Greetings to All. Much to discuss; please read several times, and make sure you take care of the various issues that are included.

For those who are unaware: Charlie S. has been added to the Crew as our 13th member. He earned it. Luke B. and Matt G. were elected as the Primary and Backup Crew Chiefs, respectively.

Today and Tomorrow Morning are good times to get some final practice in on Death Hill. If you are interested in doing so, call around to see if you can find a buddy. That said, I may or may not make it tonight - time pressures are squeezing me pretty good right now, and I can't afford to get home exhausted once again (so if you're there at 6:30 tonight, and I'm not there, don't wait on me). Hopefully (if I don't make it), the 500-plus miles I've already put it this year will be (ahem) "adequate".

Thanks to Charlie S., Neil S., and Thomas S., who did all the Philmont equipment prep work last Saturday morning.

1) Address Header Included
I have not used the bcc function on this email; this allows everyone to exchange group emails while we are gone.

We will be in sporadic contact with Joy G. during the beginning and end of the trip ONLY, so she will doubtless send a few general informational emails. Joy's contact info is included at the bottom of the itinerary.

2) Itinerary
Copies of the itinerary were sent last night as WordPerfect and Word attachments imbedded in yesterday's general distribution email. Please print off a copy, and keep it in a secure place for quick reference while we're gone. Note that phone numbers are included for each activity site; we are reserved under my name and/or "Troop 111". Remember, "no news is good news"; don't expect lots of communications from us while we're gone. The flight numbers are also included in the itinerary; you can also use these to track our projected return on the 29th (we will also call Joy G. to start a teletree on the 29th).

3) Ranch Update
All fires are long since out. The North Country (previously closed) is supposed to reopen tomorrow (7/12), so we should get our original trek request (Trek 32). However, our trek will likely still be modified in order to avoid the burned off areas. I have both Brad Jones and Wally Feurtado (a friend who arrives at Philmont today) checking this out; hopefully, they can give us a heads up before we leave.

4) Upcoming Timeline
Luke, Matt, Hugh, and I will assemble at the Parish Center at 6pm Sunday night to pre-organize the Crew gear. Everyone else should be there at 7pm SHARP, with their backpacks fully packed and prepped as described below.

Note that - unless someone's pack is ridiculously overweight - I will NOT be doing another equipment shakedown Friday night. Every member of the Crew is expected to have ALL of their required equipment AND NOTHING ELSE. All deficiencies that were spelled out in Newsletter #4 are expected to have been fully rectified over the past three weeks. We WILL be rechecking everything one last time at Basecamp, and I will quite pitiless in tossing anything that is smuggled past me Friday night. And if it gets lost or stolen at Basecamp, too bad.

Note also that we will be collecting money (for those who wish to use the Banker system) and medications on Friday night. All Scouts should carry a minimum of $20 ON THEM, in addition to whatever is given to the Banker. See the Memorabilia page for guidelines on the total amount of money to bring.

The Saturday timeline is detailed on the Itinerary. Note that we need volunteers to drive the Troop vans to National Airport on Saturday morning.

5) Pack Preparation
If you haven't hosed out and dried your pack yet, do so immediately. If you haven't "rinse-washed" your trekking clothes (no soap, no dryer pads), do so immediately. Boots should be packed inside your pack after we have weighed your pack and AFTER YOU HAVE SHOWN THEM TO ME (boots are the single most forgotten item, by far, when packing for Philmont). Canteens should be empty, cracked open (to allow for pressure changes without exploding), and PACKED INSIDE THE MAIN COMPARTMENT OF YOUR PACK (not in any of the outside pockets); otherwise, they'll get destroyed during handling by the baggage personnel. Hip belts should be reversed around the frame and clipped shut (usually under the sleeping bag). Shoulder straps should be tightened or tied tight against the back frame. All other straps should be tightened and secured (free "loops" are very bad). If you are using diaper pins, have them inside the pack for travel, not pinned anywhere on the outside where handling could undo them and cause a personal injury; inside the personal clothes line and binder clips zip-lock baggie is a good place to store them. Finally, place a 3 x 5 card, in one of the outside pockets where it will be quickly found, with your name, home address and phone number, and "If found before July 17th, call Hugh S. (number deleted for Web version)" written on it. This is a "last gasp" effort to get your pack returned if it's somehow lost during travel. You may want to do the same with your carry-on bag.

6) Paperwork Due Friday Night
To my surprise, NONE of the companies we are working with for our Colorado activities sent us a liability waiver form for parental signatures (quite a change from past years). Therefore, Hugh and I will be signing "in loco parentis" for all such activities. For this reason, I will have a General Permission Slip for all parents to sign, at the Friday night assembly (and therefore, at least one parent must attend).

On medical forms, remember, ONLY the Philmont Medical Form will be accepted. No med, no Philmont. Note that BOTH THE SCOUT AND A PARENT SIGNATURE, DATED, ARE REQUIRED. Our Trek number is 717-I-1 (go ahead and write it in). Every medical MUST have a photocopy of the trekker's medical insurance card, BOTH FRONT AND BACK, included.

Note that I need a volunteer to take all of the medical forms over to Staples Friday night and xerox four copies of the pertinent sections.

Welcome to idiotic Council bureaucracy.

7) Carry-On Stuff
Your carry-on stuff should be in accordance with the list I provided to you last week. Pack in a small to medium sized soft duffel bag that meets the airline size restrictions for overhead storage. Note that you probably cannot carry on both a duffel and a daypack on board, meaning your daypack would have to be stored INSIDE your carry-on duffel. Keep the total bulk down. Note that you can check your Carry-On if you prefer (in fact, you may have to). I will have a brand-new CD car player with all the adaptor gear, so you can leave that stuff at home. Limit 3 CD's max please (if any); note that (if you're smart) you will likely be sleeping for much of your van travel time, and KILO in Colorado is an excellent radio station, so CD's aren't really needed. Note that clothing choices are less important for the Colorado pre-activities; however, it is still a good idea to avoid 100% cotton clothes, and also use white/light colors when possible. Your long pants should be easily accessible, since we will be doing the horseback ride as our first Saturday activity. All Uniform parts and carry-on clothing should have your name (initials at least) and "Tr 111" marked on it (remember, we will be with two other Crews when we join the Council bus, and will likely mass-wash our carry-on clothes when we arrive at Basecamp).

8) Uniforms
As previously noted, your Uniforms MUST be completely up to snuff. For Drew and Mark, this includes sewing on your First Class patch after tonight's Board of Review (and remember to ask me for your orange epaulets Friday night). We will be travelling in FULL Scout Uniform, including socks, epaulets, bolo ties, belts, etc. If you wear a hat, make sure it is socially acceptable (by MY standards, not by typical H.S. standards).

We will give out the Council T-Shirts in Colorado; these can be used as our Class B Uniform Shirts, where appropriate.

9) Weather in Colorado
As of this morning's 7 day forecast on the Weather Channel, there is a possibility of showers and/or thunderstorms each of our 4 days in Colorado. Be prepared. BTW, if they occur, thunderstorms or more than moderate rain will likely wash out the rock climbing on Day II and the mountain biking on Day III. If so, we will likely substitute an indoor climbing gym for rock climbing, and Royal Gorge for mountain biking. Based on past years, I do not expect either scenario to occur.

10) Personal Preparation
If you've been living on caffeinated sodas or coffee, STOP NOW and switch to water only to clean out your system. Clip your fingernails. Clip your toenails as close as you dare. If you have any version of Athlete's Foot, prepare a solution of warm water with a dollop of Chlorox in it and thoroughly soak and wash your feet (warning - open cuts or raw skin will sting, but this works). If your hair is long, get a haircut (doesn't mean you need a buzz-cut, just moderate length hair or less is all that's needed). If you haven't put together a double set of any needed prescriptions, do so immediately.

11) Mail
If you wish to send a letter to your son at Philmont, use the following address:

Your Son's Name, Crew 717-I-1
Philmont Scout Ranch
RR1, Box 35
Cimarron, NM 87714

Note that it takes roughly 4 days for a letter to be delivered, so you will need to mail your first letter(s) by the last mailing this Saturday for us to get it upon arrival at Basecamp, and by Thursday, July 25th, in order for us to get it when we return off the trail. Don't send cash or food. If you want it back in case on non-delivery, include a return address.

12) Miscellaneous
* If you haven't read the Bear Safety Treatise, please do so TONIGHT at the latest.
* You should also read your little Philmont Guidebook to Adventure, filled with tidbits of useful information. Bring it with you, too, for plane and/or van reading.
* If you haven't gotten a PHOTO ID, you are now in an emergency status. You MUST take care of this Today or Tomorrow!
* Contact lens wearers, remember, SMALL fluid bottles, and TWO SETS of each! Medications takers, remember, TWO SETS of each!, but only bring the *minimum* number of pills (don't bring a 60 day supply out on the trail!)
* Wallets and key-rings should be pre-stripped for the trip; take only what you need and nothing else. Note that these items will be left at Basecamp while we're on the trail, in Security.
* If your bootlaces are old, worn, or weakening, please replace them.
* If the batteries in your carry-on flashlight are dying, replace them.

That's It. See you soon.... - Bob

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11 July 2002