Re: [Philmont]: Knives

Philosophically, these are valid points. However, there is a time and a
place - and that is also a matter of training for your Scouts and
Advisors to understand. From a practical viewpoint, there is precious
little need for a Crew to be carrying 3 - 6 "real" knives on a Philmont
trek, and a Leatherman or equivalent can be far more useful in a lot of
*more likely* scenarios (esp. pack and stove repairs).

I feel the need to re-emphasize a basic advisory point - avoid the
"Jeremiah Johnson Complex". You do not need to be self-reliant - your
Crew does. If everyone brings everything they need, you will be
carrying a staggering amount of needless gear for nothing more than the
exercise. And need I add that it is almost always the Advisors who are
carrying most of the "just-in-case" stuff? I cannot tell you how many
times I have seen Crews scattered over 2 - 4 miles of trail (in
violation of both common sense and Philmont policy), with the lead
Scouts forging ahead with 30 - 35 pound packs and the Advisors trailing
far behind carrying 65 pound (or heavier) packs - and looking like
they're having loads of fun, too, let me tell you. Some vacation.

Bottom line - treat Philmont like Philmont, and treat true wilderness
like true wilderness. And remember that a Crew is not 12 guys going
solo who just happen to be walking in the same direction. There's no
need to confuse the concepts, even while you are promoting the illusion
that they are one and the same.

- Dr. Bob

Robert Haig wrote:
> On Fri, Apr 09, 2004 at 06:13:51AM -0500, Steve Mac wrote:
>
>>I also agree this a very controlled situation up to a point. If you were
>>on the AT you would be totally dependant on your self & crew. I feel a
>>knife is something that should be part of every ones personal equipment.
>
>
> In one of his stories Robert Heinlein advises that one should never go anywhere
> without being appropriately armed, at least with a knife. In another the
> protagonist wisely chooses a couple of knives over guns and high powered
> weaponry with some very good reasons behind it. The first story is one from
> "Time Enough for Love", I wouldn't reccomend it for scouts (or anyone scout
> aged for that matter). The second came from "Tunnel in the Sky" which I would
> reccomend highly to all my scouts (and do if they ask about the books I read).
>
>
> While being "appropriately armed" is not probably a discussion for this list,
> and carriage of a knife really isn't either, the comment about being totally
> dependant on ones self and crew brought those two stories to mind.
>
> No philmont isn't a "true backcountry experience" not many of us ever will
> have experienced that. But it's as close as some of these scouts will ever
> come, I for one am not going to ruin the illusion for them by telling them
> they don't need to be self reliant because they're never more than a couple
> of miles from help. I will however ask them how often they think that 4"
> sheath knife will come in handy and why wouldn't the leatherman micra do the
> same job at 1/10th the weight.
>
> Completely off topic, all of Heinlein's "Juvinile series" are great reading
> for scouts or anyone in their early teens. They make decent, if not quick
> reading for adults too. I used to take them with me on business trips until
> I finished them. If as many of my boys embraced reading as they do their
> gameboy, I'd hand out a few of my old Heinlein books, just to see what the
> response might be. Anyone Venturing crew age and up might also enjoy
> "Starship Troopers" (run away from the movie), though it deals with more
> mature topics than the Juvinile series, it's still about a boy growing up
> to be a man (albeit during his military service).
>
>
> enough about one of my favorite authors....
>
> personal opinion, one knife for every 2-4 people is probably a good number.
> I wouldn't carry less than three, I wouldn't carry all the same kind, and
> I'd avoid the heavy multi-tools.
>

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Received on Mon Apr 12 05:52:25 2004