Philmont Scout Ranch, NM

[DanielB]

it was a fantastic backpacking trip. one experience i'll never forget. this is only but a taste of the photos i took.

enjoy,

on the bus ride over i witnesses a wonderful sunrise
http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485860-L.jpg

when we arrived at base camp after checking in and getting our food, tents, and any "extra" gear our packs were loaded down to about 50 pounds a person. we slept in Perma-tents that night.

these guys were all over the place
http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485867-L.jpg

the next day after breakfast and lunch we were driven out to the middle of nowhere called Zastrow Turnaround to begin our 11 day trek in the mountains. it was a glorious sight...i live for this kinda beauty
http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485861-L.jpg

we camped our first night at a beautiful spot just about 1.5 miles from this spot called Rayado, it was a trail camp with a beautiful creek running through it.

our second night we stayed in a meadow just 4 miles from Rayado, it was called Carson Meadows after Kit Carson who discovered them in his many adventures in these mountains.

this was morning light after the 2nd night.
http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485862-L.jpg

our 4th night we stayed at Fish Camp which was a good 7 mile trek from Carson Meadows uphill about 900 feet. the stars came out that night and i had fresh fried brown trout i'd caught with my fly rod.:wink

http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485865-L.jpg

i was privilaged on our 5 night to have a gorgeous night sky, such as i'd never seen before. you could see the milky way band stretching across the sky, it came across in an orange color in this photo below. this is me and my friend's tent. i had him hold my little LED light inside to give it the glow...
http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485864-L.jpg

we stayed at the same campsite again the 6th night called apache springs as the photo above was taken in... here it is in the daylight.
http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485863-L.jpg

from then on we hiked to Wild Horse, then up to the peak of our trek to Mount Phillips at just under 12,000ft elevation. it was astounding. after that we went to Cyphers Mine camp, got to gold pan and took blacksmithing and mine tours. we then headed over to Cimmaroncito for a night and from then on to Ponderosa our last camp of the trek. on our last day, an 11 mile trek we side-hiked the Tooth of Time, (Philmonts "calling card")

http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85490108-L-1.jpg

no trails, pack-off, "hands and knees" bear-crawling up boulders to get to the top of the 9k peak, but at the top there is a highly rewarding view as my friend stood on the top awestruck i whipped out my camera.
http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485866-L.jpg

thanks for letting me share my adventures with you. :):thumb

Daniel

[photodoug]

we've been waiting for you....

keep 'em coming and tell us all about it. Really enjoyed these words and pictures.

[Pezpix]

Thanks for sharing! Looks like a peaceful trip away from the crowds :thumb

[saurora]

Very cool, Daniel. I'm out of breath just thinking of climbing that last peak!!!! :thumb

[ian408]

I usually save my potty mouth for across the hall. But Out f-n-standing!

Looks like you had a wonderful time and were treated to some spectacular
scenery. Thanks for sharing!

Ian

[DanielB]

thanks everyone:thumb

I usually save my potty mouth for across the hall. But Out f-n-standing!

:lol3 thanks ian

[ziggy53]

Daniel,

What an awesome, amazing journey, and what beautiful and diverse photographs. I absolutely love the night scene with the illuminated tent. That deserves to be published.

I'm awfully glad that you made it back in one piece, and that your camera survived as well.

Great stuff and keep 'em coming.

Best,

ziggy53

[ChrisJ]

Awesome shots, Daniel. I love the stars and the Milky Way!

[wxwax]

Excellent!

I hope you shot this in RAW, I reckon you could do an awful lot with it in PS.

http://standoutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485864-S.jpg

[TopRow]

Daniel,
Thanks for sharing a little piece of your adventure! I must admit that I am very jealous. I live for these outdoor opportunities, even if I had to live vicariously through someone else's.

[DanielB]

Excellent!

I hope you shot this in RAW, I reckon you could do an awful lot with it in PS.

http://standoutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485864-S.jpg

:nod everything was shot in RAW this trip:wink

[allensphoto]

I must admit that I am very jealous. I live for these outdoor opportunities, even if I had to live vicariously through someone else's.
:agree i hate to hijack TopRow quote but it is what i would have said... great stuff.. stars are dang.......:clap

[TristanP]

Sounds like you had a great time. I love that night shot with the tent. :thumb

[arroyoshark]

:nod everything was shot in RAW this trip:wink


So....didya see any bears...uhm, in the RAW?

[JamieC]

http://standoutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485864-S.jpg
That belongs in some kind of magazine!

jamie

[DanielB]

So....didya see any bears...uhm, in the RAW?

:nod saw them, but i wasn't quick enough on the draw.:click

[Fred W]

Congratulations on these great shots. I'm sure you had a great trip. The tent picture is in a class by itself !!! :thumb

[Dante]

Shot number 6 (tent with night sky) is wonderful! Thanks for sharing. :clap

-Dante

[ysr612]

great shots

this is also part of the fun.

shot with a disposable.


http://ysr612.smugmug.com/photos/70073989-M.jpghttp://ysr612.smugmug.com/photos/70082421-M.jpg

this one with an underwater camara I think
http://ysr612.smugmug.com/photos/70089499-M.jpg

not a good shot but makes me think of the hikes I took up there

http://ysr612.smugmug.com/photos/70090673-M.jpg

[SirArmstrong]

Cool record! I especially like the night shots with the stars. Thanks

[pathfinder]

http://standoutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/85485864-S.jpg


Galen Rowell would be proud of your work, Daniel!!:):

[DanielB]

Galen Rowell would be proud of your work, Daniel!!:):

here's some more...:thumb

http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/90652621-L.jpg

http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/90652620-L.jpg

http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/90652619-L.jpg

http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/90652618-L.jpg

here i'm trying to go for the ansel adams*ish* B&W
http://StandOutphoto.smugmug.com/photos/90652617-L.jpg

there ya go. :) more to come so keep watch.:thumb

Daniel

[ian408]

thanks for the update!

[arroyoshark]

DanB, bet you are learning some about high contrast lighting conditions in which we shoot in the southwest. My instructor says that if you can capture an image well out here, then you will take good photos anywhere.

[DanielB]

DanB, bet you are learning some about high contrast lighting conditions in which we shoot in the southwest.

:nod no kidding there.

you almost have to shoot in RAW, just so you can go back and fix the exposure in the shadows.:rolleyes

[arroyoshark]

Also had wanted to ask you, in retrospect, how it worked out for you using just one lens at Philmont, the 17-40mm?

When I picked up my digital rebel xt, I went ahead and got the Sigma 17-70 mm and it's met almost all my needs. I find I am using focal lengths of 17-35mm most often. It did turn out to be a very sharp lens after all.

[DanielB]

Also had wanted to ask you, in retrospect, how it worked out for you using just one lens at Philmont, the 17-40mm?

When I picked up my digital rebel xt, I went ahead and got the Sigma 17-70 mm and it's met almost all my needs. I find I am using focal lengths of 17-35mm most often. It did turn out to be a very sharp lens after all.

it worked perfect:thumb i never needed any more zoom until we ran into the bears and the elk, but that wasn't too bad. i woulda liked something a little under f/4 on occasion though. but overall it was a great set-up. if you're going FF out there i'd say bring something like the 24-105 IS though, it'd meet almost all of your needs.:wink

[NHBubba]

Outstanding!

[jsedlak]

Nice shots, my brother went to Philmont this summer for a scout trip as well. He had lots of fun despite coming down with mono (He lost hearring temporarily) or something.

[Jnichols]

My good friend Zane was a leader at Philmont a few years ago - I didn't realize it was so beautiful out there. I need to get on his case about not bringing us some pics!

Great work!

[DanielB]

My good friend Zane was a leader at Philmont a few years ago - I didn't realize it was so beautiful out there. I need to get on his case about not bringing us some pics!

Great work!

thanks guys!:thumb yes, it was truly gorgeous out there and every turn on the trails had another breathtaking view.

I must be honest though. lately i've been feeling a little homesick:rolleyes...i miss the outdoors and the rugged wild beauty of nature. i wanna get back out there in the wild as soon as i can so i can capture the once in a lifetime moments that nature so often presents when you're out of the contamination that humans cause.
To me the changing of leaves in the fall is a beautiful time. but its a wasted opportunity if you cannot capture its true uniquness.*real word?*

*sigh* i'm done rambling.

thanks for the kind comments guys,
Daniel

[Dee]

And you have the photos to prove it.

Of course, I love the blue tent and all those stars!

Was the tent blue -- or could you have used different colored lights on the inside? That would have been a neat experiment.

[DanielB]

And you have the photos to prove it.

Of course, I love the blue tent and all those stars!

Was the tent blue -- or could you have used different colored lights on the inside? That would have been a neat experiment.

it was blue tent... :) next time i want a shot like that except instead of a tent, i want 3 boys sitting around a camp fire!:barb

[arroyoshark]

thanks guys!:thumb yes, it was truly gorgeous out there and every turn on the trails had another breathtaking view.

I must be honest though. lately i've been feeling a little homesick:rolleyes...i miss the outdoors and the rugged wild beauty of nature. i wanna get back out there in the wild as soon as i can so i can capture the once in a lifetime moments that nature so often presents when you're out of the contamination that humans cause. Daniel



Be careful with your words DB! I also was very "taken" with my first Philmont experience, many years ago. In fact, a month after we got back, at a reunion dinner for trekkers and parents, I was voted most likely to return. A few years later, when I got out of school, I immediately moved to NM....and never regretted it or looked back.

[Chet]

Great shots. Reminds me of my own trip 13 years ago (yikes I am getting old). It is absolutely gorgeous out there, and these shots really capture the memories I have in my mind. It was one of the best expierences of my life. Glad you had a good trip and got to expierence the wonder.

[truth]

Beautiful country indeed. When I lived in Durnago I sepnt a bunch of time on a ranch just northwest of there in Antonito. Great pics.

[DanielB]

Be careful with your words DB! I also was very "taken" with my first Philmont experience, many years ago. In fact, a month after we got back, at a reunion dinner for trekkers and parents, I was voted most likely to return. A few years later, when I got out of school, I immediately moved to NM....and never regretted it or looked back.
i really wanna go see the Tetons in Jackson Hole, but i'm afraid that if i go up there i might not return:lust

[ian408]

i really wanna go see the Tetons in Jackson Hole, but i'm afraid that if i go up there i might not return:lust

You should go. Absolutely you should go.

[Panther]

Howdy Daniel,

Thanks so much for sharing your adventure.

The night shots with the Stars and the one with your tent illuminated is one of the finer shots I have seen in a very long time, really good vision and insight to see this shot. I would think that will be hanging on your wall shortly.

Very nicely done!!!!

[DanielB]

You should go. Absolutely you should go.

:giggleya think? BTW- I vote Grand Teton NP as our next Dgrin shootout of which i will be attending!:barb

[DanielB]

sweet! i'm a sticky! :barb

[DoctorIt]

sweet! i'm a sticky! yeah, i just noticed. congrats journey master!

[DanielB]

yeah, i just noticed. congrats journey master!

thanks,:thumb hey hows it going Erik. long time no see.:wink


:barb:ivar:clap:lust:D <=== my smiley-help doctor isn't around.:wink

[DoctorIt]

some things never change. :lol3

I've been busy, so I just keep to my flea market. :wave

[Duckys54]

Philmont is an amazing place. Have you ever been to Seabase, though?

[Seneca]

Good grief - what beautiful photos. The one with the tent and the night stars should be framed...excellent.

I too am a little jealous of your adventure...maybe one day I can do the same.

Thanks for sharing!

Seneca

[DanielB]

Philmont is an amazing place. Have you ever been to Seabase, though?

no but i'm going there this summer as well as Packard:wink

[DanielB]

Good grief - what beautiful photos. The one with the tent and the night stars should be framed...excellent.

I too am a little jealous of your adventure...maybe one day I can do the same.

Thanks for sharing!

Seneca
thank you so much seneca! :D

[Duckys54]

no but i'm going there this summer as well as Packard:wink

Packard?
That's one I'm not familiar with.