Pecos Packers & Pecos Packers Extreme

Frequently Asked Questions.

 

 

  1. Why does your program cost less than other similar Programs?  We are able to offer our high quality program at low cost because we keep our expenses low. Although our staff may take a small stipend, their greatest reward is working with your scouts and scouters.
  2. Do you supply the food? Yes, we provide all the food in base camp and while on the trek.  We provide freeze dried backpacking food for the trail and regular camp food while in base camp.  You cook the food in your camp area, using your own stoves, pots and utensils. The food is packaged for groups of four. We adjust the rations if the total is not divisible by four.
  3. Will we be resupplied with food? No, unfortunately it is not practical to resupply the backpackers in the Pecos Wilderness.  (It would be possible in the Carson National Forest, but so far everyone prefers the wilderness area.)
  4. You encourage trail clearing?  Yes, as part of the stewardship to land and community, we encourage it.  Without it, we would spend a lot of time stepping over or around fallen trees. Trail Clearing is however voluntary.  (Good deeds are personal gifts.)
  5. Do you supply any equipment?  Other than MSR™ water filter pumps (five), we do not supply any equipment. Members of ours staff may have stoves, pumps, or cooking pots that may be shared with your travel team.
  6. Will we have a guide?  Yes, your group will have a guide for the entire trek. The guide will be at least 18 years old.
  7. Can our troop use Tres Ritos as a base camp and put together our own backpacking session? No, when our camp is in session, all scouts and scouters at camp must be enrolled in the Resident camp or High Adventure Camp.  A portion of each fee goes to pay the salary of our staff and to maintain our facilities.  Without these funds we would be unable to continue our fine programs.  We believe the burden should be shared between all users of the facilities.
  8. When do I need to sign up?  You should sign up early to assure a spot.  Although we make no guarantees, in the past we have had slots available after the first of the year. When the slots are gone, we can put you on a waiting list or give you a slot for next year.
  9. Why do you need to be fourteen to participate in Pecos Packers?  In the past, we have had problems with small underweight boys who had difficulty carrying a heavy pack, so we have set the age limit to 14.  With scoutmaster consultation with our Program Director we can reduce it to 13.  BSA policy is to participate in High Adventure, you must be 13 years old by 1 Jan of the year of attendance or have completed the 7th grade (ref . Passport to High Adventure.)
  10. We have a large (small) group, how do you handle this?  Groups larger than 14, will be broken into smaller groups to stay within the maximum limit of 15 set by the Forest Service.  Smaller groups will be combined for safety and to improve the utilization of our staff.
  11. Which is better, an internal or external frame pack?  Opinions vary; get a good fitting pack that can carry your gear plus 10 pounds of shared gear (tent, food, cooking, and water prep).
  12. Can we arrive a day early on Saturday?  Normally the camp is closed on Saturday, to give our staff the day off. If you would like to arrive early, there is a Forest Service camp just down the road (3 miles) where you can stay for a night for a nominal fee.  Also, if your troop is religious organization that prohibits Sunday travel, we will make arrangements for a Saturday arrival.
  13. Can our boys earn a fifty miler?  Yes, it is possible, but difficult.  For Pecos Packers, it will mean 10 miles a day in rugged terrain.  For Pecos Packers – Extreme, I would recommend just one day of climbing and 6 days of hiking. There is a trade-off between the ability to work on merit badges vs. hiking all day.
  14. Your Program Director is a Volunteer from Houston, how did that happen?  As you know our camp is run by the South Plains Council in Lubbock, Texas on leased land in the Carson National Forest in New Mexico.  At one point in his Air Force Career, our Director was assigned to Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. He currently works with NASA in Houston.
  15. Why do you have a maximum weight limitation?  The trails in the Pecos Wilderness are inaccessible by normally means. We can not afford to have people on the trail that are a health risk. In some sections of the trial, it is necessary to hike a distance to find a clearing where a helicopter could land.  The upper limit is based on the what we believe is possible it someone needs to be carried out.
  16. Will my cell phone work at camp?  No, it will not work in Tres Ritos Camp or on most of the trails.  On the top of the some ridges, cell phones will work.
  17. Which merit badges can we earn?  There are several merit badges that can be earned during the high adventure program.  However, several require that certain items be completed before or after camp. (Example: Hiking, you will need to perform several hikes before camp; we can complete the 30 mile trek.)  See the Merit Badge section on Pecos Packers’ Website for the details.
  18. Does Rock Climbing cost extra?  No, it is included in your base price.  For our Pecos Extreme, you can have two days of climbing to earn the merit badge.  For Pecos Packers, one day of climbing is optional.  We have found it helpful to have a day of “low” altitude work prior to the backpacking phase.  We do require a waiver that  acknowledges the risks associated  with  rock climbing.
  19. Will you again offer rafting?  Yes, we have arranged a special group rate with a local outfitter to offer rafting.  Depending on the snow melt, it probably will not be whitewater, but fun just the same.  Unfortunately, it will cost approximately $45 per person for half day or $90 per person for a full day, above and beyond your nominal cost.   The outfitter  is not "BSA Approved" and although our  staff may  participate, we are not responsible for the safety of your team.  The  outfitter is however an experienced river guide and has been in business for many years.  They require a signed consent  form, to acknowledge the risk associated with rafting. (Sorry for all legal  words, but we live in America...) (Inquire to our High Adventure Director for all the details.)
  20. Why isn't Pecos Packers listed on BSA Council High Adventure Web page?  Sorry, I  don't know, we meet the requirements and have submitted our name for inclusion.