PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH
Gear List & Travel Notes
The Complete Guide to Philmont
Trek dates:
Tuesday, June 18 - Sunday, June 30, 2002
Travel information:
June 18: Leave Atlanta at 8:40am on Delta flight #477
June 30: Arrive in Atlanta at 5:42pm on Delta flight #244
Participant Mailing Address:
Scout's Name
Expedition #618-C4
Philmont Scout Ranch
Route 1, Box 35
Cimarron, NM 87714
(505) 376-2281 (Emergencies only!!!)
ANY ITEM ON THIS LIST MARKED AS OPTIONAL SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN ON THE TRAIL, UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE IT AS A LUXURY ITEM.
Remember - An ounce in the morning equals a pound at night!
ANY NON-ESSENTIAL ITEM THAT DOESN’T HAVE AT LEAST TWO USES SHOULD PROBABLY BE LEFT BEHIND!
***** Travel items you should bring, but not for the trail -- to be left in base camp. DO NOT put in your backpack. Put in a separate bag:
books (maybe take 1 on trail) (optional)cards, playing (optional)
clean clothes for base camp & return home (pants, crew t-shirt, socks, shoes, CLASS "A" SHIRT REQUIRED FOR THE PLANE AND CAMPFIRES AT BASECAMP!
CPR & First Aid certification cards (only if you have them) (required for adult leaders)
deodorant and after shave
duffle bag or laundry bag in which to stuff your pack for transporting on the plane
(do not check your pack without covering it in something - plastic and duct tape will also work)
food for travel on plane and bus (box-type drinks are best)(take a small trash bag)
frequent flyer information (optional)
Guidebook to Adventure (1 per Scout)
gym bag (small) for stuff on plane and leaving behind in base camp
jacket (lightweight) for base camp
luggage tags (at Philmont you will receive a blue tag for your backpack)
magazines (optional)
MARTA tokens or card (optional)
medical cards (copy of insurance carrier & pharmacy) (attach copy to your medical form!)
medical forms (Philmont original only!) (should be given to advisor no later than June 13) (adults carry two crew copies)
medical waivers & information - as required (give to adult leader by June 13)
medication not needed on trail (all dates on medicine must be current!)
money not needed for trail (take no more than $100 total for souvenirs, snacks & trail)
running/walking clothes (if you exercise) (optional)
Scout uniform (complete Class A except neckerchief) (Wear on the plane!)
tickets (airplane) (will be held by your advisor at all times)
towel & wash cloth
travelers checks (optional) (about $100 total spending money is sufficient)
wallet (BRING ID! -- copy of birth certificate, school ID -- picture ID is required for adults)
SPECIAL PACKING NOTES:
Pack all smellables together in a small ditty bag. DO NOT MIX ANY SMELLABLE ITEMS WITH ANY GEAR WHICH MIGHT END UP IN YOUR TENT. This includes chapstick, toothpaste, sunscreen, duct tape, scented toilet paper and wipes, snacks, soap, shampoo, first aid items, etc. Do not put any smellables with your clothing. Anything that smells -- except a Scout -- is subject to close inspection by a bear!
Advisors - Cell phone coverage in the backcountry is spotty at best. If you feel the need to bring one, then limit it to one per crew for emergency purposes only. They have been on the Philmont prohibited items list, but I have been told that policy is changing.
Put your name and expedition # on all personal items - clothing and gear!
Put your name, expedition #, Philmont address and Philmont telephone number on your luggage tag and in your backpack!
Tents must be 2-man and must be used. No sleeping under the stars. No bivy sacks are permitted at Philmont.
Pack heavier items near your body and high in the pack.
Blue jeans are not recommended for the trail. Leave them home!.
Leave your poncho at home. Instead bring a rainsuit!
No knives may be carried on the plane (put in your backpack)!
No glass or aerosol containers are allowed on the trail!
Do not bring radios, CD or tape players, or other electronic equipment!
No hammocks are allowed!
Hiking sticks are not really needed, but bring one if you normally use it.
Don’t forget to bring sanitizing gel (Purell) for personal hygiene. It must be used on your hands every time you go to the bathroom, after touching contaminated water and before food preparation. We don’t want anyone to get sick on the trail.
Trim your toenails!
Get a haircut (short hair will be easier to deal with on the trail)
Chaplain must bring "Eagles Soaring High" for trail worship
***** SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT PACK WEIGHT *****
Maximum pack weight without food, water, tent, and crew equipment should be no more than 20-25 pounds (depending on your body weight). Shared crew gear and water will add about 20-25 pounds (food, water, and shared tent adds 14-16 pounds per person, while the other common crew gear adds another 6-9 pounds per person). Total pack weight should be 25-30% or less of your body weight. When you leave home your pack should feel incredibly light.
If your pack weighs 25 pounds without food, tent, water, and crew gear, then it will weigh about 50 pounds when you hit the trail! So, unless you weigh at least 170 lbs., that’s way too much.
Try to share items like toothpaste and sunscreen.
REMEMBER -- an ounce in the morning is a pound at night!
When you have finished packing, put your pack in a large cloth laundry bag. You may also want to reinforce your pack frame with a few wooden dowels to defeat the baggage gorilla.
***** ITEMS TO TAKE ON THE TRAIL *****
Items marked "Optional" are not really needed. They should go only if you have a strong personal need or medical/physical condition.
TIP: PUT CLOTHING IN ZIPLOC BAGS AND COMPRESS OUT THE AIR! (or put in a compression stuff sack)
INDIVIDUAL ITEMS --
addresses, postcards, stamps & contact telephone #'s (mail can be sent from staffed camps) (optional)athletes foot or talcum powder (optional)
backpack tag (blue plastic Philmont tag - one per Scout)(will receive at Philmont)
backpack & cover (compartmentalize all gear in ziploc bags) (line with plastic bag)
bags (a few small plastic ones from grocery store)
bandannas (2) (you can use one for a target at black powder rifle shooting)
batteries for flashlights (new!)
bowl (deep one for eating - forget the mess kit!) (strong plastic - tupperware is good)
bungee cords or compression straps
business cards (optional)
camera & film (extra batteries) (4+ rolls of film) (panoramic camera is good)
camp shoes (lightweight) (NO SANDALS OR OPEN-TOED SHOES ARE ALLOWED!)
cards, playing (optional)
caribiners (optional)
chapstick
clock/calculator with electronic alarm (optional)
coffee cup (large plastic with handle)
coffee/tea bags (adults only) (optional)
comb / hairbrush (optional)
compass (GPS unit is optional) (learn to use a compass!)
contact lenses, case and cleaning solution (bring glasses also!!) (optional if you wear them)
daily itinerary and schedule (adults & crew leader)
dental floss (this is a great emergency repair item!)
dirty clothes bag (small plastic)
ditty bags for personal stuff (small) (helps compartmentalize gear)
earplugs (optional)
eyeglasses repair kit (if you wear glasses) (optional)
fanny pack or small day pack
first aid kit (put in small, red, stuff sack) (small personal kit - see crew gear for items to include)
flashlights / headlamps (2 very small ones with new batteries)
flint & steel (with dryer lint & soapless steelwool in waterproof containers) (optional)
food for snacks (PowerBars) (just a few) (optional - not really needed)
gaitors (optional)
glasses (if you wear them) (consider a backup pair or contacts)
glasses strap holders (optional)
gloves (1 pr. lightweight polypropylene) (socks can be used as extra gloves if needed)
groundcloth (one for each tent - heavy duty, fitted to tent size - consider taking a small, lightweight tarp for severe weather)
hand lotion (at altitude your skin will become uncomfortably dry)
hat (baseball style)
hat (wide brim for sun and rain) (also put a shirt on your head if it's really cold)
highlighter/marker (optional)
hiking boots (not new ones!) (use Kiwi Camp Dry Hvy Duty Water Repellant Spray or Tectron Boot/Shoe protector)
iodine tablets & neutralizer (optional) (use the Polar Pure Philmont provides - take extra so you have one bottle for every 3 crew members) (water filter is not necessary!)
jacket or sweater (fleece, wool or Polartec is best)
knife (small pocketknife that locks) (sharpen before leaving) (no sheath knives)
leather for branding (souvenir item) (also brand boots & hats)
lighter (Bic)
long johns (polypropylene)
lozenges (optional)
matches in waterproof container
medication required on a daily basis plus Tylenol, Advil or aspirin (all dates on medicine must be current!)
mesh bag (can be used to dry clothes on backpack while hiking) (optional)
mirror, small (non-breakable)
money for the trail ($25 - $35 should be plenty) (adult advisor must take a credit card)
rings ("O" type) and pins for backpack repairs (optional)
pad or notebook for writing (optional except for crew leader, journalist and lead advisor)
parachute chord (6-10')
parafin / votive candles (optional)
pen
personal hygiene items (toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, etc.)
pillow case (small, stuffed with clothing to use as pillow) (leave pillow home!) (optional)
poles for tent
rainsuit (jacket with hood and zipper legs) (leave your poncho at home)
razor (use soap to shave) (or grow abeard!) (optional)
rubber bands (optional)
safety pins
sahara convertible pants (shorts with zip on/off legs) or other long pants (not jeans)
sanitizing gel for hands (Purell at Wal-Mart or similar) (must use for personal hygiene!)
Scout t-shirts (3 only) (2 shirts to wear and another to stay in your sleeping bag at all times!)
shampoo (optional) (use Camp Suds)
shirts (one very lightweight long sleeve and one long sleeve polypropylene)
shorts for hiking (2 pair mesh or lightweight synthetic -- only 1 pr. if you have convertible sahara pants)
shorts for sleeping (stays in sleeping bag at all times!)
sleeping bag rated to at least 30Ý (20-25Ý is best) (line stuff sack with a plastic bag)
sleeping pad (foam or small thermarest) (optional)
soap (biodegradable) (Camp Suds)
sock liners (2 pr)
socks (2 pr) (heavyweight synthetic/wool) (SmartWool is good)
stakes for tent (take 2 extra per person) (needle-type -- ground can be hard as a rock)
string (a little)
stuff sack lined with plastic bag (at night food, toiletries and other smellables go in here and in the bear bag)
sunglasses (optional)
sunscreen (at least 15 SPF non-scented) (share this)
survival blanket (silver) (optional)
tape (just a small amount of duct & electrical) (wrap around a pencil, flashlight, or something)
tent & tent fly (seal seams at least 1 week before leaving) (1 for every 2 Scouts)
toilet paper (about 1/4 roll) (put in plastic ziploc bag)
towel (old & lightweight or super absorbent synthetic)
trail tape (a small amount of bright surveyor's tape for emergencies if lost) (optional)
trash bags (2-50 gal. bags)
tripod (lightweight -- for camera) (optional)
trowel (for catholes)
twist ties for trash bags & emergency repairs (just a few)
underpants (2 pair CoolMax, nylon or polyester -- no cotton)
utensils (Lexan is best -- no plastic) (2 spoons - no forks or knives) (mark with your name)
vaseline (optional)
vitamins (optional)
wash basin (collapsible or use large zipbag) (optional)
wash cloth (optional) (use one of your bandannas instead)
watch with an alarm (especially crew leader!)
water bottles, bladder bag or folding water bag (be able to carry 4-5 qts. of water and drink 4 qts./day-8lbs. or 8 qts/day-16 lbs. in hot weather) (dry camps will require each person to carry at least 4-5 qts. of water - that’s 8-10 lbs.)
whistle on lanyard
wire (small amount -- thin & medium thickness for repairs)
wipes for hygiene
ziploc bags (one small, one big and one extra large to wash clothes on trail)
CREW ITEMS --
-- These items will be distributed among all crew members --Crew equipment provided by crew:
bag for carrying water from water source for purifying (or use large heavy-duty zip bags) (optional)
combination locks for base camp crew lockers (2)
dining fly tent stakes (10) (needle-type -- ground can be hard as a rock)
duct tape
Eagles Soaring High for trail worship (chaplain's aide carries)
first aid kit (crew size):
absorbent pads w/ sticky side (2), acetominophen (25 tablets), adhesive tape (1 in. x 10 yds.), antacid (20) & Pepto Bismal tablets (12), antibacterial cream, antiseptic, bandages (2 large triangular), bandaids (12 large), Benedryl, butterfly strips (10), chapstick, cotton balls (12), elastic wrap, eye protection, gauze (2 in. roll) & pads (6-4x4) and 20 1x1 or 2x2), hydrocortisone cream, ibuprophen (25 tablets), ice packs (2 - crushable), imodium (25 tablets), latex gloves (8 pr.), mouth barrier device, moleskin & foam (2 sheets of each), oral thermometer, Q-tips (12), safety pins (10), sanitizing gel (Purell), syrup of ipecac, small scissors, liquid soap, tongue depressors (4), tweezers, wipes - soap & alcohol based (10 each). Take an Epi pin if someone is allergic to bee stings!crew flag (make before leaving) (string & markers) (optional)
frisbee
fuel bottles (3 - 16oz.) (ship with stoves) (16 oz. allows for better weight distribution)
insect repellent (no aerosol) (optional)
maps (put in ziploc bag) (2 large overall and 2 for areas in which you will be hiking) (purchase at Philmont or order from the Tooth of Time Traders)
measuring cup (8 oz)
nylon or plastic sheet (3' x 5' for kitchen items while preparing meals) (trash bag or emergency blanket works well for this)
nylon cord (1/8 in. - 3x50’)
packing material, labels & postage to mail stoves & bottles home
radios (2-way) (with fresh batteries)
sewing repair kit w/ buttons and fishing line
shovel (small, cheap, metal trowel for moving hot ashes from fire ring)
snake bite kit
songs, cadences, skits, cheers, etc.
stoves (2) (white gas/dual fuel -- not propane/butane) (name marked on stove) (must be purged of fuel & transported by land [USPS] with fuel top off) (wrap in plastic, bubble wrap & tape) (cannot be transported by plane -- even if empty!) (only fuel at Philmont TOTT and backcountry commissaries is white gas and Coleman PowerMax cartridges)
strobe light (small) (for emergency rescue at night)
tools (multitool)
turkey roasting bags (one for each dinner) (large enough to fit an 8 qt. pot - 24 lb. capacity) (optional)
water jugs (two collapsible plastic) (2.5 gals)
Crew equipment provided by Philmont:
bear bags (3)(1 + lbs.) (In 1999 Philmont began issuing lightweight polyethylene bags instead of burlap)
cooking pots (weight 3-4 lbs.) (this is all you will need -- leave the rest behind in your locker):
1 - pot with lid (6 or 8 qt.) (use 8 qt. for 12 person crews) (when cooking dinner everything goes in one pot!) (we also cook dessert in this pot)dining fly (12’x12’) (weight 4 lbs.)
1 - extra pot with lid (6 qt) (for washing dishes) (nest this in the 8 qt. pot) (some crews carry another 8 or 6 qt. pot, but this is not necessary, if you do one pot cooking) (Philmont provides a frying pan to be used as the lid. Bring a sturdy pie pan instead - it's lighter.)
dining fly poles (2) (weight 1 lb.)
dishwashing soap (Campsuds)
food (up to 4 days worth)
hand sanitizer
crew lockers (one or two) to leave gear at base camp (21" W x 22" H x 31 1/2" D) (extra gear can be stored unsecured in the backcountry warehouse)
2 bottles Polar Pure for purifying water (bring extra so you have 1 bottle per 3 crew members)
pot tongs (1) (weight 1/2 lb.) (leave the second tongs behind)
rope (150' of 1/4" nylon rope)(weight 2 1/2 lbs.) (for bear bag)
salt & pepper
sanitizing tablets for rinse water
scrub pads (8)
sump frisbee (strainer)
sump scraper
tents (we will be taking our own!)
toilet paper
trash bags (10)
utensils for cooking (2 large spoons, 1 large spatula) (1/2 lb.)
yum-yum bag (for food scraps)
Approximate weight of all shared crew equipment (not including food, water, and tents) is about 72-76 pounds or 6-9 lbs. per crew member. Food, water, and shared tent adds 14-16 pounds per person for a total of 20-25 pounds per person. Small crews will carry more weight per person.
NOTE: Food adds about 2 lbs. per person per day (if stripped of packaging - otherwise add another half pound per day). A stripped 4 day food pickup will add 8 lbs. to an individual's load. A 6 pound tent split two ways adds three pounds per person. A dry camp may require each individual to carry about 128-144 oz. of water (8-9 lbs). All good reasons for packing light.
since March 23, 1999