[philmont] oops - wrong subject---should say "trek selection"

I did trek #32 last year, and my opinion is that there is no reason to
choose a "super-strenuous" trek. If you find that your "Strenuous" trek
is too easy, you can always side-hike to pick up extra miles and extra
program. However, if you find that your "super-strenuous" trek is over
your head, there is nothing you can do but man-up.

Our other adult developed a hacking cough, maybe even walking pneumonia.
He manned-up and did the day hike to Baldy, but I think he caoughed up a
lung along the way. The whole trek was challenging for both of us. (I
think the scouts were challenged, too, but I can't be certain since I
was awfully busy sucking air :-) ).

OK, I lied a little in paragraph #1. There is one reason: if your crew
is experienced at backpacking, in good shape, with olders scouts, many
of whom have already done a Philmont trek before, then the
"super-strenuous" treks allow you to see more of Philmont's diversity
than the shorter treks.

Just my 2-cents

Dave Smith
Troop 32
Santa Rosa, CA

Cott1717@aol.com wrote:

> Crew Chiefs and Crew Advisors
> My first comment about all the chatter about trek selection is
> that none of it is from the youth crew chiefs and all from adults
> advisors. Lets remember to let the boys pick their treks! Just make
> sure that in selecting the trek they remember to keep in mind the
> limitations of the smallest youth and the oldest adult! Do not forget
> that the more miles you hike the less tie you have at every
> destination for program. Every trek has good points and every one has
> draw backs. The BOYS need to discuss what they want from their
> experince and work that into the treks choices.
> Our crew did trek 28 last year. As per a GPS that one of the boys
> carried we hiked a total of 95 miles. We did do some additional side
> hikes to include some activities in Peublano and to see the Mesa Verde.
> I had done trek 32 the year before. I think to think in terms of
> average day is to misjudge these treks. As has been said already the
> first two days are very light days. The next to last day on trek 28
> was about 4 miles but the last day was 14 up through Schaeffers Pass
> and across the ridge to the Tooth of Time. This was much easier for me
> than Trek 32 which we figured totaled 110 mile when we were done. Just
> a 3 mile per day difference but wow what a difference to this 53 year old.
> You cannot plan on average days. Heat weather exhaustion all need
> to be considered. What is the age of your crew? How many have
> attempted such an adventure? Are they physically up to the worst day?
> You need to be honest with yourself and our crew. There are no bad
> treks at Philmont except the trek that get you hurt on for lack of
> honest evaluation. If you choose these more difficult treks do NOT
> cheat on your preparation!
>
> Good Luck
>
> Ted Cotter
> Troop 27 Staten Island
> Trek 32 2006
> Trek 28 2007
> Sea Base 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> <http://www.eset.com>

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Received on Fri Mar 14 00:52:38 2008