[philmont] Philmont Camp Shoes

Rant warning... don't read if you don't want to...

My reply would be this: Why would you allow one of your crew to come to Philmont in old or worn boots that would be prone to fail? The idea of Philmont is BACKPACKING. Backpacking long distances over consecutive days is murder on even good footwear.

If our crew members are using "throw away" (substitute cheap) boots, I educate the parents that these are "one trip" boots and will be useless after Philmont. Usually these don't need much break in so I encourage the parents to buy these boots about a month before the trip. If our crew members are using "good" (substitute quality, more expensive) boots, I encourage the parents to purchase the boots about 4 months before the trip.

With kids and their growing feet, you cannot allow kids to bring year old (or more) boots. The fit alone will cause major, trek-ending foot problems (I have personal experience in this - a crew member in 1984 wore his boots from 1981 and hiked 4 days before his bleeding feet made him leave the trail).

If you let kids get to Philmont with boots that are prone to fail, you have done your kids a disservice.

We educate the parents in needing 4 pieces of quality equipment - all other comes second. If we feel the crew member's equipment will not make it, we let the parent's know ASAP so new gear can be acquired (yes, we do look at this equipment closely).
1) Boots (and socks)
2) Pack (fit and volume)
3) Sleeping bag (warm but light - hypothermia)
4) Rain gear (hypothermia)

Sorry for the rant.

Shane (from work)

---- Mark Liechty <mlaccs@mlaccs.com> wrote:
Pete Notes:
I knew a kid from another unit who had a failure on the stitching on his
boot sole on the first day. He had to hike the rest of the way in his camp
shoes. Luckily he had some fairly good tennis shoes. His feet hurt, but he
was able to make it. If he had only had crocs or water sox, his trip would
have ended early.

 ###########

Been watching this thread with some interest as it is a good planning point.

Pete just ended the discussion for me and mine.

As a computer geek rule number 1 is that mechanical devices fail. On the
trail you need to assume that this will be the case as well.

Thanks for the lessons. Not sure I would have thunk it up on my own as my
boots are comfy and I don't normally need "camp shoes"

Mark Liechty
Eagle Class of 82
Brotherhood Member OA
mark@mlaccs.com

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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Received on Fri Feb 9 14:10:39 2007