[Philmont] Back From Cavalcade

We got back from our Cavalcade a week ago. What a great trip! I had asked
for suggestions regarding gear before going since the equipment list for
Cavalcades is different that that for backpacking expeditions. Here are
some thoughts on Cavalcade crew gear now that I've been there:

-Before leaving home everyone practiced packing all their personal gear into
the 12" by 22" stuff sack the we received from Philmont. Not much room to
spare! Having sleeping bags that will compress small is a must (about half
our crew ordered Clearwater mummy bags with compression sacks from
ScoutDirect.com). Found out at Philmont that the second largest item to be
packed, our polar fleece jackets, are rolled up in the Philmont provided
rain slickers and tied to the saddle bags behind the saddle. We had a good
bit more room in the stuff sacks than we expected without the jackets.
-An optional item on the personal gear list is rainpants. Our wrangler and
horseman were surprised these were on the list since they didn't want these
worn on the horses (they tend to spook the horses and to tear against trees
and bushes while on horseback). Take them anyway since you might need them
when you aren't on horseback.
-The gear list has you take a single pair of western riding jeans - also
take a pair of shorts or zip-pants to wear in the evenings or for dayhiking
on the one trail day when you don't ride.
-Still not sure why the equipment list specified 50 ft. of nylon rope since
they provided a bearbag rope. Not knowing what they wanted we took some
heavy rope and some clothesline thick cord. We ended up leaving the big rope
in our locker and taking the smaller line and a couple of carabiners (not on
the list) for our oops-bag.
-We took a water filter but never used it. We only used Micro-Pur tablets
the one night we stayed in trail camp (Bonita Cow Camp). Most Cavacade
treks stay in staffed camps for all but one night and usually pass through a
staffed camp each day so purified water is plentiful. I'd still take the
filter but not more than one. Oh yeah, take nalgenes and not camelbacks -
they don't allow the camelbacks when you are on horseback.
-Following the gear list we took two 2.5 gallon water jugs. We didn't need
them but did use them for convenience at Clarks Fork since our campsite was
not close to a spicket. We left them by the fire ring when we left the next
morning for our dayhike to rock climb at Cito and lunch at Window Rock.
Would you believe mini-bears chewed a hole in each one? Other than cleaning
them before the trip that was the only time they were ever used so I know
that there wasn't any flavor residue in them.
-Although you wear long sleeve shirts and jeans on a Cavalcade, sunburn is
still a problem. The back of your rein hand is likely to get burned along
with your face, ears and neck (the helmets don't provide much protection).
A small tube or stick of sunscreen is all you need for these areas. I gave
every crew member a large cowboy bandana the night before we hit the trail.
Most everyone tied them around their necks to block the sun (and to help get
that cowboy look). Stuff a hat or cap in your saddlebag for when you stop.
-Cavalcade crews don't check out crew gear in base camp, the wranglers and
horseman have all the necessary gear including tents,stoves and fuel bottles
at Cattle Headquarters (for southern itineraries) or a Ponil (for northern
itineraries). [You do need to take stakes and ground covers for tents].
However, when you load the pack horses the first time make sure they include
everything you need. Our wrangler and horseman forgot to take a dining
fly - thank goodness it didn't rain the first night - so they arranged to
pick one up on the second trail day. I was a little anxious about them
packing tents without first checking they had all the parts but I guess the
previous crew did a good job putting them back together. You might consider
bringing one trowel from home since they didn't have one for us and Bonita
Cow Camp had no latrine.
-Don't forget to take two or three small daypacks to carry you lunches,
extra water and first aid kit when you take your dayhike.
-Also, while the gear list specifies "lightweight sneakers or tennis shoes",
be sure they are sufficient for your dayhiking. We had one scout substitute
water shoes for his sneakers after our last gear check - he didn't enjoy the
day hike as much as the rest of us did!
-Don't leave out the sewing kit. With just one pair of jeans you might need
it. We had to stitch the first aid kit where it tore while tied onto the
pack horse (they tie it on top of the tarp so you can get to it) and also
had some boots seams split that needed repair.
-Pack all your gear in ziplock bags inside you stuff sack since it isn't
waterproof. You might also want to take a garbage bag so you can cover your
stuff sack at night under the dining fly.
-We gave everyone in the crew a mesh bag (sold for washing delicates) to
store their bowl, spoon and cup. They were 3 for a buck at the dollar store
and do a good job keeping everyone's vittle gear organized in camp and in
the saddle bag.

Please let me know if you have any other Cavalcade questions. Yee-haw!

Charlie Evans
Troop 72
Fayetteville, GA
Lead Advisor - 714-CV '07 (Itinerary 5A-S)
Advisor - 702-G '04

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Received on Sun Jul 29 12:27:50 2007