From: Signe Rogers (HikinGrammy@iGlide.net)
Date: Mon Dec 02 2002 - 15:48:41 CST
Diane,
I've completed four Philmont treks, two of those being the only female adult
without my spouse; I know full well what it is like to tent alone. If your
crew follows 'bear protocol' it is fairly sure to say your crew will be safe
from bear visitors. This was amptly demonstrated to us on one trek when we
were in an area where we had seen a lot of signs of bear activity on our
approach hike to the camp (a lot of overturned rocks in evidence of bears
searching for grubs, bear scat, etc.) We were always careful to observe
placing tents outside the 'bearmuda triangle', which your Ranger will teach
you, and to properly dispose of cleanup water at the sump, as well as
diligent bear bagging of smellables. In the morning we had the joyous
observation of finding bear prints near the sump and in a direct line
between the sump & the bear cables was fresh bear scat. It was joyous and
exciting because we realized our site had indeed been visited by a bear, but
because we followed protocols, we slept soundly and safely. This is sharing
nature with it's full time inhabitants at it's finest!
I have not had any worries being a lone tenter at Philmont. You will be
fine placing your tent in appropriate proximitey to the rest of your crew,
as you will again be instructed by your Ranger.
My tent of choice these days for solo tenting has been a Coleman Inyo or
it's earlier version, almost identical Cobra. These tents are listed as
"2-man" tents, but they are a perfect size for solo tenting. I liked my
Cobra so much that when there was a huge factory outlet sale last fall (I
live near Wichita where Coleman has it's home) I bought several Inyo tents
so I am supplied for the future. I don't want to risk the tent being out of
style when I eventually need to replace it due to wear. Don't be fooled by
the one-pole design, it has stood firm & strong in major thunderstorm
prairie winds & stayed dry inside due to the full coverage rain fly. When
the fly is not needed, the entire rest of the tent is mesh so you can enjoy
the breezes. Link to the Coleman web:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/prod_Detail.asp?Product_id=9810-80
6
I've also seen a tent that looks quite similar at www.alpsmountaineering.com
by the name of Mystique.
Both Coleman and Alpsmountaineering have scout discount programs.
My treks at Philmont have been memories to last a lifetime. Go prepared, &
enjoy!
Signe Rogers
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