Slide of the Month Extra- Philmont Zastrow

 

April 2022

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

I thought it was important to publish today about Zastrow camp this morning as it was sad to hear about the loss of the Zastrow cabin to the Cooks Peak fire.  At the time I am writing this, the fire is only 54% contained with a loss of 55,978 acres  (3084 acres were in Philmont). While this will impact our trek, as we have a southern trek, we don't know the extent. My thanks goes out to my fellow fire fighters for their service.

There is a lot to say about Zastrow camp but one of the themes that keeps bubbling up to the surface is Zastrow is the land of navigation. It is my understanding the author of the current Orienteering Merit Badge booklet designed the geocaching and orienteering courses at Zastrow. This slide represents a petty standard GPS unit used in geocaching and navagation.

Carved from southern (pallet) pine, the slide has raised buttons and display. The slide is painted with hobby paint with the exception of the details on the buttons which were done with a paint pen. The display detail was printed on waterslide paper from the patch and the lettering was also done on waterslide paper. A couple of coats of poly finish it off.

Slide of the Month Extra -Philmont Whiteman Vega (shadow)

 

April 2022

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Speaking of Whiteman Vega...

I wasn't thrilled with my last slide so when this came up in my list, I had my doubts but after painting it, I like the feel of the slide. 

Carved from southern (pallet) pine, the slide is a simple leveled one. Painting was the real challenge here as  shadowed areas of the rider subtlety defines the detail. I used hobby paints, waterslide paper for the lettering and a couple coats of poly to finish it off.

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Whiteman Vega (Trail)

 

April 2022

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Whiteman Vega is known as the center for biking at Philmont with amazing mountain trails. It is also known as a major trail for the annual cattle drive.

Carved from southern (pallet) pine  this was a odd slide to carve as the mountain bike is coming towards you so perspective was difficult.  Painted with hobby paints, lettered with waterslide paper, and finished off with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Dan Beard

 

April 2022

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1.5 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Dan Beard is the northern most camp on the Philmont property and offers low impact camping as well as a series of challenges the crews must work through as a team. The trail to get to the challenges is a strenuous "The Calf Blaster" hike which in itself could be considered a challenge.  But it is also known as the beginning of the "Ranger Challenge"  which is a non-stop hike from the northern most point to the Southern most point of the ranch wearing (at least) a 40 pound backpack. I understand the record for this intense 35 mile footslog is 15 and a half hours.

Carved from pallet pine, it's another layered side which I smoothly sanded parts of and lightly sanded other areas.  The reason behind this was to use the grain of the wood  to give the mountain areas some definition.  Painted with hobby paints, lettered with waterslide paper, and finished off with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Metcalf Station (Train)

April 2022

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 

Metcalf  Station is a great project going on at Philmont! The idea is to recreate railroad history of the Cimarron & Northwestern Railway which ran through the area from 1907 to 1932 supporting the  the Continental Tie & Lumber Company. The Philmont plan is to have a replica of Santa Fe 1910 “Standard” depot at the north end and the Southern end of the track with an operating telegraph and offices. There will also be a track laying camp were scouts experience installing track. 

Carved from southern (pallet) pine, the photo really doesn't do justice to the complexity of this slide. There are many levels and angles to bring the look of an oncoming locomotive to consider. It is painted with hobby paints, lettered with waterslide paper, and finished off with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont, I want to believe

 

     April 1, 2022

    

    Time to make: 3 hours

     Finishing: 1 hour

     Original design:

     Bill Macfarlane

Days till Philmont 2022Countdown

 Lock Ness Monster (or Champy if you are on this side of the pond), Bigfoot, UFOs and Philmont crews 2018 - 716X and 2020 - 713V ... wait do/did these things exist? Well, I WANT TO BELIEVE in Philmont crew 711C for 2022.

OK, so you won't find this one anywhere but on my blog (unless someone copied my design) but in my weird sense of humor, it is completely logical. I really hope there won't be something else that keeps our continent from attending Philmont Scout Ranch. (A plague of locusts aren't common in New Mexico right?)

Carved from southern (pallet) pine the arrow head was a quick carve. Now the designs for the waterslide paper took a bit time and experimentation. As in most of slides, this was painted with hobby paints and finished off with a couple coats of poly.