RE: [Philmont]: Gear Questions

From: Kelly Pennington
1. Are 2 man tents required? Can you use 3 man tents?
It would appear the answer is yes and yes. You can use one man tents, two
man tents, three and even four. However, there will be campsites that a 4
would not fit so it is not a good idea. The reason the first answer is yes
is because you will see this stated in some places. However, since you can
bring other sizes, it would appear to be more like a strong recommendation
than a requirement. The real restrictions are no bivys and when you get
bigger than 3 man you better not be at any of the smaller campsites.

 2. How big are the brands (1 inch 2 inch)? Do they still brand boots? I
was very proud of my brands from 1978 when I went as a young Eagle Scout.

I suspect they are the same. I'm looking at the brands at the moment. The
lazy bar crazy s is 1 3/8 high by 1 1/8 wide. The lazy bar p crazy s is 1
1/2 high by 1 1/2 wide. This was using the brands at Ponil in 2005. They
will brand anything but metal and glass or things that are vital to survival
(like water bottles). Billed caps are excellent things to brand, I branded
my wallet, of course, the boys all wanted belts to brand.

 3. I have seen at least two different packing lists that suggested that we
bring 50 gal trash bags? What do you do with them?

To keep things dry. You will find that SOMEONE in your crew doesn't have a
pack cover that fits, has stuff that needs to be rebagged or otherwise is
having a problem with what s/he SHOULD have brought for keeping things dry.
Also, they don't wear well on the trail, so after a few holes, having
replacements will be needed.

4. In the past two years our troop has taken 10 crews to the Northern Tier,
most of those crews packed extra trail snakes in the form of "Power Bars",
"Luna Bars", "Cliff Bars" 1 each per day. They initial weight was heavy,
but the daily treat was very well received, a different flavor and style bar
each day.

Trail Snakes? Naw, there are plenty of snakes at Philmont. We had a four
foot rattler in our camp at Indian Writings. That was fun.
Oh, you mean snacks? Oops :-) Just kidding. Luna bars a treat? Huh? You
must have discovered a flavor I haven't tried. We could not eat all the
food they gave us for Philmont, there was too much, and the trail snacks
delivered in the breakfast were more than we could eat as well. Lots of
people supplement the menu, however. The boys particularly liked the Hooah
Bars, we'd never seen those. I wouldn't recommend bringing them, but to
each his/her own.

Hope this helps.
Don Roberts
ASM T1201, CA C1202
Fullerton, CA
Philtrek 05

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
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 Wed Nov 16 14:07:59 2005