Greetings All,

On Saturday, I spend almost an hour and a half talking to Scott, our primary guide for our trek to Killarney. We would able to clarify quite a few issues that had been of some concern to me. Of note, I appear to have significantly *overestimated* the "wilderness" flavor of the trek. Yes, we're going to be "out there," but not quite as hard-core as I had thought. This email is to give everyone a better sense of the camping environment and how things will be done day-to-day.

First and primary, we are encouraged to go ahead and pack in backpacks, regardless of whether internal or external frame. Duffel bags "are a really bad idea," and should not be used by anyone.

Second, after reviewing my list, Scott suggests that anyone who has a whistle should bring it as part of their equipment. Please add this item to your "optional" items.

Third, none of the portages are killers. The shortest is about 30 meters, while the longest is about 800 meters (about half a mile). All are flat or nearly so. Scott recommends that we do double portages: "Why kill yourselves? - we're in no hurry." The guides will show us how to portage as part of our basecamp orientation when we arrive.

Fourth, we will be using established campsites. Each lake we'll be on has a number of campsites, which are available on a first come/first serve basis. We may run into other groups; however, we're in the northern park of the park, which is more remote and significantly less populated, so other groups are more likely to be fewer and farther between. The campsites *do* have latrines (which is a heck of a surprise to me, but was instituted in self-defense by the Park Authorities after spending inordinate efforts cleaning up the more heavily used campsites - not the most pleasant job.) The latrines are the classic "thunder-boxes," which is an open-air box sitting on the ground. Philmont veterans are well familiar with these, as they're installed in about half the campsites at Philmont. We have to vacate each site by no later than noon each day, but I frankly do not expect that to be a problem - we should be gone long before then.

Fifth, the maximum number of people that can camp in any campsite is nine, so we'll be breaking into three groups for camping purposes each night. However, Scott and I agreed that it will be easier if we did all cooking and cleaning at one site, and split up after dinner to return to our campsites. Thus, we'll set up our basic campsites each afternoon, then assemble at one camp for dinner. This will help reduce our gear requirements, and make our duty roster a lot easier to manage. Our camping groups will have at least one Philmont Adult and one Philmont Scout each, with the fourth Philmont Adult and Scout being in the group that the Guides are not camping with (the guides will each pick one group to camp with.) We will probably vary our camping groups each night, just to mix and match a little. Note that we will canoe as one large group.

Sixth, due to extensive acid rain problems in the 70's and 80's, the number and size of the fish in the lakes where we'll be is not impressive. Scott recommends that "unless you're really into fishing, don't bother bringing your gear - it's barely worth the effort." The only thing we're likely to catch are a few sunfish, rock bass and perch. I will leave this decision up to each attendee, but if you bring gear, come with reduced expectations.

Seventh, the lake temperatures will vary from low 60's to mid-70's; the latter is like bath water. The water is incredibly clear - in some places, you can see down 30 feet or more. The water is nearly clean enough to drink "as is" (but we will always purify nonetheless; I note this only as a reassurance during swimming and canoeing.) Extremely refreshing swimming.

Eighth, the weather conditions are surprisingly warm - according to Scott, we can expect to reach 90 each day, and drop into the 60's at night. They have been rather muggy and wet this year, but August is usually drier. Because we are so much further north (and a little further west), we can expect delayed sunsets, about an hour later than Arlington. Expect dusk around 9:15, and true darkness by 9:45/10:00pm. Fires are permitted, but with such delayed sunsets, we may not bother, especially since we're split into three groups (I do not expect anyone to be doing any night-time canoeing!)

Ninth, according to Scott, use of soaps and deoderants, etc., is not only bad for bears, but will also attract mosquitoes and biting flies to the newly cleaned individual(s). He recommends (as do I) that swimming two or three times a day is more than adequate to remain acceptablyclean and stay bear-safe. On bears, Scott indicates that there are plenty of bears in the area, but that if we follow our standard (Philmont) precautions, we probably won't even see one. That's fine with me!

Last, Safety: PFD's are required for all individuals in canoes or kayaks, and is recommended for swimming. We will have a number of whistles for canoeing, plus several Motorolas for camp-to-camp and canoe-to-canoe communications. In the event a serious medical emergency, Scott has a cell phone, which apparently can be picked up from the tops of several peaks in the area (the guides know which ones.) Scott also indicates that the guides can do a "speed run" in a kayak to go get help at need; even the furthest point in our trek is not that far from basecamp for a skilled kayaker travelling fast and light.

Good to know....

- Bob

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25 July 1999