2025 Philmont Seminar: Trek Equipment

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Seminar Resources

CLICK HERE for more information such as:

• Seminar recordings
• Helpful videos
• Shakedown guides
• Backcountry Skills
• Health & Safety Info
• Weather
• Gear
• Leadership Info
• Food & Cooking

Meeting Notes

The following is a summary of the notes taken from the meeting.

Trail Conditions

Ensure that the equipment you bring is adequate and appropriate for the conditions at Philmont.

• The average low temps are 30-40 degrees F
• The average high temps are 70-90 degrees F
• Be sure to pack for the entire temp range listed above
• Layers are helpful for adjusting to temperature changes
• Afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon – Raingear can be very helpful

Guidebook to Adventure

This will be mailed to all crew members around March 2025. It includes information to help you pack and suggestions on items that can be shared by multiple crew members.

Last year’s guidebook is available online and is a good reference.

General Advice on Gear

Tooth of Time Traders (the official store of Philmont) naturally has many items that can be purchased at camp or online that work very well for Philmont treks. Even if you decide not to purchase items from the store, it can be a good reference on the type of gear to get/bring.

• Last year about 20% of crews had to get additional/replacement gear while on the trail.
  • Ensure that you have essential items
  • There is no need to overspend on expensive equipment but ensure that what you bring works well for you and that essential items will last for the entire trek.
• When considering the gear to bring, always keep the following in mind:
  • Bluk – How much space will it consume in the pack?
  • Usefulness – Is it needed?
  • Durability – Is it an essential item that needs to last?
  • Weight – Is the added weight worth it?
• Allocate room in your pack for crew gear and food
  • Up to half of your pack may be needed for this
  • Plan on 1-2 pounds of food per person per day
  • Crews will typically get food for 1-4 days at a time
• Try to keep your pack to 25% of your body weight or less
  • This will vary based on your weight.
  • Sharing equipment can be very helpful in reducing your pack’s weight
  • The Guidebook to Adventure has suggestions on items that can be shared
• You are welcome to bring a cellphone
  • Not discouraged, but also not required
  • These work well as cameras, an emergency flashlight, etc.
  • Use it to enhance the trip…not be a distraction
  • Consider how it will be charged (Weight?)

Items That Are Not Need or Should Be Avoided

• Solar panels often don’t work as well as advertised – A battery pack is better (if needed)
• No items on the standard BSA camping prohibited list
• No hammocks
• No deodorant
• No radios or similar items that will be a distraction to other crews
• Bear spray is not necessary
• Don’t bring anything scented
• Fixed-blade knives are not needed/helpful – A multitool is better
  • According to the 2024 Guidebook to Adventure (Advisors Edition):
    “Sheath knives, fixed blade knives, and hatchets are not to be brought to Philmont.”

Camping

• Attendees are not required to share tents
• However, most campsites have limited space for tents.
• Pairing up is recommended
• Use the least amount of tents while still adhering to the BSA guidelines
• Sharing tents saves weight!

Cooking

• You will be cooking as a crew – Not individually
• The crew should have a stove that can accommodate an 8-liter pot
• Stoves that have wide legs and are low to the ground are the safest
• Isolbutane and white gas are available at base camp and various trail posts

Crew Gear Issued by Philmont

The items listed in this section are provided by Philmont at no additional costs. Additional items are available for rent or purchase at the base camp.

• Tents
  • Our troop has new backpacking tents, so we will be using our own.
  • Our tents are probably lighter than the ones provided by Philmont
• Thunder Ridge Shelter (Dining fly)
  • Crews will need to provide a cord for a centerline and anchoring
  • Poles are provided but most crew use trekking poles to save weight/space
• Cook pots (8-liter)
  • 1 for cooking (with lid)
  • 1 for cleaning
• Large metal spoon
• Strainer and scraper
• Hot-pot tongs
  • Similar to a pliers
  • Crews may choose to use their multitool instead
• Plastic trash bags
• Ziploc bags
• Scrubbing pads
• Dish soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Matches
• Micropure tablets (for sterilizing water)
• 5-8 bear bags
• 2-3 bear bag ropes
• Toilet paper

Gear Each Crew Should Bring

These are items that would be shared by the entire crew.

• Sewing kit for repairs
• Tent stakes
  • Recommend 5 per person
  • Needed for tents and dining fly
• Containers for carrying extra water
• Stove
  • Sturdy and low
  • MSR Whisper is a good choice
• Stove fuel (2 20oz bottles)
• Duct tape (whole roll is not needed)
• Ground cloth for tents
• Sunscreen (non-aerosol)
• Insect repellant (non-aerosol)
• Multitool
• Trowel
• Carabiner for bear bags
  • Ensure it has a decent weight rating
  • Preferably locking (The ones purchased for white water rafting at Summit would be perfect)
• First aid kit
  • A medium-sized kit is good
  • Supplies are available along the trail – It’s not necessary to bring an overly large kit
  • Ensure that supplies in the kit are not expired
  • Include extra moleskin
• Games
• Paracode for the dining fly (about 50 feet)

Personal Gear

• Emphasize layers when choosing clothes to bring
  • Reduces weight/bulk by increasing usability/versatility
  • Makes it easier to adjust for the wide temperature ranges
• Base layer
  • For warmth
  • Something thin – Not bulky
• Fleece is lighter and packs better than a hoodie
• Stocking cap and gloves
• Short/long sleeve moisture wicking sun shirts
• Rain gear
  • Top and pants are recommended
  • Lightweight but durable (Not a $2 poncho)
• Hat
• Socks
  • Get what is more comfortable for you
  • Wool or similar is recommended
  • Sock liners help reduce the chance of blisters and keep socks cleaner
• Backpack
  • 65-70 liters is a good size
  • Make sure it fits YOU well.
• Footwear
  • Most people bring hiking boots
  • Trail shoes are fine, but they provide less ankle support on uneven terrain
  • Make sure they fit well – Get them early enough to break in before arriving
• Small daypack for side-hikes
• Sleeping pad (Provides insulation to keep you warmer)
• Sleeping bag
  • 20-degree comfort rating (not survival rating) recommended
  • Synthetic or down is fine
    • Synthetic will still insulate if it gets wet
    • Down packs better
• Camp chair (if desired)
• Bowl and utensil (spoon or spork)
• Water bottles
• Pocket knife
• Matches or a lighter (Have a mixture across the crew)
• Headlamp and batteries
• Trekking poles
  • Not required but recommended
  • Ensure they have rubber tips