Packs and Frames

A sturdy pack and frame are essential for backpacking at Philmont. All of your personal gear, plus your share of food and crew equipment, must fit inside your pack. Although a good pack and frame may be expensive, cheap models tend to tear at the seams and crack at the welded joints. If you already own a pack and frame, be certain that there are no cracks in the welded joints or unraveling seams on your pack.

A padded hip strap is essential for your pack. A hip strap allows you to take the weight from your shoulders and put it on your hips--which can support more weight than your shoulders. Either a good quality intemal or extemal frame pack with hip strap may be used.

To keep your pack dry at night and while hiking in the rain, a nylon cover is recommended.

All items in your pack should be neatly organized and packed in plastic bags. Additional bags may be used to carry small packages of food or to organize miscellaneous items.

When deciding what equipment to bring to Philmont, always consider each item's usefulness, durability, weight, and bulk. Remember that you are only packing for 10 days on the trail. It has been said that "An ounce in the moming is a pound at night."

If you do not have a good pack and frame with padded hip strap, or do not expec t to use them after your trek, you are encouraged to rent the Horizon 11 Combo pack and frame at Philmont for $12.50 per set.

Be Prepared for Extremes of Weather

Be prepared for extremes of weather at Philmont. Aftemoon temperatures in low valleys can be hot as blazes (100 degrees or more), and night temperatures high in the mountains may be cold enough to freeze a thin crust of ice on water.

Philmont can be dry as a desert and then a sudden downpour will soak everything. Prolonged periods of rain lasting several days occur frequently. Fortunately, New Mexico's low humidity allows wet clothing and gear to dry quickly after the rain stops. Rain occurs most frequently in the afternoon and may last an hour, all night, or several days. Small hail or sleet often accompanies rain. Mountain weather is fickle--anything can happen and often does. Snow is possible, even during the summer. Weather conditions vary from one area of the ranch to another depending upon elevation, terrain and irregular weather pattems. You should be prepared for all of the above weather conditions.

Clothing

During cold periods it is especially important to stay dry since wet clothing loses much of its insulative value (90 percent or more). Several light layers of clothing are better than one heavy layer since air trapped between layers of clothing provides a high degree of insulation. As the atmosphere warms you can remove one layer of clothing at a time for proper body heat management.

Keep in mind that wool and Polypropylene insulate when wet. Down and cotton lose most insulative value when wet. Cotton layers such as sweatshirts and sweatpants drain body heat when wet and dry very slowly.

While the of ficial BSA unifomm is highly recommended fomlse when traveling to and from Philmont and wearing at base camp, you may choose to wear other clothing on the trail. Long pants are recommended for cold nights and are required for horseback riding and pole climbing at logging camps. Shorts and short-sleeved shirts will generally be sufficient during the day; however, a sweater or warm jacket is necessary for cold momings and evenings and frequent downpours of rain or hail.

To be comfortable and dry during rain, a good quality rain suit is essential. Inexpensive vinyl rain suits or ponchos will not hold up under extended use.

Lightweight shoes are recommended for use around camp and occasionally when hiking. These shoes will also be used when rock climbing and riding horses.