Re: Philmont equipment
golden cliff (c60clg1@CORN.CSO.NIU.EDU)
Mon, 22 Dec 1997 19:55:10 -0600
Our troop has visited Philmont 11 times.
I can remember one trip where we only used tents one night (the first night
for ranger training). Still, we had tents and carried them with us the
entire way. We were fortunate to have exceptional weather on that trip.
I can think of other trips where we've experienced "Philmont Monsoon". I
would never consider not taking tents out on the trail.
The Scout Motto is "Be Prepared". Traveling the Philmont backcountry
without tents is not my idea of "being prepared". If you choose not to use
them a few times, that's one issue, but to not have them with you at all I
feel is foolhardy.
A starlit New Mexico sky is one of the most beautiful things on this
earth, and sleeping under it in the open is a great experience. Fierce
winds with a blackened sky bombarding you with cold rain/hail is not an
occaison for sleeping under flies. That would not be a great experience.
Heed the advice of Philmont HQ and take tents. Believe me, those people
really know what they're talking about. They run a world class program!
YIS, Cliff Golden
Scoutmaster Troop 33; DeKalb, Illinois
Three Fires Council BSA
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/9857/
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
