Philmont 2016: July 2 - Day 6 - Apache Springs to Porcupine

Today we slept in a little knowing our first program, sweat lodge, was at 9:00. I have these big blisters now on each foot. Ouch!

Sweat Lodge

I debated but was not interested in the sweat lodge today but the boys were excited and headed down. In the sweat lodge they roast you with the heat from a fire to get you really dry then pour cool water over you. This is supposed to feel really good. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the fire going this morning. Apparently though, they tried some highly suspect methods to try to get it started. These efforts more than made up for actually missing out on the sweat lodge experience.


3D Archery

At 11AM we headed up the hill to 3D archery. 3D archery is where you shoot at targets that look like animals sort of like you would come across them in the wild. Some targets were bear, mountain lions, elk, deer, turkey, hog, and a few other animals. Archers Anthony and Brandon pictured here were like Robin Hood with their great shooting.

Before leaving camp, we reviewed our options for hiking today. We had the option of going directly to Phillips Junction for resupply then hiking on to Porcupine camp or going directly to Porcupine camp, setting up camp, then heading the short distance to Phillips Junction with basically empty packs. The advisor from logistics had recommended we do the later through Porcupine Pass and that is what we finally decided upon.

Crew 2 - Typical Formation

When we got to the Porcupine Pass trail head I knew we were in trouble when you could feel the incline even before we got to the visible incline and rocky trail. I tell you this thing almost went straight up with no switch backs and it just kept going.

Porcupine Camp

Wow! We finally made it to Porcupine!!!

Phillips Junction/Commissary

Worn out we setup camp, emptied our bags and headed to Phillips Junction. I was expecting something a little different but it was basically a warehouse full of food. We checked in and they gave us what seemed like enough food for a month. I was just starting to comfortably load my pack each day and now all this food. Flashback to our first day but that was when we were fresh. We did get some bonus food. A choice of flavored milk and a piece of fruit. We also got some more bags and TP and another pack of burritos. Turns out burritos make the perfect bowl liner.

Camp on Porcupine Creek

We headed back to camp, had supper and turned in for the night. I had a nice spot right on Porcupine Creek. I've always loved camping next to flowing water.

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