[Philmont]: Ponchos Work Well.......

Ponchos work well, or better yet, worked well, in the days when rain suits were called slicker suits and weighed about 5 lbs. Those days were also the days when a pack frame was a GI Joe molded plywood, Trapper Nelson or Bear Paw frame/bag.
 
Ponchos worked well then because a slicker suit bunched up under the canvas straps would be a torture chamber.
 
The poncho covered it all like a frameless umbrella or fat ladys dress.
 
Those were also the days when "backpacking" was using the lightest canvas equipment available and it DID NOT include lightweight and strong nylon.
 
The poncho also served as a groundcloth and pack cover. What more could you ask for?
 
Today's improvement in material has almost rendered the poncho obsolete.
 
But don't write off the poncho completely.
 
In summertime when using anything less than a full blown high rise pack frame, the poncho still has it's place and works well,
 
Agreed, it won't keep you completely dry, but during weather that you sweat like a hog even in Gore Tex, the the poncho reigns as a hip rood cover for the body and all it's attachments.
 
It just doesn't reign at Philmont on the back trail.
 
However, I can't think of a better instrument to ward off the showers if I were going to be at the training center for a week or two
 
So, I can't say that a poncho doesn't have any value at Philmont, just not on the backcountry trail.
 
John LeBlanc
 
PS I am presently toying around with putting together a contingent using "old stuff" from way back when and doing it the old fashioned way. It will probably have to be in the fall on an adults only trek because I don't think "modern man" read, youth between the ages of 14 and 18 would buy in to that. But it would be fun to do.
 
The gear list starts:
Poncho
Yucca Pack tied to a molded plywood GI packboard or
Trapper Nelson pack frame
Canvas sleeping bag
Offician BSA trail tarp for tent modified with screen to meet Philmont "enclosure"
requirements
G I Surplus metal canteens
Official BSA cook kit
Official BSA flashlight
Official BSA first aid kit
Three pairs all wool athletic socks
etc, etc
 

                
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Received on Mon Sep 20 20:13:19 2004