Re: [Philmont]: Gear

Steve Unger writes...

My earlier response only goes to regular crew gear. We all carry the same
thing each day. Food is divided equally each morning and adults carry
their fair share.

To answer an earlier question...yes, it seems easier to us if we grab the
same things each morning. Real easy, for us.

When carrying water up Phillips (other dry camps). Whole different story.
We have traded bladders as we went (drink as fast as you can!!!). We have
given the bladders to "cheerful" volunteers to carry up the mountain. We
also each carried 4.5 qt. in our own packs.

YOU MUST decide what works for your crew.

This is a prime rule of Philmont...your crew must do the things that make
your crew successful, within the rules. Philmont will do the rest, good or
bad!

Comments..

Crew gear / food: Exactly what we do.

Dry Camps: The one thing that I absolutely disagree with in the Guidebook
to Adventure is "2 or 3 collapsible water containers, 2 gallons each" (note
prior to 2004 that was 2-1/2 gallons each). That is a total capacity of
16 - 24 quarts (pre 2004 20 to 30 quarts each). First, carry such
containers (16 or 20 pounds) is a royal pain. Second, it does not take into
account crew size - a crew of 12 needs almost twice the capacity of a crew
of 7 - why is the number 2 to 3? Shouldn't it be 2 (for a crew of 7) to 4
(for a crew of 12)? And third, I do not think it is enough for full crews
on some treks (those that spend a night on Tooth Ridge for sure, and
probably for those that spend a night on Mt. Phillips).

But each crew member carrying a 3 (or 4) quart collapsible container spreads
the load and increases your total capacity as the crew size increases (21
quarts for a crew of 7, 36 quarts for a crew of 12, plus more is some of the
containers are 4 quarts). Of course, if you know that less water than your
total capacity will not be problem, each can carry a container that is only
partly filled.

YOU MUST decide... ABSOLUTELY. And realize that the purpose of shakedown
hikes is to discover what works for your crew and what does not. Shakedowns
are NOT for physical conditioning - each crew member must do that on his
own. But as a shakedown will also show who is not in shape, you should do a
reasonable amount of miles.

- Al Thomson, Troop 236, Schooley's Mountain NJ
Treks 1999, 2001, and 2003
Autumn Adventures 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Sat Jan 7 10:06:47 2006