Philmont Issue

[Jeffrey Peters]

From what I have found on other sites is that the truck delivering the shipment of fuel canisters broke down.  After talking to the shippers Philmont dispatched  it’s own truck to pick up the supplies that were destine for  Philmont.   I don’t believe this was an issue with poor planning just an unforeseen circumstance.

[Brad P]

No, it was not Philmont’s fault that the truck broke down.  Perhaps they let supply get too low before re-ordering, but I don’t know.  They sent people to the Fedex facility to pick up the fuel, so good on them.

This is a critical item.  Next time, assuming we rent a van again, I’ll get fuel at a Wal Mart on the way there.

[Brad P]

I was talking to another adult in base camp about the issue. They drove from Tulsa and handed us 3 brand new canisters and wouldn’t take any money.  So awesome and saved us from having to switch to white gas.

[James A]

Awesome, glad it worked out Brad!

How much fuel did you end up using? I assume you used the medium (8oz) canisters?

[David Barnes]

I am glad it worked out.

At the expense of being “David Downer” :  I have the words of a retired Army Ranger in my head-

” You never lose positive control over mission critical gear.”  As such, an adult always carried a stove, a FAK and enough gas to get us thru the trip. We brought the gas with us before we even hit Philmont.

 

[Brad P]

” You never lose positive control over mission critical gear.”  As such, an adult always carried a stove, a FAK and enough gas to get us thru the trip. We brought the gas with us before we even hit Philmont.

We flew and TSA does not allow you to take fuel on planes.

Credit to Philmont for sending people out to the Fedex facility to get the shipment when Fedex wouldn’t immediately send out a truck after the first one broke down.  However, this is something that shouldn’t get that low in inventory.

[Bruce Kolkebeck]

Stikin’ with the Whisperlite.

 

[Roger Caffin]

Next time, assuming we rent a van again, I’ll get fuel at a Wal Mart on the way there.
‘Never do today what you can put off to tomorrow.’
Yeah, right.

I have always gone for fuel as the first and highest priority.

Cheers

[Brad P]

Next time, assuming we rent a van again, I’ll get fuel at a Wal Mart on the way there.
‘Never do today what you can put off to tomorrow.’
Yeah, right.

I have always gone for fuel as the first and highest priority.

And if you take a bus service from the airport that doesn’t stop at Wal Mart, it’s your fault if Philmont doesn’t have fuel, I guess.

[Roger Caffin]

And if you take a bus service from the airport that doesn’t stop at Wal Mart, it’s your fault if Philmont doesn’t have fuel, I guess.
Not quite.
However, it might be your fault if your planning does not allow for this possibility. It won’t be anyone else’s, that’s for sure.

Cheers

[Brad P]

However, it might be your fault if your planning does not allow for this possibility. It won’t be anyone else’s, that’s for sure.

I’m going to put it on Philmont.

[David Y]

2x Bruce

Stickin’ with Dragon Fly

I can buy fuel at any gas pump.

“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine

[Brad P]

I can buy fuel at any gas pump.

How would you do that if you flew into Denver and took a shuttle service to Philmont and found they, for some reason, were out of white gas fuel?  Apparently you’d be an irresponsible adult leader who failed.

[David Y]

We fly into Denver and rent vans to drive to Philmont.

MSR Dragon Fly stoves burn white gas, auto fuel (gasoline), kerosene, jet and diesel fuel and Whisperlites burn white gas, auto fuel, and kerosene. I can find any of that almost any where in the USA, even in Cimarron .

“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine

[Brad P]

Deleting my frustrated reply. I will do better at living the scout oath and law.

[Bruce Tolley]

Philmont says that stove fuel for white gas and canister stoves is available at Philmont.

It is reasonable to expect the fuel to be there.

I am not seeing a much Scout spirit in this thread.

 

 

[David Y]

Brad P,

OK, I got the sarcasm and love the humor, but we are not perfect, just mortals.

And you didn’t everything wrong by believing Philmont would have fuel like it says in the Guidebook. It’s my understanding Fed Ex failed Philmont so Philmont sent a truck to pick up the needed fuel.

We are not perfect, but we do rely on basics and learn from our experiences and continually fine tune our techniques. Our troop has sent two crews to Philmont every other year since 1994, with many of the same leaders repeatedly, so we have a lot of learned and shared experience. We pass that on to our next crews and anyone who wants to enjoy Philmont.

We started using Coleman Peak 1’s, went to MSR Whisperlites and now MSR Dragon Fly stoves. They burn almost anything, work in freezing temps, at high elevation and can boil large pots of water in short order. And auto fuel is cheaper than most other stove fuels. We used them in the Smokey’s, Boundary Waters, Black Hills, CDT in Colorado, and three times in Yellowstone. We always carry two identical stoves (one as spare) and repair kits but have never had one fail.

Keep sending the gabs and let’s not get offended, it keeps things light and fun.

“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine

[Bruce Tolley]

The whole point of Philmont is to provide a curated Scout backpacking experience. Philmont is supposed to provide the fuel, the food, the Ranger, the maintained trails, the outhouses in the backcountry, the staffed camps with activities, etc. etc.  IMO it was Philmont’s responsibility to have the fuel available.

[Roger Caffin]

The whole point of Philmont is to provide a curated Scout backpacking experience. Philmont is supposed to provide the fuel, the food, the Ranger, the maintained trails, the outhouses in the
Indeed.
I think I will have to recant a bit. Expecting to find fuel at ToT was reasonable.

Cheers

[Brad P]

I’ve deleted my previous reply, which was full of frustration and not in line with the scout oath and law. I appreciate the replies that followed.

It was not a joyful beginning to our trek. The good news is, our ranger was willing to give us her canister until supplies reached the trail. Then that crew gave us 3 canisters. We were so very thankful.

Our scout year begins today. I hope all have a great year. I received a lot of great advice here and hope I can now contribute with the knowledge I’ve gained.

[David Y]

Brad P, no need to delete your previous post. No offence was taken, I don’t live in the ‘land of the offended’.

This lack of your specific type fuel canisters experience should be Scoutmaster’s Minute for you.

“Be Prepared”, the Scout motto. Baden-Powell was once asked what the motto meant. What is a Scout supposed to be prepared for? He replied, ‘Why any old thing’.

Preparing Scouts for life is what Scouting is all about. You and your Scouts should ‘Be Prepared, Why for any old thing’. I don’t think “Be Prepared” means carrying one of everything or having a back-up for everything but rather to improvise, adapt and overcome adversities with what you do have.

If Philmont doesn’t have your specific type of fuel the day you arrive, improvise, adapt and overcome. You got by with the help of others, its the Scouting way. And, if all else failed, the TOT sells white gas stoves and Philmont had plenty of white gas (auto fuel) (and so did Cimarron).

Maybe improvise, adapt and overcome should be part of the Scout motto.

“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine

[James A]

I think if Philmont says they have canister fuel, then they need to have it. How can you plan around that?

What if you planned on using Phil-tents and then when you get there, they don’t have any left? What if the airline loses your backpacks? You can’t plan for everything.

[David Y]

I’m used to life’s little bumps so I’m not an “the glass is half-empty” guy.

Considering I had already spent around a $1000 just getting to Philmont, if everything I needed wasn’t there when I arrived, and Tooth of Time Trader sells everything I would need: stoves, tents or my lost pack, I would replace any and everything needed to make my adventure possible.

We can’t rely on institutions or governments to guarantee our happiness. We are not guaranteed happiness, only “… the pursuit of Happiness”.

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