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Re: Philmont trip report(a bit long)
Susan Ganther (susan@EMAIL.UNC.EDU)
Mon, 31 Jul 1995 09:52:39 -0400
Warren, Thanks for sharing your Philmont story with the list. My group
hiking days are probably over since recovery from my foot surgery has not
been as hoped, but your story and the others shared on the list recall
some great memories of hikes I am glad I made. Our Scouts prepared for
almost a year before a high adventure trek, especially the young Scout
who was selected crew leader. He was concerned with being able to lead if
he could not outhike the older boys in the crew. The older boys were
training too, their goal? To be sure they would be able to ditch the
adults as soon as possible after the hike began. Fortunately we were
blessed with a guide who could stroll at a pace I had to jog to keep up with.
(He also had a pitching arm that could break the sound barrier, but thats
another story.)
My favorite hike will always be the one in the 200 mile wilderness in
Maine, BTW it's called the 100 mile wilderness now, so you know this had a
long time ago. The group leaders relaxed after the first couple of days
and let us spread out along the trail according to our own friendships or
desire for solitude. I saw and heard things I would have missed if I had
been talking or clomping along with the herd. I have also noticed that
the only time I have hurt myself is when I am trying to match someone
else's pace. I have seen Scouts embarrassed by their lack of physical
prowess push themselves way beyond their capabilities to the point where
they have injured themselves and become a burden because they were trying
so hard not to be one. If you have ever been picked last in gym class,
you will understand how a kid can hurt himself trying NOT to be the
slowest in the group. I have hiked with several troops and the worst
experience I had was with the troop that marched everyone in a line and
if one person needed to stop the whole line had to stop. It was
miserable, no one in that troop liked hiking after having been on one of
their hikes I don't blame them. I got fed up and went on ahead to hike my
own hike at my own pace. I hiked about two miles ahead and waited at a
road crossing where another troop member was joining us mid hike due to
schedule conflicts. We waited over an hour for the group to catch up, so
you can imagine what it was like to travel in that group (hike 100 yds,
STOP, repeat).
There is always more than one way to skin a cat, what you'd want with a
skinned cat is fodder for future discussion.
As long as one adult is bringing up the rear, and another knows to look
for him or her at predetermined points along the way, the only time you
really need to keep a group together is when you are hiking cross country
or with individuals who lack the skills and judgement to handle hiking at
10 - 30 minute intervals like very young kids or unit commissioners and
such like.
YiS, Susan
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
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