[Philmont] Philmont Staff Age

Readers of some of my older diaries will recall that I have several
times stated my intention to work at Philmont after I hike the AT (which
I intend to do after I retire, if my lower back doesn't disintegrate
altogether). Either paid or volunteer (nicer if you're able to say you
don't care if they pay you or not).

To me, probably the most obvious job for an experienced adult who is
still physically able is not "Ranger Greybeard," but rather
"Rent-an-Advisor". How often have we heard about, or witnessed in
person, a Crew that either couldn't go to Philmont because of a last
second loss of an Advisor, or more commonly a Crew losing an Advisor on
Day III or IV either to injury or a realization that he/she simply
couldn't hack it, and (now) knew it. I don't have hard numbers, but
I'll bet Philmont could use a stable of volunteer adults who could step
in in such situations. Personally, I'd much rather do most of a trek
with a Crew versus the 3 day Ranger thingee. I have suggested this to
Philmont multiple times.

Another suggestion I have made is: The Oracles of All Knowledge (aka
The OAKs) - again, the same corps of experienced Rent-an-Advisors,
several of whom would make themselves available at Basecamp, in rotation
through the day and late evening, who could answer the seemingly endless
questions that Trailbound Crews have about their treks. Sort of an
extended adjunct to Logistics/Trek Planning, and with the knowledge and
time that the Rangers don't have. I have always been stunned at how
quickly a crowd would gather around me at Basecamp whenever I started
answering questions - a horde of novice Advisors and Crew Chiefs
desperate for information that they didn't get at the post-dinner
Advisor or Crew Chief orientation meetings. You see the same with other
experienced Advisors - I'll bet plenty of you have experienced the same
thing.

Although they generally did a lousy job at it, the Lounge Lizards that
used to be allowed to endlessly hang out at the Advisor's Lounge sort of
filled this position, if you could get past their bitching, whining, and
excuse-making as to why they failed off the trail. But now that
Philmont sends these folks packing asap (and Good Riddance I might add),
there really isn't anyone to fill this role. Well, we could!

Another suggestion I have made that the experienced Rent-an-Advisors
could handle would be minor, spot-duty jobs around the Ranch that are so
far down the priority list that they'll probably never get done. That
trail sign at some remote intersection that rotted out or fell down in
1998? Send a pair of Rent-an-Advisors out for a day. That false trail
on top of Black Mountain that has led many dozens (hundreds?) of Crews
wrong for nine years now? That aspen tree that fell across a little
used trail three years ago? The rusted-out No Trespassing signs that
should have been replaced 10 years ago? And all the other mickey-mouse,
low skill jobs that need doing on a 127,000 acre Ranch? Send a pair of
Rent-an-Advisors out for a day, and tackle them one or two at a time.

Another job is spot duty at a staff camp that is a little short-handed
for a day or two (something I have seen many times on my treks). Got
some folks down sick or injured? Did some day-offs come at a really bad
time? Got a lot more Crews than normal coming in tomorrow, and need
some help? Whistle up some experienced Rent-an-Advisors.

There are plenty of other similar jobs for sure (feel free to make your
own suggestions here - maybe I'll see something that I'd like even
better). The need is clear. The people - plenty of pholks just like
us, thinking about retirement - are available, if Philmont asks.

- Dr. Bob

Michael_J_Conkey@nbc.gov wrote:
> Tom's comments about working at Philmont after retirement from his OTHER
> job sparked a cord with me. My fellow advisor and I were discussing last
> summer the possibility of working at Philmont during the summer once you
> have retired. Bring the spouse down, get her a job at the PTC or dining
> hall, and then hit the trail as a "seasoned" ranger, or some other
> position. Does anyone know, does Philmont have an age restriction for any
> of their jobs (including back-country)? YIS. Mike Conkey ('76, '02, '04
> and '07).
>
>

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Received on Mon Aug 20 17:31:04 2007