[Philmont]: Autumn Adventure

Gary Stanley asked for input about the Autumn Adventure program, so here goes. I apologize in advance for the length of this post. Autumn Adventure partipants will understand the enthusiasm of anyone who has participated in this program. We just can't stop talking about a program that gives you the run of the ranch and do it yourself itineraries.
(and no lotteries or waiting lists). It is also the only program at Philmont that allows all-adult crews. Don't get me wrong-I truly enjoy camping with the young men in our charge-just not on this one week out of the year.

Step one is to get a set of maps. (Tooth of Time Traders on the Philmont Web Site). Don't rely on the souvenir map that shows the whole ranch, get the sector maps for more detail. Since some of your crew are first timers, you probably want to stick to the Ranch proper, although the program will accommodate those who wish to explore the Valle Vidal. If you have sufficient download power on your computer, you can take a virtual tour of the backcountry on Google Earth. This is really neat once you have some idea of where you will be hiking. Others on the list can perhaps give better instructions on how to access this program (which uses satellite photos of the entire earth and allows you to zoom in on your own backyard-or anywhere else). You can also access the USGS maps of the area online.

Next, if you are the guy who is making it all happen, contacting Philmont, making the travel arrangements, sending in the deposits, collecting the money, recruiting the crew and getting firm committments to attend, getting the national tour permit (a necessity not to be forgotten), making sure all of the medical forms are in order, and all of the myriad details it takes to get a crew of 7-12 to Philmont, do not be bashful about taking advantage of some of the perks of that position.

This next portion may be giving away some trade secrets. Here goes.

When I was a Scout in the late 60's and early 70's, long before I was Senior Patrol Leader (a postion I held for several years), I learned that I could control the PLC from the position of troop scribe. When you control the agenda, you determine what is put up for a vote. When the other participants were asked "where would you like to camp?" and responded with a blank stare, I was ready with twelve or so suggestions, for the eight or so monthly trips to be scheduled. When put to a vote, I had a pretty good chance that every trip was to my likiing, and the others found it was to theirs, as well. Democracy is a good thing.

Lyndon Johnson would never put anything up for a vote unless he was assured of the outcome.

Returning from the dark side, what I mean to suggest is that if you are the one who is willing to take the time to pore over the maps, and come up with a great plan (or two, or three), submit your plans to any vote. Once you get into the planning of itineraries, you may find that you have trouble prioritizing them, and wind up saying "We'll do this one this year, next time I'd like to explore this other area", and so on, until you become a dedicated Autumn Adventure trekker.

If you have someone in your crew who is a dedicated trail hound, and will spend as much or more time than you in poring over the maps, by all means set up a committee of two to plan the trek. I have such a crew member (or this year, more than one) whose advice and input is invaluable. Listen to them, but don't get bogged down with what the Founding Fathers would have called a "Committee of the Whole", including those who are happy to go anywhere, and more than willing to leave the choice to you.

Also keep in mind that you are not locked in to any specific itinerary until you meet with the Autumn Adventure staff when you arrive at Philmont. "Autumn Adventure Staff" sounds impressive. Camping Headquarters is virtually deserted at this time of year. You will meet with your guide and with the Autumn Adventure coordinator (Also, the medical staffer to check b.p., weight and medical forms). That's it. Your itinerary can change on the spot. It happened to me in September,2005 when they were not too thrilled with my idea of a food resupply at Clear Creek (a 3 1/2 or more hour drive from HQ) , when Katrina interrupted the Ranch gasoline supply. We made some changes and resupplied at Phillips Junction. (There are no operating backcountry commissaries in Autumn. Food resupply is on an individual basis, by meeting a Philmont truck or having your food transported and placed in a bear box at the camp designated for resupply).

Also, unlike the summer itineraries where changes in mid-trek are absolutely forbidden, Autumn Adventure can accommodate such changes (the backcountry is all but deserted), and your guide has a hand held VHF radio to keep in contact (terrain willing).My personal preference would be to vote on a plan before leaving home and stick to it (with the exception of safety issues -lightning, hailstorms), rather than wake up each morning questioning "what do we want to do today?'. Again, that returns us to the problem of the "Committee of the Whole", which is not the best way to get the most out of the experience, in my opinion.

I'm going to stop this now and go to work. I'll send further installments in the next few days. Please feel free to ask any questions at any time.

YIS
William A. Sheehan, ASM
Troop 55, Pitman, N.J.
Philmont '70,'72, Autumn Adventure '01.'03,'05 and (hopefully) '06

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Received on Fri Jan 6 10:00:46 2006