[Philmont]: shakedowns...

On Tue, Sep 28, 2004 at 08:16:42AM -0400, Dave Parmly wrote:
> Prep hikes were much better at
> self-eliminating than any PT test could have been.
>
I had a scout sign up for last summer's trek and though I knew he wasn't
philmont material, I didn't tell him no for three reasons. Our shakedown
hikes. I knew that the shakedowns would make him quit the first shakedown
was 13miles, 6.5 in, 6.5 out. Shortly before the first shakedown his parents
came to me for advice on what kind of pack to buy him for philmont. I
suggested strongly that they rent one or borrow one. I suggested that on
the grounds that he find one he liked, and rent it to see if it worked
well for him. I ended up loaning him one of my packs. He hated the whole
weekend, had a terrible time and dropped off the trek. (like I suspected
that he would all along)

We did 3 shakedowns, one as a wake-up call for some of the scouts and adults
(13mi, pretty flat terrain) one to let the kids gel and experience some steep
terrain (6mi loop, lots of altitude changes) and one to let them practice
the techniques they'd learned (5mi loop, moderate terrain, 2 campsites)

Shakedowns are deinately the best eilminator, and the best training tool.

-- 
Rob
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