RE: [Philmont]: Novice backpacker with Philmont questions

MIOX is very new to most of us, but looks to be the next upcoming thing. I
think we are all still trying to get our hands around filters, much less
ionizing purifiers (or however it works). If we go back to the discussions
a year or two ago about compass vs. GPS, you can probably see there is use
for both and one does not replace the other. I think chemical vs. filter
vs. electronic purification will go in a similar direction.

Ponchos are never going to protect well enough when the wind is blowing or,
as Jim mentioned, when you have to put your pack in a packline and then
still be in the elements. For $25, you can get a high quality pack cover
from REI that will be with you, probably, longer than your pack is. The
rain jacket, and some may want to include pants, will last a long time, too,
but the poncho will be so much shredded plastic by the time you get through
Philmont, in addition to its initial ineffectiveness. So if you amortize
the expense (actually investment), then you might be able to build a good
case for these items as requirements, and not luxuries.

We had one boy with a poncho, but the ranger practically required that he
troop down to the trading post and buy a pack cover. That boy was glad he
did. We encountered only 2 or 3 real rainstorms, but he was dryer and,
maybe more important since it was fairly warm, his pack and the contents of
his pack, including crew gear, was dry.

Remember, every crew member is part of the team and things that negatively
affect a crew member affects the entire crew.

Joe T
Troop 728, Richardson TX
I used to be a Bob White (SR-365)
IWTGBTP (00, 04)

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Jim Welton
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 7:20 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Novice backpacker with Philmont questions

The backpacking poncho has one major drawback. When you get to your campsite
in the rain, the first thing you will want to do is take off the backpack.
At that point you have a decision to make. Do you use the poncho to cover
your backpack and the equipment, or use the backpack to cover yourself.

I also dislike the flapping and blow up rain underneath.

YiS,
Jim Welton
McAllen, Texas

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Casey <irishcasey@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 17:13:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Philmont]: Novice backpacker with Philmont questions
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont <philmont@troop47.com>

Hi All,

I'm a novice hiker and backpacker (I must admit, I have never purified
water) and I have a lot to learn in the next 11 months because next July I'm
headed to Philmont. I just found and joined this list within the past two
weeks and I'm astounded by the level of activity. The courteous and kind
exchange of information is great and I guess attributed to the fact that
everyone is a Scouter.

Since I have been on the list the two dominate discussions have been about
water and gear (primarily raingear). Having read there are no bad
questions, I have two:

1. Nobody talks much about using a decent pancho. I know they
(e.g.Campmor) make backpacking panchos that fit over a pack and are more
long lasting than the kind WalMart carries. Does anyone use a good pancho
rather than a rain suit? If not, why not?

2. Throughout the discussion on water treatment, only recently did someone
mention the MSR Miox system. No one has really commented on it. I'm
curious as to why? Maybe because it is so new? I saw it at a local
outfitter store and it's about the size of a flashlight, uses batteries and
charges a mixture of salt and ordinary water to create a "cocktail" that is
put into the water to be treated. There are no moving parts and the product
is odorless and tasteless. I've seen it on sale for $110 which seems to
compare to a good pump filter with extras filters.

Thanks for any in put on these items.

Mike
ASM Troop 646

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Received on Thu Sep 9 17:28:51 2004