Re: [Philmont]: Suggested list of things to take to Philmont(help me)

Thanks for the comprehensive list of desirable clothing and gear. This
will help me immensely with the boys.

YiS, Anthony

--- CoopWright@aol.com wrote:
> Anthony
>
> Early next year, you should receive Philmont's "Guidebook to
> Adventure" which
> provides their suggested list of crew and personal equipment. I
> agree, it
> would be great to have this list by Christmas. Our council's High
> Adventure
> Committee gives a class on the "Big Four" (packs, sleeping bags, rain
> gear and
> boots) in November to next year's advisors and youth trekkers so that
> they can
> have some ideas about getting new gear if it is needed.
>
> If you are a first time advisor, you may want to get a copy of the
> Philmont
> Advisor's Guide. This unofficial 84 page document was written by two
>
> experienced Philmont advisors with lots of help and input from other
> Philmont advisors
> and rangers. It is available as a MS Word email attachment for a $10
> donation
> to Venturing Crew 1519. E-mail me if you are interested. I have
> included
> the section on personal gear and packs below.
>
> Personal Equipment
>
> For most first time Philmont hikers, it is not unusual to spend $300
> to $500
> in equipment. The most often purchased items are boots, sleeping
> bags, packs,
> and rain gear. Hopefully, the decision to go to Philmont comes prior
> to
> Christmas so that some of the gear may be obtained as Christmas
> presents.
>
> Most outfitting stores recommend leather hiking boots for Philmont
> because of
> the support they provide when compared to high-tech synthetic boots.
>
> However, leather boots cost more and are harder to break in. Wally's
> son Wes
> required a new set of boots each time he went to Philmont because his
> foot grew.
> Spending $125 to $200 on leather boots just does not make sense when
> a synthetic
> pair of boots costing $40 to $90 will work just as well. Outfitting
> stores
> will also say that synthetic boots will fall apart due to the
> ruggedness of
> Philmont's trails. In his twelve trips to Philmont, Wally has never
> seen a
> synthetic boot fail. Coop knows several Appalachian Trail
> thru-hikers that
> experienced no problems with synthetic boots. In fact, several
> thru-hikers preferred
> the synthetic boots because of their ability to dry out faster than
> all
> leather boots. In 2002, Mimi Hatch used an all-synthetic boot, the
> Asolo GTX FSN 95
> women's model, and came through without a blister. In fact, she
> didn't even
> need any moleskin or Spiroflex. The jury is still out on Gore-Tex
> boots.
> During Coop's 1998 Philmont trek, the boots that got the wettest
> during a heavy
> downpour were Gore-Tex. However, we also talked to several Rangers
> who loved
> their Gore-Tex boots. In any case, if new boots are needed, plan on
> purchasing
> them in March. This will provide enough time to break in the boots
> while
> reducing the possibility of them being outgrown by Philmont. If you
> do buy
> leather boots, make sure that they have been waterproofed several
> times before you
> head to Philmont.
>
> Some hikers have replaced their boots insole with a more expensive
> gel type
> insole. In 2002, Mimi replaced her insoles with SuperFeet insoles on
> the
> recommendation of several outdoor outfitters. She felt that her new
> insoles
> distributed the weight of her foot better and was a factor in her
> blister free trek.
> If you choose to do this, be sure to try out the new insoles during
> your
> shakedown hikes. Coop replaced his insoles and found that the new
> insole raised
> his heel out of the boot's heel cup and caused a blister.
>
> Each crewmember should wear two layers of socks. The inner layer
> should be
> synthetic (polypropylene or CoolMax) sock liner. The liner wicks the
> moisture
> away from the foot to the outer sock. When the foot is dry, there is
> a
> decreased chance of a getting a blister. Some of the new high tech
> socks state that
> an inner layer sock is not required. Christian Braunlich, a Philmont
> Ranger
> and REI employee, still uses two layers even when he wears his high
> tech socks
> for the extra protection. Heavy wool socks, as outer layers are
> great.
> However, some crewmembers do not like the feel of wool socks and they
> take a long
> time to dry out once they get wet. Coop likes the all-synthetic
> Thorlo Hiking
> sock that does it not itch and dries quickly because it contains no
> wool.
> Wally, Mimi and Mary Lane use Smart Wool socks. Stephen Braunlich
> used Dalhgren
> Low Volume Alpaca wool for 75% of his hiking and never got a blister.
> The
> rest of the time he used a set of REI Merino wool socks. Even though
> these
> socks contain wool, they are very soft and dry much quicker than the
> all-wool ragg
> socks. Like most backpacking equipment, it really comes down to a
> matter of
> personal choice. Whatever type you use, pack three pairs of outer
> socks and
> two or three pairs of sock liners. Make sure that you check the
> condition of
> your crew's socks before you head for Philmont. Look for badly worn
> spots that
> will lead to blisters on the trail. Too often, crewmembers will buy
> new
> boots and neglect to buy new socks. Socks do wear out! If the
> socks' padding
> capability is worn down, get new ones.
>
> Hikers also need to pack an in-camp shoe that can be worn once you
> get into
> camp and can get your boots off. A set of moccasins or running shoes
> makes an
> excellent in-camp shoe. Tevas are now permitted in the backcountry,
> although
> Philmont recommends that they be worn with socks. Philmont still
> requires the
> wear of a closed toe shoe or boot when cooking, branding, rock
> climbing,
> horseback riding, spar pole climbing and your conservation project.
> Getting into
> in-camp shoes gives your feet a rest and gives you an opportunity to
> sun dry
> your boots. You may want to bring along a set of in-camp socks.
> Mimi uses a
> Coolmax anklet style for her in-camp sock that is cooler and lighter
> than wool
> and dries quickly when washed. Whatever type of in-camp shoe you
> choose
> should have a low impact sole that keeps it from further damaging the
> ground of
> your already over camped camp site. In-camp shoes should be easy to
> get on and
> off for those late night visits to the latrine. And finally, they
> should be
> comfortable enough for you to hike in to the next campsite, if you
> are having
> severe boot problems.
>
> You will see many different styles of walking sticks on the trail.
> Some
> hikers prefer a single stick. However, over the last several years,
> Coop has
> become an ardent believer in using two walking sticks. The sticks
> are adjustable
> and can be lengthened or shortened according to the terrain. They
> provide
> much needed support and relieve some of the pounding that would
> normally be
> absorbed by your body. A medical study has shown that the use of two
> hiking sticks
> results in 250 tons of pressure being transferred from the back,
> knees and
> legs to the arms during an 8-hour hiking day. They also serve as
> poles for the
> crew tarp eliminating the need to carry additional equipment. They
> can be a
> pain if you are the crew photographer trying to take a picture.
> However, some
> walking sticks have integrated camera mounts, which allows them to be
> used as
> monopods for on-the-trail full crew shots.
>
> An inexpensive pair of ankle high gaiters is nice to have. Gaiters
> help keep
> your boots and socks clean and dry. They also prevent small rocks
> and sand
> from getting inside your boots.
>
> Sleeping bags should be filled with synthetic fiber, weigh less than
> four
> pounds, and be rated to 25 degrees. A mummy bag is lighter and
> warmer than other
> design types. At Philmont's higher elevations, the temperature gets
> into the
>
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Received on Thu Nov 27 11:06:42 2003