wangus12 said:That was my rule as well. Unless it was basically impossible, I hiked in.Pro Sandy said:
Springer to Base is a hell of a hike in, but I never liked bussing in on my hike in day.
What was your longest?
Fire at Philmont
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Last: 5 yr ago by BigHead 04
What was your longest?
Myself and two other Rangers dropped crews in Pueblano and hiked in over the Tooth. That was definitely my longest. Also hiked in from Lower Bonito as well. We did it to get a gauge our prep for doing the Ranger Marathon from Dan Beard to Carson Meadows.ccard257 said:wangus12 said:That was my rule as well. Unless it was basically impossible, I hiked in.Pro Sandy said:
Springer to Base is a hell of a hike in, but I never liked bussing in on my hike in day.
What was your longest?
Years ago my dad was the 2nd or 3rd person to do the Ranger Marathon.
When I was at Dean Cow, I got the bright idea to hike into Base on days (I had a car at Chandler Cayon). Taking the emergency road down from Harlan I decided I had chosen about the hottest, most boring route I could have gone. Miserable day. Hiked in from Crooked once, that one was pretty nice.
When I was at Dean Cow, I got the bright idea to hike into Base on days (I had a car at Chandler Cayon). Taking the emergency road down from Harlan I decided I had chosen about the hottest, most boring route I could have gone. Miserable day. Hiked in from Crooked once, that one was pretty nice.
Is Carson Meadows what they ended up putting in down around what I would know as Line Camp? After I jacked up my knee, me and the other jacked up knee staff member, got sent down south for a week to scout out potential areas for a new staff camp.
wangus12 said:Myself and two other Rangers dropped crews in Pueblano and hiked in over the Tooth. That was definitely my longest. Also hiked in from Lower Bonito as well. We did it to get a gauge our prep for doing the Ranger Marathon from Dan Beard to Carson Meadows.ccard257 said:wangus12 said:That was my rule as well. Unless it was basically impossible, I hiked in.Pro Sandy said:
Springer to Base is a hell of a hike in, but I never liked bussing in on my hike in day.
What was your longest?
Ha, pueblano via the tooth and shafers peak was also my longest. Went solo, crew took forever to get up and out so I started way late. Headlamp crapped out going up shafers peak. Moon didn't rise until after midnight. I had been on the tooth at night before but alone with no lights was very special. Stockade trail in the dark was a ***** though.
ursusguy said:
Is Carson Meadows what they ended up putting in down around what I would know as Line Camp? After I jacked up my knee, me and the other jacked up knee staff member, got sent down south for a week to scout out potential areas for a new staff camp.
It's not quite that far south, but yes. Opened 2005.
Stockade trail sucks during the day time.
One of the craziest things I witnessed was 5-7 crews evacuating off Tooth Ridge just at black dark. This was about 2 weeks after the RMSC attack. A bear repeatedly kept popping up at Shaffers and Tooth Ridge Camp right before dark. Two rangers made the call to have everyone pack up and hike in that night (no particular issue with the call). Just odd to watch 40+ headlamps and flashlights coming down off Tooth Ridge. And I got to set a trap a Shaffers, and sleep in my truck at Shaffers the next several nights. Good times.
One of the craziest things I witnessed was 5-7 crews evacuating off Tooth Ridge just at black dark. This was about 2 weeks after the RMSC attack. A bear repeatedly kept popping up at Shaffers and Tooth Ridge Camp right before dark. Two rangers made the call to have everyone pack up and hike in that night (no particular issue with the call). Just odd to watch 40+ headlamps and flashlights coming down off Tooth Ridge. And I got to set a trap a Shaffers, and sleep in my truck at Shaffers the next several nights. Good times.
ursusguy said:
Stockade trail sucks during the day time.
One of the craziest things I witnessed was 5-7 crews evacuating off Tooth Ridge just at black dark. This was about 2 weeks after the RMSC attack. A bear repeatedly kept popping up at Shaffers and Tooth Ridge Camp right before dark. Two rangers made the call to have everyone pack up and hike in that night (no particular issue with the call). Just odd to watch 40+ headlamps and flashlights coming down off Tooth Ridge. And I got to set a trap a Shaffers, and sleep in my truck at Shaffers the next several nights. Good times.
Was that 01? I have a memory of a trap on shafers on one of my treks.
I was in grad school during the '01 season, so it wasn't me. But In want to say they trapped 2 bears up there. That area is always a bear issue. You get almost all last night crews, that get real stupid on bear procedures. You will find entire meal bags thrown in the latrines, and hidden under rocks. Getting a trap up there sucks. You have to go up the firebreak that comes up from Ponderosa Camp (real fun when tents are set up in it half the times). It is/was the steepest firebreak on the ranch. Pretty much 4Lo and stare at blue sky for awhile until you suddenly top out.....and hope and pray the trap doesn't pop off the ball (had that happen twice).
Your post reminded me of a photo I came across earlier talking about just that on that part of the trail.
Good sign
Fun story. Myself and 3 other guys hung most of those signs on Tooth Ridge during one of our work days when we didn't have a crew. We also hung a crap load of them along Baldy Skyline that year. Dani is a pretty cool chick.aggiepublius said:
Your post reminded me of a photo I came across earlier talking about just that on that part of the trail.
ursusguy
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We are supposed to get an update before noon tomorrow on our trek status. Final shakedown tomorrow night.
as of 23 minutes ago, fire is at 36,083 acres and 23% contained.
Finally a change from 0%. That is what I like to hear
Great news.
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Hitting the burn scar from the '02 really slowed the fire down on the north side. If you look at the northern edge, it stops pretty my much at the rough area of where the most intense parts of the Ponil Complex Fire hit.
We ran into a ranger named Dani at Schafer's Pass in '11. We were taking a break on our way to the Tooth when she stopped to all us if we'd seen any bears. As we were talking to her, one of the Scouts pointed and said "Look! A bear!" Next thing we know Dani is chasing after this bear like she was shot out of a canon! She treed the bear and we hung out with her until reinforcements arrived. Good times!
Glad to hear it rained out there tonight and the fire is at least partially contained.
Glad to hear it rained out there tonight and the fire is at least partially contained.
Like I've said before, bear chasing is a blast and not nearly as dangerous as the OB would generally believe. Most of the rangers and bc staff will happily chase a bear, the Bear Researchers get the ones that don't respond well or have to get chased a little too often (see signs above).
The Bear Researcher position is unique at Philmont. Out of 1100+ staff, there are 2. You get a truck, and get to go pretty much where ever and whenever you want (they have reined that in a bit). You live in Base, but are in the Backcountry most of the day (and some nights depending on the situation). The position has morphed over the years. It was born after the severe attack at Shaffers in 85/86. New Mexico knew literally nothing about their bear population and ecology. So the state partnered with the University of Idaho (Hornocker Instititute). Two study areas, and Philmont covered a good chunk of the northern study area (south was over at the Gila). So for about 10 years, the BR position was mostly to track radio collared bears and record data. I was the last BR to be part of that study. After, 99 they were actually going to write out the position. But, my partner and I realized the number of issues with crews staying at Copper Park and that lead to us doing more spot checks around camp. So the position morphed more into outreach and proactive problem avoidance. Then the attack took place in 01, and there were many internal issues. When I came back in '02, I had very specific objectives of training Rangers and cracking done on the lackidasical attitude towards bear procedure. It worked, but also Leda to a couple months of frustration (I talked to a LOT of crews on day 1 or 2---IE still had there ranger). Hince the story of my finding comments about myself written on bear bags. It has morphed a few time more, to include being more of a wildlife specialist (recommendation in 03 to be more professionally marketable).
I am currently consulting with the current BR on how to set up a post fire wildlife monitoring program amd what to expect with the bears.
For the guys heading out there, and there is no kidding on my part, pay very close attention to the bear procedures. It was already lining up to be a rough bear year, but this is going to make it tough. A bunch of the area that burned is bear central at Philmont. A bunch of those bears are going to be pushed south.
The Bear Researcher position is unique at Philmont. Out of 1100+ staff, there are 2. You get a truck, and get to go pretty much where ever and whenever you want (they have reined that in a bit). You live in Base, but are in the Backcountry most of the day (and some nights depending on the situation). The position has morphed over the years. It was born after the severe attack at Shaffers in 85/86. New Mexico knew literally nothing about their bear population and ecology. So the state partnered with the University of Idaho (Hornocker Instititute). Two study areas, and Philmont covered a good chunk of the northern study area (south was over at the Gila). So for about 10 years, the BR position was mostly to track radio collared bears and record data. I was the last BR to be part of that study. After, 99 they were actually going to write out the position. But, my partner and I realized the number of issues with crews staying at Copper Park and that lead to us doing more spot checks around camp. So the position morphed more into outreach and proactive problem avoidance. Then the attack took place in 01, and there were many internal issues. When I came back in '02, I had very specific objectives of training Rangers and cracking done on the lackidasical attitude towards bear procedure. It worked, but also Leda to a couple months of frustration (I talked to a LOT of crews on day 1 or 2---IE still had there ranger). Hince the story of my finding comments about myself written on bear bags. It has morphed a few time more, to include being more of a wildlife specialist (recommendation in 03 to be more professionally marketable).
I am currently consulting with the current BR on how to set up a post fire wildlife monitoring program amd what to expect with the bears.
For the guys heading out there, and there is no kidding on my part, pay very close attention to the bear procedures. It was already lining up to be a rough bear year, but this is going to make it tough. A bunch of the area that burned is bear central at Philmont. A bunch of those bears are going to be pushed south.
The longest trash line
ursusguy
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I don't want to stray off topic too much, but while awaiting the next fire report, did you ever name the bears, ursus? I bet some of them get real annoying even though the things the staff do are to protect both bear and human.
No, I made it pretty well known if you knew a bear well enough to name it, we would likely have to kill it.
One exception was one we called "Skunk" in '99. He worked 64 from Bear Canyon to just east of the Harlan access road. He took to panhandling along the highway, and there were 3 citizens of Cimmaron that would drop off bags of dog food thinking they were helping (nope). He broke into a couple cars over near Ute Park. Skunk wasn't quite black, but close. He had a very blond streak that ran from his a-- to the base of his head. He was extremely noticeable. There was another one that was known to the BR and the Ranch Superintendent as Blonde. Blonde was a 350+ male that was blond blond. He wasn't real tolerable of humans and might be spotted 2-3 times total per summer. He might have been responsible for the '00 attacks at Mt. Phillips, but that is a big might.
One exception was one we called "Skunk" in '99. He worked 64 from Bear Canyon to just east of the Harlan access road. He took to panhandling along the highway, and there were 3 citizens of Cimmaron that would drop off bags of dog food thinking they were helping (nope). He broke into a couple cars over near Ute Park. Skunk wasn't quite black, but close. He had a very blond streak that ran from his a-- to the base of his head. He was extremely noticeable. There was another one that was known to the BR and the Ranch Superintendent as Blonde. Blonde was a 350+ male that was blond blond. He wasn't real tolerable of humans and might be spotted 2-3 times total per summer. He might have been responsible for the '00 attacks at Mt. Phillips, but that is a big might.
https://nmfireinfo.com/2018/06/04/ute-park-fire-june-4-2018-morning-update/
"Firefighters are completing preparation for future burnouts to help protect structures in the Ute Park area, putting hoselays and sprinkler systems in place. Crews are also making progress on the fire's north flank, aided by the 2002 Ponil Fire burn scar and natural barriers in the area"
"No residences have burned on the Ute Park Fire. Fourteen outbuildings burned on the Philmont Ranch on May 31."
"Firefighters are completing preparation for future burnouts to help protect structures in the Ute Park area, putting hoselays and sprinkler systems in place. Crews are also making progress on the fire's north flank, aided by the 2002 Ponil Fire burn scar and natural barriers in the area"
"No residences have burned on the Ute Park Fire. Fourteen outbuildings burned on the Philmont Ranch on May 31."
Quote:Quote:
Program and Unit information - as we assess the situation we will be working with our leadership and local authorities to determine the extent of program we can deliver and when. Please stand by for an update on this by Monday morning.
Yeah, that 11 AM update said nothing in particular
Yup,ursusguy said:
Yeah, that 11 AM update said nothing in particular
If you say you are going to do something, best to follow through but at least acknowledge what you said.
Our troop has three crews traveling to Philmont a week from today. Tonight's troop meeting will be interesting if we don't get any more information. I imagine those with earlier treks are even more anxious.
The crews set to travel this week are blowing up Philmont's Facebook post with the uninformative update today but the following was posted in the comments, shared here for those with 2018 Crews:
Quote:
Tamara Holmes Cole The comments to date do not address the groups that are headed down this week to start their experience on Friday. Can Philmont Scout Ranch provide some guidance to those leaders/crews as to if "It's a GO" or if there will be an official posting regarding this first group and if so, when? At some point will there be direct communication (email, etc) to those leaders regarding their trips? Understanding the thought process and decision making timing would be very helpful. Thanks!Quote:
Harald B Hagen Jr The information you seek is being decided now. Just off the phone with Philmont. Information will be posted on the website this afternoon. Direct contact will take place if the trek is cancelled or significantly modified.
Here is the challenge, they have more containment, but things are still changing. Logistical issue, this is huge transition area from the north to the south. They may be trying to assess those trails in some manner. Future emergency planning, what to do about Harlan (assuming it is actually go.....and double if Sawmill is not usable). Harlan being out creates a huge no man's land that historically picks up some of the more serious PHILSARS. Why, this is arguably one of the hottest, dryest areas on the ranch. Ask anyone that has ever had the "pleasure" of hiking Turkey Creek Canyon. Now picture miles of no shade. People were still complaining about tye lack of shade in 2005 north of there.
But yes, they should have at least said "Oops, too early to make a call. We are still assessing".
But yes, they should have at least said "Oops, too early to make a call. We are still assessing".
I dont know anything, but I wonder how much wind and air quality are a factor in the decision making for the next week or two of treks.
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