RE: [Philmont]: Philmont "Rules" - Timing

>>Other than allaying the concerns of the lead advisor as to what is
going to happen next, does having an experienced Philmonter really have
value? Marginal at best, because regardless of what experience the crew
has at base camp or how efficiently and organized the Ranger handled
base camp functions, what is long remembered is the experience in the
back country.<<

I'd have to disagree somewhat. None of our crew had been to Philmont
before and although the Advisors Guide is a tremendous asset, nothing
beats the familiarty of having been there. As lead advisor, I know that
if I go again my check in experience will be less frantic emotionally. I
felt like I was a pinball for mt first 24 hrs. Of course this was
aggrivated by the fact that our train was late so we had less time to
run through check-in. As a result of that and a needless delay at
health lodge (2 of our crew were forgotten while waiting for inhaler
prescription refills), we didn't get a chance to catch our breath. We
didn't even have time to quickly browse through Tooth of Time Traders.
The crew leader and advisor ran in to purchase current trail maps and
ran out.

What would I do differently at Base Camp now that I'm an "old salt?"

1. Make sure everyone's prescriptions, especially inhalers, are current.
Both boys have not needed to use their inhalers for years but still
carry them with them just in case. Consiquently, they didn't even know
they were expired.

2. Bring our own gear, including tents. It may add to cost but I think
the benefit of saving time at both check-in and chack out is worth it.
As well as the fact that the tents will likely be lighter and the crew
will get a chance to become familiar with the gear during shakedowns.

3. Get photos at arrival. Our crew arrived in uniform and had put it
back on the next day for the photo. I fgot some resistance but I
insisted. Then we had to race back to the lockers to stash the shirts as
we ran to the dining hall for lunch. It would have been easier to get
the photo done the first day and stash the uniforms in the locker when
we stored the rest of the gear insteads of an extra trip. Also, the crew
number on the photo is off by one day as the photographer assumed we
were 802-O not 801-O as it was the second. We were in too much of a rush
to even think about checking. Next time I will!

4. Really consider arriving a day early if advisors vacation schedules
allow. Neither of us on this crew could even consider it as we had no
more days to use. But and extra day would solve a ton of check-in
problems.

BTW, when I say we ran between stops, we literally did have to run on
occaision. The train delay and the health lodge delay really hurt our
chances for a calm check-in. As a result, my base camp experience is a
big negative. Although I must say everyone was helpful and friendly, so
it wasn't a staff issue, just a lot to do in too little time.

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Received on Wed Jan 5 20:42:44 2005