[philmont] Blue Max and Red Coleman

On my first trek to the ranch in '74 Santa Claus gave me and the majority of our crew Blue Max packs straight from the scout shop. My parents gave me one of those red, rectangular Coleman sleeping bags with a stuff sack. I still have both. The Blue Max lived in my parents attic for many, many years and the internal waterproofing is in the terminal stages of peeling. But, the nylon is as strong as ever and I'll bet I could still use it with a good rain cover, as long as I upgraded the shoulder straps and hip belt. Our rain covers in '74 consisted of BSA issue ponchos. Being from Louisiana, we were used to standing around in the rain getting wet. Luckily our late trek meant warmer weather during the days as the so called monsoons kept our ponchos draped over our packs and us dripping wet, but not cold, for 3-4 days. I can't recall anyone having leak problems with their Blue Max's. I was the only one that ended up with a rain soaked sleeping bag. And only because I got the wrong spot on the floor in
the lean-to at Cypher's Mine.

I think the best equipment choice I made for the trip was paying $15 for a pair of US Army Jungle Boots. For me, they were comfortable(with good socks), indestructible, light and cheap. Our 21 year old advisor (you read that right... one 21 year-old advisor with 11 scouts) who had been in the Army for while opted for expensive, custom-made boots from somewhere. After a few days on the trail I think he wished he had saved the big bucks and gone the same boot route I did.

Scott Calkins
Baton Rouge, LA

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Received on Mon Sep 10 15:10:57 2007