Philmont Tip # - Don't be a Cheap Stake

Although Philmont provides tents to expedition crews, they do not provide stakes. Therefore, you need to pick up a good set before you go. Even if you bring your own tent, upgrading the stakes from what the manufacturer provides is usually a great idea. The ground at Philmont is often hard and rocky. If your stakes are bent out of shape by day two, you have ten frustrating nights to look forward to when setting up camp.

This summer, I will be taking my Eureka Apex 2XT tent to Philmont. It's a nice three season tent suitable for backpacking, but the stakes are  pretty bad (picture 1). The tent comes with a set of 7" steel stakes that bend  pretty easily.

Picture 1 - Steel Tent Stakes (before and after)

 On past weekend camp outs, I have replaced them with similar length aluminum stakes, which cost about $1.00 each (picture 2) . These work well in normal soil and are definitely more durable than the thin steel ones. After a few uses in rocky ground, they will also bend.

Picture 2 - Aluminum Tent Stake

For Philmont, I picked up a set of y-shaped aluminum stakes (picture 3). They cost a little more than $2.00 apiece on average,but they are your best bet on an extended camp out.

Picture 3 - Aluminum Y-Shape Tent Stake

The Philmont gear list suggests bringing ten stakes per person, which works out to twenty stakes per tent. I don't think that many are necessary. Philmont is all about taking what you need and no more. My suggestion is that you carry one and a half times as many stakes as are required to set up your tent. My tent requires six stakes, so I will take nine. Actually, I will probably take ten, with both me and my tent mate carrying five each. Tent stakes seem like a little thing when you are packing, but it is worth the extra money to buy good ones.

Philmont Tip #2 - Get Fit, Earn a Patch

It is vitally important to be in good physical condition before attempting a Philmont Trek. As long as you have to exercise anyway, you may as well earn a patch for it. The BSA has just the thing with the Scout Strong Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. To earn this award, go to

 www.scouting.org/SCOUTStrongPALA.aspx

Go to the tab that allows you to select your state or location and choose it. Select the BSA Council you belong to and then start the PALA challenge. You can then create or login to your account which allows you to keep up with your progress. In order to qualify for the award, an adult must take part in 30 minutes of physical activity at least five days a week for 6 out of 8 weeks. This activity can be almost anything, from yard work to running a triathlon. Youth participants must log 60 minutes of activity five days a week for 6 out of 8 weeks. There are also recommendations for helping to stay on a healthy diet during the program. After successfully completing the program you receive a congratulatory email from the PALA program which you should print and present to your Troop's advancement chairperson to receive the patch.

This award should be easy for anyone going to Philmont. This should be the minimum amount of conditioning you are doing to get ready.

Philmont Tip # 1 - Get Hydrated, Stay Hydrated

One of the easiest and most important things a hiker can do to prepare for Philmont is to get into the habit of drinking enough water everyday. This needs to start well in advance of the actual trek in order to reap all of the benefits of proper hydration. A good guideline to follow is to drink one ounce of water per day for every 2 pounds of body weight. For example, a 160 pound man would need to drink 80 ounces of water per day, or ten 8 ounce glasses of water. This intake should be spread out over the entire day. Some of the benefits of drinking water are:

• Drinking water can help thin the blood out which helps lower blood pressure.
• Drinking water can also help control cholesterol levels. Dehydration can cause a rise in the acidity of the blood, which in turn can lead to an increase in LDL cholesterol. Maintaining proper hydration thins the blood allowing wastes to be more efficiently eliminated.
• Drinking water helps lubricate joints and flush wastes from the muscles, eliminating a lot of small aches and pains.
• Staying hydrated is important to help prevent altitude sickness. Lower oxygen levels at high altitude combined with greater physical exertion can easily cause dehydration. Drink plenty of water even if you don't feel thirsty to prevent this.
• Substituting water for high calorie sodas is an excellent way to trim empty calories from your diet. If you normally drink one 150 calorie soda per day you can eliminate 54750 calories from your diet each year by drinking water instead. It doesn't seem like a lot, but 54750 calories is enough for an average man to live on for about 27 days. 

Seventy five percent of the human body is made up of water. The brain is made up of eighty five percent water. Give your body and brain what it wants and drink plenty of water every day. We all want to have a great experience at Philmont and staying hydrated before and during the trek is an important first step.

Pros and Cons of Internal and External Frame Backpacks and How to Pack Properly

My Last post listed the gear each crew member is responsible for at Philmont. This and future posts will deal with choosing gear in the various subcategories on that list, starting with backpacks.
Choosing the right pack for Philmont is an important decision. If you don't already have a pack, try to borrow some from friends or rent them from outfitters such as REI for use on  the shakedown campouts. Each style of backpack has its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Backpacks fall into two main categories.

External Frame Backpacks

External frame backpacks, as the name would suggest, consist of a pocketed nylon or canvas bag attached to a rigid pack frame. Often these packs are smaller in terms of the number of cubic inches the bag will hold compared to an internal frame pack. This is because it is much easier to lash gear, such as sleeping bags and tents, to the outside of the pack. They also usually have more compartments and external pockets than an internal frame pack making it easier to retrieve something without having to empty the entire pack. because of their larger frame structure, they are often a bit heavier than internal frame packs. This is the type of pack I grew up with and it is still the type of pack I prefer. These Packs are designed to be loaded with the heaviest gear, usually the tent, lashed to the top of the frame. The lower section of the pack is usually loaded with the sleeping bag and sleep clothes. The ground pad is either placed in the lower compartment or lashed to the bottom of the pack. The top compartment carries clothes, cooking gear and food. Items that are required throughout the day are placed in the outer pockets. This type of pack is usually more top heavy than an internal framed pack, which can cause balance problems if you are going up very steep trails or do much climbing while hiking. They also tend to present a larger and wider profile than the internal framed packs, making them more prone to snag on overhanging branches and other things on the trail.On the plus side, the external frame holds the pack away from your body allowing for more air circulation around your back which makes you feel cooler. At Philmont, however, the trails are generally free of obstacles and they are not especially steep most of the time, so this type of backpack will work there. Philmont recommends that an external frame backpack have a capacity of at least 4000 cubic inches. The last time I went, I took a pack of this size and I also took a hip pack for use during side hikes. I lashed it to the outside of my pack when not in use.

Internal Frame Backpacks

Internal frame backpacks are by far the most popular choice among hikers today, so there is a much greater selection of them from which to choose. They are made up usually of one big sack with perhaps two large side pockets with the framework built into the inside of the pack. There is also usually a smaller bag that forms the top cover of the pack and which is often removable for use as a day pack. These packs are basically duffel bags with a frame. Everything goes into the big bag and very little if anything is lashed to the outside. This gives the bag a more compact profile so they don't stick out to the sides of the hiker, making them ideal for narrower trails. They are packed so that the lightest and least used items are placed at the bottom of the bag. Heavier items, such as stoves and fuel bottles, are placed up in the middle of the bag and against the back while placing lighter items such as clothing as a cushion around them and toward the outside of the pack. Items that will be needed on the trail are placed in the top bag and pockets. A nice feature of many of these bags is that a camelback or other hydration system is often built into them. If loaded properly a hiker will have a lower center of gravity using these packs, which is helpful in situations where balance is an issue. On the negative side, these packs are designed to hug the body, allowing no air circulation between your back and the pack. Also, finding something in your pack may involve a lot more unloading than with an external frame. This is the type of pack that my son used the last time we went to Philmont, and he was very pleased with it. Philmont suggests using an internal frame pack with a capacity to hold at least 4800 cubic inches.

Pack Covers

Whichever type of pack you decide you will also need a pack cover. These things look like big shower caps that go over your pack. Most packs are water resistant to a certain degree and a light drizzle or the occasional splash will probably not penetrate them. But they are not waterproof and every seam and zipper has the potential to let water in. Rainstorms are very common at Philmont, but that does not stop the hike. Also, we will not be able to bring our packs into our tents at night so a good pack cover is a must.
Items such as clothes and sleeping bags should also be placed in waterproof ziplock or plastic bags inside the pack as a last line of defense. Your pack cover should be easily accessible in a pocket of your pack so it can quickly be put on during a hike.

Philmont 2013 is Approaching - Suggested Gear List

This summer my son and I along with ten other scouts and adults from my troop will be going on a trek at the BSA Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Although we will be going in July, preparation for the trip has already started. As the Crew advisor, I plan to use this blog as a way to pass on information to my crew as well as create a forum to get their input and questions.

At this time, everyone should be exercising on a regular basis to be able to handle the rigors of an eleven day hike. Philmont has a very strict policy regarding the weight to height ratios of its participants. These ratios can be found in the BSA medical form, part C. It lists the recommended weight range for each height as well as the acceptable upper limit and maximum weight allowed for each height. Speaking from personal experience, the last time I went to Philmont, I was within the allowable weight range but well over the recommended weight. I completed the trek, but I struggled at times. This time I am within the target range for my height and I feel a lot more confident about the hike. Remember, every pound you lose is one less pound you have to carry up the mountain. Your pack will already be heavy enough, I guarantee. So if you haven't already, begin some sort of aerobic and strength training.

Below is the suggested gear list for each person at Philmont. It does not include items shared between two people, such as a tent, or items shared among the whole crew, such as food, stoves, cooking gear, etc.. Be on the lookout for sales at the various sporting goods stores. Often they will have sales on specific types of gear at different times of the year. I realize that everyone has a limited budget with which to purchase gear and it is not necessary to have the most expensive gear to enjoy Philmont. Some items are worth spending a little extra on, though, such as boots. I will post articles in the future on the pros and cons of different types of gear.

Philmont Gear List:

Packing

Pack - External Frame - 4000 cu. in +/-

           Internal Frame - 4800 cu. in. +/-

Pack Cover (TT)

6-12 gallon size Ziplock Bags to pack clothes in (TT)

Sleeping

Sleeping Bag in Stuff Sack lined with Plastic Bag

Sleep Clothes (T-Shirt and Gym Shorts)

Straps to hold Bag on Pack (TT)

Foam Sleeping Pad (Closed Cell or Thermarest) (TT)

Clothing

Layer A (Hiking Clothes)

Hiking Boots - well broken in

Lightweight Sneakers or Tennis Shoes

3 pairs Synthetic or Wool Socks (TT)

3 pairs lighter Inner Socks (synthetic)(TT)
3 changes Underwear

2 Hiking Shorts (TT)

2 Short Sleeve Shirts (not nylon) (TT)

1 Hat or Cap, flexible with brim (TT)

Layer B (Cool Evening)

1 Long Sleeve Shirt (synthetic or wool)(TT)

1 Long Pants, cotton or nylon (not heavy jeans)(TT)

1 pair Insulated Underwear (synthetic)(TT)

Layer C (Cold)

1 Sweater or Jacket (wool or polar fleece)(TT)

1 Stocking Cap (wool or fleece)(TT)

1 Glove Liners or Mittens (wool or polar fleece)(TT)

Layer D (Cold, Wet, Windy)

1 Sturdy Rain Suit (TT)(A)

Eating

Deep Bowl (small, plastic or metal)(TT)

Cup (style)(TT)

Spoon (TT)

3-4 1 Quart/Liter Water Bottles (TT)(BB)(A)

Personal and Miscellaneous

Small Pocketknife (TT)(A)

Matches and Lighter in Waterproof Container (TT)(BB)(A)

Flashlight, small with extra batteries (TT)

Compass, liquid filled (TT)(A)

2 Bandannas or Handkerchiefs (TT)(BB)

Money ($20-$50 in small bills)

Lip Balm or Chapstick (TT)(BB)(A)

Soap, biodegrabable (TT)(BB)(S)

Toothbrush, Toothpaste (TT)(BB)(S)

Small Camp Towel (TT)

Sunglasses, inexpensive (TT)

Ditty Bag for personal items in bear bag (TT)

Personal First Aid Kit

Optional

Camera and Film or Memory Cards (TT)(BB)(A)

Whistle (TT)(A)

Watch, inexpensive

Fishing Equipment, Licenses (TT)

Postcards, prestamped (TT)

Foot Powder (TT)(BB)(S)

Note Pad and Pen (TT)

Day Pack for side hikes (TT)

codes:

(TT) item is for sale at Philmont's Tooth of Time Trader's

(BB) item to be placed in bear bag at night

(A) item easily accessible in pack or on person

(S)  item can be shared with a buddy

DO NOT BRING

Radios, CD/MP3 Players, Video Game Devices

Hammocks

Cell Phones and Personal Satellite Locators (SPOT) are discouraged

Deodorant

This is the suggested list from Philmont. I know that there are items on the list that some people feel are not needed and some things that are not on the list that some people cannot do without. This is a good list of the minimum amount of gear you will need.

There will be a meeting of crew advisors on February 23. I will get a lot of information about the different lengths and types of treks available to us and the dates for turning in paperwork, check in procedures, etc. After that meeting I would like to schedule a meeting for our crew and parents in early March to answer questions and plan some shake down hikes this spring.

I look forward to a fun trek this summer.