Greetings to All. Much to Discuss.

1) Crew Status - Alex B. (149) and Dan and Nick T. (111) have dropped out. Charles B., a Life Scout from Troop 111, has joined Crew #1. Charles participated in our Appalachian Trail 50 Miler Trek this past summer, and is familiar with the drill; I will hold a special catch-up meeting for him later this month. He will be joining us for the 50/20 Hike. Ned L., a Scout from Troop 167 and the older brother of Jay L., has declined an invitation to join Crew #3. Clay H. (ASM-104) and Hank M. (MC-111) have joined as new Advisors (commensurate with three Crews). Clay has participated in past Philmont training, but has not been to the Ranch; he is, however, a highly experienced outdoorsman. Hank (Matt's father) attended Philmont as a Scout, back in the early 1970's. Unless a former Philmont Adult or Scout decides to join us, this completes our Crew formations.

For the record, note that Crew #'s 1, 2 and 3 will be occasionally referred to by the Philmont designation of 629-B-1, 629-B-2 and 629-B-3, respectively, in future mailings. Don't be confused; the terms are synonymous.

The TENTATIVE Crew Rosters are as follows:

As previously noted, the Crew Chief positions will rotate on each upcoming event, in order to give the Crew a chance to make a fair appraisal of each Scout's respective leadership abilities. Final Crew Chief selections will be made mid-way through the final shakedown weekend, and will be done by ballot.

Also as previously noted, Scouts may be shifted from Crew to Crew in order to better match physical abilities with selected treks, or in case of irreconcilable personality conflicts. That may be done voluntarily or (if necessary) involuntarily.

At this time, I am assuming that David B., Hank M. and Rick W. will be trekking with their sons' Crews (in Rick's case, with Eric, not Chris). If this is in error, please let me know immediately. This leaves Clay H. and I as "free agents." Tim A. status is unknown at this time; if he can't or is no longer interested in participating, then Daniel Ho. becomes our 6^th Adult, as he is the only Scout in all three Crews who will be 18 years old by 6/29/00. Final Adult Advisor assignments will not be made until this situation is clarified.

**********************************************************************

2) Trek Selections (first is highest priority)

Crew #1 - 21, 24, 18, 30, and 33

Willing to switch to one of the new treks; wants to do Baldy and the Tooth of Time, wants to range over the Ranch, top 5 programs are Burro Racing, Challenge Course, Continental Tie and Lumber Company, Shotgun Shooting, and Horseback Riding. #6 Gold Panning

Crew #2 - 21, 22, 18, 32, and 23

Willing to switch to one of the new treks; wants to do Baldy and the Tooth of Time, wants to range over the Ranch, top 5 programs are Chuck Wagon Dinner, Burro Packing, Burro Racing, Fly Fishing and Gold Panning. #6 Cantina

Crew #3 - 30, 33, 32, and 24 (no 5th choice listed)

Willing to switch to one of the new treks; wants to do Baldy, Phillips and the Tooth of Time, wants to range over the Ranch, top 5 programs are Spar Pole Climbing, Blacksmithing, Burro Racing, Shotgun Shooting, and Cantina. #6 Chuck Wagon Dinner

Note that Trek 21 (top choice of Crews 1 and 2 both) is the old Trek 15, the most popular trek on the Ranch. Trek 24 is the old Trek 13, the second most popular trek on the Ranch. Trek 18 is the old Trek 22, the most popular of the old "20's" treks. Trek 30 is the old Trek 26, the most popular "Superstrenuous" Trek. All of these treks offer some opportunities for enhancement, if they will allow that this year (my understanding is that they did not last year, until mid-July.)

The fact that all three Crews picked popular treks puts us back under the gun for getting our selections in to the Ranch as quickly as possible. Remember, it's first come/first serve. We have a bit of a break this year in that the new PEAKS books will come as a shock to many Crews who don't peruse the Philmont chatlines and listservers (as I do); therefore, they will have to stop and figure out what they're doing. However, others will be as cognizant as we are, and the race will be on. As I discussed at the meeting, if the 7 new treks do not match well with each Crews' stated priorities, I will ignore them and mail our cards immediately. If, on the other hand, some of the new treks look to be good choices, the Adults, Acting Crew Chiefs, and I will get together the night they arrive to pick and choose.

According to the Ranch (who I talked to yesterday on this issue while requesting additional medical forms), the PEAKS books will be mailed on March 16^th and 17^th, and will likely arrive on March 20^th for all Crews around the country (they mail the east coast first, then the closer regions second.) March 20^th is a Monday, and a Scout meeting night for all three Crews' Troops. If it works out this way, I will likely hold our final selection meeting immediately following the meetings, say 9pm, and will then mail the cards first thing Tuesday morning, by Express Mail.

That's the current plan. Remember that plans that are most favorable to you rarely survive contact with reality. Be prepared to make fast alternate arrangements upon my phone call.

***********************************************************************

3) Colorado Pre-Activities - These are the top 10 rated activities, in selection priority (#1 highest.) We will not be able to do them all, but we will attempt to do as many as possible. A lot depends on how early we arrive in Colorado, which airport we arrive at, and how much of a hassle it is to get the vans (sometimes easy, sometimes difficult.)

1) Whitewater Rafting

2) Rock Climbing and Repelling

3) Cave of the Winds - Discovery Tour if possible

4) Pike's Peak/Cog Railway

5) Mountain Biking

6) Horseback Riding (Note that all 3 Crews' first choices include horseback riding)

7) Bowling

8) Royal Gorge

9) Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants

10) Trout Fishing

Note that other "short" activities may also be "fitted in" where possible - for example, a driving tour of the Garden of the Gods; Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Putt/Putt Golf, etc. A final schedule will be published in a future Newsletter, probably after we have our airfares and vans finalized.

***********************************************************************

4) Equipment Shakedown - All things considered, we are further ahead than in some past years. The biggest issues appeared to be long pants (too many nylon windbreakers - which are not "pants"), rain gear (some pretty heavy combinations of windsuits and ponchos), fleece-based pullovers (many way too thick and bulky), some pairs of sneakers, hats (most not waterproof), and the daypacks (many too heavy, many others far too small). Sporadic problems with boots and sleeping bags were also noted. Several backpacks were too small.

Everyone has their equipment list, now marked up per our observations and comments. The time to fix your problems is NOW, not mid-June. Remember the REI has a special sale on Saturday, March 18^th, and Casual Adventure a 20% off sale on March 22^nd. If you need a lot of stuff, don't miss them. I will point out other sales as I become aware of them.

As noted above, overall, we're not too bad shape for our first equipment shakedown. I was somewhat disappointed, however, in some of the attitudes displayed by some trekkers concerning our coaching and constructive critique on weight and bulk. Challenging, ignoring, or laughing off our advice are the worst possible approaches to your training and equipment assembly. You will note that Dan Hu., Brad J., Chris and Rick W., and I - your Philmont experienced trekkers, and each of us backpacking gorillas - all had extremely lightweight kits. YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A REAL STRONG HINT. Don't look at me and think: "If this fat little twerp can do it, anyone can." This fat little twerp is a lot deeper than you suspect.

Most Crews that go to Philmont - many of them made up of big, strapping athletes with plenty of camping experience - are very disagreeably surprised when they hit the Ranch. They get killed by the combination of altitude, topography, too much weight and improper conditioning. The strongest backpacker I've ever had on a Crew - an all-state wrestler from Oakton - was a kitten every time we went over 9,000 feet. He was no exception to the rule, either. In my estimation, at least two thirds of the Crews on the Ranch are poorly trained and overequipped, and end up being miserable - in some cases, extremely miserable. Many Crews implode during their treks, and basically just try to survive it without massacring each other. Most of them were warned - they just didn't bother to pay attention.

Is this what you want? If you're not careful and attentive, it's exactly what you'll get.

I have already told you that our smaller Crew sizes will result in an unavoidable average weight gain of about 5 pounds per trekker. This means our minimum ideal will be about 40 pounds. This also means we have to be MORE meticulous about weight reduction, not less. 40 pounds per man is very easily ramped up to 50 pounds per man - and 50 pounds IS TWICE AS HARD TO CARRY as 40, believe it. I'm telling you this from the perspective of an eight-time Philmont trekker with well over 2,500 miles of hard-core backpacking experience on his resume. ‘Nuf said!

***********************************************************************

5) Airfares, continued - Several families have asked me about making alternate travel plans for their sons following Philmont. This is easily done, SO LONG AS YOU TELL ME BEFORE I PURCHASE THE AIRFARES! I have to know EXACTLY where you want to go, and the acceptable time frame for arrival at your terminus. For the record, you can assume we will be leaving Colorado Springs airport around 2pm on July 11^th, and that we will connect at least once before returning the Washington. Remember that Denver is still a possibility, too. Typical connecting cities are St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Detroit/Ft. Wayne, and Houston. There is no way to predict which one of these - or something completely different - at this time, but I still need to know where you want to go and when you'd like to get there.

As previously noted, changes made after the purchase of the airfares will incur an additional (sometimes huge) expense, which will necessarily be covered by the family involved.

If the alternate airfares result in a higher or lower cost, that additional expense or savings will be passed on to the respective family.

I need to know your alternate plans NOW, because I will purchase the airfares as soon as I get a fare anywhere below $250 RT. That could be tomorrow....

**********************************************************************

6) 50/20 Hike - Final Hints - Remember to be at the UPPER St. Agnes Parking Lot by NO LATER THAN 6:15 this Saturday morning. DON'T BE LATE!!! We need driver assistance to Ashburn, and definitely from the 20 mile marker (which is where 2/3rds of the Crews' collective Scouts are bailing out.) I suspect no one will want to walk home from there.... If you can assist, please contact Ted or Ann G. Sooner/Better. Scouts and Advisors - Don't forget to re-read the 50/20 hiking hints provided in Newsletter #4 (2/29/00).

**********************************************************************

See You Saturday at 6:15am.

Parents, please share and discuss this newsletter with your sons. Scouts, please share and discuss this newsletter with your parents. 3 ½ months to go!

- Dr. Bob

Home.
9 March 2000