These are significant and edited emails in chronological order.
The addresses have been removed.

2007-03-29 From Jim Pinter
Hey Rich, Dennis, Doug

A February trip down to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon got me thinking of our first hike way back in August of 1960 and the friends I've lost track of over the past 47 years. See attached B/W snapshot from that trip that I found among the stuff still stored at my Dad's house in Fort Wayne. And a contrasting photo from my 2007 hike. I can't speak for everyone in our Scout Troop, but that summer trip out West certainly changed my life, inspiring me with a love for outdoor recreation, leading me to attend college in Arizona and eventually to settle in the West.

I think it would be fun to get in touch with all the scouts from our 1960 trip to find out what they've been up to. I would like to have copies of any photos that they might have taken back then. We could also see whether they would be interested in a reunion hike to celebrate our friendships and common interests?

What do you think? I know if we started planning now for a 50-year rendevouz in 2010, we could get one or more of the cabins at Phantom Ranch for the event and we might even be able to get some media coverage. Each time I hike in the Canyon I regale fellow hikers with stories from our 1960 "death march" when the river was still undammed. They marvel over the swimming pool that used to be at Phantom. I don't have photos of the pool in my collection, but there is a photo of it on the wall of the Phantom Ranch "Beer Hall" so I am able to substantiate my claim that it once existed. Even the employees at the ranch are amazed that we did the hike so long ago in 120 degree weather. If we assembled our recollections and photos from that first trip it would make quite a story.

FYI, I knew that Rich settled in Colorado Springs and got his email from the Internet without difficulty. But I haven't seen or talked with him since the 60's. I still keep in touch with Dennis in Fort Wayne and he has become a frequent visitor to Phoenix and our cabin in Alpine, AZ. He has even sailed on our new sailboat in Mexico during this past month. I occasionally see Doug in Churubusco and know that he and his wife are interested in doing adventure traveling out West.

But for the most part, I've lost touch with everyone else that was on that first memorable hike. In fact, I'm having trouble even remembering names of the scouts. Doug - your parents might be a big help here. Here are the guys I recall so far with their email address and phone numbers if I have them. The names I'm uncertain of are marked with question marks - help me confirm whether they were even on the trip out West. Also add any you might think of and I'll try to get together a master list that we can all share. Eventually we should be able to come up with most of the names.

I think this will be fun. I hope to hear from each of you soon.

Jim Pinter

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2007-04-16 From Jim Pinter
Hi Phil (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette)

Thanks for taking the time to discuss the 1960 hike through the Grand Canyon by Boy Scout Troop #13 (First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne). I think that it would be a great human interest story for your column. It would also help us to get in touch with some long-lost friends who accompanied us on that adventure. I can't speak for everyone in our Scout Troop, but that 3-week trip out West certainly changed my life, inspiring me with a love for outdoor recreation, leading me to attend college in Arizona, and eventually to settle in the West. After a recent hike to down to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Canyon, I discovered some snapshots from the trip in a shoebox at my Dad's home in Fort Wayne. The photos convinced me to try to get in touch with all the Scouts from the trip and perhaps organize a 50-year reunion hike.

Over the past 47 years, I've hiked into the Canyon to the Colorado River more than 20 times. Each time I regale fellow hikers with stories from our 1960 "death march." What was so special about our hike in 1960? Well, at that time the Colorado was still undammed and warm. So it was possible to soak and swim in the river without the present day dangers of hypothermia or washing away downstream. Tourist's I encounter at Phantom Ranch are amazed to learn that we were only 12-15 years old at the time. We also carried all of our own equipment and food, and hiked all the way from the South to the North Rim (24 miles) in 3 days with only a couple of adult leaders. Imagine that happening today! They also marvel over the swimming pool that used to be at Phantom Ranch but was closed in the late 60's. I don't have photos of the pool in my collection, but there is a photo of it on the wall of the Phantom Ranch "Beer Hall" so I am able to substantiate my claim that it once existed. Even the National Park Service employees at Phantom are amazed that we did the hike so long ago in 120 degree August weather. Fortunately, we had a full moon during our trip and we were able to do much of our hiking at night.

The spirit of the trip has been captured on Richard Stamats' web page http://www.richardstamats.com/1960BoyScout.html
I believe the bus photo could be the focal point of your column. He has posted our collective guess of names of scouts that were on the trip - but our memory isn't as good as it used to be and we may have some inaccuracies in the list. Rich has also posted some images that I scanned from negatives taken down in the canyon with a 127 format Kodak brownie camera. Rich has said it was OK to use the materials from the web site for your column. He and I can send higher resolution photos if needed. Doug Welch is the only other scout from the trip that I've kept track of over the years. His parents were along on the trip as chaperones following the bus in a chase car. Between Doug and his folks, we should be able to come up with more photos and stories.

Jim Pinter

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2007-04-16 From Doug Welch
Hi Jim, Hi Rich

A great idea to contact Phil Bloom. I talked to Mom and Dad. They are tearing the house apart trying to find everything from the trip. Mom says that Bill Valor and Bill Sweet were on the trip. Also Darby's wife Dorthey (not sure of the spelling) drove their station wagon and had their son Larry along. It was their wagon that the black bear cub tried to get in. Larry was inside. The Ranger made everyone get away because he knew the mom bear was probably close by. Mom wrote everything in a little book but hasn't found it yet. She also has a copy of the Life magazine about that really tall kid in Mancos. She thinks that he died a few years later.
I'm still going through the slides I have, but most of them are just landscape. Dad took an 8mm movie too. I am going through all of his to find it.

Rich, it is so good to find out where you are now and what you are doing. Great job on your Web site, very professional. Wow

Well, I better get up to bed. Some of us, unlike Jim, have to get up to go to work.

Doug

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2007-05-02 From Jim Pinter
Phil (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette)

I will be in Fort Wayne for about a week during mid-May. Would it be possible to meet with you to talk about the bus trip and Grand Canyon hike we took with the Boy Scouts in 1960.

Thursday, 17 May at 1 pm would work fine for me. However, my schedule is mostly open from 15 - 20 May (except for the afternoon of 16 May). So pick another time if it's more convenient for you.

Jim Pinter

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2007-05-20 From Jim Pinter

My meeting with Phil Bloom, outdoor editor for the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, went really well. He was very enthusiastic about writing a story about our 1960 trip. Then he wants to follow the story as we approach the reunion hike in 2010. Further, he wants to go with us on the hike as an embedded journalist. He and his son have been active in scouting so he sees a story here that will have a lot of public interest. He also introduced me to one of his colleagues who seemed very interested in the story too and snapped a bunch of photos of me "for the file".

The next step is that Phil will get in touch with Doug and Rich to pick their brains about what they remember of the trip and to verfify some of the things I told him. I gave him your contact information. So expect a phone call soon. And let me know if you hear from him.

Keep looking for those photos and try to contact more of the scouts that were on the trip. Note that I'm in FWA until 21 May then back to Phx. On Friday, Teresa and I head to Mexico for a long week and might not have email contact.

Jim

Kind of fun.

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2007-07-04 From Rich Stamats
Doug and Jim,
I had an interview with Phil on the 3rd and I understood one took place with Doug on 2nd. I sent a collection of images in higher resolution and size for their use in article. I understand story is to run this Sunday.

Hope all is well.

Richard

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2007-07-09 From Max Ismscher
Rich and Jim,

I’ve talked about a return trip to the Canyon for years. What an experience we had. Just reading the article got me all charged.
I like the idea of a shorter version. Keep me informed on any get together.

Max (Mox) Irmscher

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2007-07-09 From Tom Robertson
Hi Jim and Richard,

I happened to be visiting old school friends in Indiana last weekend (I live in Concord, MA), and saw your article. I was on that trip, as was Jim Stone, and for some reason we are not in the photo by the bus. I would be interested in a reunion in 2010, and I think Jim sent you an email saying the same.

Tom Robertson

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2007-07-19 From Jim Stone
Jim and Rich,

I couldn't have been more excited to see the story about our Boy Scout trip. I had come back last weekend to Ft. Wayne for a group 60th birthday party with several old friends -- four of whom were on the trip as well. I've had a list of several "things to do before I die" items for several years now that includes a rim-to-rim hike back at the canyon. (I thought the canyon won the last time.) Anyway, my plan for the weekend was to try to convince them to join me in the next year or so. But before I could say anything, Denny Mahuren and Max Irmsher whipped out copies of the story.

The 50th anniversary idea sounds even more appropriate, so please count me in.

I know that every time I come back to Ft. Wayne, either for a high school reunion or just to see the old group, the trip always comes up. My most vivid memories are of laying in Bright Angel Creek that day at Phantom Ranch, just letting the water run over me. (In fact, in the pictures Jim posted, I think I might be the third kid from the left in photo #10. Of course, skinny, glasses and buzz-cut probably describes most of us then.) I also remember my glasses flying out the bus window in Dubuque, Iowa, while I rested in one of those cots we had hanging from the ceiling. Fortunately, my parents weren't too peeved. They were probably relieved. Over the years, my Mom has told me that when we drove out of the First Pres. lot that day she didn't think she'd ever see us again.

For some reason, another friend, Tom Robertson, and I am not in the photo that was in the paper recently. But among the postcards and photos I still have, there's a copy of a newspaper article that appeared the day after we left. Besides Tom and me, that story mentioned Ray Howell, David Aldrich, Bob Bartel and Peter Briggens as also going along.

Please keep my informed as plans develop. And in the meantime, let me know if there's anything I can do to help out. I'm a free-lance writer living just outside Dayton, Ohio, these days, so I'm sure there's a story or two in here somewhere.

Talk to you soon,

Jim Stone

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2007-07-19 From William (Bill) Sweet
Jim and Richard:

I returned from vacation recently to find that the two of you have resurrected some old memories, not to mention old photographs. Although I had forgotten our old troop number, I have certainly not forgotten that trip. You left out the wonderful days spent at Devil's Tower.

Keep me in the loop for future events. It would be great fun to see you all again.

Bill Sweet

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2007-07-26 From Thomas Robertson
To All

I also have a newspaper clipping that lists those on the trip (with some errors): scouts: Arthur Aiken, Nevin Aiken, Albert Aiken, Douglas Welch, Max Irmshere, Jr., Dwight Fraye, William Sweet, Barry Worman, Russell Worman, Davis Aldrich, Paul Pinte, Gilmore Haynie, Mike Levy, Thomas Robertson, Richard Clements, Alan Johns, James Mahuren, John Sell, Richard Stamats, Jim Stone, Willam Valor, Michael Bash, Robert Bartel, Ray Howell, Peter Briggins. Adults and families: Mr. and Mrs. Darby Blackwood, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Welch, Mrs. Elsie Douglas, Kent Westley, Dr. Arthur Aiken, Dr. Nevin Aiken, and Minor Botts, Sr.

I found a couple of post cards I had written:

July 26
Dear Mom, Dad, ......

I am having a good time. Today we are going to the Jamboree. Last night we camped in a State Park near Goodland, Kansas. Every time we start the bus we have to push. Some fun.

Love, Tom

July 30 (Note: If postage is not enough, send anyway. You will get the extra money at address.)
Dear Mom, Dad, ...

I am still having lots of fun. Today we have visited some cliff dwellings including the cliff palace. The homes and culture of these people are very interesting. The 27th we were at the Jamboree. Some friends and I were walking in the hot sun and I needed a drink. I set my camera down and after I drank I ran 50 ft. to my friends. As I reached them I missed my camera. I looked where I left it and it was gone. I checked lost and found several times but with no results. It has my name and address on it and unless the kid who found it has evil intentions, it will be returned.

The first post card (3x5) has just a plain front (3 cents postage printed on it). The second post card (7x9) has a picture of Cliff Palace from Mesa Verde National Park. The caption on the back reads: " This view includes approximately one-third - the south section - of Cliff Palace, the largest known cliff dwelling. Government archaeologists guide visitors through this and other ruins, giving authentic information about the prehistoric inhabitants who lived here 700 years ago. Color note: for best autumn colors in Mesa Verde and this section of the Rocky Mountains, schedule your visit between September 10 and October 15. Color photo by Ansel F. Hall.

Tom Robertson

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2007-07-31 Richard to Michael Levy
Hello Michael,
I am writing you to see if you are the same Michael Levy that was in Boy Scout Troop 13 in Fort Wayne that went a trip west in 1960.
Hope it is so,

2007-07-31 From Michael Levy to Richard

YES!
I remember your name, but no longer the face.
How/why did you happen to find me?
Please, tell me about yourself.
Where are you living?
You can go to my personal website to learn more about me at: http://www.taoshighspirits.com/

Wow! 1960. Wasn't that a grand adventure?
I think it created the allure that made me want to live in the Southwest, which I do - in Taos, New Mexico.
I just returned a year ago from living 13 years in Australia, married an Aussie girl (now divorced), and taught tantra together.
That info is at: http://www.oztantra.com.au/

Cheers,
Michael 'Ike' Levy

His reply to join the reunion:

Just started on the website, but I can tell you already, I'M IN!

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2007-08-01 From Jim Pinter

I'm back in Phoenix again and have attached a photo from the breakfast meeting we had at the Cracker Barrel in Fort Wayne last Saturday.

It was a special treat to see Doris and Howard Welch (Doug's) parents after so many years. As chaperones they were privy to the minute details of the trip that none of the rest of us had to concern ourselves with. And their recollections far exceed any that I have. Even better, Doug's mom has found the journal she kept of the whole trip. (See photo) Vicky has volunteered to transcribe it so we can have a written record for the web site.

It was also great to reconnect with Bill Sweet after what must be 45 years. He was especially intrigued with the prospect of fly fishing in Bright Angel creek and the Colorado River. Now I bet that's something that wasn't on our minds the first time in the Canyon in 1960. And probably for good reason. Since Glen Canyon Dam wasn't restricting flow on the Colorado River until 1963 or 64, the water was still warm and the trout fishery didn't exist. At present, Bright Angel Creek, Clear Creek (9 miles east of Phantom Ranch), and other fast clear streams provide prime spawning grounds for rainbow trout. I've seen thigh sized rainbows taken out of streams that you could jump across.

I'm tentatively planning to visit Fort Wayne again in October. We'll plan another breakfast then and I'll hopefully get to see more of the group.

The final piece of news to relate is that Phil Bloom, the Outdoor Editor of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has run another column in last Sunday's paper. It updates the progress we have made in getting the group together. Here's the internet link.

I think the anecdote that Jim Stone related about the hike being something he "wanted to do before he died" captured the sentiment that I'm hearing from so many of you. And now we've added Mike (Ike) Levy, Mike Bash, and Gil Haynie to our list. That makes 11 Scouts total. This is great. We are almost halfway there. Everyone take hard another look at the list and see if we can't find the rest. I've been trying to find Bill Valor without much success. Also contacted Robert Blackwood (the only Blackwood in the Fort Wayne phonebook). Alas, he wasn't Darby's relative.

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2007-08-02 From Mike Levy

Synchronicity
Yesterday I finished moving into my new office in my new house, and unpacking memorabilia that had been stored for 25-30 years. You can guess what I was looking for, and I found it. The original J/G news article, and 2 letters I wrote to my parents during the trip, one from Mancos, CO and the other from Devil's Tower, WY. In the one letter it said that the GC crossing was unbelievable, and that I would NEVER do that again! Unfortunately, any photos I may have had were destroyed in a storeroom flood about 9 years ago.

Details
When I have time (probably this winter), I would like to write my version of the GC Xing, to post on the website. I will also transcribe the letters mentioned above ASAP.

The photo of us in front of the bus was taken one week before we left, that's why some guys aren't in it. I, as the delegate from Troop 13 (and I think, Tom Robertson?), departed early to go to the local Jamboree prep encampment, then left for the Jamboree, and went from FW to Colarado Springs on the Jamboree train. The rest of you came on the bus and picked us up in CS. I also have 2 letters I wrote from the Jamboree.

You probably don't know this, but I went to the Jewish services at the Jamboree, where they mentioned a Jamboree taking place in Israel the next year. I followed up on it, and attended, with 99 other boys from USA. We toured Israel for 3 weeks, Athens, Rome, Florence, Paris, and London. The point is, our silver bus trip sparked my ongoing career as a world traveler!

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2007-08-02 From Gil Haynie

I don't know if you knew that John Sell was killed in a car wreck in California at least 20 or so years ago. He is the only one of the group that I know is no longer with us...hopefully there are not any others. Regards

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2008-01-13 From Jim Pinter

Yesterday we had our second breakfast meeting and started our planning for the 50th year reunion hike into the Grand Canyon.  I was pretty excited to meet Jim Stone and Denny Mahuren for the first time in almost half a century.  Of course, I became reacquainted with Bill Sweet and Doug's folks at our first breakfast last summer. And, I've been in touch with Doug Welch and Dennis Silkworth off and on over the years.  Tom Robertson sent his regrets from Massachusetts and said he would try to get to the next meeting.  Phil Bloom emailed from Indy that he wouldn't be in town this weekend.

We decided on a tentative time frame for the reunion hike - Late April 2010.  The weather should be perfect for a hike.  We'll plan on a couple of nights at the lodges on the sourth rim of the canyon and a reunion dinner.  Then the hikers in the group will descend the South Kaibab Trail (7 miles, 5 hours) to Phantom Ranch where we will likely stay in the bunkhouses and take our meals in the mess hall.  We'll spend two nights at Phantom.  During the day, fishing in Bright Angel Creek or hiking up the creek towards Ribbon Falls.  Everyone remembers that stretch of the trail right?  Take my word for it - it's a lot more pleasant in the spring with cool temperatures and light day packs.  The third morning at dawn we'll start the trek up the Bright Angel Trail (10 miles, 8 hours) to the South Rim Lodges where we'll join family and/or friends who will have spent a leisurely couple of days enjoying the National Park scenery from above.

During the next six months, I will plan on getting in touch with Park management and the concessionaires who run the lodges and Phantom Ranch operation.  With such a large party we will need to make reservations long in advance.  Rich's web site and the press coverage Phil gave us will lend some legitimacy to our cause and provide us with some leverage.  But trying to get reservations for a large group at Phantom Ranch might present some challenges.

I took a couple pictures at the breakfast and at Doug's house afterwards, where we recorded some of his parent's recollections of the trip.  Attached please check the pictures out. Clockwise from left to right around the breakfast table are:  Dennis Silkworth, Jim Pinter, Vickie Welch, Howard Welch, Doris Welch, Doug Welch, Denny Mahuren, Teresa Pinter, Jim Stone.  Not pictured is Bill Sweet who had to leave before I remembered I had the camera in my pocket. [click]

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