Double H High Adventure Base
Encyclopedia
Double H High Adventure Base, located on the Plains of San Agustin near Datil, New Mexico
, was a satellite program base of the Boy Scouts of America
's (BSA) Philmont Scout Ranch
from 2004 to 2009. The Double H High Adventure Base was located at the Torstenson Family Wildlife Center, formerly known as the Double H Ranch. The Double H was made possible through a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
and the Boy Scouts of America.
In 2008, the Boy Scouts of America announced that the Double H High Adventure Base would conclude six years of operation with the 2009 season, no reservations would be accepted for the 2010 season.
Double H was designed to provide crews with a unique and rugged high adventure
back-packing experience. Crews arriving at Double H base camp are teamed up with a wilderness guide; this guide will spend the entire trek with the crew, providing training and program.
Crews were given opportunities to hike through canyons, navigate cross-country using a map and compass. Scouts will also get the opportunity to use a GPS device while Geocaching
. Base camp was located at over 7,000 feet. Significant elevation changes occur as crews hike through the open ponderosa forest and participate in the program. In addition to ponderosa forests, participants had the opportunity to see many varieties of cacti, pinon trees, juniper trees and elk.
On their fourth day, crews arrive at the Martin Camp where they are given the opportunity to resupply and participate in a western dinner. Each crew has a chance to shoot inline black powder rifles, try their hand at a 3-D archery course, and participate in Search and Rescue training.
From the second to third day and from the fifth to sixth day, crews explore the Double H. With no established trail system, and no naturally occurring surface water, the Double H is considered by many to be a true rugged, southwestern experience. Along the way, the wilderness guide provides program for the members of the crew. This program includes challenge course, Leave No Trace, astronomy, geo-caching, search and rescue and a conservation project.
Datil, New Mexico
Datil is an unincorporated town in Catron County, New Mexico, United States. Located at the intersection of U.S. Route 60 and New Mexico State Road 12, Datil is on the edge of the Cibola National Forest. The Very Large Array is also nearby. Rock climbers are attracted to Datil because it hold the...
, was a satellite program base of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
's (BSA) Philmont Scout Ranch
Philmont Scout Ranch
Philmont Scout Ranch is a large, rugged, mountainous ranch located near the town of Cimarron, New Mexico, covering approximately of wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Rocky Mountains of northern New Mexico...
from 2004 to 2009. The Double H High Adventure Base was located at the Torstenson Family Wildlife Center, formerly known as the Double H Ranch. The Double H was made possible through a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a conservationist organization, founded in the United States in 1984 by four hunters from Troy, Montana with the mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, and their habitat...
and the Boy Scouts of America.
In 2008, the Boy Scouts of America announced that the Double H High Adventure Base would conclude six years of operation with the 2009 season, no reservations would be accepted for the 2010 season.
Double H was designed to provide crews with a unique and rugged high adventure
High adventure
High adventure is a type of outdoor experience. It typically is meant to include activities like backpacking, hiking, kayaking or canoeing. It may also include mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, orienteering, hang gliding, paragliding and hot air ballooning.-High adventure in...
back-packing experience. Crews arriving at Double H base camp are teamed up with a wilderness guide; this guide will spend the entire trek with the crew, providing training and program.
Crews were given opportunities to hike through canyons, navigate cross-country using a map and compass. Scouts will also get the opportunity to use a GPS device while Geocaching
Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world....
. Base camp was located at over 7,000 feet. Significant elevation changes occur as crews hike through the open ponderosa forest and participate in the program. In addition to ponderosa forests, participants had the opportunity to see many varieties of cacti, pinon trees, juniper trees and elk.
Itinerary
On the morning of their first day, participating crews arrive at the Double H and go through base camp where they receive their crew gear and food. Crews also receive an orientation from their wilderness guide and then head to the backcountry that afternoon.On their fourth day, crews arrive at the Martin Camp where they are given the opportunity to resupply and participate in a western dinner. Each crew has a chance to shoot inline black powder rifles, try their hand at a 3-D archery course, and participate in Search and Rescue training.
From the second to third day and from the fifth to sixth day, crews explore the Double H. With no established trail system, and no naturally occurring surface water, the Double H is considered by many to be a true rugged, southwestern experience. Along the way, the wilderness guide provides program for the members of the crew. This program includes challenge course, Leave No Trace, astronomy, geo-caching, search and rescue and a conservation project.