[Philmont]: Reducing Fuel Load

The upside of campfires is indeed reduced fuel load. The downside is
further and further walks to go get it, as the season wears on. Prior
to the wholesale switchover to camp stoves, it was routine for Scouts to
wander several hundred feet to find firewood, especially at heavily used
camps. My 1970's Crews assigned firewood gathering to half the Crew -
it was one of THE major tasks at each campsite, and almost the first
thing we would start doing during camp setup. In those cases where we
knew we were getting close to our final campsites, those members of the
Crew that were able would start carrying wood found near the trail, just
to reduce the workload after we arrived.

I am pointing this out not to impress everyone with how tough we were,
but rather to remind everyone of the now increased risks of
wood-gathering far afield when we have appreciable numbers of mountain
lions on the Ranch. To my recollection, mountain lions weren't even
thought about in the 70's (John L. may have some insights here), and if
they were present they were certainly scarce. Not any more. I would
state that wood gathering out of sight from campsites is now unsafe
except in groups of four.

- Dr. Bob

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Tue Aug 2 16:41:00 2005