RE: [Philmont]: Burros

Your points are well taken.

One description of the burro packing program follows:

Burro Packing

No animal is more closely associated with the colorful history of the
Southwest than the burro. Burro packing methods are explained and
demonstrated at Ponil and Miranda. Your tents and food may be packed on
burros using a diamond hitch. Burros are available for use on the trail in
the northern portion of the ranch, starting or ending at Ponil and Miranda.
Burro traps (holding pens for overnight stops) are located at Ponil,
Pueblano, and Miranda. Hay for feeding is provided at these camps. If your
itinerary provides for packing burros, take advantage of this unique
opportunity to pack them just as the miners once did.

You are right that it's not a good motivation to expect the burro
will give you some sort of free ride by carrying your gear. I could have
written about
that in a more thoughtful way, namely, having the burro carry some of the
gear
gives you an appreciation for what the burro can do for you. The difference
in weight
of the backpack with food and tents and without food and tents is
significant. But
certainly it is not a good expectation to expect a free ride at the burro's
expense.

You are right that the burro needs to be packed well. To keep its
back from getting sore requires distributing the weight of the load
carefully. If any part of the load shifts and acts as a force that pulls on
the burro's
back the burro will feel it. The burro will be about as happy as a hiker
whose foot
is rubbed by a sock which is rubbing instead of supporting.

Joe
JAJansenJr@gmail.com
Philmont 1965; 1978

>From: "kbarley6" <kbarley6@cox.net>
>Reply-To: philmont@troop47.com
>To: Multiple recipients of list philmont <philmont@troop47.com>
>Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Burros
>Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 10:37:17 -0500
>
>Joe
>
>I agree, and disagree. Concur with make burro your friend, and with
>keeping burro program.
>
>Disagree with the help carry your gear.
>
>The reason I disagree is I do not believe a Crew has enough experience
>to properly use the burro as a tool. They 'sore-up' easily, are
>difficult to pack properly, and it takes time as you mentioned to get
>the most out of them.
>
>My boys loved their pet and it was one of the top 3 highlights of their
>trek, but the cost was the same as any other program. 3 extra hours per
>day tending and packing. We didn't get it right, sored "Wasabi" and had
>to carry our own stuff.
>
>I encourage burro packing in my Contingent, but only if it fits the
>personality of the crew, and they don't expect the wrong thing (carry my
>gear) from the experience.
>
>YIS
>
>Kirk Barley
>Virginia Beach
>
><Lots of snips below>
>
>Once the burro is on your side they really will work to please you.
>
>Since they are strong and can carry your gear they provide a hiking
>experience where you are relieved of the weight of your backpack, and
>that can be a great assist, particularly when you are in mid trek and
>your muscles are getting a bit sore.
>
>I'm glad Philmont has kept the burro program all these years.
>
>Joe Jansen
>JAJansenJr@gmail.com
>Philmont 1965; 1978
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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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 Sun Mar 26 23:28:41 2006