[philmont] Itinerary modifications

To the best of my understanding, Philmont has abandoned the process of
changing itineraries since 1999, unless there are EXTREME circumstances
(usually occuring on the hike itself - injury, got lost, bad weather,
etc.) I would not count on being able to change your final camp, but if
you ask and they say "No" you aren't any worse than if you didn't ask.
 
One thing to consider is that from Black Mountain Camp up and across to
Shaffers Pass and on in to base camp is DRY. The only water source is
the spring at Shaffers Pass which is traditionally very iffy. However,
with all the snow and moisture this year it might actually be a source
of water. Even if the Water Board said "ample" I don't think I would
risk not having enough water across that portion of "Black Death". And
if the spring is not flowing at an ample rate, you will probably be
going down to North Fork Uracca for water anyway, so why bother with the
change.
 
You might want to at least consider going South over Trail Peak or
Fowler Mesa to Crater Lake rather than North out of Beaubien to Black
Mountain. Trail Peak is only 500 shorter than Black Mountain, you will
most likely already have done the program at Black Mountain Camp
(blacksmithing and blackpowder) while Crater Lake gives you a chance at
spar pole climbing and lumber jacking, water should be less of an issue,
and you avoid backtracking. If you choose this option, you might even
consider hiking to Fish Camp on your layover day instead of Trail Peak
and add even more program. You also might be able to pick up a shower
at Miners Park and/or drop your extra food, fuel, etc.
 
The southerly route might be a tad longer, but didn't you say you were
looking to make the trek more challenging?
 
Happy Trails,
 
Roy Fisher

I am looking at Itinerary 11 (the one our crew selected and received)
and trying to figure out some of the routing options. The one thing I
have been looking at is the note at the bottom of the itinerary that
talks about hiking Black Mountain and making this itinerary a rugged as
opposed the regular challenging rating. Looking at the map, hiking the
Black Mountain peak trail takes you into Shaefer's Pass camp where you
turn South and hike to the night 11 campsite, North Fork Urraca Camp.
The next day you would head back up to Shaefer's Pass and then into Base
via Lower Tooth Ridge trail. I am curious if there are ever cases in
logistics where a crew files a request to modify the itinerary, as in
this case, to stay at Shaefer's Pass instead of going back down to NFU
and back through Shaefer's the next day? Is this something that would be
considered? or is this not even something that should be considered? I
realize that there is a huge amount of planning done to make the
itineraries all work together and fit and the number of crews in each
campsite etc etc, I just wasn't sure if changes like this are even a
remote possibility given the complexity of what goes on at Philmont on a
'normal' day. This was just a thought that crossed my mind while I was
looking at the map and I thought I'd throw it out, I'm sure it's been
talked about before but I don't remember anything specific.

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Received on Thu Apr 5 22:06:52 2007