[philmont] suggest a tent

From: Michelle S
> I would like to thank everybody for their varied and helpful responses.

 Every time the tent discussion comes up on this list, a few people will
speak up and say you must use the Philmont tents, even when the requestor
specifically says they need to look at tents, so I'm not surprised there.
Unless it was an ultralight tent, I would not consider backpacking with
a tent that was not free standing. The guy lines just plain get in the way.

Hopefully, you've gotten some advice you can use. There are so many
models of tents to choose from.

2 - While it was suggested to each boy to bring a tent (due to the weight of
the PhilTents), they were also advised that the tents had to be 2 person
tents, and no bivies were allowed.

I really think your nephew (you did say nephew, didn't you?) should seek
clarification on this. It seems so odd for
them to want *every* boy to get his own tent when there will be sharing of
tents.
In fact, if each boy brings his own tent and the crew is planning on all
tenting
alone, I would bet the ranger will make them put half the tents in the
locker
and bunk boys together. Also, as another person mentioned, there are a lot
of campsites at Philmont that can't accommodate everyone having a tent,
especially if that camp is crowded. Communication is a difficult thing, and
I
think a clarification is in order.

4 - Having a tent of his own isn't to set him apart. He would hate that and
 prefers to do what the other "guys" are doing.

Can't quite parse this.

5 - The troop has tents, but they are heavier 4 person tents (Eurekas and LL
 Beans), and the troop allows the boys to bring their own tents (if they
want
 to) on Troop trips.

Personally, I would not have a problem taking these tents to Philmont and
having four boys tent in them. If the weight is shared, I would bet the
weight
per person would work out as no differnet than two two man tents. However,
you can run into footprint space at some camps at Philmont. It should be
noted, however, that Philtents have a *HUGE* footprint due to the guy lines
that have to be used, so any free standing tent that fits inside that same
footprint will usually work.

6 - He has expressed an interest in us going camping as a family...which
would require a tent, so if I'm going to buy one for him and I to go
camping, it might as well be one he can use at Philmont...or at least on
Troop trips.

Backpacking tents can be used for plop camping, but they are usually so
small
as to be rather uncomfortable. I'm not sure I'd go with this plan. Getting
a
bigger tent (something you can stand up in) for plop camping is a comfort
thing that just works.

> One last question (for now) - how heavy is too heavy for a tent? I'm
think I
 should try to keep the weight under 5 pounds. Is that reasonable for a
tent?

Think in terms of pound per boy, not pound per tent. You can get 2 person
backpacking tents under 4 pounds, but the tight squeeze may not be worth it.
So long as no boy has to carry more than 4 pounds of tent, then it is
probably
within acceptable ranges. However, I would recommend against a backpacking
tent that is more than 2.5 pounds per boy, so your weight consideration is
fair.
I've seen six pound backpacking tents that are suitable for three boys, and
the
pounds per boy are really reasonable then.

 Good luck
Don Roberts
Fullerton, CA

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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.
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Received on Tue May 8 09:51:43 2007