RE: [Philmont]: RE: [Philmont]: 6 Months To Go

As someone says on this list - you mileage may vary. Mine does in this
case.

I see two major problems with splitting a crew. If someone gets hurt in
the last group you have fewer people to assist and you have to spend
resources to try to get the group back together and deal with the
injury. Hopefully the first aid kit is with the group that has the
injury. A more likely problem is one of the groups taking a wrong turn
(or missing a turn). It may take hours to get the crew back together.

I used to get irritated when I had to hike slower than my normal pace.
Working with Philmont crews, I have learned to adapt and slow down. Of
course, that is getting much easier each year. :-)

What makes me most irritated is the accordion effect and the resulting
starting and stopping. I would much rather go slow and keep moving.
Fortunately, the crews I have been with have learned to avoid this
during our shakedowns. Most of the crews that I have worked with have
learned that breaking camp quickly, eating breakfast at the first packs
off break, keeping packs off breaks short, and keeping a steady pace
with few stops are just as important as hiking fast to get to the next
destination. One crew did not. The fastest hiking crew I have been
with was the slowest at getting to the next camp because they did not
practice these principles.

Phil Brown

________________________________

From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Jim Welton
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 5:21 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: RE: [Philmont]: 6 Months To Go

As a fast hiker, I would like to mention, it is very hard to slow down
my natural pace. Slow me to a snail pace, and I will be cranky. I don't
like taking small steps (I'm 6'1"), whether I have a 50 pound pack or
just at the mall, my natural walking rhythm will be quicker than most.
Nothing annoys me more than constantly getting too close to the guy in
front of me, and I'm certain he is annoyed with me breathing down his
back.

Our group managed to allow the quicker guys to hike ahead and meet at a
predetermined location. They enjoyed some longer rest breaks, but it
kept the moral higher. No one felt like they were being pushed or slowed
down. They were all comfortable and arrived in camp in good spirits.

We were a Troop Crew, everyone knew each other really well. Perhaps that
is why it worked for us.

YiS,

Jim Welton

-------------------------------------------------------
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 Thu Jan 12 21:15:24 2006