Re: Philmont Information
Earl Needham (needhame@3LEFTIES.COM)
Fri, 30 May 1997 14:58:01 -0700
I've been on only one trek, 721-O 1994, so others may have different
answers. However...
> From: Fred Smith <Fred_Smith/FASTTAX@CLR.COM>, on 5/30/97 12:30 PM:
> 1. Philmont furnishes trail tents or a crew may bring their own. What kind
> of tent do they furnish? Are they in good repair? How do they perform in
> wet weather? How much do they weigh?
The tents are 2-man Philmont tents, like in the BSA catalog. Most of
them are new every year or every other year, and they work well. In wet
weather, they are like any other non-nylon tent -- don't touch teh material and
you'll stay dry. I don't remember exactly what the weight was -- certainly not
more than 4 to 6 pounds, if that. We split up the tent with one individual
carrying the poles and the other the material.
> 2. Philmont furnishes a crew dinning fly? Is it worth carrying? Did you
> use it?
It's definitely worth carrying, especially if (I mean WHEN) it rains at
supper time. Our ranger showed us a different way to put it up. The sides
were staked down on the ground, and the poles were only about half up. This
prevented the wind from blowing the fly away or apart.
> 3. What kind of trail food is furnished?
Depends on the year. Some years, they furnish Pemmican bars, sometimes
they furnish PowerBars. Lunch is usually very simple, like crackers and
squeeze cheese or similar.
> 4. Are there electrical outlets anywhere for charging VideoCam batteries?
> (I know, this may seem like wilderness essential equipment, but, it sure
> would be nice to document our trip.)
You really want to carry that? It sure will be heavy at 8500 feet+
elevation! But, to answer your question, most of the staffed camps have
electricity available.
> 5. Have any of your crew members had high blood pressure problems? Philmont
> seems very concerned about it. Has the camp doctor kept anyone off the
> trail?
This didn't affect us.
> 6. Are the staffed camp programs crowded? How can we make the most of the
> programs?
There was only one time where we couldn't take part in the activities,
and that was because we got in a bit later than we expected. Most of the time,
it isn't a problem.
> 7. Which do you recommend: rain suits or ponchos?
This is an individual choice, but I prefer a rain suit and a pack cover
instead of a poncho. My experience with a poncho in the wind is that it's
worse than useless.
> 8. What would you do differently if you had the opportunity to go again?
I'd let the Scouts have more of the responsibility than I did. I took
my own stove, etc. I'd still do that, but I'd let one of them take care of it.
Earl Needham, KD5XB
Clovis, NM
Wood Badge at Philmont! http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/7582/ ICQ
#925486
KD5XB@AMSAT.ORG
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Chi '76
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
