From: Johnlebl@aol.com
Date: Sun Sep 29 2002 - 21:15:43 CDT
In a message dated 09/29/2002 7:51:54 PM Central Daylight Time,
Txnscout@aol.com writes:
> Kevin,
>
> Schaefers was dry most of this year. Last summer it putting out less than
> a quart a minute. I would plan on picking up lots of water at Clarks Fork,
> or another camp before tackiling schaefers pass. My kids spent the night
> at Tooth Ridge camp, and were low on water during the long, long, long
> switchback hike into base camp. Mount Phillips has no water either, so we
> loaded up at Clear Creek. Those were the only dry camps we stayed at.
>
> Chas. Clifton
> Scoutmaster -Troop 11
> Port Neches, Texas
> Advisor 708G2001
>
To go along with what Chas Clifton writes above, I was an advisor on a crew
this year that hiked much of the same trail Chas did. We never had any
problem locating enough water. Let me add that we hiked Mt Phillips, but did
not camp there. We hiked the Tooth trail but did not camp there. That does
make a difference.
Let me add this. Most all the crew used hydration bags. Two advisors and
their sons did not. They tended to use more water because they went without,
then stopped and gulped. They never ran low on water until the tooth trail
when the male advisor gulped over 2-1/2 gallons of water on that trail and
ran out of water thirty minutes before reaching base camp.
About 2PM he complained of severe headaches and took Tylenol like it was
candy.
At the time I did no know how much water he had consumed, but in retrospect I
do believe he is a lucky man in that I am pretty sure his symptoms matched
the onset of a problem from drinking TOO MUCH water which can be fatal.
This was discussed earlier, so to not be redundant if you need more
information on that see the archives.
This same advisor claims to be an experienced backpacker, but I did not
observe anything that would kindicate such.
He bragged heavily that he surpassed the Philmont recommendation of water
consumed per day by "at least a gallon". I now question this rationalle of
his judgement in this matter.
True, most problems occur from NOT drinking enough, but this guy had symptoms
adn clearly drank way more than needed. Evidently it was not too much, but
we will never know how close he came to drinking "too much water". I suspect
it was very close.
Just be aware of who gives you advise and what that advise is. Not all you
hear, see or read is wise.
Let me give you my personal water water consumption. For me personally (a 57
year old male in reasonably good physical condition) and my daughter (a 15
year old in excellent condition).
We carried a three liter hydrator and a one liter Nalgene along with a one
liter Platypus for extra capacity on the tooth trail knowing that Schaefers
spring was dry.
The only time I used more than three liters on the trail was on the tooth
ridge. On most others, I came close, but did not quite suck the 100 oz
Camelback dry.
I definately consumed more water than that as I would use about 1/2 liter to
make milk to go with my dry cereal each morning and "camel up" with about 1/2
Liter before hitting the trail. That pretty well emptied the Nalgene which I
refilled in camp and iodated before leaving.
I "made" more potable water upon arriving at camp each day and drank when I
wanted to. I did not measure all water consumed, but I'd guess it would be
around six to seven liters per day, three of which were actually on the
trail.
I used only the three liters in the hydrator and the 1 liter in the Nalgene
on the tooth trail and never touched the one liter in the Platy. My daughter
did the same. We hydrated continuously and always felt satiated and did not
worry about consumption knowing that 2 liters were stored in separate
containers in reserve. And we did not have an anoying water bottle banging
around on our hips like the non hydrator people did. Both of us made it into
base camp with plenty water to spare.
I would not want to carry any less water on the tooth trail than I did
although I only consumed four liters on the trail. I always enjoy having the
extra water (and weight) when arriving in camp rather than not having it.
Having enough gives you that smug feeling that you planned well.
John LeBlanc
Eagle Class of 1959
Phirst Phil Ptrek 1959
PhilTrek 2002 630H2 Trek 16
My latest adventure was yesterday,
Today is not over yet!
-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.7 : Thu Mar 13 2003 - 10:38:45 CST