Scout dies at Philmont Scout Ranch

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Scout dies at Philmont Scout Ranch (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 6/28/2015 6:32:00 AM EDT

from my Facebook feed:

News Release - 6/27/2015
This is a very difficult time for our entire Scouting family. During the early morning hours of Saturday, June 27, Philmont Scout Ranch was hit with significant rainfall that resulted in elevating stream levels and some flooding in areas across the property. The health and safety of our youth members is our top priority and our staff immediately began making contact with all crews and participants throughout the backcountry to offer assistance and assure the safety of all participants.

During that process, our staff was unable to account for one youth participant, who we have since confirmed passed away. We have notified the family and are supporting them in any way we can. We are also mindful of the Scouts and adult volunteer leaders present on the trek, and we are also working to support those affected by this tragic incident. All other participants have been accounted for and there are no additional injuries.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we are supporting them in any way that we can.

Philmont Scout Ranch is comprised of 214 square miles in New Mexico. Each year, around 20,000 Scouts visit Philmont for backpacking treks and training and service programs. At Philmont we strive to provide a safe and inspiring setting for Scouts to experience the natural environment of northern New Mexico and seek to protect both Scouts and wildlife.

Please keep the family and those involved in your thoughts and prayers.

Posted: 6/28/2015 6:38:34 AM EDT

[#1]

damn

Posted: 6/28/2015 6:42:30 AM EDT

[#2]

My neighbor and his son are there this week... Trying to get a hold of someone now to make sure they are okay.

ETA - They're okay.

Posted: 6/28/2015 6:45:16 AM EDT

[#3]

Posted: 6/28/2015 6:55:27 AM EDT

[#4]

Posted: 6/28/2015 7:03:23 AM EDT

[#5]

Rest easy young man

Posted: 6/28/2015 7:26:22 AM EDT

[#6]

Rest in peace.

One of the Adventure Camp instructors joked when he told the campers, four of you will be eaten by the bears. When they asked which four, he said, the slowest ones. In reality, we are very concerned for the safety of the camper. While the Boy Scouts do learn to handle firearms, our program is much more firearms oriented. Safety is a major issue and it would be dreadful to have a kid cross the Styx while under our care.

Posted: 6/28/2015 7:33:58 AM EDT

[#7]

Damn, that's horrible.

Poor kid, and his poor family.

Posted: 6/28/2015 7:51:04 AM EDT

[#8]

my nephew is on staff there right now.

it is a special place.
prayers out to the family and friends.

Posted: 6/28/2015 7:53:00 AM EDT

[#9]

Damn. Poor kid. At least he died in God's Country, I suppose there are worse ways to go. Rest easy, young man.

One of the things they told us in basecamp both times I was out there was that they do get deaths now and then, but it's usually from dehydration or lightning.

Posted: 6/28/2015 7:56:41 AM EDT

[#10]

Did he drown?

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Posted: 6/28/2015 7:56:44 AM EDT

[#11]

I know 2 scouts from my old troop going through it right now. Hope they are well.

Posted: 6/28/2015 7:58:48 AM EDT

[#12]

Posted: 6/28/2015 8:00:36 AM EDT

[#13]

Very sad, When I was there our ranger a USAF student was killed by lightning.

Posted: 6/28/2015 8:01:56 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:

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RIP Scout. If I had to go, I'd rather it be in a place like that. Prayers for the family and friends. How terrible.

Posted: 6/28/2015 8:02:56 AM EDT

[#15]

Damn.

Went twice to Philmont back in the 80's. Beautiful, beautiful place, but it is the primitive wilderness.

Posted: 6/28/2015 8:27:32 AM EDT

[#16]

Posted: 6/28/2015 8:35:21 AM EDT

[#17]

Posted: 6/28/2015 8:42:31 AM EDT

[#18]

Posted: 6/28/2015 8:43:33 AM EDT

[#19]

Thoughts go out to his family and friends.

So sad.

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:06:28 AM EDT

[#20]

what a bad deal.

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:07:53 AM EDT

[#21]

Shame, poor guy

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:09:45 AM EDT

[#22]

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:09:51 AM EDT

[#23]

Prayers for the family and friends

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:11:38 AM EDT

[#24]

Damn

Philmont is awesome, I was there thirty years ago as a scout. Amazing place.

Tragic. RIP

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:13:09 AM EDT

[#25]

Awful...God bless that young man and his family

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:16:54 AM EDT

[#26]

That is fucking terrible.

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:20:46 AM EDT

[#27]

I was extremely saddened to hear about this yesterday, thoughts are with the family and everyone at the ranch. I worked at Philmont for 4 summers, I remember back in 2009 when there was another death, it really takes its toll on the whole staff there. I'll be there in 2 weeks for another trek, flash floods are nothing to take lightly out there.

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:45:23 AM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
I was extremely saddened to hear about this yesterday, thoughts are with the family and everyone at the ranch. I worked at Philmont for 4 summers, I remember back in 2009 when there was another death, it really takes its toll on the whole staff there. I'll be there in 2 weeks for another trek, flash floods are nothing to take lightly out there.

View Quote

The thing that worried me the most when I was there nearly 30 years ago was the quickness with storms would appear.

You'd be hiking in a canyon and then, bam! Insta-storm and flood.

Here's a picture of Fish Camp after it was wiped out by a flood in 1965.

Posted: 6/28/2015 9:45:32 AM EDT

[#29]

RIP, kid.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:41:30 AM EDT

[#30]

Update from Philmont.

During the early morning hours of Saturday, June 27, Philmont lost a Scout from Sacramento, Calif., when the a portion of Philmont was hit with significant rainfall that resulted in elevated stream levels and flash flooding in areas across the property.

The entire Scouting family continues to mourn the loss of this exceptional young man and our prayers are with the family, troop members and friends.

Many people have inquired how they can help during this very difficult time. We encourage you to support the family, through this fund: http://www.gofundme.com/y52amw. Also, the Philmont Staff Association has created a memorial scholarship in Alden’s name. Details can be found at www.philstaff.com.

Additionally, some have inquired about the other crews hit by the floods across the Ranch. Several participants lost their gear, backpacks and tents in the flooding. Some of this gear has been recovered and the rest has all been replaced through the Tooth of Time Traders. All of our attendees are now back on the trail.

Lastly, we sincerely appreciate all of your support for the Ranch. Several trails and bridges were damaged in the floods, but our amazing staff has showed their resiliency in rising to the challenges that this storm caused.

Please continue to pray for the family and keep all those involved in your thoughts during this time.

Yours in Scouting,
The PSR Team

View Quote

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:42:49 AM EDT

[#31]

RIP scout.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:44:02 AM EDT

[#32]

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:45:10 AM EDT

[#33]

Damn.

Condolences to the family and friends.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:45:21 AM EDT

[#34]

Awful story.

RIP Scout.

I went to Philmont in 1990; wonderful memories.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:51:39 AM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
Very sad, When I was there our ranger a USAF student was killed by lightning.

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Did a Google search. Apparently the USAF academy has a long history of rangers at philmont. Didn't know that.

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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:53:15 AM EDT

[#36]

Damn.
Prayers for the scout, family, and his crew.

Philmont 93' and 95'.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:54:54 AM EDT

[#37]

Damn

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:57:56 AM EDT

[#38]

My oldest was trying to get some of his buddies to go next summer.

Very sad day.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:58:29 AM EDT

[#39]

Posted: 7/2/2015 11:01:29 AM EDT

[#40]

Damn. I hiked 92 miles at philmont one summer.

Posted: 7/2/2015 11:02:28 AM EDT

[#41]

RIP brother

I went in 06, my old troop just had a crew come back from an early June trek.

Posted: 7/2/2015 1:26:24 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
Damn.
Prayers for the scout, family, and his crew.

Philmont 93' and 95'.

View Quote

'93 and '97.
A Scout is Reverent.

Posted: 7/2/2015 1:29:04 PM EDT

[#43]

My son went to Philmont several years ago. There was never any doubt in my mind that adequate precautions were in place. The preparation and training made it clear that it was going to be a well run trip.

Going out in nature, there are no guarantees, but there are no rewards without some risk.

Posted: 7/2/2015 1:30:31 PM EDT

[#44]

Sorry

Posted: 7/2/2015 1:54:54 PM EDT

[#45]

Damn...that sucks. Prayers out to his family and his troop.

Did 110 miles there in 1990 and enjoyed it.

Posted: 7/2/2015 1:58:17 PM EDT

[#46]

Its beautiful and its dangerous. Its a tremendous learning experience, and most of those are often treacherous.

Prayers for his family, troop and guys and gals at the Ranch.
.

Posted: 7/2/2015 2:00:16 PM EDT

[#47]

This sucks. The monsoon storms this year are no joke so far!! There has been some serious rain, wind, and lightning already and it started earlier than normal.

Was there in 93 loved every minute of it!

Posted: 7/2/2015 2:06:49 PM EDT

[#48]

That sucks.

Posted: 7/2/2015 2:10:36 PM EDT

[#49]

A SCOUT'S PRAYER

Lord, we thank you for this day.

Help us to do our best every day,

And forgive us when we slip.

Teach us to be kind to other people

and to help them at all times

Bless our parents and teachers and leaders

and all the members of Scouting

Bless us, Lord in your love for us

Help us to be a better Scouts

and let us do our best for you

Amen

Posted: 7/2/2015 2:16:18 PM EDT

[#50]

My neighbors and fellow Scout Leader took his family there recently for the family Scouting experience and had a great time.

I would like to know more details for a lessons learned AAR to share with my boys.

RIP

Scout Vespers

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Scout dies at Philmont Scout Ranch (Page 1 of 2)

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