[Philmont]: RE: GPS

  As mentioned previously most people on this list seem to love or hate
particular pieces of gear. I personally have flip flopped on issues such as
trekking poles, I didn't see a need for them and now I wouldn't hike without
them. I would not trade my full length Thermarest I feel it is worth the
extra weight. I changed from a Standard mattress to a Guidelite to save a
half pound and they seem to work equally well.

  When it comes to GPS at Philmont I am still on the fence. In 2002 I
carried my Garmin 12XL and found it to be more of a toy and not a tool. I
found the signal weak in many valleys of the South and Central parts of the
camp, it would probably have not been reliable in those areas. I have also
found the trails to be reliable at Philmont and an excellent Map and Compass
confidence builder. I must qualify that statement by saying I have not had
a trek in the Ville where I understand crews do some Shwacking (aka
Bushwhacking).

  I enjoyed trying to guess what the coordinates would be at our next nights
camp by using the grid squares on the map. Philmont maps now have useful
Latitude - Longitude information printed on them. I guess if you were lost
and took a Lat/Long reading and knew how to convert it to the map, you'd
know how lost really you are.

  Like anything else discussed on this list, what equipment you take, how
high or low tech your crew is, how much physical and in team building
preparation you feel you need, all comes down to what you feel comfortable
carrying, what type of experience you want your crew have. Don't forget to
stop and smell the butterscotch trees or the viewing the beautiful sunrises
and sunsets.

Chip Cenci IWTGBTP

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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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Received on Tue Jan 6 10:20:00 2004