From: Dr. Bob Klein (drbob@troop111.org)
Date: Tue Mar 05 2002 - 16:52:41 CST
A couple of comments for your consideration:
1) First, 3000 cubic inch packs are WAY small for Philmont, unless you
don't mind trudging down the trail looking like a Gypsy Caravan with all
the stuff hanging on and off your pack. Some may not care, but tying
items on board may result in lost or damaged gear, and the resulting
noise while hiking will also tend to reduce your chance of seeing
wildlife.
2) Note that really small packs also tend to cause grumbing among the
other members of your Crew, who will feel (fairly or not) that they are
carrying your fair share of the weight. This can be a very serious
problem, so don't just scoff it off. If everyone else in your Crew has
proper sized packs, and you're both using small packs, you WILL hear
about it, and not favorably either.
3) Finally, it is very doubtful whether a 3000 c.i. pack will properly
fit you. Properly fitting a pack is probably one of the less understood
(or appreciated) aspects of backpacking. Using a pack that simply can't
fit you properly is a needless handicap. You don't wear a 12 year old's
underwear - don't use his pack, either.
4) As a general rule, for Philmont, external frame packs should be a
minimum of 4,000 c.i. for smaller trekkers, and 4,500 c.i. or more for
larger trekkers. Another 500 - 1000 c.i. on both wouldn't hurt, but
don't pay through the nose for it. If you go internal frame, add
another 500 c.i. to each of the above totals, since (at least) your
sleeping bag pretty much has to go inside your pack.
5) On what to buy, hold on a minute. Your post ("just for Philmont")
implies this is the one and only time you're planning on going. If
that's the case, you should first try to BORROW someone else's backpack,
not buy one that will be gathering dust in the garage til you dump it at
a yard-sale 10 years hence. Alternately, you MAY be able to RENT a
backpack from one of your local camping outfitters (for example, we have
three stores here in northern Virginia - not all that far from Severna
Park - that rent quality camping gear at very reasonable prices). This
is preferable to getting the "one size fits all" backpacks offered by
Philmont, which you may or may not like, plus renting (or borrowing)
locally gives you the ability to use the pack on your shakedowns (a good
thing!))
6) If I am misreading your post, and this is the first of many
backpacking treks you plan to do, then probably a purchase is
preferred. The best deals will be the sale of used rental equipment
from local camping stores. Note that a lot of this stuff is both high
quality and in pretty good shape, so don't just turn your nose up at
it. If you insist on new, probably the best deals around are through
Alps Mountaineering (which is web-based); someone has already posted on
that, so I won't belabor it. REI "house-brand" stuff is also pretty
reasonable. The least expensive mass-market stuff that's of decent
quality is Camp-Trails; check the CampMor prices, and you should be able
to beat that easily at any significant sale at a local outfitter (and
you'll save the Campmor shipping fee, too). And to state the obvious,
don't buy anything from the BSA Catalog.
7) I have nothing to add on pack covers, except to note that you can
easily fashion an absolutely waterproof pack cover from a contractor
weight trash bag by cutting an appropriate sized "U" from one side that
will allow access your shoulder straps. You can tie the tails off
behind your back. It'll work for one trip. This is as cheap as it gets
- but remember - contractor weight; anything less will rip to shreds by
halfway through the trip. A little duct tape will repair any tears you
get in a contractor weight trash bag.
- Dr, Bob Klein, SM-111, Arlington, VA
Michael Anderson wrote:
>
> My son and I have 3000 cubic inch capacity Kelty externals, which appear to be too small for Philmont. I hate to buy new packs just for Philmont, but if I will if necessary. Two questions -
>
> 1. Has anyone used rental packs from Philmont? If so, what kind of packs are available for rent, are pack covers also available for rental, what's the cost, and how do you arrange rental?
>
> 2. If I have to buy new packs, does anyone have a recommendation for an economy purchase at $100 or so per pack?
>
> Mike Anderson
> Troop 855
> Severna Park, Maryland
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