[Philmont] Pack Size

In 2004 I used a 3700 ci Kelty Trekker External Frame. It was just fine and
has a number of features including a hydration pocket & port. Campmor
(www.campmor.com) has 10 or so external frames on their website. The Kelty
Trekker, arguably a faithful fourth or fifth generation edition of Dick
Kelty's original is more that adequate for a Philmont Trek. Our 2004 Trek
featured two four day food pickups, a key consideration for pack size. The
current version is larger at 3950 and features an extension frame., the
current version retails for $109

In 2006 I used an ALPS Denali 5500 www.alpsmountaineering.com internal
frame, a decision I made the night before we left, having used the trekker
for all of our shakedowns. The ALPS performed well but internal frame
backpacking is different that external frame backpacking. I discovered that
stuff sacks, like those made by granite gear, were essential. Fortunately
TOTT (www.toothoftimetraders.com) has the best selection of anyone and I was
able to make the selection needed in basecamp. This pack performed very
well and so I'd be hard pressed to choose if I were to return to Philmont.
The ALPS Denali 5500 MSRP is $149 ... about typical for a pack of this size
and features, quality is very good, and the little things are nice .. like
an included raincover in a handy dedicated pocket (something that would cost
you another $25). The best part of the story is the Scout pricing, a 45%
discount, which puts this pack at about $85. Compare that to $149 plus 25
(for that rain cover). The discount price list is at www.scoutdirect.com on
the ordering page.

We also used ALPS (compare $85 to REI's 149) tents and an ALPS Air Pad
(compare $25 to Thermarests at $45) ... Good equitment for the casual or
committed backpacker at excellent pricing.
YIS
Jim
HA ASM T6
www.troop6bsa.org?cmd=philmont
PSR '74(16) '04(4) '06(26)
IWTGBTP
www.troop6bsa.org?cmd=philsearch

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Philmont@troop47.com [mailto:Philmont@troop47.com]On Behalf Of John
Geyster
  Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 10:19 PM
  To: Philmont List Member
  Subject: [Philmont] Pack Size

   What size pack volume have folks been using at Philmont recently?

  Internal or External?

  Did you have enough room, to much or to little?

  I used a 120 liter pack in 2004 and thinking of dropping down to a 70
liter in 2007. The 70 liter worked fine for a 7 day trip this summer with
no re-supply. But then, I don't carry as much excess stuff as at Philmont.

  John Geyster

  SM Troop 15

  Shelburne Falls, MA.

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Fri Sep 15 06:20:41 2006