Philmont Last Hike Day Saga

So many things were learned by my son Kyle; he grew so much in 12 days.

Our second adult was very pessimistic and had a fancy GPS from the scout who didn’t go last minute (our ex-crew leader). This second adult, throughout the whole trek, was always looking at the GPS, even though we’re really not supposed to use GPSs. Anyway, he was super worried about our last day, Sunday, July 14, with 12.4 miles, an 1800’ gain (or more), and a 2600’ descent. However, it was all below 9500’, so I was not worried at all. We talked about it, and he brought up my falling a lot. Three minor, no-injury falls in 11 days are nothing—I even checked with the rangers; some have fallen more in one day.

The ranger (Boss Man, Simon G.) who inspired Kyle advised the scouts to use this proven strategy: send Kyle and me out first, give us a 5-minute lead, and then the rest of the crew goes. When they catch us, they wait 5 minutes again. This sounded really good to Kyle and me. The crew and the third adult were moaning and complaining a lot about how painful it was for them to go so slow. However, aside from the hardest 1.5 miles above 11,250' to the summit of Mt. Philips on Day 8, Kyle and I averaged a 25 to 45-minute mile pace, including rest stops, with full packs. Rangers told me this is a great pace for Philmont. Anyway, it was too slow for our crew.

The night before this last day, we had a crew meeting to figure out how we would do this "impossible" last day. They just couldn’t go as slow as we go anymore, and they insisted on being at base camp no later than 3 PM (a totally arbitrary time; dinner is from 4:30 to 6:30, and they will hold it for us). They kept saying Boss Man's 5-minute strategy would never work, and nothing would work. We (mostly I) hashed around some ideas, all shot down by the crew (in hindsight, they clearly wanted Kyle and me to give up and get a ride back to base camp).

The second adult (GPS man) stood up and said we needed to make a level set and talked for about 2 minutes, not really saying anything other than implying that Kyle and I hadn’t been thankful enough! So I pointed out how I had been abundantly thankful for the sub-crew water get hike and food get hike and how we did the first summit on Day 3 just awesomely fine. At this point, the second adult (GPS man) blew up, said rude stuff, and stormed off. Then the third adult said worse rude stuff, and his son chimed in too. This third adult did tell his son to be quiet—all in front of the whole crew.

Later that night after the campfire show, our last-minute sub-crew leader sought ranger help. So myself, our sub-crew leader and his best friend (both Eagle Scouts), our third adult, and two camp rangers had a 35-minute meeting. No resolution. The third adult and sub-crew leader raised concerns that I would not make it or that it would be very unsafe. The third adult complained that our trek had been like just being on the Waites' vacation! Pretty crazy.

The Boss Man ranger who inspired Kyle the night before and the Clark's Fork ranger both knew all the trails of this last hike day and assured us we’d be fine—it didn’t matter. So the morning of the last day hike: alarm up at 4 AM, be on the trail by 5 AM. They decided not to get water the night before (all 12.4 miles are dry), so after getting water in the morning, we didn’t head out till 5:55 AM. Kyle and I were told to go last with no explanation and some undefined new hiking strategy. This lasted about 0.7 miles, and Kyle and I were lagging. We all stopped, and they told us to go first and that they would wait 5 minutes before following. The idea was from the Boss Man Ranger who inspired Kyle. And so, Kyle and I took off!

The day’s highest summit was Shaefers Peak at 9441’, and it was foretold that we must be there by 10 AM, or we would all fail! It was about 4.2 miles and a climb of about 1750’. Their two fastest scouts caught up to us only once before Shaefers Peak, and they needed to start this 5-minute wait only once they were all seven together. I have no idea if they did so. Anyway, Kyle and I reached Shaefers Peak at 8:06 AM! We spent 20 minutes on the peak; Kyle got to FaceTime with his mom, I got to poo, and we were off again with at least a 5-minute head start.

Kyle and I took lots of photos along these 12.4 miles, had lunch, and dressed his blisters with moleskin. They caught up to us twice more and then abandoned this perfectly working strategy for the last 2.5 miles or so (why?), staying right behind us the rest of the way. They all passed us during the last 500’ or so. A common practice among crews is to wait for everyone and then cross the finish line together—not this crew. We all arrived at base camp at 2:25 PM. Kyle and I averaged a 31-minute/mile pace with stops and all, except for the time going 85% up the Tooth of Time rock/summit. Where we stopped on Tooth of Time had just as good views. Kyle did so fantastic! He probably got the most out of Philmont!

Huge shout-outs to Boss Man (aka Simon Grisinger), Kyle Kipple in Logistics, and Russel (aka Elliot or Eric) at Clark's Fork. You all saved us and greatly contributed to our crew finishing strong. Thank you!

Best and Yours in Scouting, Kevin Waite Troop 314 ASM and Crew 703-C Adult Advisor