Re: [Philmont]: Trek Planning Question

The best way to avoid this is to package all backpacks identically
(e.g., in white seed bags, or whatever), and label the final destination
on each one on the exterior of the bag (use thick magic marker on a
piece of duct tape). This way, you have two visual cues as well as the
baggage sticker.

Inside the exterior wrapping, taped in obvious view on the pack, place
directions on how to contact you if the pack is located before such and
such a date (use someone at your home base who will know what to do, or
use Philmont's phone number and your Crew # if there's no better way),
and also how to contact someone at your home base after such and such a
date (when it's way too late). That way, if there's any way to get a
lost bag bag to you at Philmont, they'll know how to contact you, and
otherwise at least your gear will be returned home.

In my personal experience (ca. 15 High Adventure treks requiring airline
flights, most with connections somewhere), using the above protocol, we
have never had a backpack misrouted. That includes a 53-man Council
contingent for which I was the Planemaster, and a 33-man Troop continent
almost 10 years later. However, once we had two small duffel bags
misrouted, and that was resolved too late to help. That was on a
Philmont trek, but the duffels contained primarily non-trail stuff. In
that particular case, we spent 3 days in Colorado before heading down to
the Ranch, so on Days 2 and 3 we went ahead and emergency purchased some
critical items at local stores. The rest we covered by sharing around,
and by doing some clothes washing at a local laundromat. Since then
we've learned to label all our checked luggage the same way.

Philmont has some gear to rent (backpacks, etc.), and I would guess (but
have never to my recollection actually heard) that they must have an
emergency store of equipment for cases like this. I know they were able
to help Crews in the early 70's that experienced major losses due to
bear-raids (a rather frequent occurence in those days). But if it were
my Crew, and things looked hopeless, I think I'd stop at a Wal-Mart or
equivalent in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Trinidad, or Raton, and
reoutfit with the least expensive trash I could find, then rent a
backpack at Philmont. As has been pointed on in this forum many times,
although we're all gear-heads to some extent, you really don't need
ultimate gear to enjoy your trek.

- Dr. Bob

AngieDanaher@aol.com wrote:
> This is one of those "Do I dare even think it" kinds of questions. Just
> wondered what might happen if the airlines damaged, lost or misdelivered
> a backpack or two. Seems that their liability would be less than the
> value of the pack & contents, but the worst effect would be that the
> Scout would not be able to begin his trek without replacement gear...
> Does Philmont have any equipment for such an emergency?
> We will be flying United to Colorado Springs, changing planes in Denver,
> and I've heard that United does not have a great track record for
> baggage handling at this airport. Hopefully just a rumor. Any experience
> with this? Good or bad - comments are welcome!
> Angie Danaher
> Troop 573
>

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Received on Sun Feb 1 16:15:30 2004