Philmont: Black Mountain, 7/21/15

Stephen let us sleep in until 7, which felt good. All survived the night sans bear. Bright, sunny, crisp morning--perhaps our stuff will be able to dry & air out today?

Slow getting started; weren't on the trail to Black Mountain Camp until 10. We had to climb another 600' worth of mountain before dropping 800' to Black Mountain Camp, arriving at 11:30, just in time to have to wait for lunch in order to do our program offerings. Finally, at 1, we did our last shooting event of the trek, Civil War-era black powder rifles, .58 cal with a 50-grain charge. But we advisors had the opportunity to do our three shots with a 50, an 80, and a 100-grain charge, the latter of which is closer to a battle charge's worth of powder. I gladly took that chance, and enjoyed it, as I'll probably never get to do this again. The 80-grain charge didn't feel much different, and the 100-grain charge was definitely louder and with a little more kick, but still not unreasonable.

At 2, over to the blacksmith's shack, where we each had a chance to help make a butter knife, which we were able to keep when done. Well, the boys insisted we're actually making a prison shank. In any event, I was glad David had a chance to take part, as he's talked before about wanting to learn blacksmithing as a hobby.

Left at 3 and back up and down to Beaubien, arriving just in time to have stuff branded at their branding station. I had my had and Nalgene branded with the iconic "bar-P-lazy S" Philmont ranch brand. Sunny afternoon and back to camp, having gone to Black Mountain camp (9,040') but not climbing the mountain itself--we'd arrived too late in the day, and by the time programs were over, we weren't going to get up and down that steep face in time. And frankly, the boys are getting tired of climbing. And Black Mountain itself is incredibly steep, towering over the canyon another ~1700'--not much appetite in the crew for tackling it. I mostly agree, but I had wanted to climb more than just Mt Phillips, and with the floods of the spring, it appears we won't get to do Trail Peak, as the trails near it are closed. So much for doing the mountains. But as tired as we all are, I can't say it's a bad thing.

Another 19,858 steps on the trail meant 9.43 miles added to our count: 152,875 steps and 80.23 miles on trails, programs, and camps so far. Big hiking day expected tomorrow, down to Carson Meadows. But first, one more night at Beaubien with Barry the bear around.

Black Mountain, visible from the trail down to its base camp

David, Thomas and John panning for gold at Black Mountain Camp

Jacob, Thomas and John sawing wood at Black Mountain Camp

This poor stick didn't have a chance against Zack and the axe

Now why can't I get David to chop wood at home?!?

"Pvt. Jed" showing the boys how to use the .58 cal rifle

Rapt attention at our last shooting event

Connor and Jacob on the firing line

David makes a puff of smoke

Mr Johnson puts a hole in a target

The sacrificial rain pants and hat. John's pants were just shredded...

The blacksmith at the forge

Watching the blacksmith and learning what to do next.

John and Jacob helping make our butter knife

Thomas pounding metal

Zack working the anvil

Connor hammering

Sean has a chance at the anvil

Asher does some delicate work with the hammer

Stephen flattening the blade

Late afternoon clouds over the hills