[philmont] Superstrenuous Treks

There are no hard and fast rules on what makes Philmont decide that a
trek is Superstrenuous. That said, there are some obvious factors, with
mileage being the most important. Total elevation change, number of
trail camps, and number of dry camps are the next most important criteria.

As has been pointed out on this list many times, all Philmont treks are
difficult - just ask any of the many out of shape Advisors who thought
"Typical" meant "easy". To me at least, Superstrenuous means you have
to be doing things right, and have excellent time management, in order
to be able to do everything offered. Physical endurance is important,
but not as much as people would have you believe - you don't have to be
Colin Fletcher. Lower pack weights is probably as important, if not
more so. Proper pack fitting, and proportional weights across the Crew,
ditto.

Beyond the physical aspects, being a dawn to dusk Crew is very
important, being on the trail within 45 minutes of reveille is
important, hiking using the caterpillar technique or otherwise
minimizing the "flop" breaks is important, having a Crew where everyone
works quickly and efficiently is important (this is where good
shakedowns back home really pay off). What you are doing is
manufacturing time - and when you do a good job at it, there is time to
do all the programs (and early, too), and also time to enjoy the special
opportunities that arise on every ridgeline, every peak. Rain is just
part of the deal, not a mess or a disaster. You don't count contour
lines, looking for the quickest or easiest route - instead, you can take
the trails less travelled, sometimes the trails hardly ever travelled by
anyone else. You go for those extra programs, too. In short, you get
full value from your Philmont trek, and go home with a quiet but
powerful sense of satisfaction, knowing you left it all on the playing
field.

- Dr. Bob

Joseph Jansen wrote:
> Keith,
>
> Curious as to how physically challenging a superstrenuous trek is.
> What makes a trek considered superstrenuous? Cover the same miles
> faster and/or cover longer distance?
>
> Joe
> JAJansenJr@gmail.com
>
> On 8/3/07, Keith Hooks <keithhooks@msn.com> wrote:
>
>>To everyone who wrote to me about my "Random thoughts on trek 31", thanks, I
>>appreciate your responses. I realize the 2007 Philmont season is about up,
>>but is there anyone who has any specific question about the trek that I can
>>answer?
>>
>>Although this was my 6th trek, it was my first super-strenous. My only
>>regret is that the time required for hiking made us feel rushed when trying
>>to fit program in.
>>

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Received on Fri Aug 3 19:41:45 2007