Returning from Philmont the Monday before I-Day?

We referred to our Scouts taking a turn at the map and compass as "Naviguessers".

The adults had a map and compass as well and we would just groan in private after our naviguessers steered us off course to what we knew would add a mile or four to our day.
 
I guess things have changed at Philmont. My brother shot guns there in the 1970s.
Teenagers are indestructible, wisdom and beauty are lost on the youth. DD was doing night combat load jumps a week prior. 😳
It is what it is.
 
Oh you can still shoot guns in the "Western Town". It's a cowboy action shooting stage. My wife and I decided to drink ice cold root beer in the cantina, instead. One of the "deputies" shot a rattlesnake while we were there, and I asked if I could have it to cook and eat. He turned down my request, saying that was exactly what he was going to do with it.
 
Temple17 said:
Hey everyone,

I am writing today on behalf of my brother who will be joining the Class of 2025 this June. My brother has had two Philmont trips cancelled, one was cancelled due to wildfires and the other was cancelled due to the pandemic. He is signed up again for this summer but his trek would finish 3-days before I-Day.

Is it a bad idea to go on a strenuous backpacking trip this close to I-Day? I am leaning towards yes but wanted to get thoughts from others. My family feels pretty conflicted. My brother wants to go to Philmont but is worried about possible injuries or the fatigue he would incur from the trip.

Thanks!
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Risk - Gap between resources and mission requirements.

I-Day Requirements: Taking the Oath of Office. Fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a Midshipmen.

Resources: 100% Healthy Body.

High risk-large gap: Elephant Gun (for grizzlies and wolves); 200-mile Kayak (do this when you’re a SEAL); mosquito infested (welts during I-Day); commo (freqs working in that area?); 55 lbs ruck for 103 mile trek (lightweight... do 200 lbs during HALO).

Not worth it, it’s so stupid to risk everything before I-Day.
 
usna1985 said:
Ask him the following question: if he does the trip, gets injured such that he is DQ’ed from admission this year, will he be furious at himself? The answer to that question answers the original question.

If he attends USNA and wants a challenging outdoor adventure, he can sign up for NOLS.
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My 3/c Eagle Scout DS is going to Philmont as a midshipman ranger for one of his training blocks this summer. (he was so relieved to have the chance this year after last year’s cancelation.) That is another option for the new plebe to consider. Hard decision and best of luck!
 
CkzErz said:
To be a ranger, do you need to have already gone as a Scout? I’d love it if there was even a slim chance for my son to go to Philmont or Seabase for the first time as an adult. He attended Jambo but didn’t make it on any other high adventure trips.
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No. My son never went there and was selected to go as a ranger (twice, fingers crossed for this year‘s). He has plenty of hiking experience from scouting. He is really looking forward to it!
 
It's the trip of a lifetime and you should go to Philmont. The experience as a Scout is very different than adult leader. When properly executed, Scouts are leading and doing 95% of the work. Adults are there for safety (and drinking coffee in the morning).

Train hard and optimize your gear. You really don't need a monster pack Like someone said, you will fly up and down the mountains if you are prepared.

Number 1 piece of advice on the trail -- Take Care of Your Feet! I'll bet @DevilDoc will agree.
 
Try to be like these monks. Zen. (Amazing story.)
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The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei

These spiritual athletes redefine the term “ultrarunner” Illustration by Jeremy Collins It is March. It is midnight. Snow still covers the trails of Mount Hiei, which lies just northeast of the ancient city of Kyoto, in central Japan. Kakudo Suzuki, an aspiring Japanese Buddhist spiritual...
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THParent said:
We referred to our Scouts taking a turn at the map and compass as "Naviguessers".

The adults had a map and compass as well and we would just groan in private after our naviguessers steered us off course to what we knew would add a mile or four to our day.
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That's too bad. No reason at all why Scouts shouldn't be proficient with map and compass before Philmont! My Scouts impressed the heck out of me with their Land Nav skills. It takes practice.
 
The hardest part is when you come to a fork in the road - and your naviguesser “takes it”. . . Fails to consult with his crew members. As an adult advisor, you glance at your map and know he just took a wrong turn. The life lesson begins. How far down the trail do you let them go before you intervene? You let them screw up long enough so they all learn to never take things for granted again. Those are the leadership learning lessons that can last a lifetime.
 
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