From: Allen Corzine (a_sly_fox@msn.com)
Date: Wed Jan 29 2003 - 10:55:30 CST
>He came off the trail on day three complaining of altitude sickness.
I have wondered about this. I live in Topeka now - and the Midwest -
Illinois and Iowa - all my life - how does one living at 900 feet above sea
level prepare for altitude? You can do all the hiking and planning you want
but, as I have been told, there is a certain percentage of us who will
develop this problem despite whatever you do.
I am aware of the advise of going out to altitude a day or two before to get
use to it. However, I can see that as working for most of us who go
sightseeing but does it work for those working hard on a trek?
What suggestions do you folks have for us low landers?
Allen Corzine
Cub Master, Pack 59 Topeka
PTC 2002
just a sly fox, and remember, my opinion and $ will buy coffee at the
trading post
>From: Bill Lentz <blentz@prodigy.net>
>Reply-To: philmont@troop47.com
>To: Multiple recipients of list philmont <philmont@troop47.com>
>Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Advisor participation
>Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2003 09:32:39 -0600
>
>
>
> > -----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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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.
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