouncil’syeararoundfishingprograms.TheconferencewillbefacilitatedbytheBSANationalFishingTaskForceandwillfocusinstructiononFly-fishingwhichhasbeenakeyprogramatPhilmontforyears.Inadditiontotheideasharingandbestpracticesyouwilllearnfromthisconference,youwillalsobecertifiedasaBSACertifiedAnglerInstructor(CAI)recognizingthatyouarequalifiedtoteachthefishingrelatedmeritbadges,plusyouwillbeabletoqualifyotherCAIsinyourcouncil.WhileyouenjoyPhilmontinthefallandfishthoselegendarystreamsandlakes,youwilllearnthefineartofflyfishingincludingcasting,flytying,keyfishingknots,howtolocatefishand

catchandreleasesomegreatwildtrout.Mostimportantly,youwilltakebackknowledgeonhowtoimproveyourcamp’sfishingresources,findlocalexpertise,selectthecorrectequipmentatvalueprices,andfindprogramhelpsforCubs,Scouts,andVenturers.

Venturing: the new Vision-ThenewVenturingprogrammodelbuildsonsuccessfromthepastandprovidesaframeworkforadynamicprogramofadventure,leadership,service,andpersonalgrowth,groundedinaflex-ibleprogramofcontinuous,youth-ledadventure.Ifyouareanadvisor,youthleader,orprovidesupportfromthevolunteerorprofessionalside,comelearnfirsthandhowyoucantakeonthechallengeandfunofthenewVenturingprogram.

Visual Storytelling Photography Workshop-ImaginethousandsofScoutersarmedwithstillcamerasandvideorecorders,huntinggreatScoutingstoriestoshareviasocialmediasites.That’sthevisionfortheVisualStory-tellingconference.Attendeeswilllearnthebasicsofmultimediastorytelling,howtopublishtotheWeb,andtech-niquesforpassingonwhattheylearn.Thisconferenceisintendedforthosewhohaveatleastsomeexperiencewithstillphotographyand/orvideo,andhaveapassionforshowingthestoryofScouting.

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byWarrenSmith

EvenifyouarenotafanofJohnDenveryou’veprobablyheardhisbestknownsong,“TakeMeHomeCountryRoads.”It’sbeenplayedoffandonatPhilmontcampfiresandfrontporch“after-shows”sincethe1970s.Partlybecauseitisaperfectsing-alongsong,it’sinfiltratednotjustPhilmont’sculture,butAmericancultureaswell.Itmadeitontoabest-sellingDisneyRecord,“CampoutatDisneyWorld.”It’sthestatesongofWestVirginia,boisterouslysungatallWestVirginiaMountaineershomefootballgames.Inoneparticularlystrangeepisodeof“TheOffice,”DwightSchrutesingsaverseof“CountryRoads”inwhatissupposedtobeGerman. EventhosetooyoungtorememberDenver,ortoocooltoadmittheylikehim,havetoadmithisinfluenceonPhilmont’smusicaltradition.Considerthisstory,forexample,fromKatieHogan,who“listenedtoJohnDenversinceIwasaverysmallchild,thankstomydad’sloveofmountainsandsim-plertimes.Myfamilywouldalwaysplayhismusicwhenwewentonlongroadtrips,usuallywithanoutdoordestination. “OnespecificmemoryIhaveisfrom2007,whenIwasworkingasaMountainTrekRangeratPhilmont.

John Denver and PhilmontTribute Album Brings New Fans, New Respect, and Old Memories

WhileIwasbrieflyinbasecampbe-tweentrainingandtakingoutacrew,Ipulledoutmyguitarandwastryingtoplay‘CountryRoads’whensomeonefromLogistics‘knocked’onmytentflaptoaskifI’dsharemytentforadayortwowithayoungwomanfromtheCzechRepublicscheduledtoworkatClark’sFork.Thisgal,whospokelittleEnglish,askedmetokeepplay-ing.ShesaidshelovedJohnDenverandshemadeitclearthathearingthatsongseemedjustrightinlightofhercomingtoPhilmont.Sowesangthewholethingtogether.I’llneverforgethowthatsonginstantlyconnectedmetosomeoneI’djustmetand,beyondthatsummer,wouldprobablyneverseeagain.”

philmonthistory

A Dragoon in new Mexico: Part 3

Ed.Note. In the February 2013 issue of HighCountry, we included passages from the journal of James A. Bennett, a member of the U.S. Army’s First Dragoons. He described part of his winter of exactly 160 years ago, 1852-1853, as he and some of his comrades were sent from Rayado to Fort Union for supplies. Rayado appears again in Bennett’s journal in the fall of 1885, describing events there and in Mora and Ocate.

1855

August 28. – StartedforRayadotojoinmycompany.Leftwithatrainof10wagons.Campedlastnightjustout-sideofTaosinaravine.AmannamedSullivanandanothernamedDowdarebothstillsufferingfromwoundsreceivedonMarch30th.Incompanywiththeteamsters,theygotverydrunkandinsistedonsittingoutinthenightair,singing,etc.Iadvisedthemtogotobed,buttonoavail.Thismorning,Sul-livanhadasevereheadacheandissickotherwise.Ridingalldayoverrocksandlogsisenoughtojarthelifeoutofaman.PoorSullivanispayingdearly

forhisfolly.

Sept. 1. – ArrivedatMoralastnight.Gotsomefinemelons,greencorn,andsquashforsupper.WenttohospitalatFortUniontodayforsomemedicineforSullivanandme.

Sept. 3. – LastnightcampedatOcate.Nowoodisonthisstream.Cookedalittlemeatandmadecoffeeoverafireofdrybuffalochips.Sullivanwasverysickduringthenight.Ihavehadtoattendhimallday,asheisdelirious.DroveveryslowlytoRayadowherewesentforthedoctoratFortUnion.

Sept. 6. – Doctorcame.Sullivanhad“BrainFever.”Hediedfromhisownfolly.

Sept. 17. – Col.T.T.FauntleroyarrivedfromtheUnitedStatesFridaywith200recruits,CompaniesBandH,1stDragoons.

–from FortsandForays:ADragooninNewMexico, 1850-1856, by James A. Bennett.

TheMusicisYou - a new John Denver tribute album.

“Goodjudgmentcomesfromexperience–andalotofthatcomesfrombadjudgment.”

-WillRogers,AmericanhumoristandfriendofWaitePhillips

30johndenver Volume 36, number 3— June 2013johndenver31 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

MedicineShowhavereleasedanalbumofJohnDenver’smusic,“TheMusicisYou.” Likemanytributealbums,theperformancesareamixedbag.BrandiCarlisle’sversionof“CountryRoads,”isuninspired,despitethehelpofbackgroundvocalistEmmyLouHarris.DaveMatthews’coverof“TakeMeToTomorrow”isjustplainweird.Butthealbumhasmanygems,MaryChapinCarpenter’s“IGuessHe’dRatherBeInColorado”amongthem.EvanDandooftheLemonheadsdoesasurpris-ingversionof“LookingforSpace.”AmosLee’ssoulful“SomeDaysAre

Diamonds”isperhapsthefinestperformanceonthealbum.Thebestcutshonorthesongs,butdon’ttrytoimitateDenver’sversionsofthem,suchasAllenStone’salmostwistfultakeon“RockyMountainHigh.” Thealbumwillundoubt-edlybringJohnDenver’smusicbackintothespot-light,especiallywithcurrentfansoftheartistsonthisalbum.Thealbumde-butedat#37onBillboard’salbumchart,andat#12onBillboard’sCountryMusicChart. Formanyoldfans,though,thisnewalbumanditsreceptionarejustvalidationsoftheirlong-standingadmiration.NedGold,whoco-foundedthe

PhilmontStaffAssociation,tellsofcomingtoPhilmontinSeptemberof1973forthemeetingthatwouldgetthePSAofftheground:“BythistimeIownedeveryJohnDenverrecordingtherewasandfrankly,Ifound(andstillfind)thatalmostallofhismusicstirredemotionsofPhilmontinme.Ihadanantiquetapeplayer(amuseumpiecenow)anditwaswithmeonthetrip.IwasplayingaJohnDenvertapeaswewerenearingPhilmont.JustasIsaw[theToothofTime]thetapecameto‘Annie’sSong.’SeeingPhilmontandlisteningto‘Annie’sSong’atthesametimecompletelyfilledmyemotions.I

KatiewasnottheonlystafferwhofirstlearnedofJohnDenverfromherparents.EllynWashburnewasonstaff2010-2012,andplanstobebackthissummeratBeaubien.Herfatherwasastafferinthe1970s,andhetaughthertoloveJohnDenver’smusic.“IworkedatCyphersMineandRichCabins,”shesaid,“whereweplayedashoweverynightandtookrequestsafterwards.Weoftengotrequestsfor‘RockyMountainHigh,’‘CountryRoads,’and‘ThankGodI’maCountryBoy.’Thismademeveryhappy,butsadly,Iwastheonlystaffmemberwhoknewhowtoplaythem.” Thatwouldnothavebeenthecaseinthe1970s.JohnDenver’spresencenotjustontheradio,butontelevisionandinthemovies,wasnearlyuni-versal.Asasongwriter,Denverhadhisfirstbighitwith“LeavingonaJetPlane,”whichPeter,Paul,andMarytooktonumber1in1969.Withinafewyears,Denverwasmakinghitshimself.“CountryRoads”cameoutin1972.Buthisbiggestyearswere1974and1975,whenhehadthreeconsecutiveBillboardnumberonealbums,andfourconsecutivenumberonehitsingles,including“Annie’sSong,”whichhasundoubtedlybeenplayedatamillionweddingssince. Denver’s“RockyMountainChrist-mas”TVspecialattracted60-millionviewers,atthetimethebiggestaudi-enceinABC-television’shistory.HisTVspecial“AnEveningWithJohnDenver,”wonanEmmyAward.Hewasaregularguesthoston“The

TonightShow.”HehostedtheGrammyAwards,andin1975wastheCountryMusicAssociation’s“EntertaineroftheYear.”HeevenstarredwithGeorgeBurnsinthehitmovie“Oh,God.” Perhapsbecauseofallthatfameandmiddle-Americaappeal,hewasneveradarlingofthecritics.Hismusicwastoogentleandstraightforwardfortheincreasinglyjaded,ironic,andsexual-izedMTVgeneration.In1985,whenthesupergroupUSAforAfricarecord-ed“WeAreTheWorld”asafundraiserforfaminerelief,Denverlobbiedun-successfullytobeapartoftherecord-ing.Therebuff,helatersaid,hurthimdeeply,andprecipitatedadownwardspiral.Bythelate1980s,aseriesofex-tramaritalaffairsledtohisdivorcefromthewomanforwhomhehadwritten“Annie’sSong,”and–helatercon-fessedinanautobiography–heturnedtoalcoholanddrugs.Hewasarrestedfordrunkdrivingatleasttwice,lead-ingtothetemporarysuspensionofhispilot’slicense.Flying,whichheloved,washisultimateundoing.Hediedinthecrashofaplanehewaspilotingin1997.Bythen,asecondmarriagehaddissolved,hehadbeendroppedbyhisrecordlabel,andhehadn’thadahitinmorethanadecade. Butsomethingstrangehashap-penedsincehisdeath.Themandied,buthissongslivedon.Denverwouldhavebeen70thisyear,andtocom-memoratethatmilestone,agroupofcontemporaryartistsincludingJoshRitter,DaveMatthews,EmmyLouHar-ris,Train,BrettDennen,andOldCrow

John Denver playing one of his signature acoustic guitars.

32johndenver Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 8771433 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

Where are YOU showing your 87714 Pride?

As our readers are aware, High Country publishes occasional photos of the world travels of various Phil-gear, usually ac-companied by a brief explanation – and a shameless promotion for you to buy Phil-stuff from the PSA. This photo was recently taken in Kabul, Afghanistan. The wall ascending the ridge is part of the Bala Hissar fortress complex which dates from the 5th century AD.

Share your 87714 sightings with us for future use on the website, in High Coun-try or both ! E-mail HIGHCOUNTRY@philstaff.com with your sightings, and if for some inexplicable reason you don't have your 87714 sticker yet, contact the PSA to purchase some at eminently reasonable prices. Shop for T-Shirts (and other

cool 87714 gear) at www.philstaff.com.

The photo was taken by Michael (Mike) Martens.

admitatearortwo.ItremindedmeofwhyIwasseekingtobecertainthePSAwouldbecomeasuccess.EverytimeIhearthatsongIamtakenbacktothosenever-to-be-forgottenfewmomentsin1973thathavecometomeansomuch.” Ofcourse,notallJohnDenverorPhilmontmemoriesaresodramatic.MarkLeinmillerremembershis1976RangertrainingcrewalteringaJohnDenversongtocomeupwith“ThankGodI’maRangerBoy”:“LifeontheRanchiskindalaidback/Ain’tmuchanoldRangerboylikemecan’thack”itbegan.Thechorusended:“Lifeain’tnothingbutfreeze-driedvittles/ThankGodI’maRangerboy.” RodTaylor,whoseownmusichasbecomeaPhilmonttradition,couldalsoalteraDenversongtogoodeffect.In1976,RodwasawrangleratBeaubien.AccordingtoMarkStinnett,whowasprogramcounselortherethatsum-mer,Rod“oftendidasolorenditionofJohnDenver’s‘RockyMountainSuite(ColdNightsinCanada)’withaslightmodificationtofitourprogram.Insteadoftheopeningline–‘UpinameadowatJasper,Alberta’--he’dsing“UpinameadowatBeaubienCowCamp.’Theonlyotherchangewasthesubstitu-tionof‘NewMexico’for‘Canada’inthelineaboutcoldnightsandicybluewinds.WithBeaubiensituatedinoneofthemostbeautifulmountainmeadowsanywhere,thestoryoftwomenandfourponiesstartinga‘longlonesomeride’wasperfectforourcampandourprogram.” Inatleastonecase,aJohnDenver

songalteredthecourseofaPhilmontcareer.RiceBrewersays,“After1980,IthoughtmyPhilmontcareerwascomplete.Thatis,until‘RockyMoun-tainHigh’cameontheradioinDallaslateonenightinNovember.Imailedmyapplicationthenextday.Itwasac-ceptedandthesummerof‘81wasmybestattheRanch.” NoneofthesestoriesofJohnDenver’slastingappealsurprisesJimCurry.CurryhasbeenleadingaJohnDenvertributebandsince2007,andheplaysasmanyas150concertsayear,oftentoaudiencesnumberinginthethousands.WhenIcaughtupwithCurryonthetelephone,hewasontheroadin(whereelse?)Colorado,onthefirstdayofaroadtripthatwouldhavehimdoing42showsin52days.HesaidhethoughtDenver’smusicwouldsurviveaspartoftheAmericanSongbooktradition.Hesaid,“Wemeeteight-year-oldsnowwhoknowthismusic.We’vegotthegrandparents,theparentswhoareourage,andnowthekids.” Thesedays,you’remorelikelytoheartheAvettBrothers,MumfordandSon,orOldCrowMedicineShowinPhilmont’sbackcountrythanJohnDen-ver.Buteventoday,Denver’smusicisnotcompletelygone.His“ChristmasforCowboys”wasoccasionallyapartofBeaubien’scampfirelastyear.And–ifthesestoriesareanyindication–JohnDenver’smusicwilllikelyliveoninPhilmont’sbackcountryforyearstocome.

Summer’shere!Over1,000peopleareservingonstaffatPhilmontthisyear.AsPSAmembers,wecanconnectwiththemtobrightentheirstaffexperience.ThisconnectioniscalledStaffAmigos.HowcanyouparticipateasaStaffAmigo?Hereiswhatyouhavetodo:1) PickanidentifiablepartofthePhilmontSeasonalStaff-arangertrainingcrew,ConservationCrew,backcountrycamp,etc.2) Thinkaboutwaysthatyoucanmakethelivesofthesefolksabitmorepleas-antandproductive.3) Sendtheseitemstoyourgroupafewtimesoverthecourseofthesummer.4) Encloseanote,tellingthemwhyyouhavechosenthem,perhapssharingsomestoriesaboutyoursummersattheRanch,andlettingthemknowthatthePSAap-preciatesandsupportstheirservice.EncouragethemtojointhePSA.5) Askthemtodropyouanotedescribinghowtheirsummerisgoing.Itcanbequitedelightfultoheartheirstories.

Inordertoparticipate,pleasecontactmeviaemailatcahubb@tds.net.Iwillhavealistofstaffgroupsthatareavailable,updatedregularlyonthePSAwebsite,sochecktherefirst,andpleasegiveafirstandasecondchoice.

ThankyouverymuchforremainingapartofPhilmontScoutRanch.

CathyHubbard

Sign up now to be a Staff Amigo

34 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 trailtalk35 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

trailtalk

1950sgeorge Worley(51-58)afterhisfinalPhilmontsummerenteredactivedutywiththeUnitedStatesAirForce,earnedhiswings,andbeganacareerflyingandteachingacrossthenationandaroundtheworld.AfterhislastpostingasoperatingLocationCom-mander/Asst.DirectorofOperations,heretiredasaLt.Colonelin1986.Thenbeganasecondcareerteachingsocialstudiesandservinginadmin-istrativeleadership,includingassis-tantprincipal,atElbertCountyHighSchool,retiringagainin1998.Contact:1768PleasantHillRoad,Elberton,GA30635.706-283-9628.gjworley@bellsouth.net.

1970srobert Baumann(72)aftercomplet-ingundergraduateworkatPurdueearnedhisD.D.S.fromtheWashingtonUniversitySchoolofDentalMedicine.Contact:6532NorthMayAvenue,OklahomaCity,OK73116.405-840-4544.robbaumann@coxnet.net.

John ramey(74)aftercompletingundergraduatestudiesatTheOhioStateUniversityandgraduatestudiesatNorthwesternUniversity,isanITprofessional,currentlymanagingtheITDepartmentforAlaskaNationalInsur-anceCompany.Hishobbiesembracetheoutofdoors:roadbiking,mountainbiking,mountainclimbing(Mt.McKin-leyamongthem),andcross-country

PSA member Doug Latimer was honored for his service to the Circle Ten Council with the Silver Beaver Award in a ceremony on April 18, 2013 in Dallas. Doug is third from left in this photo. Also attending the ceremony were PSA members, from left, Lee Huckstep, Thomas Latimer, (Doug), Jessica Latimer, Ray Batchelor and Dave Romack (also a Silver Beaver recipient).

37 Volume 36, number 3— June 201336trailtalk Volume 36, number 3— June 2013

skiing.HisvolunteerworkwiththeAmericanHikingSocietybroughthimbacktoPhilmontinSeptemberof2012.Contact:6150AndoverCr.,Anchor-age,AK99516.907-345-0089.john@rameyak.com.

1990schris Sanders(93),afterbothunder-graduateandgraduatestudiesatTexasA&MUniversity,enteredarchitectureandisnowPrincipalanddesigndirec-toratSandersArchitectureinAustin,TX.HevolunteeredhisprofessionalservicestodesignanewNature/Envi-ronment/ConservationfacilityatLostPinesBoyScoutCampinBastrop,TX.HeandhiswifeHannahTemplehavetwochildren:MaryEllen(7)andRob-ert(2).Contact:404East34thStreet,Austin,TX78705.512-300-3525.chris@sanders-architecture.com.

2000sthomas Barnett(02-06)aftercomplet-ingworkattheUniversityofIdaho(03-07)andtheUniversityofIllinois@

Springfield(10-12)haslandedwithbothfeetbackintoScouting–firstasavolunteer(ASM10-12)andthenasaprofessional(DE,Mid-AmericaCoun-cil,12-present).Contact:744NorthMichael,Apt.E,Fremont,NE68025.712-355-8284.tom.barnett@gmail.com.

irene Palnick (07)isaretiredCPAwhoservedonthe2007staff,butwhohasbeencomingtoPhilmontsince1963asthewifeofJewishChaplainZekePalnick.Contact:693MonacoCourtBldg.O,DelrayBeach,FL33446.319-621-4341.impalnick@aol.com.

2010sKenzy Sorensen(12)iscompletinghersophomoreyearattheUniversityofPugetSoundwhilepursuingworkasanartist.SheremainsinvolvedinGirlScouting(GoldAward)andwillbeacounselorataGSUSAcampthissum-merbeforereportingfordutyagainatPhilmont.Contact:4228AlbertCircle,LakeOswego,OR97036.818-279-5233.yami.redhawk@gmail.com.

38goodcampsite Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 Volume 36, number 3— June 2013 poetry39

another good campsite poetry

Tumbling,rushing,gurgling,splashing

overboulder-coveredbed,

Thatsparkling,clearcollageoflife

fromhillsidespringsisfed.

Lacyshadowsonthesurface

formpatternsever-changing,

Asthroughtheswayingbranches

playsthewindinitsfreeranging.

Thefabricoftwowoodedslopes

itjoinswithsilverseam,

Thatinfinitesoliloquy

thatisamountainstream.

~RichardThom~

Mountain Stream

Ute Meadows Camp is located in a series of small parks on upper reaches of Ute Creek in Philmont’s Baldy Country. Campers enjoy the gurgling sounds of a high mountain stream and commanding views of the Baldy/ Touch Me Not skyline to the north and west and the jagged spires, foothills and High Plains to the south and east. The individual campsites are all located within the historic mining district of Baldy Town and Little Chihuahua. Visitors literally walk and rest in the footprints of those rugged hard rock and placer miners who sought fortunes there so many moons in the past. Relics and rock piles from those days are scattered on the steep slopes amongst the current sign of elk, black bear, and other high mountain residents. Most visitors to Ute Meadows experience the breathtaking view of Baldy and Touch Me Not with two distinctly different mindsets during a layover stay at the camp. The first often includes a sense of beckoning challenge from the mountain, with anxious thoughts of the rigors of a hike to the peak,… with the latter being that almost indefinable feeling of awe and accomplishment after returning from the windswept talus of the mountain summit. Maybe it’s time for you to listen again…. to the beckoning from those high slopes……and bask in the contentment that can often only be found with time spent in the High Country.

ute Meadows camp

Photo by Mark A. Dierker