Re: [Philmont]: Route selection

One thing to keep in mind on longer treks ... or even not so long treks ....
the total mileage does not divide evenly into your number of days on the
trail. Said another way, your first day on the trail when you leave base camp
may have you hike 2 to 4 miles. The second day a few more miles. You will
not hike 10 - 12 miles on day one. You may not hike 10 - 12 miles until day 6
or later. By the third or fourth day, you're getting acclimated and hiking
more miles. If you are hiking an 80-mile or longer super trek, plan on some
long trail days (time and miles) toward the middle and end of the trek. Also,
watch the resupply requirements as those may add more miles for your crew or
for those who make the resupply hike. Side hikes also add mileage.
 
You may not leave base camp until the afternoon of the day you go on the
trail. Our crew left Base Camp on a 2 PM bus the day we went on the trail. The
bus ride plus trailhead briefing meant we started hiking about 3 PM.
 
Our crew wanted a variety of programs and hiking at least a couple of
memorable peaks. We got Trek 4 and enjoyed hikes over Mt. Phillips and Tooth
Ridge/Tooth of Time.
 
You may not arrive in base camp until the afternoon (sometimes late in the
afternoon) the day you return. We camped our last night at Tooth Ridge camp
(dry), got up at 5 AM, had an easy 45-minute hike without packs back up to the
Tooth for 6 AM sunrise, ate breakfast back in our camp, and were in Base
Camp by 10 AM. Others who camped closer to Clark's Fork or further away reached
Base Camp in the early to mid afternoon.
 
A late return to Base Camp, cleaning and inspecting your Philmont gear,
turning in gear to logistics, shipping stuff home, and getting ready to leave the
next day can put a real squeeze on your time, eliminate a trip to Cimarron,
etc. Allow time to smell the flowers and enjoy your visit.
 
Study the treks and let the crew decide what is really important to them.
 
Charlie
Woodstock, GA
Troop 994 Crew, 721B2, 2003

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Received on Fri Sep 3 07:11:36 2004