Greetings!

Sorry for the lengthy delay in formally kicking this off. As you are all aware, our request for a second Crew through the Council was (finally) denied. In addition, the Philmont Waiting List (our other possible mechanism for getting in) is creeping along at a glacier-like pace, and we basically have no chance there either (they were at #117 this past Friday, and we're #324).

In accordance with all this, we have to cut down from 17 to 12. Rob B. has withdrawn, which leaves us with 4 Adults - the maximum we are allowed. We are therefore asking the four current 8th graders on the list to step down, which will bring us to exactly 12. We will, of course, make a titanic effort this coming October to gain some 2004 slots, when the current 8th graders will be 10th graders. (Because we are going this summer, we are not allowed to go in 2003.)

However, this is not the absolute end for the 8th graders. I have never (in 9 trips) gone to Philmont with the original Crew that was formulated 6 - 8 months before. Adults have work priorities change, and Adults and Scouts get injured or sick, or simply change their minds. Scouts sometimes have to attend summer school. Many things can happen.

I therefore wish to meet with the four 8th graders, briefly after tomorrow night's meeting - the purpose of which is to determine who wants to remain on the waiting list. This meeting will last no more than 10 minutes, so you'll be out the door by 8:45.

Here are the points to consider: (A) If you want to stay on the waiting list, you MUST commit to attending all the remaining Philmont meetings and training, even though the chances of going are poor. The reason why is that it will otherwise be impossible to bring you back up to speed in time if anyone drops out. This is particularly important because all four 8th graders are physically smaller than the rest of the Crew members, and need the training time. (B) Similarly, if you want to stay on the waiting list, you MUST continue to pay the scheduled fees, and also prepare your equipment, as if you are going. Those who drop out now will get a refund on their fees paid to date. (C) Finally, if you switch to the Troop High Adventure in Pennsylvania this summer, you may end up with scheduling conflicts between the prep dates for Philmont versus the prep dates for Pennsylvania. I do encourage everyone to go the Pennsylvania, and I note that I will try very hard to go myself (though getting off work for yet another week will be a challenge).

You will all appreciate that I cannot fairly pick between the four 8th graders. So I am asking you to decide amongst yourselves whether to drop out or hang on. If more than one 8th grader decides to hang on, we will draw lots to establish the order of the waiting list slots. This will be done tomorrow night.

If all four 8th graders decide to drop out en masse, I will pursue other Scouts if anyone else drops out. We do have two other older Scouts who are interested, but they will be accepted only if all four 8th graders bow out and we get 2 more dropouts (not likely). I am being up front with you on this possibility so you don't wonder what happened if another Scout "sneaks on board" at the last minute.

Below is some information from the Philmont List Server on inexpensive rain gear and high quality socks. Something for everyone to consider.

- Bob

Rain Gear

My 3 backpacking/camping guys all voted for FroggToggs for Christmas and love them. They got the test 2 weekends ago on a raincamp where it rained buckets for 12 hours (noon-midnight). #2 Son who is a bit of a whiner had the top and bottoms on and loved it. Was dry and therefore warm, no sweating, they are very breathable, something that my husband's Philmont rainsuit is not. He has not tried it backpacking yet, but the pants/jacket set is lighter that the plain jacket of his rainsuit. Very lightweight (~16 oz. total for the set)

Held up well until son bumped into the stove, small melt found afterward was easily fixed with a bit of tent-tape. Fabric is tougher than it looks.

They are roomy and run large. L-XL firs my 5'11 170 lb hubby fine. Zips on legs allow for easy on/off. They ordered the tan color. Looks like old paper bag out of the package, but softens after a few wearings I am told. They really work and are WAAAAYYY cheaper than other breathable outerwear. For the basic pullover and pants set (The FT-102 Original suit that combines the DN-802 pants and the DN-601 Original jacket. I paid <$60 incl. postage at their site http://www.froggtoggs.com/index.html. They are also good at answering questions.

I just found them though for $50.95 and free shipping at: http://www.sunbeltsports.net/toggs.

Here is a good site that described them: http://www.backcountry-equipment.com/clothing/frogg-toggs/pro-action.html.

And a good review: http://www.backpacker.com/gear/article/0,1023,3165,00.html.

High Quality Socks

First off, if you haven't purchased you boots for this PhilTrek 2002, it is time to get on your high horse and do so to get them properly broken in and to properly break you in too!

After listening to Signe Rogers rant and rave about "loving" her Smartwool socks she used last summer at Philmont, I tried some with my new Asolo AFX 535 boots and reported such a couple of months ago. Like Signe, I also love my Smartwool socks. Smartwool is made from 90% Merino wool and 10% nylon. Soft as a baby's butt on the inside.

I am a longtime (40 years) user of all wool socks. The Smartwool are definitely superior. They come in three weights, I chose using one pair of the Expedition (heavier) weight socks. Some find all wool irritating but I don't. Smartwool isn't irritating to people who normally can't wear wool socks, my wife included.

If she tried to wear a pair of my salt and pepper wool ragg socks containing 85% wool and 15% nylon, her feet break out in hives within 20 minutes. She can wear the Smartwool with no problems at all.

At $16.95 per pair, Smartwool socks aren't cheap. They can be seen at http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=2255&prmenbr=8000&cgrfnbr=4501773

Enter Shelly at Tooth of Time Traders at Philmont. Shelly recommended and TOTT stocks the FoxRiver Backpacking Wick Dry sock which is 60% Duraspun Hi-Wick Acrylic, 20% Worsted Wool, 20% Stretch Nylon and 2% Lycra Spandex added to top.

I recently changed job assignments and now have to wear steel toe boots at work. I hate the things because of the stiff unyielding steel toe box. I tried to wear them with regular weight "work socks" to no avail, so I decided to bite the bullet and take the boots back and fit them to my Smartwool socks.

In the three days between first and second fitting, the store started stocking Foxriver socks. I found a pair of them made almost exactly like the Smartwool socks called Backpacking Fox. At $3.95 per pair they were a bargain compared to $16.95 a pair for Smartwool. I fit my boots to them. They are slightly more bulky than the Smartwool socks but if you prefer an acrylic sock to a mostly wool sock, the Foxriver might just be for you.

I plan on doing a comparison test of one Foxriver and one Smartwool sock just like I did with the Smartwool with and without the poly liner to see just which I prefer for summer use. I'll report my findings in a couple of weeks.

The decision is strictly a personal one, but from what I have determined these two socks are probably number one and two as far as a backpacking sock. Which is which is yet to be determined.

The one I am referring to is the 2362 Wick Dry Explorer BackpackingFox

It can be seen at: http://www.foxsox.com/FoxRiver/SilverStream/Pages/fraCatalog.html?page=pgCategories.html

Then just click on Wick Dry Explorer

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4 March 2002