Re: [Philmont]: Camel up?

Danny Burke writes...

We did trek 5 last summer, yes Tooth Ridge is dry. You can fill up all your
water bottles at Clark's Fork. After our last food pick-up we ate a dinner for
lunch and saved the lunch for our last dinner on the trail to conserve water. We all carried 3 - 1.5 qt. bottles and filled them at Clark's Fork along with a 1.5 gallon water bladder. Each member took his turn carrying the water bladder as we climbed Shaeffer's Pass. The crew leader kept a time on us as we all carried the bladder for 5 minutes passing it up the line to the person in front of us. As we stopped for water breaks we drank from our canteens then re-filled them from the bladder. What a relief to finally unload the water from that bladder. <snip>

Comment...

This is precisely the reason that water containers larger than 3 quarts are not a good idea. If each crew member has a 3 quart Nalgene canteen (or equal) for crew water IN ADDITION to 3 quarts (whatever combination of Nalgenes, hydrations systems etc. you prefer) for personal water, carrying water to a dry camp (especially Tooth Ridge) is really not an issue. Put it in your pack and you are on your way.

Echoing other comments, the spring at Schaefers was flowing SLOOOOOWLY (about a minute and an half per quart) when I was there in July 2001, but dry both September 2002 and July 2003. I would not count on it flowing, or taking the time to use it if it is.

Regarding trekking poles, I used them first on my 2001 trek and ever since. Would NEVER not use them again.

--
Al Thomson, Troop 236, 
Schooley's Mountain, NJ
Treks 1999, 2001, 2003
Autumn Advenures 2000, 2002, 2004
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