[Philmont] Advisor Questions

On our Day three, we and our sister crew go up into Valle Vidal into Greenwood Canyon.
Both crews had taken the wilderness pledge.
Our Sister crew dammed up the mountain creek and started bathing in it.
some people see that as harmless fun -- I saw it as violating their Wilderness pledge.
Moral of the story -- many crews change behavior after the Ranger leaves though they should not
 
Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance

>>> On 09-Jun-08 at 11:59 AM, in message <MDAEMON-F200806091201.AA0104898pd50006304086@troop47.com>, "Daniel Smart" <bhamdans@gmail.com> wrote:
Don,
We trained our boys on the Pacific Crest Trail method of hanging which uses a stop stick on the down string to suspend the food without tying to a tree. I understand that the Ranger will teach the tie-off method. Can you revert back after day 3?

See http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/bear_bag_hanging_technique.html on method

-=Dan=-

On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 11:49 AM, Donald S. Roberts <donald@hummellawfirm.com> wrote:

From: Kim P
1)we used the rope provided by Philmont, used to hang bear bags each night
 
2) we used the bag provided by PHilmont, I would leave the bear canister at home. I would think PHilmont would NOT let you use it any way. Their bear procedures are tried and proven.
 
3) my last trek started July 24, NO bugs. But I hear of a few treks every couple years who do run into bugs, but earlier in July as I remember. I have used a sunscreen with DEET each time. An OFF product, found it last time in the bug repellent section of CVS.
 
4) used the PHilmont method to purify twice, used a filter the last time. The choice is up to you............IF you have room for it.
 
5) plenty of "red Roof" Inns or "Pilot to bombardier" or "pilot to co-pilot" to use, in trail camps and staff camps. Bring one towel for the whole crew, just in case.

 Be careful what advice you take, different treks, and particularly the Valle, have distinct requirements.

However, forget the bear canister. I prefer them to the bags, I think they work better and should be used, but Philmont doesn't allow them. You will have to hang you stuff anyway, so if you bring a canister, you will have to stick it in a bag and hang it. They also use the tie off method rather than counter balance, which Philmont policy I also disagree with. Here in California I guess the bears are smarter, the tie off method would result in your stuff in the paws of a bear.

As to using the PHilmont rope or not, remember that when you have a four day pickup, and crew stuff that goes up, your bags could weigh a total of over 100 pounds for a 12 person crew. That means your lightweight 1/8 inch cord is not likely toi be strong enough. We have had success in using a 1/8 inch steel cable with pulleys and carabiners instead of the philmont rope, it actually worked out lighter.

I've heard of problems with bugs, typically no-see-ums, rarely mosquitos. I've never experienced it.

We took a filter our first two treks. Used it never the first time, once the second. I doubt we'll bring one again. I don't know what the water situation is in the Valle, though.

>From the other responses, it sounds like there are fewer places with facilities in the Valle. Even in the south, however, you can have a long day (say 9 miles or so) with no facilities, so you need at least some capability to dig a cathole if needed. The plastic sierra shovel is virtually weightless and having a few is not a big cost and makes it easier to find one when impatiently needed. Just be careful not to run out of toilet paper. We did one day due to it getting wet. Not a pretty sight.

Regards

Don Roberts

Fullerton, CA

 
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-- 
-=Dan=- 
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