[Philmont] Heavy Loads, Big Backpacks, and Physical Preparations

I've been a lurker, reader, and submitter on this e-mail list for about 5
years now, and I still get a kick out of things like this...

Dave Haynie said "...I began with my gear plus 8kg, and worked my way up to
75lbs. for training hikes (up to four miles). On shakedowns, I tried to stay
at about 60lbs., assuming it was overkill... but on the actual trek, my
total weight maxxed out at 66lbs... and I was ready for it."

What are you guys carrying to get packs that heavy?

Granted, for my first trek back to Philmont as an adult in 2000, my
(external frame) pack weighed 65 pounds at base camp. But with the
knowledge given from this list, and the information on these folks'
websites, by 2005, by base camp (internal frame) pack weight was down to 40
pounds (personal gear, crew gear, tent, water, food) and that is with a 7
pound Gregory pack.

There are methods to decrease total crew pack weights by 10 to 20 pounds per
person. It just takes the knowledge and discipline to carry these methods
out.

I learned more about dropping total crew weight from reading Dr. Bob's
information that I ever learned in the high adventure classes taken, or in
the years of Scouting experienced. I just never thought of crew gear that
way before.

As for personal gear, money does buy you happiness (read "light on my
back"). Most cannot afford the light weight gear, but even the heavier
stuff only adds a couple of pounds to the load as long as the packer doesn't
go overboard packing. You don't need 4 (or even 3) pairs of underwear for a
Philmont trek. You don't need 3 t-shirts...

The discussion on packs was fun. I've read John long enough now to take his
missives with a bit of salt. Yes, John, in 2008 I'll be carrying my
internal frame pack (same old 2001 Gregory that is still the most
comfortable pack I've ever put on) and I'll be carrying my Crocs for camp
shoes. Keep it coming!

I also suggest to the parents of my younger Scouts to at least look at and
try on the women's model for any pack they are choosing. I have quite a few
adult friends (whom are very skinny that I hate) that carry women's packs
because they fit better. Being a man-sized man, I don't have to worry about
that...

If you want the BEST external frame pack ever made (in my opinion), find and
buy the old Dana Designs LONGBED - probably have to watch e-bay like a hawk
to get one. I had one of those for about 3 months before "converting" to my
Gregory. That thing was built for big, bulky, heavy loads, and it's the
most comfortable pack I've ever worn for loads over 60 pounds (better than
my Gregory). I just don't carry that much any more. I sold mine to a
friend and he carries it now, and I give him stuff to carry because it makes
his pack more comfortable ;-) .

There is a difference in harnesses between the LONGBED and the SHORTBED.
The Shortbed hip belt is not nearly as well built or comfortable (again, in
my opinion) as the Longbed, and it doesn't carry heavy loads nearly as well.

Physical preparations... In 2000, to prepare I carried a 50 pound pack 6
miles a day, 5 days a week from January to June. I was still tired at
Philmont. I did the same in 2002 and was tired at Philmont.

I'll quote David again... "... But there were plenty of folks training
without any real weight. Not only does that not give you the full
workout..." I humbly disagree.

In 2005, I changed my strategy. I became best friends with the
stair-master. I'd set that baby to my weight plus 50 pounds (to mimic the
pack weight on my legs), then worked my way up from 20 minutes a day to an
hour a day at level 8 (about 220 flights of stairs a day). After the
stairs, I'd do intensive leg weights for about 20 minutes. The only time I
ever put my pack on was on shakedowns. I never got tired in 2005. That was
by far the most fit I've ever been. I've already started for my 2008 trip.

The stair-master worked for me. Dr. Bob says he trudges in the pack to get
in shape. That works for him. Trudge or sweat. Just get in shape. I've
found that being in shape is the best example I can give the crew.

Shane Hoffman
Advisor - Crew 445 - www.crew445.org
Committee Member - Troop 445 - www.troop445.org
Webmaster - www.philmontforum.com
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose" ~
Jim Elliot

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Received on Sun Aug 19 15:04:36 2007