Re: [Philmont]: Philmont provided gear question

I haven't used Philmont provided gear in 15 years, but since no one else
has discussed condition, here are some comments:

First, to use the horse analogy, Philmont gear is used hard and put away
wet, all summer long. And it doesn't get a lot of downtime between
Crews, either. So, as you might expect, it gets pretty beat up through
the course of a summer. Most of it gets more use in one season (as many
as 60 days and nights of hard-core backpacking) as some Troops put on
their Troop gear in 4 or 5 years.

The good news is, Philmont is constantly buying replacement gear, and
concurrently retiring stuff that has had it. Since you're an June
(early) Crew, if you're lucky you may be issued some brand-new or
near-new gear. Regardless, however, and as you would expect, given the
expected hard use, Philmont buys durable, heavy-duty stuff - thus, the
common remark that you will go lighter if you bring your own backpacking
gear (as my Crews do). However, though the difference is significant,
Philmont gear is not excessively heavier, just heavier. I'd say
collectively about 30 percent heavier than standard backpacking stuff,
as a rough estimate.

Perhaps the most important thing to know is that Philmont doesn't just
issue you your gear, take it or leave it. Rather, you will be tasked
(usually on arrival day) with inspecting everything that you get,
looking for damage or excessive wear. Your Ranger will work with your
Crew Chief on this task. And if you're unhappy with anything, you can
trade it in for a replacement. It's important that you do a good job
here, because the gear you take out will be inspected upon your return,
and you will be charged for damage or loss. That fact should be
impressed upon your Crew before they start the process.

The inspections are done in an large open air pavilion next to the
Quartermaster stores. There are lines strung to hang tents and tarps up
for inspection. Because of the perpetual mayhem at Basecamp, and the
time pressure, and the fact that you have 30 - 40 Crews going out and 30
- 40 Crews coming in - many/most of whom will also be using Philmont
provided gear - you don't have all day to get this done. But if you are
concerned about getting the best of what they have to offer, you need to
be both meticulous and patient - not always easy with a Ranger fuming
over your shoulder and a clock that never slows down. Obviously, the
earlier you arrive on your arrival day, the easier a time you will have
with respect to all the things that have to get done (including gear
check-out). The alternative is to arrange a later bus the following
day, which some people prefer in order to reduce the time stress on
arrival day.

In my personal observation, I would say that most of the tents and tarps
are in acceptable condition, and virtually all are serviceable (though
some may not look so hot). The most beat-up stuff I've seen is the
cookware - a lot of the pots are dented up pretty good, and the frisbee
and rubber policeman in particular tend to be pretty nasty and in need
of a thorough cleaning before you start. The bear-bags can be ripped up
and grungy, and the bear-bag rope can be worn and filthy. But it will
all work. The only thing I'd personally check out, would be the stoves
if you're renting them from Philmont - they HAVE to work well, period.

Hope this clarifies things.

- Dr. Bob

S Brunkow wrote:
> I'm hoping someone that has been to Philmont recently can help me out. We
> are going in June 05 and I am trying to check some things out. I am trying
> to find out how much some of the gear that Philmont issues weighs and what
> kind of condition it is usally in. I am most interested in the tents and
> tarps, but other info would be appreciated also.
>
> Thanks, Steve
>

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Received on Wed Feb 4 08:20:50 2004