From: Bill Lentz (blentz@prodigy.net)
Date: Wed Jan 29 2003 - 09:32:39 CST
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mnep@att.net [mailto:mnep@att.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 8:23 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
> Subject: [Philmont]: Advisor participation
>
>
snip
> he wasn't a nice guy. My biggest hope is that I have upset
> him enough to
> motivate him to step up his training and prove that he can
> get in shape.
> Though I have serious doubts that given the minimal progress
> in the last 12
> months.
>
snip
I hope you've motivated him also, but let me share our experience.
Last year our troop sent two contingents. No one had been to Philmont
except one Dad who went as a scout in the early '70's, and one who had been
twice with his older sons. Our guys split themselves into the two
contingents based somewhat on age and perceived fitness and ability. One
contingent was made up of guys who insisted on a strenuous trek and went
around calling themselves the Iron men (all of this was good natured - our
guys get along well.) They selected a strenuous trek at about 70 miles.
My son and a friend are in the same age group as the Iron men, however I am
not an Iron man, and neither was the other Dad. We told our boys that they
would have to go with the "Tin men" (as we were named). We selected a
moderate trek at about 52 miles.
I am in good health but have a desk job. I worked out some, but not as
much as I should have. The other dad worked out more than I did. The
primary adult advisor in the Iron man contingent, our scout master and an
ex-military guy, was constantly hiking the neighborhood with his backpack
and did all but one of the shakedowns.
Our contingent had another adult advisor who did not make any shakedowns,
did not prepare in any way, and was not especially fit, although not
terribly overweight. His son was also one of the weakest of the group.
Of course, with the fires last year, neither contingent got their original
trek. We ended up with a 64 mile trek, and they ended up with a 56 mile
trek (you should have heard the Tin men crowing!)
Anyway, our first day was a three mile hike from Lovers leap turnaround to
Lovers leap camp - about a 750 foot elevation change (we live at about 350
ft). It was tough on the adults, but the kids did fine. The one adult who
didn't prepare at all was miserable. We hadn't been gone an hour before he
was talking about coming off the trail. After we got to camp, he decided
to give it a day or two.
The next two days were also tough, with either a lot of elevation change,
or a long (for us) hike. The unprepared dad and his son had a lot of
trouble, and we took plenty of rest breaks (which secretly pleased all of
us.) On the 4th day, the son got sick, and his dad talked to him about
coming off the trail. The next morning, he told us that both of them were
determined to finish. Although we had other tough days, everyone finished,
and, to be a little corny, we all walk a little taller. You should see the
change in the scout that got sick but was determined to finish.
I was pleasantly surprised at my ability to complete the trek. I was
worried that I couldn't make it, and, although it was tough, I did. It was
a great experience for me and my son.
Oh, the ex-military guy? He came off the trail on day three complaining
of altitude sickness. One of the other dads said he had been huffing and
puffing the whole time (which I completely understood), and always looked
red as a beet.
Although I'll never make light of the need to be in shape, I think part of
it is how committed you are, and how much inner drive you have. I don't
know how you can tell this until you get there.
Whew! That's a lot more than I ever expected to say on the subject.
Bill
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