Re: [Philmont]: burros

MessageFor those of us scheduled to do the burros, is there any advantage (or is it okay) to bring carrots or something that might help "encourage" them? Thanks.
Ron Hamlin
Troop 326
Athens, GA
Philmont '04 624-K4

----- Original Message -----
  From: John Wisinger
  To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
  Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 9:32 AM
  Subject: RE: [Philmont]: burros

  A few months back, I wrote a long thing about burros at Philmont. It's on Seldon's web page, but I'll give the quick answer to your question here.

  Burros will not help you out backpacking. You only get 1 or 2, and the amount of weight they carry only takes a few pounds from each crew member. On top of that, they are famously stubborn and hard to deal with, so they will slow you down.

  Having said that, I spent an entire summer on staff at Philmont in 2002 hiking every day with a burro (Bob the Burro). By the end of the summer, I cared more for Bob than any pet I ever had. That summer was by far one of the best experiences of my life (not 100% due to the burro, but in large part). If you have never had the experience of hiking with a pack animal, it's whatever you make it. It can be the most miserable or one of the most fun experiences ever. Treat your burro well and think of him as your crew mascot/pet and it will be a truly fun and unique experience (especially for city kids). Spending enough time with a burro also teaches a lot of non verbal communication skills that have actually helped me learn to deal with other people better.

  In short, if you want something to carry your gear for you and you are interested in getting to camp early for program, leave the burros at Ponil. If you want a 2 day adventure with one of the most interesting personalities you'll ever meet (and one of the most frustrating experiences of your life in return), take the burros.

  -John Wisinger
    -----Original Message-----
    From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Mark Miller
    Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 5:45 PM
    To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
    Subject: [Philmont]: burros

    We are heading to Philmont at the end of the month where we will be taking trek #3. We are scheduled to take pack burros from Ponil to Miranda which I understand are optional. I am interested in hearing advantages/disadvantages with the burros form those with experience. We are a crew of first timers (both for Philmont and burros).

    thanks,
    Mark Miller
    Crew 630-D

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Received on Fri Jun 11 17:11:04 2004