RE: [Philmont]: Gear

From: drtii123@aol.com
> Two questions for the list. One of our advisors purchased a
>Gregory internal frame backpack rated at 4200 cubic inches.
> Will this be enough capacity for an 6'1" adult, in your collective
> opinions?

I always hate to disagree with Coop, as he certainly has far more
experience than me. But he spoke of a 4500 ci pack, and this
fellow got a 4200 internal. I'm not seeing that as anywhere near
enough for a trek. When your crew does a four day food pickup,
that is a LOT of bulk. It has to go somewhere. IF he has a down
bag in a compression sack (much smaller than a similar rated
synthetic), shares a tent and only needs to carry part of it, and
can wear the bare minimum clothing alternatives, it may be
possible, but he's going to be stuffed to the gills on pickup day.
We're talking tie a filled bear bag to the outside of the bag kind
of stuffed.

> He can return it and get something else.

My recommendation is nothing smaller than a 4200 external or 4500
internal, maybe go up a few 100 ci from there. I carried a 5200 internal
from Alps Mountaineering, and it was quite full. Of course, I carried
the crew tarp and one of the bear ropes, and that took a lot of bulk.
My son carried a 4500 internal and it managed as well.

> Second, can advisors carry one man tents?
> Are there any opinions on this as well?
Can they? Yes. Should they? Maybe.
Again, not to disagree too strongly with Coop, but the boys (and
girls) know the difference between adults and youth. Simply lay
down the law with the boys - 2 or 3 per tent. They won't be bothered
by what the adults do, unless the adults get in the way :-). It should
be noted that, even if the crew tries to treat the adults as "just one
of the guys," Philmont does NOT. They set the tone right at the start,
when you do your first food pickup, they have the adults come and stand
at the adviser line, the kids go to get the pickup, and make it very clear
the adviser is supposed to be on vacation. I don't quite agree with this,
the adviser should bear his/her share of the burden, but there is a point
to that as well.
 
On my last trek, we had 9 in our crew. Two adults. Six boys were
two per tent. One adult was solo. My son offered to tent with me :-).
It worked quite well. None of the girls from our Crew decided to go,
so we didn't have to work that issue.

In any case, always listen to Coop. You can never go wrong doing that.
Deviate at your own risk :-) Get his advisors guide, worth its weight
in gold.

Regards
Don Roberts
Fullerton, CA
Philtrek 05 808-K

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Received on Wed Jan 4 15:45:41 2006