Philmont Scout Ranch Challenge Index Calculator

February 1, 2002

Greetings to All.

Over the past three months, a fair number of people have been asking me to put out my second, "enhanced" version of the Philmont Pain Index (PPI). So here it is, now termed: The Philmont Challenge Index (PCI). The name change is to both keep the PCI distinct from the original PPI, and (frankly) to appease those who felt that the term "Philmont Pain Index" was too negative a way to look at Philmont.

Background: The PPI was a formula that enabled individual trekkers to determine <a priori> how challenging a specific trek would be for themselves. This involves many factors, some of which are objective and can be formally measured, while others of which are completely subjective. The PPI was an effort to meld the objective and subjective criteria into something measurable and useful.

Following the publication of the original PPI (January 5th, 2001, on the bowline.org Philmont List), I solicited for and to date have received feedback from over 100 Scouters, about half a dozen (self- dentified) Philmont Rangers, and about a dozen Scouts. The collective results from about the first 75 responses was published on bowline.org on August 21st, 2001 (just before Doug Gentry folded the tents there), and generated a second wave of followup responses. The PPI was modified in accordance with all of this feedback to give the current PCI. Thanks to one and all who provided feedback, whether positive (most) or negative (a few).

Regretably, the new PCI is a longer and somewhat more complex formula versus the original PPI. This, of course, was inevitable. Versus the PPI, the PCI now includes a standardization mechanism to adjust for variations in the amount of food and water being carried out of Basecamp, corrects for "willow" trekkers who are *below* their Philmont recommended weight, adds a trek difficulty factor, modifies and simplifies the age factor, adds new factors for smoking and high altitude/mountainous residence or training, gives increased credit for doing multiple Philmont *or Philmont-like* backpacking treks, and (slightly) shifts the analysis scale to the right. This is in line with (most of) the suggestions and comments provided in the collective feedback. Other, more hair-splitting suggestions were not incorporated (I'm splitting enough hairs as it is!)

Hopefully, the increased complexity and modifications equate to increased accuracy. However, at some point one has to throw one's hands up and simply state: "Minimize your pack weight, get your personal weight down, and get yourself in great shape, and you'll have a wonderful trek. Or go ahead and convince yourself that you're too busy, too athletic, or too tough to have to bother with any of that silly crap - and have anywhere from a mediocre to a truly miserable experience. It's completely up to you." Remember, the PCI is only a TOOL that can help you see what factors you can control, which factors you cannot control, and how to help yourself improve your personal Philmont experience, at least from a *physical* point of view. Viewed dispassionately, the results will give at least a qualitative sense for the relative merits of changes in the controllable parameters. Or if you prefer, to give a stark, final warning....

See you on the trail (yes, I am going this summer! (717))

- Dr. Bob Klein, SM-111, Arlington, VA

The Philmont Challenge Index Formula

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Click here to open the Excel spreadsheet calculator!

The formula requires the following data input: pack weight (PW), food weight adjustment (FWA), water weight adjustment (WWA), weight of the trekker (TW), Philmont recommended weight (RW), length of the trek (TL), trek difficulty factor (TDF), an age factor (AF), a smoking factor (SF), a high altitude/mountainous training/residence factor (HAMTRF), a physical preparation factor (PPF), and a prior Philmont- like trek experience factor (PPLTEF). These parameters and several needed assumptions are explained below. The formula is as follows:

X = [(PW+FWA+WWA)/(PW+FWA+WWA+TW)] x [(TW/RW) *or* (RW/TW), whichever is higher] x TL x TDF x AF x SF x HAMTRF x PPF x PPLTEF

Comments and Assumptions:

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X = Challenge Index Value - [See interpretation scale at the bottom.]

PW - Pack Weight - This is the trekker's complete pack weight when leaving Basecamp on Day II, as measured by the Welcome Center Scale, including all requisite equipment, food, fuel, and water.

FWA and WWA - Food Weight Adjustment and Water Weight Adjustment. These factors standardize all pack weights to the default values of 3 days worth of food (that is, 3 days til the first commissary pickup of food, fuel, and other consumables), and 3 liters of water. On food, if you are carrying:

1 day's worth - your FWA is 4 pounds

2 day's worth - your FWA is 2 pounds

3 day's worth - your FWA is 0 pounds

4 day's worth - your FWA is -2 pounds (that is, *subtract* 2 pounds)

Similarly, on water, if you are carrying:

1 liter - your WWA is 4 pounds (but don't be dumb - put another liter in your pack!)

2 liters - your WWA is 2 pounds

3 liters - your WWA is 0 pounds

4 liters - your WWA is -2 pounds (that is, *subtract* 2 pounds)

TW - Trekker's Weight - The trekker's weight upon arrival at Basecamp (you can measure yourself during your Basecamp medical checks, or guesstimate based on your weight when you left home, adding 1 pound for each day since you left. If this latter addition seems excessive, consider that "planes, trains, and automobiles" (and buses), little or no exercise, and lots of fast food, are not exactly conducive to weight maintenance on the way to Philmont).

RW - Recommended Weight - The Philmont recommended weight for a trekker's height (listed below; note that the listed values are the straight averages of the ranges provided by Philmont). The term [(TW/RW) *or* (RW/TW)] is a weight factor, adjusting for those who are above (TW/RW) or below (RW/TW) their recommended weight (that is, always use whichever of the two values is HIGHER (greater than 1.00)). Those rare individuals who are dead on their recommended weights default to 1.00, of course.

Philmont Recommended Weights

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Use these values ONLY for RW's:

5-0 118

5-1 122

5-2 126

5-3 130

5-4 134

5-5 138

5-6 143

5-7 147

5-8 152

5-9 157

5-10 160

5-11 165

6-0 170

6-1 175

6-2 179

6-3 184

6-4 189

6-5 194

6-6 199

6-7 205

It is appreciated that these average values do not take body physiology into account. However, physiology IS taken somewhat into account in the pack weight percentage subequation, since the Trekker Weight is in the *denominator* (that is, [(PW+FWA+WWA)/(PW+FWA+WWA+TW)]).

TL - Trek Length - Scheduled (or Planned) Trek Length In Miles.

TDF - Trek Difficulty Factor - A multiplier based on Philmont's categorization of treks as typical, rugged, strenuous, or superstrenuous. [As one of my alpha-evaluators commented, a "strenuous" 60 mile trek is more difficult than a "rugged" 60 mile trek, even though both cover an identical distance. And in fact, most of the responders who felt that the original PPI overestimated their challenge level were on "typical" or "rugged" treks.] The TDF multipliers are as follows:

Typical 0.90

Rugged 0.95

Strenuous 1.00

Super-Strenuous 1.05

AF - Age Factor - a means for guesstimating AVERAGE overall experience, general physical condition, and mental and emotional ability to handle a trek. The multipliers are as follows:

14 or 15 years old 1.25

16 - 21 years old 1.00

22 - 30 years old 1.15

31 - 40 years old 1.25

41 - 55 years old 1.35

Over 55 years old 1.50

SF - Smoking Factor - a neutral to highly negative factor, as follows:

Never Smoked 1.00

Smoked at one time, but quit 1.05

Light smoker (< 2 packs/week) 1.15

Moderate smoker (ca. 1 pack/day) 1.25

Heavy smoker (> 2 packs/day) 1.50

HAMTRF - High Altitude/Mountainous Training/Residence Factor - Do you live at or above 3,500 feet elevation, *OR* will you be spending more than 3 days at or above 5,000 feet (for example, in Colorado Springs) just before hitting the Ranch, *OR* do you live and train in a mountainous area (regardless of altitude)?

No 1.00

Yes 0.95

PPF - Physical Preparation Factor - a means for estimating how much effort a trekker has put into physically preparing for Philmont. The multipliers (and explanations) are as follows:

Extensive 1.00

Moderate 1.15

Minimal 1.35

None 1.50

Extensive prep is defined as everyday or nearly everyday backpacking, carrying a heavy pack, for a minimum of 1 hour per day for at least 2 months prior to the trek start date, plus a minimum of 2 "realistic" backpacking shakedown events (10 miles minimum, including at least 2,000 feet of elevation change, or 15 miles minimum with a lesser amount of elevation change), during the 2 months prior to the trek. "Extensive Prep" is rigorously defined as *weight-bearing practice* that toughens up your weight-bearing points (shoulders, hips, and feet), as differentiated from simple aerobic (cardiovascular) exercising.

Moderate prep is everyday or nearly everyday aerobic exercising (hiking, running, cycling, high-activity sports, treadmill, etc.), with occasional backpacking practice (1 - 2 per week), for a minimum of 1 hour per day for at least 2 months prior to the trek, plus 1 realistic backpacking shakedown event (as defined above), during the 2 months prior to the trek.

Minimal prep is occasional (3 - 5 per week) aerobic exercising, for a minimum of 1 hour per day for at least 1 month prior to the trek. [Note that this is where most H.S.-athlete-Scouts fall.]

None is anything less than the Minimal category. [Note that this is where more than half of all Advisors, and most non-H.S.-athlete-Scouts, fall.]

PPLTEF - Prior Philmont-Like Trek Experience Factor - Previous Philmont treks *or Philmont-like treks* WITHIN THE PAST 5 SUMMERS reduce the challenge level. A "Philmont-like trek" means a backpacking trek covering at least 50 miles and at least 7 days. THIS IMPLIES CREDIBLE UNDERSTANDING AND CORRECT PRACTICE OF BASIC PHILMONT STYLE BACKPACKING PROTOCOLS, such as the caterpillar technique, dawn-to-dusk scheduling, early morning hiking, proper outfitting, etc. "Knowledge is Power."

The multipliers are as follows:

0- 1.00

1- 0.95

2- 0.90

3 or more 0.85

X Factor Evaluation Chart

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Based on my personal experiences and observations, and the comments derived from the collective feedback, the values derived from the PCI may be evaluated as follows:

< 15 Great Job! - Lightly Challenging - Easy Trekking.

15 - 20 Good Job - Somewhat Challenging

20 - 27.5 Moderately Challenging

27.5 - 35 Highly Challenging - Should Try to Improve

35 - 40 Extremely Challenging - Must Try to Improve

40 - 45 Hellish - Needs *Radical* Improvement!

Over 45 Potential Darwin Award Winner - Probably Shouldn't Go

Let's take another look at my 2000 Trek (used as Example # 1 on the original PPI formula). In 2000, my pack weight started out just under 40 pounds. We were on Trek 30, so we were carrying 3 days of food. However, I carried only 2 liters of water out of Basecamp, since we were walking from Six Mile Gate to Indian Writings to start (a flat, 4 mile hike starting at 8:30 am, so no need for 3 liters). I weighed about 160 pounds at my medical check (this is a guess; I didn't actually weigh myself, but I left home weighing 154 and chowed down pretty good in Colorado). I'm 5-6, so my recommended weight was 143. We took an enhanced version of Trek 30, equalling about 85 miles total; the trek was (originally) rated strenuous, and the modifications did not (IMHO) jump it to superstrenuous. I was 44 years old. I have never smoked. We spent 3 full days in Colorado before heading to the Ranch. My physical preparation level was "Extensive." I had completed 3 or more Philmont or Philmont-like backpacking treks during the 5 previous summers 1995 - 1999. Thus:

X = [(PW+FWA+WWA)/(PW+FWA+WWA+TW)] x [(TW/RW) *or* (RW/TW), whichever is higher] x TL x TDF x AF x SF x HAMTRF x PPF x PPLTEF

X = [42/202] x (160/143) x 85 x 1.00 x 1.35 x 1.00 x 0.95 x 1.00 x 0.85 = 21.6 (Low end of Moderately Challenging)

For comparison sake, my original PPI was 21.0 - so not much of a change for me personally - but that was because the new factors defaulted to 1.00 or 0.95 for my particular situation.

Since this treatise is already long enough, I have deleted the other previously detailed examples. I think the one example is adequate to see how the formula works. If anyone has any questions or difficulties, you are free to email me directly at: drbob@troop111.org

Final Comments: Please note that this formula is designed to gauge the AVERAGE trekker, and exceptions to the rule are just that! Obviously, this cannot properly gauge trekkers with significant physical, mental, or emotional problems, ridiculously poor equipment, bad training, or crappy attitudes; nor can it handle Joe Stud Ranger, his female equivalent, or their real-world compatriots - in all such cases, a little common sense has to be employed.

Once again, I hope everyone finds this exercise to be useful. I also (still) hope no-one feels the need to give a mighty Tarzan yell, beat his naked chest with his fists, and crow about what a macho guy he was for enduring a Challenge Index Value of 47.2 (or whatever) on his last trek. Once again, the intent of the PCI is to help you AVOID such a fate, not revel after enduring it. No Pain = No Pain; this is a GOOD thing!

Click here to open the Excel spreadsheet calculator!

Yours in Scouting,

- Dr. Bob
e-mail Dr. Bob

User notes:

[Excel Program Available! Tom Wills and Al Thomson have put together an Excel spreadsheet program which will automatically do the PCI calculations. Earl Owens has posted a variant of Tom and Al's spreadsheet on his Philmont website. Tom, Al, and Earl will all be announcing these efforts on this list later tonight or this weekend. Hopefully, Justin Dolske will eventually craft a PCI website calculator similar to his wonderful PPI website calculator.

On the original PPI, I had a number of complaints that people could load it but couldn't make it work. Turns out they weren't loading it correctly, so a quick tutorial: Note that you first have to download the calculator from Tom, Al, or Earl first, into any file subdirectory (e.g., a WordPerfect or Word document subdirectory is fine). Then, you have to open the Microsoft Excel program (on most computer setups, accessed through your Start, then Programs, buttons. The (blank) Excel program will come up and fill the screen (just a big grid with a typical multi-function header). Then you go to File --> Open --> [Go to the subdirectory where you downloaded the .xls calculator, and Double Click on the calculator .xls program]; the calculator will load into the program, and you're ready to rock and roll.

Acknowledgements: The emails have been flying over the past week. Thanks especially to Tom Wills, Al Thomson, Earl Owens, Chris Summers, and Justin Dolske for their efforts on the original PPI and now the PCI. Plus to a number of my fellow Troop 111 Philmont Advisors (who you don't know), especially Rick Wolff and Clay Henderson. And again, thanks to the nearly 125 responders who provided feedback that enabled us to craft the new PCI.]

Philmont Challenge Index Guide