Backpackers, Scouts- going to philmont

**Army** · 02-18-2006, 12:14 AM

Take the Goretex boots, but remember you will be there in summer....not a lot of need for insulated, waterproof boots. So, be sure to pack a pair of lightweight hikers too. Nylon footies are superb for long hikes, have your Mom or sister get a few pair for you if you can't see yourself buying them.

Under-Armor T's are the best for hot days as their wicking ability is wonderful. Pricey, but worth it.

NO ELECTRONIC CRAP! 'cept maybe a GPS for the hikes, and a pair of those short range radios. Leave the laptop, Game-boy, I-pod, CD player, AM/FM radio, X-box, satellite phone, heated massage recliner, Aerobed, and Amana refrigerator at home. You are going to the premier outdoor experience, not Six Flags.

**EXCEPTION TO THE ABOVE*** Digital camera!

Camel-Bak is almost essential nowadays. Make sure it has extra small pockets for baggies of trail mix.

Sleeping bag rated to zero-F. The nights in NM, even in summer, can get to freezing, especially at altitude.

When you visit the Canteen, buy something that will last forever, to remember your time there. I bought a thick leather belt with the Philmont logo and brand on it, and have cherished it since.......1975. I still wear it on occasion. I also picked up a neckerchief and coffee mug, I still have it all.

**personman** · 02-18-2006, 11:29 AM

When are you going? I was supposed to go again last year but I ended up not doing it because they wouldnt let my dad go.

Army's advice is good. I didnt need a 0 degree sleeping bag, I think mine only goes down to 30 or 15.. I'm not sure.. but I bought a liner for it too. I'm not sure if I actually brought it or not but its a cool little thing anyway

If you're in shape, it should not be hell, or even close to hell. My memory is not the best but it really wasnt nearly as hard as I expected, and I was on trek 32 which is supposivly one of the most strenuous treks. We ended up going about 100 miles because we got lost once (we started walking along a service road instead of a trail, I have no idea why)
Also Army said you should get a camel bak. This is true, you dont want to have to have to get out your nalgene everytime you want a sip of water because you're going to be drinking alot. Personally I find that if you go to REI and buy the 'platypus' kind of water container, it's better than nalgenes. What it is, is a bag pretty much, that you can roll up when there's no water in.. It's like the camel bak only it's a little cheaper. You can buy an attachment to screw on the top instead of a cap that's a hose and you can use it just like a camel bak. I think they're better than nalgenes because they're lighter and when they're empty you can roll them up and they dont take up much space.. so you can keep a few extras around.
When I went to philmont though, I had 2 large nalgenes, a small nalgene and a small camel bak that I put in the top compartment of my pack.. I guess the containers dont really matter just make sure you have enough water.

Try to go on as many hikes as you can between now and when you leave.. you want to break in your shoes and your backpack if they're new. I was a small kid (still am actually) when I went, I was about 120 and only 13 or 14 I think. I did fine, and you should do fine.

Oh, and GET INTO CAMP AS EARLY AS YOU CAN!! Especially the more populated ones because you DONT want to get stuck in a bad camp ground! We learned our lesson a few times. Try to wake up (ooh trust me its a pain in the ***.. it is VERY cold in the mornings) cook breakfast, pack up and get out of there as fast as possible. Also make sure you have some comfortable camp shoes.. they have to be close toed but they're VERY MUCH nessicary. You need to give your feet a break after a day of backpacking.

Are you going up baldy? You should make sure that's in your trek, because it's simply amazing. I dont think I'll ever forget it.

Well there were some other things that I was going to say but I forgot them. So, good luck and have fun.

**maxama10** · 02-18-2006, 11:46 AM

hmm I have an MSR dromelite (the middle weight one) and bought the drinking tube accessory for it. I think that should do its HUGE 6 liters. I also have a MSR mini water works, should i bring that along?
should i take my trekking poles or just one or none at all? my bag is rated to about 15 and i can put on some cappalines if neccessary.
thanks guys

**personman** · 02-18-2006, 01:36 PM

Well yeah that looks fine.
I wouldnt bother with water filters. Polar pure works great and it doesnt leave a bad taste or anything. I'm pretty sure they issue polar pure at base camp.

Personally I hate trekking poles. For me they only get in the way. It's all personal preference though. The adults in my crew pretty much needed them

**Eagle** · 02-18-2006, 06:37 PM

Damn, this summer will make 14 years since I went, but what I did was I took a couple changes of socks and underwear, otherwise wore the same cloths the whole time on the trail. Only change of clothes I took were some kahki pants and a sweatshirt because it gets cold at night. Get into camp early because it often hails in the mid-late afternoon. break in a good pair of boots before you go, then take a pair of sandles of light tennis shoes to wear once you get into camp (after hiking all day you won't want to wear your boots the rest of the day).

**thecavemankevin** · 02-22-2006, 12:50 PM

walking sticks get in the way so leave them at home. make sure to go on some local prep trips between now and then to break your gear in and prepair you physically too. Most days you should average 10-12 mile hikes, so they are not too extreme.

Ditto to everyones show comments. Rain poncho, one and only one set of cold weather cloths (pants, socks, jacket/sweatshirt with hood). Like eagle said, one or two tshirts and same for shorts. Remember, you can turn the tshirt inside out and get double the life out of it. And wear is streight through for 3-4 days and toss it in the fire and break out the other shirt so make sure they are dissposible.

Camera, make it digi and not terribly expensive, but make sure you have a couple high copacity cards for it (they are dirt cheap nowadays and i would have loved to have one instead of a 35mm and 10 rolls of film instead). And dont forget the extra batteries for it.

A very simple double A maglight will do, most nights you will not need it (you may want to get the extra LED bulb kit at walmar for 5 bucks, its supper bright and wont burn out).

One book and a deck of cards is all you'll need on the trail, all the rest of the entertainment is in the wild. Leave the ipod at base camp, but by all means take it on the bus trip to and from philmont.

make sure to get the food bags up in the bear lines early while it is still day light!!!!! My crew had difficulty learning this the first few nights till the 4th night in when the bear line crew got lazy and didnt put it up as high as they should because it was cold, late and dark. A bear made quick work of it in the night. Fortunately we only lost breakfast becuase we picked up supplies later that day.

If you're lucky like myself and i think eagle were you will be on the one of 3 trails that cross both Old baldy and the Tooth of Time (just dont take a frisbee up on either...some learned that the hard way from what i heard). Most of the trails only cross one or the other.

Also, if you go to the camp that gives you a pack mule for a couple days...dont push it off a cliff either. My dad told us that when he went to philmont a few hundred years ago that a troup had gotten so pissed at their mule (the dont call them jack ***'es for nothing) that they pushed/lead it off a cliff.

oh and when you do get back, be sure to show us some awsome picks.

**maxama10** · 02-22-2006, 09:29 PM

haha alright. thanks

**Army** · 02-22-2006, 10:57 PM

'Tis true. A Frisbee will sail into the next county from the top of the Tooth Of Time. It's way cool....but considered major littering.

**Vex** · 02-24-2006, 12:42 AM

Don't know if it's been said, but don't take ANY cotton clothing of any sort! This includes underwear.

**maxama10** · 02-25-2006, 12:08 AM

Well good thing while im on vacation this weekend theres a REI next to my hotel
haha
i dont have any other types of underwear just cotton boxers

Backpackers, Scouts- going to philmont

Backpackers, Scouts- going to philmont

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment