[Philmont] Bugs

A couple things I forgot to report on my email of yesterday that were triggered by D's email.

We had lot's of flies and quite a few mosquitoes between the Turkey Creek turnaround and Mt. Phillips on itinerary 11. My son (18 YO advisor in the crew) and I both got bit up really bad at Turkey Creek standing in a weed patch having ranger training, not really anyone else but us and I figured it was chigger bites. After we passed Phillips, the only place we had lot's of flies was around Porcupine and at that point, we started catching flies and feeding a hungry trout hanging out under a log there... lot's of fun!! (The flies aren't like the midwestern farm flies that are tough to catch, those mountain flies must be ignorant or something!!)

Thanks to who ever it was that suggested Lithium batteries. I took over 800 photos with my Kodak digital, 5.0 MP setting, utilizing the view finder (electronic) versus the monitor and only used 2 sets of the Li batteries. The camera has a 10x optical zoom and I I also ran GPS quite a bit through out the trek and only changed the 2 AA's in it 1 time with the Li batteries. They're more expensive but much lighter and have a lot more longevity.

Contrary to D's experience, we had many cold nights with only a few above the low 40's the entire trek including our trailbound night in base.... depends on your definition of cold I guess but if it's below 45 I'm not on top of my bag for sure! (I use a 35 degree bag and suplement with poly pro long john bottoms, last trek's smart wool socks and a long sleeve dri-release t as jammies. The only night I got cold we were in 39 degree temps and I had mistakenly projected that it was going to be warmer so subbed my running shorts for the long johns!

Anyway, be prepared for anything! Good luck to everyone headed out that way now!

I wanna go back....

Kevin Mineart
2007 619-E2 Lead Advisor
2003 802-B3 Co-Advisor

----- Original Message ----
From: "dtadsen@aol.com" <dtadsen@aol.com>
To: Philmont List Member <Philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 3, 2007 4:05:36 PM
Subject: [Philmont] Returned

Returned from Philmont last evening, 7-2. We were a 619-L crew on Trek 17.

Happy to report that water was plentiful in the backcountry, all is green and the staffs are enthusiastic.
Trek 17 took us through the North Country and the Valle. It too was green, with adequate water supplies.
Weather was very kind to us, with only 3 normal afternoon showers.
Base camp seems to be operating at full capacity.
Most walkways in and around logistics, business office, and trading post are all now concrete. Much less dust.
The areas we visited, North country and the Valle, were virtually free of fly's and mosquito's. No bug lotion/spray required.
The new trail down from Greenwood Canyon into Copper Park is excellent. Lots of switchbacks. The OA trail crew did great job on this trail.
Staff is recommending that if your climbing Baldy from Copper Park to use the new trail and then following the ridge line along the north side of Baldy and approach Baldy from the the meadow/saddle on the North side of Baldy. It is the easiest way I have climbed Baldy; and I have done it both from Baldy Town and Copper Park. Took us about 2.5 hours with a breakfast stop on the trail to summit Baldy from Copper Park. (Your mileage may vary)
Temperatures were typical, not too hot or cold in the evening. My 20 degree bag was mostly used for a blanket. Only inside the bag 1 night at Copper Park after a late afternoon rain.
Crew liked all meals, and had enough to eat. Crew was older youth in the 16-18 range. Did the turkey bag cooking routine.
Had a great trek. As there are no bad treks, some are just more suited to your crews abilities and goals.

Any other question, fire away. Will try to answer. Again we were in the North Country; north of a line from Baldy to Head of Dean to Ponil, and the Valle.

D. Tadsen
St. Charles, MO

P.S. Took 165 pictures w/digital camera, then promptly lost/dropped it on the last 200 feet up Baldy. So If anybody finds an Olympus camera let me know. Yes, I did advise base camp security and filed a "lost" report.

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Received on Tue Jul 3 16:32:09 2007