High Adventure Committee Chester County Council, BSA P 3 Philmont Parents & Participants March, 2007 Jim Thompson High Adventure Committee Chairman Chester

High Adventure Committee

Chester County Council, BSA

P3

Philmont Parents & Participants March, 2007

Jim ThompsonHigh Adventure Committee Chairman


Chester County Council High Adventure Committee

Agenda

What is Philmont?

What is Chester County Council’s Role

What do I have to do?

Q&A


What is Philmont?

Scouting’s Premier High Adventure BaseLocated in NE New Mexico200+ Square Miles, 137,000+ AcresThe ultimate scouting experience


What is Philmont? – History


What is Philmont? – Waite Phillips

"The only things we keep permanently are those we give away." (Waite Phillips)


What is Philmont? - Wildlife


What is Philmont? – Grandeur


What is Philmont?

It’s a lot like a cruise !


What is Philmont?

PhilSpeak

High Adventure Trek One of several programs offered by Philmont. An itinerary including day by day scheduling of campsites and programs.

CrewA group of 7-12 individuals taking a Trek.

ExpeditionA Crew traveling on a specific Trek on a specific date.

ContingentA group of Crews traveling as a group to and from Philmont.

Shakedown hike or weekendA training activity designed to prepare for a Philmont Trek.


What is Philmont? – The Ranch’s History


What is Philmont? – The Ranch Today

34 Staffed Camps; 55 Trail Camps60+ Activities

HistoricTraditionalOld WestPlaces of Interest


Historic Programs


Traditional Programs


Old West Programs


Places of Interest


Anatomy of a Trek

DistanceTerrainStaff Camps vs. Trail Camps vs. Dry CampsProgram


2006 Philmont Trek Difficulty

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Trek Number

Mile

s

Super Strenuous

Strenuous

Rugged

Challenging


A Sample Trek

Expedition # 709-H2July 9th arrival, 8th Contingent, 2nd Crew

Trek 12, Challenging, 62 milesTwo peaks – Phillips 11,711 & The Tooth 9,003No layover days5 staffed camps; 3 trail camps; 3 dry camps

2006Troop 6, West Chester PA8 youth 4 adults



Trek 26 Day 1: Trailbound Tent City


Trek 26 Day 1: Trailbound Tent City



Trek 26 Day 1: Opening Campfire


Day 2 – Zastrow TA to Rayado River



Day 2 – Zastrow TA to Rayado River


Day 3 – Rayado River to Urraca





















Day 4 – Urraca to Miners Park








Day 5 – Miners Park to Black Mountain











Day 6 – Miners Park to Comanche








Day 7 – Comanche to Comanche Peak


Day 7 – Comanche to Comanche Peak


Day 8 – Comanche Peak – Lower Sawmill














Day 9 – Lower Sawmill – Hunting Lodge









Day 10 – Hunting Lodge to Upper Clarks















Day 11 – Upper Clarks to Tooth Ridge







Day 11- Upper Clarks to Tooth Ridge


Day 12- Tooth Ridge to Base Camp
















Day 13 – Going Home









Chester County Council’s Role

SupportLogisticsTraining


How do I apply for a campership grant

Write a letter to the High Adventure Committee explaining your needs.

Grants will be issued for a portion of the expenses with the final ammount based on need and the number of applicants


Why are we leaving for Philmont 3 days early?

Acute Mountain Sickness

Altitude acclimatization

Hydration


What will we do on the way to Philmont?

Day 1USAFA / Olympic Training Ctr / Colorado Springs



Day 2 Whitewater Rafting / LaJunta Indian Dancers



Day 3Arrive Philmont



What you need to ‘Be Prepared’


What you need to ‘Be Prepared’

Trained LeadersTo be physically fitTo be mentally readyTo be properly equipped


Trained Leaders

Crews will have two to four adultsMost will have three

Each crew will have one or more advisors certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR

All Advisors will have completed BSA Youth Protection Training


Be Mentally Ready

Be ready to cooperate as part of a team.Be willing to take on any task, even if it isn’t your assigned task, for your crew.Help your tentmate / buddy throughout the shakedown process.Recognize that you will get wet and dirty.Eat the food, not for the taste, for its value as fuel.Respect your elected Crew Leader’s authority


Be Physically Ready

More of an issue for AdvisorsAerobic exercises are bestWeight limits are for realEstablish a program now, execute through our departure dateCheck the pain calculatorCrews should conduct 3-5 shakedown hikes


To Be Properly Equipped

The Big Four of BackpackingBootsBackpackSleeping BagRain Gear


Types of Packs

External FrameLess ExpensiveSpaced from back

CoolerTolerates lumpsMore freedom packing

Some gear outsideMore pockets

Internal FrameMore ExpensiveClose to back

HotterCareful packing required

Gear both inside & outside

Trade-offs


Packs, con’t…

SizeMust be adequate for both personal and crew gear!

Recommend Min. of 4500 cu in min

Remember to try on many different packs


Boots & Socks

LeatherMore expensiveCareful break inHeavier

Fabric & LeatherLess expensiveLighterMinimal break-in

•Lightest boot capable of handling trails and loads you’ll have

•Remember your weight is going to be you plus your pack (Approx 50lbs)

•Waterproof - GORETEX


Boots & Socks

It’s the fit not the size

Wear 2 pair socks- thin synthetic liner, midweight wool.

No toe contact with front on incline

Walk around- does it feel right?


Sleeping Bags

MummyLess roomLess to heatHoodedlighter

RectangularMore roomNo hoodHeavier

Buy the bag you will use year around

20 – 35 degree


Sleeping Bags

DownWarmestLightestLooses insulation ability when wetVery hard to dry

SyntheticWarm enoughLight enoughReasonablevalue when wet


Ground Pads

Closed-cell foamWater proofCheapLightestIndestructiblePacks quickly

Self-inflatingMore expensiveHeavierSlightly more comfortableAdults prefer


Rain Gear

Suggested: Two piece RainsuitObjective- stay warm & dryNot worth it to go cheapLook for Nylon w/ GortexPack smallPants with side zips and/or boot zips


Clothing

NO COTTON!Minimum requirement 50/50 blendRecommend nylon quick dry clothing


Outfitters

EMSWWW.EMS.COM

289 Main StreetExton, PA

Concord Mall4737 Concord PikeWilmington, DE

REIWWW.REI.COM

ConshohockenPlymouth Meeting200 W Ridge Pike Conshohocken, PA 19428

EMSWWW.EMS.COM

289 Main StreetExton, PA

Concord Mall4737 Concord PikeWilmington, DE

CampmorWWW.Campmor.Com

ScoutDirectWWW.ScoutDirect.Com

www.alpsmountaineering.com


BenefitsQuestions?



More Information

Chester County Council Home Pagewww.cccbsa.org - High Adventure Pagewww.ccchighadventure.org – High Adventure Comm

[email protected]

Documents

High Adventure Committee Chester County Council, BSA P 3 Philmont Parents & Participants March, 2007 Jim Thompson High Adventure Committee Chairman Chester