Brian Gannon writes...
The bus is still free, but the three round-trip runs per day have now been reduced to two, leaving base camp at 11:30 and 2:30 and returning at 2:45 and 5:30.
Comment...
Home early this morning from accompanying the 711D contingent to and the 630L contingent back.
One of the 711D crews had a 2:30 bus to the turnaround yesterday, and wanted to go to town before it. Obviously, the scheduled 2:45 return does not work for that. But they were able to arrange at the Welcome Center a special return bus at 1:00 at a cost (I'm told) of $16.00.
Other comments (some echoing some prior posts)
The ban on crew campfires was re-instated last Thursday - program and evening program campfires still are okay. Rainfall has dropped way down in the past several weeks.
Incoming crews reported hail (many locations) and snow (Baldy). While very warm in Base Camp during the day, it was decidedly cool at night. Take the fleece!
Regarding the new policy that crews MUST take the burros, I was told that while an option presented is to switch to an available trek without burros, few crews have switched to a different route.
The switch to Micro-Pur for water treatment got universally positive reviews. Crews are issued 20 tablets per person (10 if they are carrying a filter/purifier) leaving Base, and turn empty packaging in at commissaries to re-supply. Several crews reported not using all of the initial issue - that obviously is a function of how hitting staffed camps with treated water mesh with the route.
The Water Board showed water was plentiful everywhere, except of course for those camps that are always dry.
Was told by several staffers that the number of people coming off the trail seems to be higher than usual this year, and that crews seem to be a little less prepared than normal (including sloppy uniforming). Maybe because of the upcoming Jamboree drawing off a portion of the upper tiers of participants? In addition, our tour operator (Mike Pardue of Blue Sky) mentioned that he has seen more than the usual number of behavior problems with crews on the way to Philmont.
If you are using stoves that use fuel canisters, check out what is available for the taking in the Advisors' Lounge before buying any.
--Al Thomson
Troop 236, Schooley's Mountain, NJ
Treks 1999, 2001, 2003
Autumn Adventures 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006
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Received on Wed Jul 13 17:27:49 2005
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