From: Jerry Lewis (jerrylewis@attbi.com)
Date: Fri Jan 18 2002 - 20:43:13 CST
This is to Advisors and Rangers who actually went on a trek in 2001:
I haven't been back since 2000; so, I missed all the new campsite safety methods put
in by Philmont on the fly last summer. I did, however, read all the messages in the
summer and fall. Not everyone had the same experience and not every Ranger taught
the same thing. Plus, we don't know for sure what Philmont is going to require this
summer. Still, we're about to start training treks; and I'd like to get it as close
to right as possible. I expect to err to the conservative side, even, and be able to
back off once we get there, if allowed, versus, having to kick it up higher and
tighter than we trained. So, here's what I need to know. (PLEASE don't join the
thread to complain about what Philmont is requiring. Let's just accept it, find out
what everyone thinks the Ranger is most likely to require, and figure out how to
train for it.)
1. I understand we have to hang that days' clothes. OK, what does "that day's
clothes" include? (I assume it doesn't mean underwear and socks.)
2. I understand clothing changes are supposed to occur in the "central area"
(meaning, kitchen), and that only sleeping clothes are supposed to be worn over to
and inside the tent. OK, what about naps (not just adults--the Scouts sometimes
crash after a long hike into a non-program camp), and coming off the trail in wet and
muddy clothes? Are we supposed to change back and forth and back and forth each time
we want to crawl into our tent?
3. The original June/early July requirements regarding changing clothes flew heavily
into the face of Youth Protection requirements, not to mention coed needs. Some
advisors reported even taking down the dining fly, setting it up as a screen, and
never using it for rain protection. OK, what were the final instructions in August
from the Rangers after HQ got hit so hard with YP concerns?
I'll stop my questions with 3. I have others but it would make the message too big.
Before even hearing the consensus from our list, my initial thoughts are we may now
need to bring two tarps--a lightweight screen and a rain tarp, just as we now have to
carry two bear cable ropes. I'm considering dedicating a meal-time shirt, just like
we already have a single-use shirt for sleeping. I guess we'd drag it out of the
pack at lunch and for cooking and eating dinner. I dunno if that would free up the
shirt under from going up in the bear bag, but it seems plausible. I note all of us
change shirts whenever we get to camp off the trail. We're either sweaty or dirty or
we just want to look like a crew when going to program. All these contaminated
shirt/pants rules have to comport with the realities of backpacking, somehow. Maybe
we're going to have to carry one more shirt than common sense and lightweight
backpacking rules suggest.
Non-2001 attendees ideas and suggestions would be appreciated, but my primary reason
for asking is to get the actual latest and greatest rules put out from those who were
last there in July and August after Philstaff had time to examine what they were
requiring. Thanks.
Jerry Lewis
ASM & 6-25-I 2002 Advisor
Troop 303, McKinney Texas
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