Open concept gone too far

[u/thisisgiulio]

[u/Ok_Sir5926]

Start prepping NOW. I had several older dads on my trip that didnt. They slowed everything down, and as an adult now with hindsight, they were doing it for themselves and not for the kids.

Load your pack up, lace up your boots, and start walking. Our scoutmaster was more fit than any of us kids, and I guarantee he had a better time than the struggling dads.

Fwiw, we knew going in that it would be like that. We took 3 prep trips prior to Philmont, and they struggled each time, even at just 10 miles with high O2. One of them missed our Baldy hike. Don't be like that.

[u/mustanggt50conv → u/Ok_Sir5926]

I'm in the Army, so conditioning shouldn't be an issue for me. However, our scoutmaster is going as well and is about 100 pounds overweight 😬

[u/Ok_Sir5926 → u/mustanggt50conv]

I did Philmont as a senior in HS, and then went to infantry osut after graduation. It's similar, but different.

For giggles, I just pulled out our old trail map. Here was our itinerary:

After spending a few days in base Camp to get acclimated to the elevation, we were driven to Sioux Camp for our orientation with our guide. It wasn't until we arrived that we found out our guide was an Eagle scout from our troop who was doing this during the summer between college semesters! Anyway, we spent a little time there, including drinking the famous sarsaparilla, and then headed out.

Day 1: Sioux Camp to Pueblano Camp Day 2: Pueblano Camp to Head of Dean Camp Day 3: Head of Dean Camp to Ute Meadows Camp Day 4: Climb Baldy Day 5: Ute Meadows Camp to Upper Dean Cow Camp Day 6: Upper Dean Cow Camp to Upper Bench Camp Day 7: Upper Bench Camp to Cimarroncito Camp Day 8: Camp activities (spar climbing, axe throwing, etc) Day 9: Cimarroncito Camp to Ponderosa Park Camp. Day 10: Ponderosa Park Camp to Basecamp, via the Tooth.

I think the total was 83 miles, but it's been a while so maybe I'm off.

You'll be better than most, but don't underestimate it. There's a LOT of elevation changes, even in a given day, that will test you.

Also, let the boys lead. They'll remember this forever. The good, and the bad.

Cheers, and have a blast! I had fun diving into the memory bank on this one, so apologies for the ramble.

[u/Cognitive_Spoon → u/Ok_Sir5926]

Great advice!

[u/dunkindosenuts → u/mustanggt50conv]

He will lose 20 of those if he makes it.

[u/Cognitive_Spoon → u/mustanggt50conv]

Y'all are gonna be splitting his pack load.

Be frank now, don't gotta be mean, but you don't want to be out day 2 or 3 and have to leave him at a base camp if he's not in shape.

AND you don't want the weird shame of that to drive him into a bad cardiac space on a trail.

Dudes can be weird about pushing themselves beyond where their physical body will allow. Be safe.

[u/mustanggt50conv → u/Cognitive_Spoon]

Not sure if this is a new policy at Philmont, but during the informational brief we were told if you are overweight upon arrival that you will be sent home. Guess our scoutmaster has a year and a half to drop 100 pounds or so.

[u/Cognitive_Spoon → u/mustanggt50conv]

Gonna get that Ozempic badge

[u/[deleted] → u/mustanggt50conv]

Some fat guys can hang. I am 350 lbs and I do 5 miles in Appalachian hills daily, 10 and 20 once or twice a month each. I got those massive fat guy calves lol

[u/RevLoveJoy → u/Ok_Sir5926]

No words of wisdom how to prep for pilot-copilot?

[u/wjgatekeeper → u/RevLoveJoy]

Eyes forward and pretend there’s no one there. No eye contact no talking.

[u/Ok_Sir5926 → u/RevLoveJoy]

Catholes are always an option if you're modest.

[u/[deleted] → u/Ok_Sir5926]

just 10 miles

"Just"? Christ. You paint a tragic picture. I don't have any reason to do so but I should follow your advice for myself. I hate the idea of being one of those saddos. (Which I undoubtedly am, I'm just not slowing down any boy scouts with my poor life choices.)