From: Chip (rcenci@twcny.rr.com)
Date: Fri Sep 13 2002 - 13:39:53 CDT
I too had some ziplock Heavy Duty Big Bags bought at Wal-Mart. I thought
they worked very well as a wash tub, laundry tub. Their bottoms are pleated
to stand up and stay open. They measure 13" x 14 1/8" and that they hold
up to 2 1/4 gallons. I had carried a plastic wash bowl made from the bottom
of a milk jug and found it not to be as convenient as the Big Bag. Next
trek I will recommend the bags to everyone in my crew.
Crazy Creek chair saved my back, it was a God send to have a backrest
whenever I sat down. I spent all Spring and most of July debating this one
then picked one up at TOT after arriving at Philmont. Mine too went under
the flap on my backpack and could be brought out at every stop.
Spices. I've tried the spice wheel and also separate multi spices. I found
the wheel gets passed around very slowly as everyone had to open every
individually and we were forever waiting. This year we had McCormick's
Montreal Steak Seasoning and an all purpose camp seasoning from Nesters.
These were passed around much quicker.
Trekking poles. Loved them. We used them as our Dining fly poles by
extending them to their maximum length. Our fly was as tall as the ones we
had on previous treks using Philmont poles.
I have REI Traverse model with the rubber grips, I had no trouble with
blisters or sore hands. I will say though I used them a lot in preparing
for this trek. I may have conditioned my hands to the poles much like you
do your feet to your boots.
Boots. Vasque Sundowners this is my second trek in them and they worked
fine.
Stoves. MSR Dragon Fly was our main stove and only one used. We carried
two 22 oz bottles and one 32oz bottle of Coleman fuel bought at Wal-Mart in
Colorado, it was enough as we gave away a lot. Early in our trek we made
the mistake of taking some about 8oz of fuel from another crew, as stated we
had more than enough already. I think that fuel may have contaminated our
fuel as our stove was temperamental for a few days, then smoothed out when
we went back on pure Coleman.
Filter. The dry conditions really made this trek unique, we went into two
staffed camps that had dry wells, Clear Creek and Cyphers Mine, and had to
use the creeks for water. One of our advisors carried a water PUR filter
which we used at these places. I was certain we would have enough good
water the entire trip and was proven wrong.
GPS. This was my only true toy on this trek. My crew never used it to
navigate with, I am a firm believer in good map and compass skills. I
marked the sites we camped at, kept it on while walking to get an odometer
type reading and generally played with it. I will say however the Philmont
maps are well laid out and I was able to guess good coordinates from them.
Chip Cenci Philmont trekker 1966,1991,1999,2002
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