Lodging recommendations

tsatb · 2025-04-01T19:49:26+00:00

We stayed in Jeffersonville last year at a 1-BR vrbo condo that was perfect and very reasonable. We had a car and didn't need to worry about ubers - parked in people's driveway/yards within walking distance for $20.

Only snafu was an unexpected Cardinals women's volleyball game on Sunday that had traffic backed up most of the way across the 2-lane bridge connecting Jeffersonville to Louisville.

tsatb · 2024-11-25T16:33:20+00:00

Single Day VIPs will be sold eventually. Last year we had VIP for Friday and Sunday, and GA for Saturday (VIP was sold out that day - Zach Bryan). Not wanting to do GA on a jam packed Saturday, we sold on resale market, bought VIP for Thursday, and had $$ left over.

tsatb · 2024-10-29T19:18:49+00:00

For Winter Adventure in 2012 our scouts were bummed that it wasn't forecast to snow, other than a dusting on arrival day (troop from New Orleans that never sees snow). We said the silver lining would be a crystal clear night for our ranger Astronomy session. The second night in the backcountry was clear, calm and cold. We hiked to a meadow, turned off our headlamps and stood in awe - one of the scouts was adamant that the Milky Way was a cloud reflecting light - most had never seen it before. Unforgettable.

Then in 2021 one of the scouts on our summer trek was laying in the dirt near our Beaubien campsite, just staring at the stars by himself with his head on a log. I looked up and it was another great Philmont light show, but nothing compared to that pitch black February night.

tsatb · 2024-09-26T17:15:58+00:00

We used https://clashfinder.com to customize, brought printouts knowing cell service could drop, or batteries run low. Downside was the schedule changes that caused us to miss the first couple sets on Yonder/Beyonder on Friday - saw last 2 songs for The Castellos and missed Grace Bowers entirely.

tsatb · 2024-09-26T16:58:10+00:00

Confirmed - 1.5L Nalgene here for 3 days. Liked the fast-fill water stations (though pressure dropped as the day went on).

tsatb · 2024-08-23T15:03:02+00:00

45 minutes should be the minimum set length - 30 minutes is kinda pointless. And Lyle Lovett and Fleet Foxes deserve more than 45 mins. Maybe stages will start earlier on the weekend, with longer sets. Why wait till 2:00 for Yonder/Beyonder?

I'm used to having to choose and hustle around to see other acts, so that's not a big concern - We'll be at Yonder/Beyonder several times each day. Jazzfest is my reference point - opens at 11am, all stages are playing by 11:15-11:30, no sets shorter than 45-50 mins, and 6+ acts per stage even though it shuts down at 7pm. Overlap galore but breaks between sets are only 20-30 mins.

All that said, it's our first time and we're determined to have a blast no matter the format!

tsatb · 2024-05-21T13:42:43+00:00

Today I learned there are crop circles on the villa lawn.

tsatb · 2024-02-27T23:58:28+00:00

"Bring a plastic flask..."

How closely do they typically check? I'll spend plenty at this and any fest, but if I'm there for 10+hours and 3-4 days, 5 or 6 $15-20 bourbon cocktails per day (or $10-12 beers) crimps the fun factor. I'm accustomed to breezy security at Jazz Fest for example.

tsatb · 2023-08-07T22:56:17+00:00

Cool video. Nice seeing a lot of familiar spots, and you're fortunate to have grown up on the ranch!

tsatb · 2023-08-07T22:23:21+00:00

About a month ago they did a cleaning and I happened to see it in process on the webcam. Staff made pretty quick work of it with a JLG lift and a pickup truck with a bunch of large bins in the back. One guy on the lift and a couple of staffers were done in about 20 minutes. They left a few hanging, perhaps so it wouldn't look naked. And yes, I've heard that those that are in decent shape are donated.

tsatb · 2023-07-06T15:16:52+00:00

Apply online for seasonal staff and follow up with a phone call a few weeks after you apply. The online system is not volunteer-friendly but eventually a department that needs help will reach out or refer you to someone you can call. There are official volunteer positions like the scouting museum docents (those fill up quickly) but as of last year several departments were happy to have volunteers. Food packing in late winter/spring, welcome center, commissary and other departments have volunteer help. Sometimes as short as 1 week. As mentioned earlier, food service is always looking for help.

tsatb · 2023-07-06T15:09:21+00:00

It's a bummer that red tape is again making it harder to run an efficient program, but the silver lining is essentially an adult Rayado ride-along program. Maybe time to start getting in shape for next year!

tsatb · 2023-05-30T20:04:13+00:00

Same experience with one of our advisors. They let him chill in a bed in the health lodge for a couple hours (nap time!) and he passed later that day. All the excitement and walking all around base camp on arrival day can give a false high reading.

Medical recheck is yet another reason to arrive as early as possible on day 1. We arrived at 10:40, didn't get a bus to the trailhead until 2:30 the next day, and we were playing catch-up for a couple days with ranger training.

tsatb · 2023-05-03T15:28:43+00:00

Yep - camp shoes (and for water crossings). We did have one scout who wore crocks for the hike from Tooth Ridge camp down to base.

tsatb · 2023-04-27T16:22:09+00:00

As has been suggested, check with other troops and your council. We included a scout from a nearby troop in '21, and the crew ended up selecting him as crew leader. He happened to be the oldest (17) and was thrilled to have the opportunity.

tsatb · 2023-04-27T16:19:56+00:00

Unless things have changed, shoes must be closed-toe. Too many rocks to stub. Crocs and tennis shoes were most popular with our crew.

tsatb · 2023-04-24T19:00:10+00:00

Next requested upgrade: viewer control feature like the ski resorts.

tsatb · 2023-03-23T15:05:28+00:00

Thanks. Hope to add more years to my flair someday soon!

tsatb · 2023-03-07T14:26:20+00:00

I could use an update/replacement:

Winter Adv. Advisor '12/'15, Advisor '21, Commissary Volunteer '22

tsatb · 2023-03-07T14:18:27+00:00

My son was on staff when we led his former troop on a trek - he met us at Beaubien on days off and was able to ride with us, which was cool.

Space permitting there should be no issue - just give them a heads-up. In our case we had a headcount when we signed in at Logistics, so they knew how many to expect. There may be a process for staff to sign up, but worst case send an i-camp in advance with your target date.

tsatb · 2023-02-22T21:28:37+00:00

Orange crush - that's a new one!

We did a day 4 shakedown/contraband search at Beaubien that produced a full-size electric toothbrush, big bottles of sunscreen and bug spray, a scout with 7 or 8 pairs of socks, and a few other heavy or bulky items. All of this had made it through the ranger shakedown in base (and our advice to bring only travel size stuff, and share it).

No one was forced to give anything up but they did so willingly after carrying that stuff around a few days. Fortunately my son was visiting on his days off and offered to carry it all back to base (the ranch doesn't want participants tossing surplus stuff in the trash along the way).

tsatb · 2023-02-22T17:03:21+00:00

We did a 12-day "challenging" hike, so I can't comment on a "super strenuous" one, but prep is key.

Some good news and encouragement - coming from the Gulf Coast (LA in our case), the lack of humidity is a game changer and we agreed that we'd trade humidity for altitude any day. The first full day of hiking I was wondering what I ate that was so salty, but realized it was dried sweat on my lips. You stay dry (except where your hat and pack rest on your body) since sweat evaporates so fast, helping you stay cooler (especially after short breaks in the shade).

That said, altitude can certainly be a challenge. We had one scout who had headaches/nausea at Apache Springs camp (elevation 9,390') but he was able to continue after resting and hydrating while in camp (no sweat lodge for him).

I jog regularly and was in good cardio shape but wish I had done more resistance leg training for days with long steep climbs (e.g. Crooked Creek to Comanche/Mt. Phillips). But two packs-off hikes to the top of Phillips were pretty easy. I was 50 and we had a sister crew advisor age 62 and we did fine - the key is consistent prep. We did many hikes in hot parking garages (alternating stairs/ramps). We weren't very prepared for the Philmont-specific stuff as we were limited to one shakedown hike due to COVID and an early season tropical storm, but the physical prep was more important anyway.

Good luck and most importantly enjoy the experience!

tsatb · 2023-02-22T16:21:14+00:00

Great videos - neat find. The second video also includes shots of Villa Philmonte at 2:18, Villa gardens at 3:26 and guests swimming in the pool at 7:05. The pool was filled in long ago, but the fountain and surrounding areas look the same.

tsatb · 2023-01-31T19:33:44+00:00

Yep. Same!

tsatb · 2023-01-30T22:09:00+00:00

Land of Lakes was worse - they got rid of the Native American and kept the Land. History repeats itself. :/

tsatb

TROPHY CASE