From: Chip (rcenci@twcny.rr.com)
Date: Tue Feb 11 2003 - 17:30:21 CST
In the Philmont Guidebook to Adventure, each Philmont participant will
receive a personal copy about mid March, it states: "Pack with padded hip
belt (rental available)... capacity: external frame-4000 cubic inches
+/-...internal frame-4800 cubic inches". In 2002 Philmont changed their food
menu which now takes up a lot of pack space. I would recommend going with
their suggested minimum capacity.
The crew gear can be substantial if you use what is issued by Philmont.
Many crews reduce the chef kit down to a few pots and a spoon or two. They
bring their own small plastic shovel (TOTT has then too), some use hiking
poles to set up their dining fly (2.5 lb saving), their own lighter dining
fly and tents, they also use numerous other weight cutting tricks. Again
the Guidebook has this info and a breakdown of what Philmont gear will
weigh. You can use this guide and compare their weights to the similar gear
you have at home.
Also management of resources needs to be taught to the crew, two shared
small bottles of Mountain Suds will serve everyone, you do dishes, laundry
and bodies with it. Other items get shared too and they are distributed
evenly so that the load is spread out. One very small flashlight per tent is
a method used by some crews too. You need to teach your crew leader these
skills then watch as he or she executes them.
One pitfall of a large pack is the owner keeps adding things to bring,
fight the urge and go light. You will not believe how bulky everything is
until it is all issued to your crew at Philmont and the crew leader starts
distributing it to each person.
Start now talking about light personal items, clothes, sleeping bag, rain
gear etc. This is the main place the participant has control of the weight
of items needed.
Good luck and enjoy the ride.
Chip Cenci IWTGBTP
____________________________________________________________________________
__________
Pack weight. We are having a number of boys look at new packs for Philmont.
I have heard the rule of thumb of 4500 cu minimum mentioned in various
spots, and on this list chatter that troop gear averages 24 lbs per scout.
Is any of this accurate?? We have a couple of scouts that will be lucky to
tip 100 lbs next summer even though they will be approaching 15. We have
been pushing a 20lb base pack weight, but with 24 lb troop gear, it could
get interesting.
Just curious what you folks have experienced.
Thanks in advance.
Bill Keller
WB8YHL
-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.7 : Thu Mar 13 2003 - 10:37:51 CST