[philmont] What would you do??

Let him do the Grand Canyon hike. It won't hurt anything, and it will prove beyond any doubt whether he can handle Philmont, or not. It will be far easier to sit down with him at the end of the Grand Canyon hike and realistically assess whether he could handle Philmont.

Have you tried adjusting his pack? Is the load falling primarily on his shoulders? Inexperienced backpackers seem top have difficulty getting their load to ride on their hips, and it makes a huge difference. Most packs have a way to adjust where the should straps attach to the frame, and this adjustment may make a big difference.

Also, look at how much weight he's carrying compared to his body weight. If it's inappropriate, redistribute his load to older stronger boys. Also get him to cut back on anything that he could possibly do without. Don't let his mother pack the proverbial kitchen sink into his pack; I've seen that fairly often.

--Bob Schaettle
Rochester, Minnesota

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Troop 681 scouter<mailto:troop681@hotmail.com>
  To: philmont List Member<mailto:philmont@troop47.com>
  Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 6:37 PM
  Subject: [philmont] What would you do??

   
  We have one scout who, though small, we thought would be able able to make it backpacking Philmont for 10 days. He backpacked in the High Sierras of northern Califorina last summer with a school group, 5-6 days. He is small, completing the 8th grade this year........he is also the SPL right now and doing a great job.
   
  BUT, after completing our 2nd tune up this weekend, the other advisor and my self are starting to have doubts. On the over night tune ups, by the end of the hike he is taking steps and turning his feet in (pigeon toed). You can also tell by his body language he is struggling, though he doesn't complain. Our tune ups have only been 10 to 12 miles total so far, at elevations of 5200+ ft in San Diego county. We're backpacking the Grand Canyon (Havasupai Indian Reservation) in April, and he's going too.
   
  MY QUESTION --- should we tell his parents now about our doubts??? OR wait until after we see how he does on the Grand Canyon hike??

  Kim Pigorsch
  Philmont '99, '03, '07 (724-T)
  Troop 681 Outdoor Chairmun (sic)

  www.troop681.com - troop website
  www.sdicbsa.org - Council Website

  San Diego, CA

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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Received on Sun Mar 25 18:58:29 2007