Day 7, August 11 -- We woke up at 6:30 am, to a prepared breakfast of scrambled eggs, frosted flakes, and milk.  At 9:45 am we broke camp and started our long climb to Head of Dean Camp.  Arriving at about 12:00 pm, and opening our lunch we discovered that our crackers had been crushed to crumbs.  Lunch consisted of squeeze peanutbutter, dehydrated jelly, raisins, lemon aid drink, and chocolate bars.  During the afternoon we watched some logging competitions, and Mike Kammerer and I entered a log cutting contest against time and time was not on our side.  We set off for more side hike exploration and returned for a dinner of spaghetti, bread sticks, applesauce, and lemon lime drink.  In the evening at our crew campfire we planned what pranks we could play on the train ride home.  John Everstad who was not one for getting up early in the morning was advised by the Philmont Staff to drink plenty of water before he retired for the evening and he would have no problem in getting up in the morning.  John was in charge of getting the cook's fire going for breakfast.  It sure worked, John was up bright and early with a roaring fire going. 

Day 8, August 12 -- Today we had a staff prepared breakfast of flapjacks, sausage, and orange juice and lots of milk.  It was nice not to have to cook our breakfast this morning. 

Today we have to hike 6 1/2 up and down miles to our next camp which is Bench Camp.  We broke camp at about 9:00 am, after a delightful breakfast.  Our lunch was squeeze cheese, beef jerky, crackers, freeze dried pears, and cherry drink. 

Dr. Cloninger got called to duty this afternoon to perform intricate surgery on Scott Rosin's heel blister.  We made our next camp at 2:00 pm and were visited by a chaplain on horseback, who conducted a worship service for our crew over looking Baldy Mountain. 

For dinner we had a western beef stew, prepared by Mike Kammerer and David Springer, it was chefs night off,  but we all survived the meal.  After dinner we joined Rob Watson who had retreated to a smooth rock, for a quiet meditation of the beauty of the sunset over looking Baldy Mountain and it's foothills.  The views like these are in themselves a compelling reason to come to Philmont.  Near our camp is an old log cabin built by the man who wrote the Philmont hymn.  Which aptly describes the scene here tonight.