The adults on our trek last summer had heard some pretty discouraging comments about burros and were not looking forward to the experience, but our boys made it clear that burros were one of their top priorities. We were even more discouraged when our trek leader returned from logistics and announced, "Good News, we are going to have TWO burros".
Our trepidation increased when the boys went to the corral at Ponil and picked the animals. Instead of large strapping animals, they picked one moderately sized burro and one small white one who looked like he couldn't carry anything. The small white one did not have a number but was merely referred to as "Lucifer", apparently because of some behavior problems in his youth (more trepidation still).
However, we all agreed that our experience with the burros was one of the highlights of the trip. Having two burros instead of one gave us an opportunity to haul more food and gave more of the boys an opportunity to participate. Our animals were both very good-natured. One of the burros (Lucifer) became the lead burro and was always good about starting off when we were ready to go. (With two burros you have a better chance of having at least one animal who will start up with the time comes.) We made good time and actually passed several groups that were having trouble with their single burro. Saddling and leading the burros gave us a good feel for the experiences of some of the early settlers. The boys really bonded with the burros and we were really sorry when the time came to drop them off at Miranda.
Hope you have a similarly good experience. There is an article somewhere on Selden's Philmont pages about dealing with burros that might make things go better. If you get a chance, look for the white burro, and remember, names can be deceiving. (If anybody at the ranch is reading this, please consider a name upgrade for Lucifer.)
Kevin <philmont@virtualcutts.com> wrote: The burros are one of the few things you can only really do at Philmont. Even if you live on a ranch, not many use them as pack animals anymore. I'm not talking about a trail ride where you get a few hours of experience but the chance to take care of the animal and in return get real work done by it (hauling some of your food).
In 2006, ours took us from Ponil to Miranda. He took 50 pounds of food from us when we had the most food with us (we started with five days of food). Since we had just started our trek, he forced us to walk a slow pace which allowed us all to acclimate to the alitidude and miles. The boys called him jugs because he was a juggernaut that couldn't be stopped.
On 3/10/08, Roy Fisher <rfisher003@satx.rr.com> wrote: Been that way since 2004 I believe.
Our crew this summer has Burro Packing as one of their top five program choices based on the experiences in 2006 (also a top five then).
As for crews who don't take the burro when assigned, I would suggest that they just forfeited their Arrowhead award, just like ditching a Cons project or the Opening Campfire or the assigned camps. But that's just my opinion.
Happy Trails,
Roy Fisher
-----Original Message-----
From: philmont@troop47.com [mailto:philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Ed Reitemeier
Subject: [philmont] burro comments
I understand that if you select a trek that includes a burro, you must now take the burro. It is no longer optional. Anyone that has had a burro experience, please comment. Give pros & cons. Also whether your borro trek was Ponil to Miranda or Miranda to Ponil.
Thanks,
Ed Reitemeier
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Received on Fri Mar 14 18:50:29 2008
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