[Philmont]: Adult Fitness

I noted a while ago that I only hang around this list too keep up on
general issues of backpacking. My last 50 miler was really hard on my
knees, and I would be doing a real disservice to both myself and the crew
to try to do 80 miles of Philmont terrain. I always picture myself back at
Philmont, but the last frame of the vision sees me in the emergency room
with amputated legs.

In 2003, we had an adult (John) who maybe should not have been there. (I
was not there myself. As scoutmaster at the time, I had the final say on
what youth and adult went.) I knew this 60 year old guy would have
trouble, and all could tell it from the practice hikes. He was fit enough,
but a slow hiker. I talked to John and separately to his wife. He begged
to go. He would do anything to go. I talked to the crew leader and other
crew members who assured me that John would not be left behind. They were
comfortable with him along, even if it meant that they missed some
activities.

After the trek, they were pleased with how it went. When they took breaks,
John would keep walking slowly ahead. The small groups of crew members
took turns walking ahead with him. Once rested, the crew would
proceed. Once they caught up to John, they would slow down a bit to
accommodate him. In this way they were able to keep closer to their
schedule and only missed one activity. No one ever complained about
missing that activity either during or after the trek. John never once
thought that he would not finish, nor did he ever want to leave the
crew. He was proud that the crew never gave up on him, and accommodated him.

This is not the ideal situation, and I would not recommend that crews
accommodate adults that may have difficulties. If there are issues with a
member and the entire crew wants everyone who trained to join them on the
Philmont trail, go for it. If the crew is of one mind, then they have a
real chance of being successful. Crews that complain about weak links
before they hit the trail will magnify those issues along the way.

Roman Smith
CR
St. Joseph Church
South Bend, IN

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Received on Tue Sep 28 11:48:30 2004