Posted on 06/28/2015 8:07:31 AM PDT by SZonian
One Boy Scout died and three others were rescued after being swept away in a flash flood early Saturday, according to the New Mexico State Police.
A group of eight Scouts, ages 14 to 17, three crew leaders and one adult ranger were on the two-week trek across the Philmont Scout Ranch, a popular Boy Scout ranch near Cimarron.
They were camped near the North Ponil Canyon, 15 miles northeast of the training center.
Rain started falling early Saturday morning, flooding parts of the ranch property, according to a news release posted on the ranch’s website.
Around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, a flash flood rushed down the canyon, said State Police spokesman Chad Pierce.
“As the floodwater swept through the canyon, it overran the Scouts’ campsite, resulting in four Boy Scouts being swept away,” Pierce said.
Staff members found three of the Scouts who had been swept away down the canyon, but couldn’t find the fourth.
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
The weather there can get quite violent at times...tent site selection is critical.
Very unfortunate news. :-(
...tent site selection is critical.
About 5 years ago, at the National Jamboree, at least 3 adult leaders were electrocuted when their tall, metal tent pole came into contact with overhead electrical lines.
I remember that...
When I was a kid, 4 scouts were killed by lightning. It was my brothers’ old troop and my dad had been scout master.
We knew all the kids involved. It was horrible!
Thoughts and condolences to family.
Was there twenty-five years ago— can’t imagine how much rain it would take to flood out that location.
NM ping.
Sad! Many folks don’t realize how quickly flash floods can develop in those arid regions. Sad for the folks involved here.
Even when you do things “right”, there are times when it’s just not enough...
Philmont can be hardcore, terrain, weather, challenges, etc.
Was there last summer, got hit with storms just about everyday...hailed so much one afternoon the ground was white with hailstones...
Having a crew reunion this afternoon...will make sure to thank the Almighty that we made it through unscathed.
“As the floodwater swept through the canyon, it overran the Scouts’ campsite, resulting in four Boy Scouts being swept away,”
Back when I was in, “Don’t camp in a flash flood spot” was nearly a mantra.
RIP.
.
One doesn’t make camp in a canyon, nor at the base of a high cliff.
.
They may not have been in a flash flood spot. This same storm caused a 100-year flood just north of the village of Jemez Springs here in NM. Stuff's just gone. They could have been well above a normal zone and been hit by flood waters.
my son and two grandsons (2 eagles and a soon-to-be) are arriving there today. they got this sad news while en route. this is the third trip for my son, second for one grandkid, and first for the other. i look forward (pray) for their safe return.
It still is....Hazardous Weather Awareness training talks about not camping in washes, basins and canyons.
I’m looking for my Philmont map to see what the terrain is like in that area...
IANAL, but it’s possible that Philmont may have some liability in this if the crew were camped in the spot designated by Philmont (Ranger) and not in a spot the crew selected themselves, which they would do after day 2 once the Ranger departs...
As do I...
I think we’re in for a serious monsoon season.
Most local troops rotate to Philmont about every five years or so, from what I understand, just because it's in such high demand. I've never been there.
I hiked and camped in Ponil canyon on one of my Philmont trips back in the 70’s. It gets tight in some areas.
Ponil was the first place I ever saw First Nation rock pictographs.
770 reported that the water may have reached 20 feet during the flood.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.