Sunday: August 16, 1998

Our First Full Day in the Wilderness

After a very peaceful sleep our first night out, we awoke early to get a jump on our first full day of hiking. We tried to beat Jamie’s record of 1 hr. and 15 minutes to break camp but we decided to have breakfast before leaving. We didn’t get out until 8:00a.m.! Our hike to Crater Lake started easily enough running up the Burro racing trail at Abreu. We stopped for water at the Cantina and then headed up the trail. It was a real clear day in the morning as we stopped at scenic points to take pictures along the trail. It was a steady uphill and got progressively hotter as the day proceeded. Our initial hiking pace was less than desirable and we needed frequent stops to catch our breath. By 12 noon we were starving and needed a lunch break. After a great trail lunch at the spring (tuna spreadables, crackers and nutter butters!!) it started to sprinkle lightly as we headed back on to the trail. (Incidentally, Jason West tried capturing a deer but with little success!) As the trail got longer it started raining harder. As bolts of lightening flashed by us we broke out our raingear and pack covers. The trail seemed to never end but we finally made it to Crater Lake about 5 p.m. We set up camp in the rain and listening to Jamie give more Philmont camping instructions. Dinner was served at 6:30p.m. and we headed down to the 7:45p.m. campfire. The camp staff who were definitely silly but entertaining put it on. As the campfire ended, we hiked back to our camp with a moonless night sky. THE STARS WERE AWESOME!! We had our final meeting with our ranger Jamie. We all had a chance to bear our testimonies, which was a great way to end the evening. Tomorrow would be another day of exciting hiking and camping at Philmont Scout Ranch.