From: CoopWright@aol.com
Date: Sun Apr 21 2002 - 18:17:43 CDT
Josh=0D=0A=0D=0AIt sounds like you have a pretty good list. I have i=
ncluded a section on =0D=0Apersonal equipment from the unofficial Phi=
lmont Advisor's Guide, written by =0D=0Ame and my good friend, Wally =
Feurtado with lots of input from other advisors =0D=0Aand rangers. H=
ope it helps. If you want the full 78 page Guide, it can be =0D=0Ase=
nt as an email attachment for a $10 donation to Venturing Crew 1519.=
=0D=0A=0D=0APersonal Equipment=0D=0A=0D=0AFor most first time Philmon=
t hikers, it is not unusual to spend $300 to $500 =0D=0Ain equipment.=
The most often purchased items are boots, sleeping bags, =0D=0Apack=
s, and rain gear. Hopefully, the decision to go to Philmont comes pr=
ior =0D=0Ato Christmas so that some of the gear may be obtained as Ch=
ristmas presents.=0D=0A=0D=0AMost outfitting stores recommend leather=
hiking boots for Philmont because of =0D=0Athe support they provide =
when compared to high-tech synthetic boots. =0D=0AHowever, leather b=
oots cost more and are harder to break in. Wally's son Wes =0D=0Areq=
uired a new set of boots each time he went to Philmont because his fo=
ot =0D=0Agrew. Spending $125 to $200 on leather boots just does not =
make sense when a =0D=0Asynthetic pair of boots costing $40 to $90 wi=
ll work just as well. =0D=0AOutfitting stores will also say that syn=
thetic boots will fall apart due to =0D=0Athe ruggedness of Philmont'=
s trails. In his eleven trips to Philmont, Wally =0D=0Ahas never see=
n a synthetic boot fail. Coop knows several Appalachian Trail =0D=
=0Athru-hikers that experienced no problems with synthetic boots. In=
fact, =0D=0Aseveral thru-hikers preferred the synthetic boots becaus=
e of their ability to =0D=0Adry out faster than all leather boots. T=
he jury is still out on Gore-Tex =0D=0Aboots. During Coop's 1998 Phi=
lmont trek, the boots that got the wettest =0D=0Aduring a heavy downp=
our were Gore-Tex. However, we also talked to several =0D=0ARangers =
who loved their Gore-Tex boots. In any case, if new boots are =0D=
=0Aneeded, plan on purchasing them in March. This will provide enoug=
h time to =0D=0Abreak in the boots while reducing the possibility of =
them being outgrown by =0D=0APhilmont. If you do buy leather boots, =
make sure that they have been =0D=0Awaterproofed several times before=
you head to Philmont.=0D=0A=0D=0ASome hikers have replaced their boo=
ts insole with a more expensive gel type =0D=0Ainsole. If you choose=
to do this, be sure to try out the new insoles during =0D=0Ayour sha=
kedown hikes. Coop replaced his insoles and found that the new =0D=
=0Ainsole raised his heel out of the boot's heel cup and caused a bli=
ster.=0D=0A=0D=0AEach crewmember should wear two layers of socks. Th=
e inner layer should be =0D=0Asynthetic (polypropylene or CoolMax) so=
ck liner. The liner wicks the =0D=0Amoisture away from the foot to t=
he outer sock. When the foot is dry, there =0D=0Ais a decreased chan=
ce of a getting a blister. Some of the new high tech =0D=0Asocks sta=
te that an inner layer sock is not required. Christian Braunlich, a =
=0D=0APhilmont Ranger and REI employee, still uses two layers even wh=
en he wears =0D=0Ahis high tech socks for the extra protection. Heav=
y wool socks as outer =0D=0Alayers are great. However, some crewmemb=
ers do not like the feel of wool =0D=0Asocks and they take a long tim=
e to dry out once they get wet. Both Coop and =0D=0AWally use Thorlo=
socks. Coop likes the all-synthetic Thorlo Hiking sock that =0D=
=0Adoes it not itch and dries quickly because it contains no wool. W=
ally uses =0D=0Athe Thorlo Light Hiking sock that contains only 5% co=
tton, making it ideal =0D=0Afor warm weather wear. Mimi Hatch and Ma=
ry Lane both use Smart Wool socks. =0D=0AEven though they do contain=
wool, they are very soft and dry much quicker =0D=0Athan the all-woo=
l ragg socks. Like most backpacking equipment, it really =0D=0Acomes=
down to a matter of personal choice. Whatever type you use, pack th=
ree =0D=0Apairs of outer socks and two or three pairs of sock liners.=
Make sure that =0D=0Ayou check the condition of your crew's socks b=
efore you head for Philmont. =0D=0AToo often, crewmembers will buy n=
ew boots and neglect to buy new socks. =0D=0ASocks do wear out! If =
the socks' padding capability is worn down, get new =0D=0Aones.=0D=
=0A=0D=0AHikers also need to pack an in-camp shoe that can be worn on=
ce you get into =0D=0Acamp and can get your boots off. A set of mocc=
asins or running shoes makes =0D=0Aan excellent in-camp shoe. Tevas =
are not permitted in the backcountry. =0D=0APhilmont requires the we=
ar of a closed toe shoe or boot when cooking, =0D=0Abranding, rock cl=
imbing, horseback riding, spar pole climbing and your =0D=0Aconservat=
ion project, so leave your Tevas at home. Getting into in-camp =0D=
=0Ashoes gives your feet a rest and gives you an opportunity to sun d=
ry your =0D=0Aboots. You may want to bring along a set of in-camp so=
cks. Mimi uses a =0D=0ACoolmax anklet style for her in-camp sock tha=
t is cooler and lighter than =0D=0Awool and dries quickly when washed=
. Whatever type of in-camp shoe you choose =0D=0Ashould have a low i=
mpact sole that keeps it from further damaging the ground =0D=0Aof yo=
ur already over camped camp site. In-camp shoes should be easy to ge=
t =0D=0Aon and off for those late night visits to the latrine. And f=
inally, they =0D=0Ashould be comfortable enough for you to hike in to=
the next camp site, if you =0D=0Aare having severe boot problems.=
=0D=0A=0D=0AYou will see many different styles of walking sticks on t=
he trail. Some =0D=0Ahikers prefer a single stick. However, over th=
e last several years, Coop has =0D=0Abecome an ardent believer in usi=
ng two walking sticks. The sticks are =0D=0Aadjustable and can be le=
ngthened or shortened according to the terrain. They =0D=0Aprovide m=
uch needed support and relieve some of the pounding that would =0D=
=0Anormally be absorbed by your body. A medical study has shown that=
the use of =0D=0Atwo hiking sticks results in 250 tons of pressure b=
eing transferred from the =0D=0Aback, knees and legs to the arms duri=
ng an 8-hour hiking day. They also =0D=0Aserve as poles for the crew=
tarp eliminating the need to carry additional =0D=0Aequipment. They=
can be a pain if you are the crew photographer trying to =0D=0Atake =
a picture. However, some walking sticks have integrated camera mount=
s =0D=0Awhich allows them to be used as monopods for on-the-trail ful=
l crew shots.=0D=0A=0D=0AAn inexpensive pair of ankle high gaiters is=
nice to have. Gaiters help keep =0D=0Ayour boots and socks clean an=
d dry. They also prevent small rocks and sand =0D=0Afrom getting ins=
ide your boots.=0D=0A=0D=0ASleeping bags should be filled with synthe=
tic fiber, weigh less than four =0D=0Apounds, and be rated to 25 degr=
ees. A mummy bag is lighter and warmer than =0D=0Aother design types=
. At Philmont's higher elevations, the temperature gets =0D=0Ainto t=
he thirties at night and there always seems to be a stiff breeze =
=0D=0Ablowing. Other than boots, the sleeping bag is the most import=
ant piece of =0D=0Aequipment a crewmember will bring to Philmont. Cr=
ewmembers need to know that =0D=0Athe one and only place where they w=
ill always be warm and dry is in their =0D=0Asleeping bags, inside th=
eir tents. Care must be taken to assure that the bag =0D=0Ais proper=
ly treated. Crewmembers must never get into their sleeping bags =
=0D=0Awet, because the moisture reduces the warming ability of the ba=
g. During the =0D=0Anight, the bag also absorbs moisture from the bo=
dy. Every opportunity should =0D=0Abe taken to air out the bag. Oth=
erwise a 25-degree bag will become a =0D=0A30-degree bag the next nig=
ht and so on. Down sleeping bags are not =0D=0Arecommended because t=
hey lose their insulating capability when they get wet. =0D=0AEven t=
hough most sleeping bags come with a "water-proof" stuff sack, an =
=0D=0Aadditional plastic trash bag or an Army waterproof bag should b=
e placed in =0D=0Athe stuff sack to provide a second layer of protect=
ion.=0D=0A=0D=0AAn inexpensive closed cell pad is a must for all crew=
members. Not only does =0D=0Ait provide a comfortable sleep even on =
those not-so-level places; it also =0D=0Aprevents heat loss downward =
and provides a barrier against moisture should =0D=0Ayour tents leak =
in a heavy rain. Cascade Design produces the Z-Rest, an =0D=0Aexcell=
ent pad that is very comfortable, is less bulky than traditional pads=
, =0D=0Aand can even be used for a camp seat! For advisors, we recom=
mend a =0D=0ATherm-A-Rest sleeping pad because of its ability to prov=
ide a good night's =0D=0Asleep. It also adds 5-10 degrees of warmth =
when compared to sleeping =0D=0Adirectly on the ground. While a Ther=
m-A-Rest pad costs around $50, it is =0D=0Awell worth the investment.=
Therm-A-Rest pads come in two models; the full =0D=0Alength and the=
3/4 length. Although the full-length model is a little =0D=0Aheavie=
r, it keeps the feet off the ground that could keep the sleeping bag =
=0D=0Adry should your tent floor get wet.=0D=0A=0D=0AIt is really dif=
ficult to give advice to crewmembers on rain gear other than =0D=0Ait=
is a must and it should be good quality. You should note that the O=
NLY =0D=0Arain gear listed on Philmont's personal equipment list is a=
rain suit and NOT =0D=0Aa poncho. If a crewmember has money to burn=
, a Gore-Tex rain suit would be =0D=0Arecommended. Gore-Tex allows p=
erspiration to escape while keeping rain out. =0D=0AHowever, a Gore-=
Tex rain suit typically costs $150 to $300 and can be heavier =0D=
=0Athan coated nylon. A lightweight coated nylon rain suit works alm=
ost as well =0D=0Aand costs under $60. Do not purchase the less expe=
nsive, but much heavier =0D=0APVC rain suit. The beauty of a rain su=
it is that the jacket can also be used =0D=0Ato keep warm, when layer=
ed with a wool or fleece sweater. Our Philmont =0D=0ARangers thought=
that an inexpensive rain suit was far superior to the most =0D=0Aexp=
ensive poncho. Before you buy any type of rain gear, make sure that =
it =0D=0Astates "waterproof" and not "water resistant". Water resist=
ant fabric may =0D=0Ahandle a light dew, but will become water logged=
and soak the wearer after =0D=0Aonly a few minutes of an afternoon P=
hilmont rain. Prior to going to =0D=0APhilmont, you should test your=
rain gear. Your neighbors might get a =0D=0Achuckle, but wear a lig=
ht colored t-shirt under your rain gear and get =0D=0Asprinkled with =
the water hose for about 10 minutes. This will provide a good =0D=
=0Atest to determine whether your raingear needs to have a treatment =
such as =0D=0ANikwax's TX-10 Direct applied. Sarah Rogers, a Philmon=
t Ranger, has been =0D=0Aknown to stand in the shower at home to chec=
k out her raingear!=0D=0A=0D=0AMost crewmembers wear hiking shorts an=
d t-shirts throughout their trek. What =0D=0Awe have found that work=
s the best is to have a set of hiking clothes and a =0D=0Aset of in-c=
amp clothes. After setting up camp, wash the body salt from the =
=0D=0At-shirt, shorts, and socks you have worn on the trail. Put up =
your =0D=0Aclothesline and hang your hiking clothes up to dry. Be aw=
are that some =0D=0APhilmont Rangers have discouraged tying clothesli=
nes to trees (even if the =0D=0Atrees are protected by putting bandan=
nas around them). Hanging clothes from =0D=0Abranches works just as =
well. In the morning, even if your hiking clothes are =0D=0Anot comp=
letely dry, put your t-shirt and shorts on. Don't worry, they will =
=0D=0Adry out while on the trail. Wet socks can be safety pinned to =
the outside of =0D=0Ayour pack to dry as you walk along the trail. D=
iaper pins, because of their =0D=0Asize, make excellent drying pins.=
=0D=0A=0D=0ACotton underwear? No way. Both Wally and Coop use nylon=
blend hiking shorts =0D=0Awith an inner brief to provide support. T=
he smooth surface of the nylon =0D=0Ashorts also helps to reduce the =
chaffing for hikers with thunder thighs like =0D=0Athe two of us. Ge=
orge Kain wears a set of synthetic (CoolMax) underwear =0D=0Aunder hi=
s Philmont cotton shorts. Other advisors have worn unpadded nylon =
=0D=0Abike shorts or a Speedo swimsuit under their hiking shorts for =
support. All =0D=0Aof us agree that cotton underwear is impossible t=
o keep clean and dry.=0D=0A=0D=0AWe recommend as a minimum that the t=
-shirts be 50/50 cotton. If you can find =0D=0Aan all synthetic t-sh=
irt (Philmont now sells a Duofold t-shirt in the Trading =0D=0APost),=
use it for your hiking t-shirt. Road Runner Sports, (800) 551-5558,=
=0D=0Awww.roadrunnersports.com, sells CoolMax shirts at very competi=
tive prices. =0D=0ASynthetic t-shirts will wick the sweat away, prot=
ect you from losing heat due =0D=0Ato moisture during colder weather,=
and dry quicker when washed. =0D=0A=0D=0ACrewmembers will also need=
a set of sleep clothes (t-shirt and a set of nylon =0D=0Arunning sho=
rts) that is only worn while sleeping. When getting ready for =0D=
=0Abed, each crewmember takes off his in-camp clothes and places them=
in a =0D=0Aplastic bag that is then hung in the "Oops Bag" (see Bear=
s and Bear Bags). =0D=0AAfter putting on his sleep clothes, the crew=
member can get in his sleeping =0D=0Abag. This will reduce the possi=
bility of having any sort of food smell on =0D=0Ayou or inside your t=
ent that may attract bears. Over the past several years, =0D=0Abecau=
se of the poor snow pack and lack of rain, there was very little for =
the =0D=0Abears to eat, so they moved into Philmont's low country loo=
king for food. =0D=0ARangers will spend a great deal of time discuss=
ing your crew's actions to =0D=0Aminimize the chance of a bear incide=
nt occurring, including the use of sleep =0D=0Aclothes. Another way =
that crewmembers can bring non-human smells into the =0D=0Abackcountr=
y is through the use of fabric softeners on their trail clothes =0D=
=0Abefore they arrive at Philmont. Fabric softener fragrance will la=
st on trail =0D=0Afor several days until an individual's natural body=
odor takes over. You may =0D=0Ahave to wash your clothes several ti=
mes without soap at home to ensure that =0D=0Athere is no detectable =
odor. Remember, bears don't see well, but they have a =0D=0Atremendo=
us sense of smell. The bottom line is if you are going into bear =
=0D=0Acountry, it is best to sleep in clothes that have not been expo=
sed to any =0D=0Asmells.=0D=0A=0D=0AA set of lightweight synthetic (p=
olypropylene or other type fabric) long =0D=0Aunderwear can be a plus=
on the trail, especially if you are scheduled to =0D=0Aarrive at Phi=
lmont early in the camping season when the mornings are still =0D=
=0Acold. Long underwear can also be used as a means of increasing th=
e warmth of =0D=0Ayour sleeping bag, especially if your trek has you =
camping at higher =0D=0Aelevations. We suggest bringing your long un=
derwear with you and making the =0D=0Adecision whether you will bring=
it on the trail during your shakedown at base =0D=0Acamp. In 1997, =
no one in Mimi's crew (with the exception of one adult) =0D=0Abrought=
long underwear on the trail and they did not miss it. However, Pete=
r =0D=0ABernier, a member of Coop's 1996 crew, wore his polypro and f=
leece to keep =0D=0Awarm during several hailstorms and heavy rains th=
at occurred during his 1997 =0D=0ARayado trek. Again, it is a matter=
of choice.=0D=0A=0D=0AAn outer warm layer is absolutely required. A=
lthough wool has been a =0D=0Atraditional choice, synthetic fleece ha=
s taken over because of its =0D=0Alightweight, ability to dry quickly=
, and softness. DO NOT rely on cotton =0D=0Asweatshirts to keep you=
warm! A wool knit hat is an optional item but is =0D=0Anice to have=
. Most crewmembers will wear their knit hats especially at the =0D=
=0Ahigher elevations and at night. Both Wally and Coop have used the=
ir knit =0D=0Ahats each year they have gone to Philmont.=0D=0A=0D=
=0ALong pants are required for spar poling, horseback riding, brandin=
g, and the =0D=0Aconservation project in addition to the obvious of k=
eeping warm. Most crews =0D=0Awe saw wore high nylon content pants t=
hat were extremely lightweight and =0D=0Adried out very quickly. Con=
vertible pants with legs that zip off allow you =0D=0Ato carry long p=
ants and an extra pair of shorts with just one garment. An =0D=0Aacc=
eptable substitute is to wear your long underwear bottoms under a pai=
r of =0D=0Ahiking shorts. Rain pants will also work, but there is th=
e possibility of =0D=0Adamaging them during spar pole climbing. Stay=
away from jeans or sweat =0D=0Apants. Both are made of cotton and a=
re impossible to dry out once they get =0D=0Awet. =0D=0A=0D=0ASome h=
ikers like wide brim hats. They provide protection from the increase=
d =0D=0Alevel of ultra violet rays found at higher elevations, but ar=
e cumbersome =0D=0Awhile hiking. If a baseball cap is used, be caref=
ul of severe sunburn on the =0D=0Atops of the ears. For fair complex=
ion crewmembers, we recommend a 30 SPF =0D=0Asunscreen as a minimum. =
Coop uses 50 SPF because he has fair skin. The sun =0D=0Aand low hu=
midity can also cause severe chapped lips. The one lip balm that =
=0D=0Aseemed to work best and received outstanding reviews by both ou=
r crews was =0D=0ACarmex. There are also other lip balms, like Chaps=
tick, on the market that =0D=0Acontain sunscreen that can reduce the =
possibility of sun burned lips.=0D=0A=0D=0AEach crewmember needs a mi=
nimum of three 1-quart canteens. If you know that =0D=0Ayour itinera=
ry will have a dry camp, we suggest that each crewmember bring =0D=
=0Aalong a lightweight 1-quart plastic bottled water bottle (or bette=
r yet, a =0D=0Aroll-up canteen made by Nalgene) in addition to the re=
gular canteens. =0D=0ABecause it was an exceptionally dry year at Ph=
ilmont in 1998 and 2000, each =0D=0Amember of Coop's crew had the abi=
lity to carry four quarts of water. It is a =0D=0Alot easier to supp=
ly the crew with water if each crewmember carries an =0D=0Aadditional=
quart of water into a dry camp instead of having one or two =0D=0Ame=
mbers try to carry the very bulky and heavy 2 1/2 gallon plastic wate=
r =0D=0Acontainers.=0D=0A=0D=0AWe have seen more crews using hydratio=
n systems (Camelback, Platypus) on the =0D=0Atrail at Philmont. Alth=
ough these systems offer the convenience of being =0D=0Aable to take =
a drink through a tube without having to take off your pack, =0D=0AWa=
lly, Mimi and I are not big fans of them for several reasons. When y=
ou =0D=0Adrink from one of these systems, it is really hard for an ad=
visor to tell if =0D=0Aa crewmember is really drinking enough, unless=
you are aware of who is =0D=0Aurinating and who is not. Wally knows=
of one crew in 1999, where a =0D=0Acrewmember became dehydrated even=
though he was using a Platypus, because he =0D=0Awas simply not drin=
king enough and his advisor was not aware of his fluid =0D=0Aintake. =
Additionally, hydration systems can build up mildew in their =0D=
=0Adrinking tubes if they are not properly cleaned. Personally, we l=
ike taking =0D=0Aa water break, whether it is a short "packs on" brea=
k or a longer "packs off" =0D=0Abreak and taking a good slug of water=
. During the break, you can quickly =0D=0Aassess by looking at the w=
ater level in each canteen, to see how much water =0D=0Aeach person h=
as consumed. In addition, most packs have external pockets that =
=0D=0Aprovide easy access to a canteen if you need a drink while you =
are walking. =0D=0A=0D=0AA butane lighter works better than matches =
and is more dependable. Get a =0D=0Asee-through type so that it is e=
asy to determine when the lighter is out of =0D=0Abutane. Each crew =
needs a sewing kit with safety pins. If an advisor =0D=0Atravels a l=
ot, ask him to take one from a hotel where he stays. Heavy-duty =
=0D=0Athread and needles need to be added to this kit in case a pack =
comes apart. =0D=0ADuct tape comes in handy along the trail for all =
sorts of jobs from patching =0D=0Atents to attaching a loose sole of =
a boot. An easy way to carry duct tape is =0D=0Ato wrap it around a =
fuel bottle. Remember that duct tape is also considered =0D=0Aas a "=
smellable" and must be put in the bear bag.=0D=0A=0D=0AIf you can fin=
d an old closed cell sleeping pad, you can make your own =0D=0A"Advis=
or's Pad" to sit on by simply cutting out a two foot square section. =
=0D=0AAn alternate is a closed cell kneeling pad sold at most lawn a=
nd garden =0D=0Ashops. It sure is a lot more comfortable than sittin=
g directly on the =0D=0Aground. For those advisors who may have a "d=
eep seated" problem, fold the =0D=0Apad in half to double the cushion=
. We are also seeing more Crazy Creek =0D=0Achairs on the trail. Th=
ey provide both bottom and back support, can be used =0D=0Aas a sleep=
pad by those who are really trail nuts and are practically part of =
=0D=0Aa Ranger's equipment. But if you do use your chair as a sleepi=
ng pad, be =0D=0Avery cautious when eating in you chair to avoid carr=
ying smells from spills =0D=0Awith you to bed.=0D=0A=0D=0ABe sure to =
mark all common items such as canteens, ragg socks and sock liners =
=0D=0Awith a permanent marking pen. Things begin to look alike after=
ten days on =0D=0Athe trail and it becomes hard to tell them apart. =
A suggested personal =0D=0Aequipment list is contained in Appendix E=
.=0D=0A=0D=0AFinally, try to get your total pack weight as light as p=
ossible. Heavy packs =0D=0Ajust sap energy and strength, make you mo=
re prone to injury, and reduce your =0D=0Apotential for having a good=
time on the trail. Both Bob Klein and Troy Hayes =0D=0Aare real sti=
cklers when it comes to reducing total pack weight. Bob even =0D=
=0Agives his crew a list of equipment with the maximum acceptable wei=
ght for =0D=0Aeach item of personal gear. He even brings a postal sc=
ale to gear shakedowns =0D=0Aand weighs each item to make sure that m=
eets his criteria! If an item is too =0D=0Aheavy, it is rejected! Y=
ou may think that this might be extreme, but Bob's =0D=0Acrews typica=
lly leave Base Camp with water and food with packs that weigh =0D=
=0Aless than 35 pounds, compared to most crews with pack in the 40 to=
50 pound =0D=0Arange.=0D=0A=0D=0ASome advisors are still in the car =
camping mode when they arrive at Philmont, =0D=0Abringing along that =
extra something "just in case". This is a huge mistake =0D=0Aand the=
extra pounds will soon begin to affect their performance on the =
=0D=0Atrail. The idea is to leave Base Camp, with the lightest possi=
ble pack, with =0D=0Athe right amount of personal and crew gear for y=
our trek and no more. Start =0D=0Aeliminating ounces from your very =
first shakedown. A requirement for =0D=0ABackpacking Merit Badge is =
to discuss ten ways to reduce your pack's weight. =0D=0ASome ideas i=
nclude:=0D=0A=0D=0A=B7 small rather than large (as in flashlight, k=
nives, etc.)=0D=0A=B7 right size (e.g., a 4 ounce bottle of sun scr=
een instead of a 6 or 8, a =0D=0Asmall tube of toothpaste)=0D=0A=B7 =
just-as-good-but-lighter (coated nylon rain gear instead of PVC, gro=
cery =0D=0Astore water bottles instead of canteens)=0D=0A=B7 double=
duty items (bandanna can serve as a towel, handkerchief, and =0D=
=0Aheadband; synthetic long underwear top can keep you warm in the ca=
mpsite and =0D=0Aserve as sleep shirt)=0D=0A=B7 avoid gadgets (such=
as Leatherman, hydration systems, heavy camp stools)=0D=0A=B7 shar=
ing (one set of toothpaste or Camp Suds bottle per tent)=0D=0A=B7 s=
mart purchasing (mummy bag versus a rectangular bag)=0D=0A=B7 cloth=
ing system based on layers=0D=0A=B7 take only what you need (a cup =
and spoon for eating gear instead of a =0D=0Acup, bowl, spoon and for=
k)=0D=0A=B7 eliminate dead weight (walkman radios, footballs - yes =
Troy Hayes has =0D=0Aseen one!)=0D=0A =0D=0A There are a growin=
g number of ultra-light backpackers who would have a =0D=0Afield day =
with the gear that we take to Philmont. We would have to give up =
=0D=0Aour full-length Therm-A-Rest pads, our in-camp clothes and our =
camp shoes! =0D=0AThese minimalists, however, have the experience, c=
onfidence, and physical =0D=0Aconditioning to compensate for any mist=
akes they might make in packing that =0D=0Awe as advisors cannot. We=
encourage you to work with your crews to reduce =0D=0Athe weight tha=
t each member will carry and believe that the equipment lists =0D=
=0Ain Appendices D and E have been tested over time and represent wha=
t you will =0D=0Aneed on the trail at Philmont. However, for those o=
f you who might be =0D=0Atempted to try the ultra-light method of bac=
kpacking (on your own first and =0D=0Anot at Philmont), an excellent =
resource is Beyond Backpacking, Ray Jardine's =0D=0AGuide to Lightwei=
ght Hiking, AdventureLore Press, (800) 247-6553. While we =0D=0Adon'=
t agree with everything Ray Jardine has to offer, he does present a =
=0D=0Adifferent way to approach gearing up.=0D=0A =0D=0A Packs=
=0D=0A =0D=0A Unless you come from a very unusual Scout troop, =
this will probably be =0D=0Athe first time that you or your crewmembe=
rs have ever carried personal and =0D=0Acrew gear, food for several d=
ays, and several quarts of water in a pack at =0D=0Aone time. Packs =
that made it for years on troop campouts simply don't have =0D=0Aenou=
gh volume to handle what you and your crew will be carrying on the tr=
ail =0D=0Aat Philmont. We find that most Philmont hikers get a new p=
ack before their =0D=0Atrek. As an advisor, it is difficult to recom=
mend a type of pack to bring to =0D=0APhilmont. Pack selection reall=
y boils down to individual choice and the =0D=0Aamount that you are w=
illing to pay for the pack. External frame packs are =0D=0Athe most =
common and cost significantly less than internal frame packs. They =
=0D=0Aallow you to strap on additional equipment giving you greater f=
lexibility in =0D=0Awhat you can carry. External frame packs usually=
come with lots of built in =0D=0Apockets that provide easy access fo=
r needed gear. They are also cooler to =0D=0Awear which is a signifi=
cant plus in the New Mexico afternoon heat. An =0D=0Aexternal frame =
pack for a Philmont trek should be a minimum of 4000 cubic =0D=0Ainch=
es.=0D=0A =0D=0A Internal frame packs are basically bags that a=
re built around a hi-tech =0D=0Asuspension system. They fit closer t=
o your back and almost become a part of =0D=0Ayou while on the trail.=
External frame packs feel more like wearing a ladder =0D=0Awhen com=
pared to the fit of an internal frame pack. Since sleeping bags are =
=0D=0Acarried inside of an internal frame pack, minimum size for a Ph=
ilmont trek =0D=0Ashould be no less than 4500 cubic inches. Both Wal=
ly and Coop began =0D=0Abackpacking with external frame packs but hav=
e switched because we like how =0D=0Ainternal frame packs feel and ca=
rry the loads.=0D=0A =0D=0A No matter which type of pack you ha=
ve, there are four things that you =0D=0Amust do to ensure that your =
crew is ready to go. First, check to see that =0D=0Athe pack is fitt=
ed to the individual crewmember. The hip belt must fit =0D=0Asnugly =
around the waist to allow the full weight of the pack to be carried o=
n =0D=0Athe crewmember's hips while at the same time providing enough=
padding to =0D=0Aprotect the hips. The shoulder straps should be pa=
dded and fit the width of =0D=0Athe shoulders. When viewed from the =
side, shoulder straps should be level =0D=0A(or a little upward) from=
the shoulders to the pack frame. Second, check the =0D=0Acondition =
of the pack. Most crewmembers have probably never rinsed the salt =
=0D=0Aand sweat from their pack's suspension system. Dry rot of pack=
's stitching =0D=0Aand fabric may already have started. Check the st=
itching at all stress =0D=0Apoints in the pack material. Check the g=
rommets on the shoulder straps and =0D=0Ahip belt to ensure that they=
have not pulled out of the pack material. Check =0D=0Athe pack fram=
e welds to ensure that they are not cracked. Third, make sure =0D=
=0Athat the pack is large enough to carry all the crewmember's person=
al gear =0D=0Aplus his share of crew gear. Make sure that each crewm=
ember brings along one =0D=0Aor two replacement clevis pins and O-rin=
gs. JanSport packs require special =0D=0Anuts, bolts and wrenches th=
at are not readily available at Philmont. =0D=0AFinally, we both rec=
ommend bringing a pack cover that is designed to fit your =0D=0Apack.=
A pack cover will beat a trash bag any day. However, trash bags wi=
ll =0D=0Awork. Just plan on bringing several (4-5) because they will=
rip and tear on =0D=0Athe trail. If a crewmember does not have a pa=
ck that you deem adequate, he =0D=0Acan rent one at Philmont for a ve=
ry reasonable cost (2000 cost was $20.00). =0D=0A =0D=0ACooper Wr=
ight=0D=0ACo-author of the Philmont Advisor's Guide=0D=0APhilmont 58,=
86, 92, 96, 98, 00, and 03 (hopefully)=0D=0A=0D=0A=0D=0A=0D=0A=0D=
=0A=0D=0A-------------------------------------------------------=0D=
=0AScouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org=0D=0ASubscribe/Uns=
ubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/=0D=0AListserv Commands at http=
://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp=0D=0A-----------------------------------=
--------------------=0D=0ASend listserv commands to: listserv@troop47=
.com=0D=0ASend postings to: philmont@troop47.com=0D=0AList F=
AQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp=0D=0AList Admi=
nistrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com=0D=0A-------------------=
------------------------------------=0D=0AAs you gather around this v=
irtual campfire with fellow=0D=0AScouts and Scouters, do your best to=
be trustworthy,=0D=0Aloyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obed=
ient,=0D=0Acheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.=0D=0A-------=
------------------------------------------------=0D=0A=0D=0A=0D=0A=
=0D=0A=0D=0A=0D=0A=
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