oldisnewagain1

How long on the forum? Some days, too long ...other days, still a youngster

SSScout...good read!

That makes good sense! Thanks Barry! I just cancelled my order for the crown x60. My state, well usually, confusion and denial but I'm located in Mass

Yeah, when I was a young strapping lad, I could diamond hitch just about anything to a WWII (maybe Korean War) pack frame our Troop had and carry way too much But those days are gone and I'm expecting Vitamin I (despite conditioning before going) will be my best friend on this trek

And I'm fretting over the Alps seams once again letting loose

I'm obsessing with the choice of a pack for a 2020 Philmont trek On one hand I have my tried and true Alps Cascade 5200 (85 Liters) pack on the other hand I got a good price on a Granite Gear Crown X60 (60 liters). The Pros and Cons as I see them right now are Alps Pros I already own it There is plenty of room for my stuff, crew gear, and Philmont gear It fits well and is comfortable Cons It is heavy (5 pounds 8 oz) The pack has been repaired a few times (the sewed seams leave a lot to be desired) With the extra space in the pack, I could over pack Not as much airflow as I would like on my back Granite Gear Pros Lightweight (2 pounds 8.2 oz) Good features including back ventilation Price $120 (budget is always a concern) Cons 35 pound max carry It doesn't look like I could strap any thing to the bottom Having never tried it before, I'm not sure how comfortable it will be Now based on my current base weight is 17.11 but I still have some things to get and weigh. With water, an estimate of Philfood (for three days), and a tent my estimated weight is 37.5 and this is before crew and Philmont gear. I'm thinking the Granite Gear might not be the right choice. Thoughts?

Radio and key I plan to use

No, I'm hoping to make some contacts around the states or perhaps the world using a light weight radio, small morse key, and an end feed antenna (all together weighing less than a pound). Oh course this would be stop for the night. Perhaps generate some interest in signaling Merit Badge and Amateur Radio. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/QRP_operation https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summits_on_the_Air

With the advent of low power transceivers available on the market, has anyone used one of these units on the trail at Philmont. If you have what band (CW I assume) , antenna, and could you make any contacts?

how about "the Scouting organization formally known as Boy Scouts" or Scouting The Fun Units - better known by it's initials when in communications with the Girl Scouts USA

Funny, sounds a lot like several other councils (mine included) But there is nothing that says you have to attend the in council camp when there are great camps in other councils. (Events too)

When we are asked this question, in our district, we get a Tom Sawyer response. For example, Scoutmaster: I think the district should have a STEM event. District Chair or DE: OK, so you’re hosting the next camproee! Cubmaster: We really need some help in recruitment. District Chair: Great, we will make you district membership chair. So my advise is to listen to what they have to say, take the good ideas and make a plan, get the help you need and execute. Please don't throw it back on their shoulders of the one who suggested it unless they are volunteering to take it on.

I wonder if round tables have outlived their purpose with the advent of instant information on the Internet

I think its called the Scoutmaster's Benediction "May the great Scoutmaster of all true Scouts be with us till we meet again." It works well for us because it's non-denominational and is said by our troop Chaplain aide or the Scoutmaster when the Chaplain aide isn't there.

Pardon me while I vent It's bad enough when Scouts are using their cell phones during a meeting but when the SE and DE are doing it during an Eagle COH that's just rude!