RE: [Philmont]: Training Hikes

Our troop took multiple crews to Philmont in 2002. Our crew committed
to earn the Backpacking Merit Badge and so we scheduled four 15+ mile
hikes before we went to PSR in early June. We trained a fair amount,
but hiking takes a lot of time and it left our young crew extremely
tired, so training on the hikes took 2nd seat to the hiking part. They
are very proud of their Backpacking MBs and their 50-Miler patches, but
we could have used much more teambuilding time and more training time.

Consider a C.O.P.E. course for your crew that emphasizes the low course
stuff. C.O.P.E. is fun. It is great for teambuilding, especially the
low course stuff. The high course stuff takes much time and is not as
good for teambuilding in my opinion.

We had a great time. Seven of the nine youth in our crew are returning
in 2004. I am wondering what type of trek they will select this time.
Last time it was a 54 mile typical trek that did not get above 10000
feet and was chosen for program and reduced hiking difficulty. This is
what we were prepared for. Due to the fires in 2002 what we got was a
rugged (my evaluation) 65 mile trek; trail camps with side hikes for
water; and we stayed above 9500 feet for much of the trek. So be
prepared, your trek selection is not necessarily guaranteed.

Larry

Expedition Coordinator
Philmont 2002 / 2004

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Received on Wed Sep 24 11:08:40 2003