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Turnerphotographics:
Trail Day 3: Ponil to Dan Beard Camp
We bid a fond farewell to Ranger Doug after
a big chuckwagon breakfast of pancakes and sausages. Then
we sent Daniel and other crew members to pick up food for
the next few days, packed up, and headed up the trail through
Bonita Canyon toward Dan Beard Camp.
Along the way, Andrew had a minor problem with
his pack which provided an excuse to stop while he made a
repair. Thank goodness for duct tape. Nick got stung by a
bee, cause for breaking out the first aid kit for about the
only time. The wood lily we saw along the trail is uncommon
and beautiful.
Upon arriving at Dan Beard, Daniel requested
and received permission for the Brumbys to gather in the shade
on the porch of the staff cabin. The friendly folks there
welcomed us and directed us to a pleasant camp site on the
hillside above the valley. We signed up for late afternoon
sessions in Leave No Trace skills and a visit to the challenge
course.
Following lunch in camp and fetching lots of
water, the Brumbys practiced the 11th point of the Scout Law
and did laundry. The wash bucket (cook pot) was only good
for two or three people before fresh water was needed. Trees
and shrubs provided the clothes line. In Philmont's heat and
low humidity everything dried pretty quickly, even thick wool
socks.
The challenge course included
several team- and confidence-building activities, including
the "Trust Fall," problem-solving to get the crew
across an imaginary swamp with minimal materials, and the
wedgie-inducing wall.
Since many of the Brumbys had just finished
a week on Orion junior leader training camp staff, they
were familiar with the activities and made quick work of
solving the problems. That didn't help in the physical act
of getting everyone over the wall, however. With lots of
enthusiasm and perseverance the crew succeeded and retired
to camp to celebrate with a big one-pot dinner.
