Official Philmont Shakedown Guide Part 2

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Philmnt Scut Ranch 17 Deer Run Rd. Cimarrn, NM 87714 Official Philmnt Shakedwn Guide Part 2 Revised: May 14 th, 2016 Refer t Philmnt s website: www.philmntscutranch.

It is highly recmmended that crews participate in at least tw shakedwn hikes prir t their trek.

1 Philmnt Scut Ranch 17 Deer Run Rd. Cimarrn, NM Official Philmnt Shakedwn Guide Part 2 Revised: May 14 th, 2016 Refer t Philmnt s website: fr updates t this guide and the mst up-t-date infrmatin regarding yur trek. This guide is intended t be an all-encmpassing tl fr crews t utilize in rder t prepare fr an upcming Philmnt trek. It is highly recmmended that crews participate in at least tw shakedwn hikes prir t their trek. T help facilitate this, we have split this guide int tw separate dcuments t allw the crew t fcus n different tpics n each hike. In this secnd part f the guide, we will cver advanced Philmnt-specific utdr skills, Leave N Trace, the stages f grup dynamics, additinal cnditining recmmendatins, and the events f yur arrival day at Philmnt. Advanced Outdr Skills T help yur crew be mre prepared fr yur Philmnt trek, this sectin will cver mre Philmntspecific skills than the first part f the guide. First Aid There are many different first aid situatins yur crew may encunter while n the trail. Here are the mst cmmn injuries and ailments at Philmnt and hw t prevent, recgnize, and treat them: Dehydratin Prevent: Drink plenty f water, abut ne quart per hur f activity. Recgnize: Lightheaded, dizzy, nausea, slw capillary refill Treatment: Reduce physical activity and drink water. Drinking t much t quickly will make the patient vmit. Half-strength Gatrade will hydrate faster than water r full-strength Gatrade. Full-strength Gatrade is s saturated that yur bdy treats it mre like a slid than a liquid whereas half-strength has the electrlytes yu need and yur bdy will absrb it faster. Blisters Prevent: Wear well brken in ftwear, keep feet dry, change scks regularly, avid ht spts n feet and fix issues with bts befre they becme a prblem. Recgnize: A slight burning feeling (ht spt) n the ft; cmmn n days with a lt f dwnhill hiking r when yur feet get wet. Treat: Use mleskin and cut ut a hle the size f the blister t create a dnut shaped bandage. Place the mleskin ver the affected area s that the blister is 1

2 surrunded by the bandage but nt cvered. This will reduce frictin between the blister and the sck, preventing the blister frm getting any larger. Heat exhaustin Prevent: Take breaks, stay hydrated, stay in shaded areas as much as pssible. Recgnize: Prfuse sweating, red skin, elevated temperature, irritability, lethargic. Treat: Sit dwn in shade and put a wet bandana ver the frehead. Drink halfstrength Gatrade t replenish fluids and electrlytes. If heat exhaustin is treated apprpriately, heat strke will nt ccur. Heat stke a life-threatening cnditin happens when the bdy runs ut f fluids t sweat and the patient begins t exhibit an altered level f cnsciusness. Altitude sickness Prevent: Stay hydrated and d nt gain elevatin t quickly. Recgnize: Similar t dehydratin lightheaded, dizzy, nausea, decreased appetite Treat: Drink half-strength Gatrade and limit physical activity. If patient begins t exhibit an altered level f cnsciusness, des nt feel better after three days, r cannt keep slw sips f fluids dwn, mve t a lwer elevatin. Sprained ankle Prevent: Watch where yu are ging, avid hrseplay, wear mid- t high-tp bts. Recgnize: Sreness f the ankle, unable t put pressure n ankle fr at least fur steps Treat: Use R.I.C.E. acrnym: Rest, Ice, Cmpressin, and Elevatin. Keep bt n t prevent swelling, splint with sticks n bth sides f the leg and wrap t immbilize Weather There are five life znes fund at Philmnt: high desert plains, fthills, mntane, subalpine, and alpine. Here is a general guide t adapting t Philmnt s weather patterns and ur envirnment: High desert plains Frm Philmnt s lwest elevatins (6,500 ft.) t apprximately 7,500 ft. This area is easily recgnizable by the abundance f native grasses, scrub ak, sage brush, yucca plants, cttnwd trees, and the ccasinal pndersa pine During the summer, daytime highs can get int the upper 90 s/lw 100 s and vernight lws can drp t the mid 50 s Water and shade can be scarce in this regin. It is highly recmmended that crews wake up early and hike t their destinatin befre the heat f the day sets in. 2

the high desert plains but yu shuld still fill up all f yur water capacity whenever yu have the chance Mntane (spruce-fir zne) Frm apprximately 8,500 ft. t 10,000 ft.

3 Fthills Frm 7,500 ft. t 8,500 ft. Characterized by large pndersa pine frests with scrub ak underbrush Daytime highs in the mid 90 s and vernight lws int the high 40 s are pssible in the summer mnths Water becmes easier t find than in the high desert plains but yu shuld still fill up all f yur water capacity whenever yu have the chance Mntane (spruce-fir zne) Frm apprximately 8,500 ft. t 10,000 ft. Recgnized by the abundance f wildflwers, streams, Duglas fir, blue spruce, and aspen trees. During the summer, daytime highs will apprach the upper 80 s and vernight lws will drp t the mid 40 s Since mst f this regin is lcated n the east side f the Cimarrn Range f the Sangre de Crist Muntains, and since strms almst always mve in frm the west, it can be difficult t see weather patterns cming in ver the muntains until the system is right abve yu. Lnger perids f rain (up t a week) can engulf this regin especially during the mnsn seasn frm late-june/early-july t early-august. Gd rain gear and a fleece jacket will help with staying dry and warm during these weather patterns. 3

Sub-alpine Frm 10,000 ft. t apprximately 11,500 ft. Recgnized by a decrease in tall vegetatin Other than grasses, the nly substantial plants that grw in this zne are Bristlecne Pines and Limber Pines.

If camping at a trail camp in this zne, mst crews ck their dinner meal fr lunch at a lwer elevatin and eat their dry lunch fr dinner t save n water. Alpine Frm 11,500 ft.

4 Sub-alpine Frm 10,000 ft. t apprximately 11,500 ft. Recgnized by a decrease in tall vegetatin Other than grasses, the nly substantial plants that grw in this zne are Bristlecne Pines and Limber Pines. Daytime highs in the lw 80 s t vernight lws in the upper 30 s can be cmmn in the sub-alpine zne. Strm systems frm quickly and water can be scarce because f the elevatin. If camping at a trail camp in this zne, mst crews ck their dinner meal fr lunch at a lwer elevatin and eat their dry lunch fr dinner t save n water. Alpine Frm 11,500 ft. up This regin is recgnized by a significant decrease in the amunt f vegetatin. Grasses are typically the nly plants that grw in this zne althugh the ccasinal bristlecne pine can be sptted abve tree line. Daytime highs in the mid 60 s t vernight lws in the lw 30 s are typical fr this regin in the summer. Weather systems can frm extremely quickly and ften times withut warning in this zne. It is highly recmmended that crews wake up early and hike thrugh alpine areas by nn t avid getting caught in a lightning strm withut the prtectin f trees. 4

5 Philmnt experiences different weather patterns depending n the time f year. In June, we nrmally receive very little precipitatin and daytime highs can reach as high as 100 F with single digit humidity. The mnsn seasn hits nrtheast New Mexic between late-june and early-july and will stay until early-august mst years. The mnsn seasn is characterized by large thunderstrms that build thrughut the mrning and bring rain, hail, and lightning in the afternn. Usually the rain, hail, and lightning last anywhere between 45 minutes and tw hurs then the skies clear up and temperatures rise again. Regardless f the time f year f yur trek, it is recmmended that crews always bring adequate rain jackets and pants, a gd fleece jacket, and a stcking cap. Staying well hydrated is anther key t having a successful trek, even in clder, rainy weather when hikers ften frget t keep drinking water. As mentined earlier, the lightning danger is very high at Philmnt. A crew shuld cunt the amunt f time that passes between when lightning is seen and thunder is heard. If the time is five secnds r less, then the crew needs t g int the lightning psitin. The lightning psitin requires that yu keep yur feet tgether, cruch dwn, put yur elbws n yur knees, and yur hands behind yur neck. Yu need t hld this psitin fr 30 minutes after the last five secnd r less lightning/thunder was heard. Remember t stay in wded areas and never stand near the tallest bject in the area. In 2012, Philmnt began recrding daily rainfall as well as 8:00am and 5:00pm temperatures at each staffed backcuntry camp. Once yu knw yur itinerary, refer t the spreadsheets n ur website at the fllwing address if yu want a mre accurate idea f what weather t expect camp-t-camp: 21&_z=z 5

6 Navigatin Universal Transverse Mercatr (UTM) crdinates are very helpful when using a map, cmpass, r GPS. UTMs are based ff a metric grid system and allw yu t accurately pinpint yur current lcatin r the lcatin f a distant gal. In Nrth America, we use eastings and nrthings. Think f them like an X, Y axis. The eastings are yur X and the nrthings are yur Y. Always read ut the eastings first and the nrthings secnd. Make sure t always rient yur map befre wrking with UTMs. Use the exercise belw t practice using UTMs: T reprt the crdinates f pint A n the map: Fllw the vertical arrws t the edge f the map: (Eastings). Fllw the hrizntal line t the edge f the map: (Nrthings). Pint A reads Eastings, Nrthings. Find the UTM Crdinates fr Pints B, C, and D. Pint B: Pint C: Pint D: 6

Triangulatin is anther skill that can be useful in the backcuntry. T triangulate, rient the map then find recgnizable landmarks n the map that yu can see frm yur current lcatin.

Place the crner f the cmpass n the landmark n the map and pivt the cmpass arund that landmark until the red needle is in the shed.

7 Triangulatin is anther skill that can be useful in the backcuntry. T triangulate, rient the map then find recgnizable landmarks n the map that yu can see frm yur current lcatin. Sht a bearing t yur first recgnizable landmark and rtate the dial s that the shed is ver the red end f the needle. Place the crner f the cmpass n the landmark n the map and pivt the cmpass arund that landmark until the red needle is in the shed. Use a pencil t draw a straight line alng the edge f the cmpass and cntinue t the edge f the map. If yu are n a trail, then the line shuld intersect the trail that yu are n and yur psitin is at that intersectin. Find tw ther landmarks and repeat the prcess: yu are smewhere in the triangle frmed by these three lines. T be mre accurate, take mre bearings and trace them nt the map. Hygiene A Scut is clean. It is extremely imprtant that backpackers stay clean and healthy in the backcuntry. The dirtier yu becme, the mre likely it is that yu will becme sick, get an infectin, r sustain an injury. The best ways t stay clean n the trail include: changing clthes regularly (especially scks and underwear), brushing yur teeth, taking shwers whenever pssible, washing clthes whenever pssible, washing yur hands after using a latrine, washing and sanitizing yur hands befre each meal, and prperly washing, rinsing, and sanitizing yur dishes. Althugh a few backcuntry camps have shwers, yu can have a bandana bath at any campsite. Simply get a wet bandana and a drp f Campsuds and wash yurself ff at the sump. Remain clthed at all times t keep in cmpliance with yuth prtectin. T help yur crew stay clean and healthy, Philmnt nw apprves the use f cltheslines during daylight hurs s that yu can efficiently dry yur clthes after yu wash them. Remember t remve the cltheslines at dusk t prevent smene frm walking int them at night. It is imprtant t regularly wash clthes that tuch the skin, i.e. scks, underwear, and shirts. Wearing the same dirty clthes day after day can lead t serius prblems. Fr example, if yu wear the same scks fur days straight, yur chances f getting a severe blister are much greater, making yur trek much mre difficult. Leave N Trace There are seven principles f Leave N Trace utdr ethics. Here are the principles and sme tips t ensure they are met while n yur trek: Plan Ahead and Prepare Knwing the rules and regulatins utlined in this guide is a gd start t being prepared fr yur trek. Each night as yu are waiting fr the water t bil fr dinner, it is a gd idea t start lking ver the map fr the next day s hike. Lk fr which trails t take, elevatin gain, water availability, which camps yu will pass thrugh, etc. t get a clear picture f what the day shuld lk like. Prper preparatin will allw yur crew t get t camp quickly while ptimizing yur time and prgram pprtunities alng the way. 7

8 Travel and Camp n Durable Surfaces Philmnt practices cncentrated impact camping and has rughly 340 miles f maintained trails, 35 staffed camps, and 78 trail (unstaffed) camps. Hiking and camping n ur established trails and campsites (except where they d nt exist in the Valle Vidal f the Carsn Natinal Frest) allws us t preserve the 99% f land we d nt impact. Please fllw switchbacks and avid creating scial trails thrugh meadws r riparian areas. Dispse f Waste Prperly Every staff camp ther than Black Muntain and Crked Creek accepts cmpacted trash. They als cllect plastic meal bags, paperbard, and aluminum cans fr recycling. Liquid fd waste shuld be pured dwn the sump and slid fd waste shuld be packed ut as trash. Human waste is cncentrated int pit-style latrines. Leave What Yu Find Frm elk sheds t wildflwers t artifacts; a typical crew will find a variety f items left by the peple and animals that have made their hme at Philmnt ver the years. Yu must nly phtgraph these items and leave them fr ther crews t enjy. Anything made by humans that is ver 50 years ld is cnsidered an artifact and shuld be left undisturbed. Reprt anything ntewrthy t the next staffed camp yu hike thrugh and give them the UTM crdinates s that we may lk at it fr further investigatin. Minimize Campfire Impacts As mentined in Part 1 f this guide, campfires shuld be kept small. Sticks used as fuel shuld be n wider than yur wrist and n lnger than yur frearm. Always keep a full pt f water near the fire ring when a campfire is burning. Stir up the cals with a stick and pur water ver the cals t ensure the fire is ut cld befre ging t bed. When campfires are allwed at Philmnt, it is imprtant t dispse f the ashes prperly. In the mrning as yu are ready t leave yur campsite, pack the ashes int an empty meal bag and hike them 30 minutes utside f camp then spread the ashes 100 ft. ff the trail. This keeps ur campsites clean and ready t use fr the next crew. Respect Wildlife Philmnt s fauna is varied and includes black bears, mule deer, muntain lins, rattlesnakes, hawks, elk, falcns, cutthrat trut, chipmunks, hummingbirds, raccns, bighrn sheep, and prcupines, just t name a few. We need t respect these animals by never appraching, thrwing rcks, r feeding them. Simply give them distance and let them g abut their way. Always hang yur smellables up in the bear bags and never leave smellables unattended. Remember, it is cmmn fr the quietest crews t see the mst wildlife. Be Cnsiderate f Other Visitrs With 4,500 peple in Philmnt s backcuntry at any ne time, it is very imprtant t remain respectful twards thse arund yu. This includes nt yelling r singing lud sngs alng the trail r in camp, nt writing graffiti, nt talking n the cell phne n the summit f muntains, etc. Additinally, highlighter-clred shirts are frwned upn in the backcuntry setting, as the bright clrs are an eyesre and distractin frm the beautiful scenery yu will encunter. 8

9 Grup Dynamics Every crew underges a transfrmatin during their trek as they mve thrugh the fur stages f grup dynamics: frming, strming, nrming, and perfrming. Sme crews mve thrugh these stages quicker than thers: just because a crew is at a certain stage des nt mean the crew cannt revert back t a previus stage. The key t anything relating t grup dynamics is cmmunicatin. Ding Thrns and Rses every night befre bed is a great way t hear everyne ut and discver crew issues t address befre they blw up ut f cntrl. Frming The first stage, recgnizable by excitement and the hidden fears f crew members nt knwing what cmes next. Crew members may still be getting t knw ne anther and peple will be hesitant t cme ut f their shell. The members within a crew shuld ask their clleagues basic get t knw yu questins in rder t find similarities and cmmn grund. This is especially true fr crews cnsisting f yuth frm multiple hme units. Strming The secnd stage, ccuring when peple begin t cme ut f their shell and d nt sugar cat any cmmunicatin as they did in the frming stage. Different persnalities begin t clash and cnflict usually arises. Fr sme crews this stage takes abut a half hur t get thrugh, fr thers it can take days. The best way t learn frm this stage and mve n t the nrming stage is thrugh gd and hnest cmmunicatin. The basic get t knw yu questins frm the frming stage can be vital t the transfrmatin in this strming stage because the crew can find similarities amngst themselves and can build ff f that rather than be trn apart by their differences. Nrming Once the crew gets all the kinks ut f the system, they mve n t the nrming stage and begin t set the grundwrk fr the rest f the trek. Persnal gals that may have been chsen earlier in the trek need t be revisited nw that everyne has a clearer picture f what their trek is like. Once everyne s persnal gals are set, the crew needs t determine crew gals that meet the expectatins f every crew member and hw they will wrk twards them. It is best t cme t a cnsensus when determining crew gals since peple generally supprt ideas they helped create. Perfrming All the crew members are cmfrtable arund each ther and knw their specific rle within the crew. Everyne knws the crew gals and hw t achieve them. Trust is exhibited thrughut the crew and efficiency is at its peak. Cnstant cmmunicatin and a servant leadership demeanr are demnstrated by all members within the crew. Physical Preparedness Hpefully each crew member has been exercising n a regular basis, at least three times a week fr n less than an hur each sessin. If they have nt, try revisiting the crew member cntract that was discussed in part ne f this guide. Once yu have built up yur aerbic/cardivascular ability, weight lifting is a gd next step t build strength needed fr hauling a 45- t 55-pund pack arund rugged muntainus terrain. Sme cre exercises include crunches and sit-ups: ding these fr 20 minutes three times a week will help yu get int great shape fr yur Philmnt trek. Push-ups are a great upper bdy wrkut and will help yu have a well-balanced exercise regimen when cmbined with the lwer bdy and cre exercises we have already discussed. Yur Ranger will intrduce yu t the Trail f Curage prgram, a persnal health initiative spnsred by the BSA. The Trail f Curage s purpse is t prmte healthy lifestyles that yu can 9

10 take with yu beynd yur Philmnt trek. A well-runded exercise regimen cmbined with a healthy diet will g a lng way what better time t start than in preparatin fr yur Philmnt trek? Additinally, make sure t cnsult with yur dctr befre starting a new exercise prgram. First Day at Philmnt The first day f yur trek is very busy with many Base Camp stps t ensure yu are all set and ready fr the backcuntry. The general rder f the first day is as fllws: Arrive at the Welcme Center The earlier the better. Typically, crews that arrive befre 10:00am get thrugh the Base Camp prcedures in ne day. Crew Leader and Lead Advisr check-in and receive tent assignments Meet yur Ranger Yur Ranger will be waiting fr yu at the Welcme Center and they will meet yur crew right after yu are dne getting checked in. Yur Ranger will be with yu the entire day, guiding yu thrugh the Base Camp prcess t ensure yu are ready t hit the trail the fllwing day. He r she will g ut int the backcuntry with yu fr tw nights and teach yu everything yu will need t knw abut having a safe and enjyable Philmnt trek. Drp ff gear at yur tents Yur Ranger will instruct everyne t bring water, raingear, and prescriptin medicatins with them thrugh the rest f the stps in Base Camp. The Lead Advisr needs t bring the tur permit, crew rster, medical frms, payment paperwrk, and Wilderness First Aid and CPR certificatins with them. The Crew Leader needs t bring an unmarked verall map and their Crew Leader Field Guide with them. Crew Pht Extra phts can be purchased in the Camping Registratin ffice Can be taken in field unifrms r crew t-shirts Camping Registratin Ranger and Lead Advisr g inside while the rest f the crew waits utside the building Any utstanding payments are made and certificatins are checked The crew rster is turned in Outfitting Services Receive gear such as tents, bear bags, bear rpe, pts, dining fly, etc. Receive fd fr first few days f the trek Purchase fuel needed fr the trek Medical Recheck All crew members review their medical frms with Philmnt Infirmary staff All prescriptin medicatins including EpiPens and inhalers are needed at this time. Mail Rm Any gear that was shipped ahead f time can be picked up 10

11 Shakedwn Yur Ranger will run thrugh a gear shakedwn with yur crew ensuring all necessary gear is taken n trail and all nn-essential gear is stred in Base Camp. Lgistics Trip Plan Crew Leader and Lead Advisr will be called int Lgistics and will receive infrmatin abut campsites, trails, prgram pprtunities, water availability, hrse rides, etc. Security Receive lckers if crew did nt use persnal vehicles fr transprtatin. Museums Take a tur f the Villa Philmnte, Kit Carsn/Rayad, and the Histric Chase Ranch. Sign up at the Philmnt Museum and Setn Memrial Library. Dining Hall Lunch is at 11:30am Dinner is at 4:45pm Breakfast the fllwing mrning is at 6:30am Crew Leadership Meetings The Crew Leader, Chaplain s Aide, Wilderness Pledge Guia, and Advisrs all meet at the Hardesty Casa Central at 5:45pm fr their respective meetings. Chapel Services Begin at 7:00pm Opening Campfire Meet at the Welcme Center at 8:15pm Depart Base Camp The first buses leave fr the backcuntry at 8:00am and the last buses leave Base Camp at 3:00pm. Typically, a crew departs fr the backcuntry apprximately 24 hurs after they arrive at Philmnt. The earlier yu can arrive, the easier the first few days will be. This tw-part guide is an verview f hw t prepare fr a Philmnt trek. If yu have mre questins r just want t get yur daily dse f Philmnt, check ut ur YuTube channel and watch vides describing additinal Philmnt prcedures, prgrams, and pprtunities. Yur Ranger will teach yu everything yu will need t knw t have a successful trek at Philmnt but if yur crew is in the prper physical cnditin, has the right gear, and is familiar with the Philmnt way f camping ahead f time, the adjustment perid ver the first few days f yur trek will be much easier. Enjy the hiking and we will see yu this summer! Refer t Philmnt s website: fr updates t this guide and the mst up-t-date infrmatin regarding yur trek. Philmnt Advisr Skills Schl & Philmnt Advisr Wrkshp Beginning in the fall f 2015, Philmnt cnducted Philmnt Advisr Skills Schl (PASS) and Philmnt Advisr Wrkshp (PAW) curses bth at Philmnt Scut Ranch in Cimarrn, NM and in 11

12 cities acrss the cuntry. These curses were designed t better help yu prepare fr an upcming trek and were taught by experienced members f Philmnt s Ranger Department. T learn mre abut these curses and the future visit: 12

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