RE: [Philmont]: Burro Packing

Our first-time crew debated the burro packing question at length after I
shared many observations pro and con from this list last spring. They
eventually decided to try it even though many were not happy with the
prospect of being slowed down. Our ranger tried very hard to talk them out
of it (which irritated me).

Bottom line: they did it and loved it, and the two burros, Pablo Escobar and
Dos Equis, became honorary members of the crew. Many times the burros
outpaced the scouts on the trail. Resaddling the burros the second morning
became an acid test of which scout was paying attention the first time
around.

Taking care of them was pretty easy. After picking them up and learning how
to saddle and pack them (they carry the crew food only, no crew or personal
equipment - but the food is enough since they're limited to 50 pounds each),
you proceed to your next camp where you unsaddle and curry them, make sure
there's water available, and leave them in the burro pen for the night. The
next day is a repeat of the first day. On the trail, if your crew is not
considerate enough to provide opportunities for grass and water, the burros
will make their displeasure apparent.

We also did the burro racing...fun, but not in the same league as the
two-day bonding experience with the critters. I've never been to Wilson Mesa
and would like to see it sometime, but our scouts did something unavailable
elsewhere and really got into it, and that made it the best choice for them.

We heard that story about the burros off the cliff too. Urban legend or
gospel? Who knows, but it made an impression on us also.

>Ched Hudson
ASM, Troop 994
Fairfax Station VA
Philmont 67, 04

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com]On
Behalf Of Jane Hora
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 7:28 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: [Philmont]: Burro Packing

The boys in our crew are working on their top 5 trek choices for our June
2005 trek. There's a definite interest in Burro Packing, but I'm not sure
that the brief summary from our 2002 Guidebook to Adventure gave them a
clear picture of what this program feature entails. So, I'd be interested
in some details from those of you who have experienced a trek with burro
packing. Some questions that came up were:
Do we get to put our full pack on the burro and just walk with them?
What do we need to do to take care of the burros and how much time will it
take?
With the Leave No Trace principles, do we need to pick-up after the burros?

Also, your overall impression of how this did or did not enhance your
Philmont experience would be very helpful.

Thanks!

Jane Hora
ASM Troop 117 Dublin, OH
Lead Advisor 2005 619-C-9 and 2002 809-I-1

-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Thu Feb 17 17:58:57 2005