_____ 3 pair lightweight nylon hiking shorts with liners and 1 pair 50/50 cotton/synthetic blend underwear (or 3 pair gym shorts with 3 pairs 50/50 cotton/synthetic blend underwear)

_____ 3 very light T-shirts, light-colored (white or light gray preferred)

_____ 3 pair polypropylene sock liners

_____ 3 pair thick 50/50 wool/polyester socks

_____ 1 pair very light long pants, preferably with an "internal" belt

_____ 1 lightweight fleece type pullover (if prefer, can use lightweight long-sleeved nylon shirt or lightweight wool shirt; note that a fleece pajama top works well)

_____ 1 lightweight rainsuit, waterproof and preferably breathable (avoid ponchos if at all possible)

_____ 1 waterproof bush-hat, or (at least) a wide-brim cap (can use a baseball cap, not as effective); mandatory if your rainsuit does not include a hood.

_____ 1 fleece head-band or lightweight knit pullover hat (for warmth, especially useful for sleeping)

_____ 2 bandanna's (to wipe sweat off while hiking; also for use as ultra-lightweight washcloths)

_____ 6 - 8 clear plastic bags (large Washington Post bags or equivalent) to store all clothing; can also be used for washing clothes)

[Notes: By current (2002) Philmont policy, 1 of your 3 sets of hiking clothes will be exclusively used as "night clothing" (inside tent use only). A 4th set may be advisable if prevailing weather conditions are very wet or very dry (i.e., if water restrictions are in effect, there’s no clothes washing). Complete sets of hiking clothes should be combined and rolled to reduce bulk prior to being placed in plastic bags.]

Backpacking Gear:

_____ 1 heavy-duty pair of hiking boots (broken in on your feet!)

_____ A Large or X-Large size backpack, including a quality padded hipbelt, padded shoulder straps and (most importantly) adjusted to your current physical size. External frame packs are recommended for novices or beginners; experienced backpackers - your choice. External frame backpackers should use straps (not bungee cords) to attach items to their frames. Smaller trekkers should use about 4000 c.i. external frame packs/4500 c.i. internal frame packs. Add 500 c.i. for medium sized trekkers, and 1000 c.i. for large sized trekkers.

_____ Waterproof pack cover, Large or X-Large (XL preferred); if old, re-coat before Philmont

_____ Three 1-liter, wide-mouth water (Aqua Fina) bottles (or can use 3 standard 1 quart canteens)

Eating Gear:

_____ A plastic bowl (any soft-margarine type bowl, about 1 1/2 pint capacity, will do)

_____ A wide-mouth deep-dish type cup (1 pint, plastic, handles are nice to help avoid burns (If prefer, can just use two large wide-mouth cups and delete the bowl.)

_____ A heavy-duty plastic soup-spoon (Lexan or equivalent)

_____ A toothbrush (better to store with your eating gear, since that's when you'll use it most often)

Sleeping Gear:

_____ A sleeping bag, in a stuff-sack (Note: use a trash bag to line the stuff sack and provide absolute rain protection). Your sleeping bag should be rated to 20 - 30 degrees and should weigh no more than 4 pounds (3 pounds preferred). However, DO NOT USE ULTRALIGHTS!

_____ A "Backpacker's Pillow" or a small woolen stuff sack (to fill for a pillow)

_____ A 6 foot foam pad or an Ultralight Therm-a-Rest; a foam pad is much lighter, a Therm-a-Rest is significantly more comfortable; however, Therm-a-Rests also cost a lot more. Therm-a-Rests are recommended for Adults/large Scouts.

Personal Cleaning Gear:

_____ A large "backpacker’s towel," or a medium, very thin bath towel (former preferred for weight)

_____ A disposable razor, new (optional)

_____ A lightweight comb (optional)

Optional (but highly recommended) Personal Gear:

_____ 1 super-light pair of sneakers as "camp shoes", in a plastic bag (use "marathon flats" or similar; Note: open-toed sandals ("Tevas", etc.) are NOT ALLOWED ON THE TRAIL.

_____ 1 - 2 pair(s) lightweight 50/50 cotton/polyester gym socks (Note: for use with sneakers only!)

_____ 1 set lightweight thermal underwear; needed only if you are susceptible to cold, or if you’re going very early in the season, or otherwise if your trek has 4 or more campsites over about 9,000 feet elevation (especially if you have a sleeping bag rated over 40 degrees).

_____ A hiking stick or matched set of hiking sticks (very useful, especially for adults/larger Scouts)

_____ 15 ft of the lightest weight parachute cord (for clothes line); tie on a piece of yellow or blaze orange surveyor’s tape to make visible; bring 8 - 12 mini binder clips as clothes pins. Note that clothes lines may NOT be tied to live trees or plants!

_____ 4 diaper pins (for pinning wet clothing to the backs of packs for drying while hiking; diaper pins are preferred over safety pins because they have safety locks and their bright plastic heads make them much easier to find if dropped (safety pins can be difficult to find if they’re dropped into gray pine needles, and are dangerous (for years) if "open" when lost)

_____ 1 pair lightweight work gloves (possibly needed for the conservation project; also good for cold weather, or for hiking if your hiking sticks work up blisters on your hands)

_____ 1 lightweight daypack (very useful for side-hiking Baldy or the Tooth of Time, etc., also for storing "personal smellables"; not really needed if you have no scheduled sidehikes).

_____ A mosquito netting "head net" (recommended if you have multiple campsites near open water)

_____ Sunglasses (prescription if necessary), plastic, in a hard-shell case

_____ Micro-LED light (buy new just before Philmont); not needed if you have quality flashlights

_____ Personal supply of money for trading posts and cantinas ($15 max necessary) NO COINS!

_____ 10 Post-card Stamps (post-cards are available for purchase at trading posts; stamps may also be available at trading posts, but no guarantees)

Possibly Necessary Personal Gear:

_____ If long pants do not have an internal belt, an ultra-lightweight belt, with velcro or plastic buckle

_____ If needed, extra pair of prescription Eyeglasses, plastic, in a hard-shell case

_____ If wear contacts, second pair, including separate small containers of washing/cleaning solutions

_____ If needed, Prescription Medications, including 2nd set to be carried by 1 of the Adult Advisors

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At this point: A) minus one set of hiking clothes (which you will be wearing), and your boots (ditto), all 3 canteens empty, your pack should weigh between 18 - 24 pounds, depending on how large you are (larger Scouts' and Adults’ clothes weigh more, of course) and how many optional items you are taking; and B) you should still have plenty of room left in your pack - if not, your pack is far too small and you should get a replacement backpack as soon as possible, because you still have to fit a lot of Crew gear and food into your pack.

*************** INDIVIDUALS BRING NOTHING BELOW THIS LINE!!! ***************

"Tent-Share Items"
These are items that you share with your tent-mate; need only 1 per pair.

_____ 1 "backpacker’s tent," including ground cloth, and minimal # of STEEL stakes ***

_____ 1 plastic case flashlight (2 "C" cell), with brand new alkaline batteries installed at Basecamp

[Note: Tents, Flashlights and fresh Batteries are provided by Troop 111 - Do Not Buy!]

*** Additional Comments on Tents - Troop 111 has specialized backpacking tents for use at Philmont. On occasion, Scouts will request permission to use personal tents. This is not objectionable if the tent is an ultralight and can sleep 2 people, and you are willing to carry any critical replacement parts. In addition, note that all tentage must be meticulously clean in order to avoid attracting bears and other animals; if your tent has ever been used in routine Troop or family campouts, you must thoroughly clean it out before bringing it to the Ranch. For this reason, any proposed use of personal tents must be cleared in advance with the Adult Advisors; remember, Mr. Bear isn't interested in excuses - he is, however, quite interested in stray M & M's, empty candy wrappers and old soda spills!

******************************************

Personal and Tent-Share Items NOT To Bring:
These are the kinds of things that are routinely tossed out by the Rangers (and myself) during the shakedowns:

_____ Replacement Batteries (install new batteries at Basecamp, use properly/frugally on the trail)

_____ Extra Shoelaces (install new when departing for Philmont, both boots and sneakers)

_____ Metallic, porcelain, or otherwise heavyweight personal eating gear, utensils, and canteens

_____ Forks or Knives

_____ Large (2 "D" or 3 "C" cell) or metal-case flashlights (e.g., Mag-Lites)

_____ Glass eyeglasses or sunglasses (uncomfortably heavy to wear when you’re sweaty and hot.)

_____ Rubberized ponchos (they weigh a ton)

_____ "Disposable" ponchos or rain-gear (they'll rip to shreds on the first branch)

_____ Scented soaps, shampoos, bug repellent, sunscreen or toothpaste (peppermint OK)

_____ Except for Polar Pure, anything packed in glass

_____ Personal "beauty" gear: hairbrushes, deodorants/anti-perspirants, soaps, shampoos, etc.

_____ Any "aerosol" sprays in cans

_____ Any 100% cotton clothing, including blue-jeans, blue-jean jackets, sweatshirts, etc.

_____ Heavyweight air mattress or inflatable pillow

_____ Leather or otherwise heavyweight belt

_____ Wallets, Keys, or Coins

_____ Any "entertainment" electronics (Walkmen, electronic games, etc.)

_____ Personal cameras

_____ Heavyweight sneakers

_____ Tevas or any other open-toed sandal-type footwear

_____ Junk food

_____ Anything illegal; Note: drugs, alcohol, or fireworks warrant immediate dismissal from Philmont

_____ Your Scout Uniform (however, will be included in carry-on gear!)

_____ Finally - Everything else that you're not sure if you'll use - "If in doubt, chuck it out!"

_____ 1 waterproof tarp (ca. 12' x 16'), including 2 collapsible 6' poles, parachute cord and 8 - 12 heavy-duty, STEEL stakes; smaller Crews can bring smaller tarps

_____ 1 plastic sheet crew equipment tarp (minimum 6 x 8)

_____ 6 bear-bags (large nylon laundry bags)

_____ 1 heavy-duty bear-bag rope (100' x 3/8 inch polypropylene, NEW!, doubled up to 50' for use)

_____ A small stuff sack for bear-bag and bear-bag rope storage; doubles as an "oops" bear-bag

_____ 50 - 75 feet of parachute cord and a small carabiner (for the "oops" bear-bag)

_____ 2 abbreviated cook-kits (2 two-gallon and 1 - 2 one-gallon pots, plus lids for the two-gallon pots)

_____ 1 abbreviated utensil-kit (2 spoons, 1 hot-pot tongs, 2 one-cup (mess-kit sized) measuring cups, plus about 40 "Anti-Bacterial Wet-Ones" or a bottle of Purell for hand-cleaning by cooks)

_____ 1 cleaning kit (CampSuds (1 bottle), a colander-"frisbee," a rubber policeman, 2 plastic-handled scrub-brushes, 2 Scrubbies, 2 SOS pads, a drying tarp (minimum 3 x 5), and 4 sash-type trash bags.)

_____ Polar Pure (1 pint), in a resealable plastic bag (Note - Philmont will force you to bring their small bottles of Polar Pure, 1 for each pair of trekkers. This includes whether you have water filters or purifiers, or your own bottle(s) of Polar Pure.)

_____ 2 first-aid kits, non-duplicative (1 emphasizing bandages/foot care, 1 emphasizing medications)

_____ 2 - 3 expansion-scale plastic maps of Philmont (South, Central, North, Valle Vidal, as needed for your specific trek, with critical information transcribed from your Trek Planning Map.)

_____ 2 "Backpacker’s Offices;" each including a Bic lighter, compass, small roll of electrical tape, small knife, tube of lip balm, nail clippers, tweezers, whistle, and a magic marker.

_____ A possibles/repairs kit; this should include a small roll of electrical tape, 50 feet of waxed cord, a variety of clevis pins, a variety of safety pins, a matched pair of universal shoulder straps, plastic tie-straps, replacement snap buckles (all sizes), sewing kit, replacement flashlight bulb(s), wire, a "Leatherman" tool, a stove repair kit (including gasket oil), a water jug/bladder repair kit, etc.)

_____ $50 for Crew Purchases, including mostly small denomination bills (1's and 5's), no coins!

_____ 2 loud digital alarm wrist-watches (if prefer, can be replaced with 2 small digital alarm clocks)

_____ 2 collapsible 2 1/2 gallon water jugs or bladders (that don't leak!)

_____ 2 - 3 Backpacker stoves, in carry cases (recommend 2 Coleman Peak Ones, or 3 MSR Whisperlites, or equivalent), including a repair kit, each in excellent operating condition!

_____ Fuel bottles, recommend 2 pints capacity/stove for Peak Ones, 3 pints for Whisperlites

[NOTE: Stoves and Fuel Bottles MUST be empty and dry, and shipped to Philmont by mail at least 1 week in advance!]

_____ Fuel Filter (felt-type filter), in a resealable plastic bag

_____ 2 - 3 personal cleanliness kits (if 3, 1 held in reserve), each including 1 small bottle of CampSuds or an unscented equivalent, and 1 travel-size tube of toothpaste. Double bag all liquids. Natural flavored (e.g., peppermint) soap and/or toothpaste are acceptable.

_____ 1 Latrine kit, including 2 rolls of toilet paper (to start), 1 - 2 containers of "flushable wipes" (40 count each, bring 2 containers for full-sized crews), a tube of Desitin Cream, and a plastic or (preferably) metal "backpacker’s" shovel. NOTE: You must use Philmont supplied TP, which is unscented and biodegradable; TP is available at all Philmont commissaries.

_____ 1 - 2 small, plastic mirror(s) (can include 1 each in the personal cleanliness kits or with the Backpackers’ Offices.)

_____ 2 "Lotions" kits (1 held in reserve), each including one squeeze bottle of high quality sunscreen and a small bottle of bug repellent, all unscented, isolated in plastic containers. Can be included in a plastic bag with the Backpackers’ Offices.

_____ 1 - 2 bottles of quality multi-vitamins - enough for 1 per day for all participants. Can be included in a plastic bag with the Backpackers’ Offices.

"Optional Crew-Share Items"

_____ 1 - 2 water filters or water purifiers.

_____ 1 small monocular or a small pair of binoculars

_____ 2 high-quality automatic cameras with fresh batteries, installed at BaseCamp. 25 - 40 rolls of film, varying speed. Can replace with digital cameras if prefer.

_____ 1 light notepad with 1 - 2 fresh, sharp point pens with non-water soluble ink (check!; for diary); some Crews prefer a micro-recording device to keep a verbal diary.

_____ 2 Large, resealable drink jugs (for making drink mixes in gallon batches; helps prevent drink-contaminated canteens)

_____ A lightweight "game"-scale (0 - 50 pounds, for weighing packs during the trek); can include with the Backpackers’ Offices.

_____ GPS Receiver and batteries (some prefer for treks in the Valle Vidal; not needed elsewhere); don’t bring unless you are an expert in GPS use BEFORE you come to Philmont.

_____ Cell Phone and batteries (Not recommended; note cell phone coverage at Philmont is very spotty, and dialing 911 from atop mountains will usually get you someone in southern Colorado)

_____ 1 "spices" kit

_____ 1 - 2 pairs of scissors, to cut open food packages (safer and neater than knives)

Mandatory Crew Share Items Purchased at Philmont (replaced/requires purchase on the trail):

_____ Fuel, enough to fill all fuel bottles and stoves

Mandatory Crew Share Items Provided By Philmont:

_____ Food (also TP, Polar Pure, Purell, a sump "frisbee", and a rubber policeman; see below).

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All-in-all, the tent, crew gear and food will add between 15 - 20 additional pounds to your pack, for a realistic On-the-Ranch average total of from 35 pounds (smaller Scouts) to 40 pounds (larger Scouts and Adult Advisors). For maximum sized Crews (12), it is possible to leave Basecamp fully loaded at an average weight under 35 pounds per person. Note that these "idealized" weights are possible only if every member of the crew works constantly to minimize the weight of their personal kit, and you use lighter weight Troop (not Philmont supplied) equipment. Also note that transferring weight from stronger to weaker (or injured) hikers - which may or may not be necessary - will increase the total weight spread. All participants can also expect a up to a 10 pound weight variance based on how much food the crew is currently carrying (maximum: 5 days' worth; minimum: none).

Backpacker’s Shovel, bear-bags (5 - 7 nylon weave seed-bags), bear-bag rope (100 foot long), cleaning gear (CampSuds, a sump "frisbee", 2 green scrubbies, and a rubber policeman), cook-kits (2, somewhat abbreviated), matches (1 box), a salt, pepper and sugar kit, a tarp and 2 expandable tarp poles, plus parachute cord (but no stakes!, must bring 10 heavy-duty stakes for the tarp), tents (but again, no stakes!, must bring 8 stakes for each tent), toilet paper, a bottle of Purell, 4 - 6 trash bags, an abbreviated utensil kit (including 1 hot-pot tongs), water purification kits (Polar Pure bottles), and a handful (6 - 10) of 1-gallon size zip-lock bags. As noted above, the TP, Polar Pure, Purell, a sump "frisbee", and a rubber policeman, are given to each Crew whether they need or want it or not; however, if you already have these items, you can store the Philmont provided gear in your BaseCamp locker.

Philmont will also provide the following items, as needed, for purchase or rental:

Backpacks (rental), Coleman fuel (purchase, 2002 price was .75/pint, or 1.50/quart), Gaz and PowerMax also available, and stoves (Coleman Peak Ones, rental). Rental prices are reasonable, but - beware! - repair/replacement costs are exorbitant!

Finally, also note that many other routine items (e.g., clothing items, batteries, canteens, compasses, fuel bottles, knives, maps, mess-kits, ponchos, spice kits, ridge-rests or Therm-a-Rests, water jugs, many, many others) are available for purchase from the Basecamp trading post, and - but to a much lesser extent - at some backcountry trading posts. Prices are high but not ridiculous.

Therefore, if you are taking a late Philmont trek (i.e., Start Date of 7/15 or Later), or if the Weather Channel indicates that the monsoon has already started across the Southwestern United States, then you should consider adding a fourth set of clothes (T-Shirt, Hiking Shorts, hiking socks and polypropylene liners) to your kit, and take much more care to store everything in plastic bags. You may also wish to bring a more heavy-duty rain-suit (especially if you normally use an ultralight set), and you should definitely bring a rainproof hat even if your rainsuit has a hood. You should also take greater care to waterproof the rest of your gear, especially your pack cover, sleeping bag stuff-sack (even if you use a trash-bag liner inside the stuff-sack), and especially your boots. These changes will increase your total average carry weight by 2 - 5 pounds, depending on what additions and substitutions are made from your "normal" kit, but is well worth it in terms of both comfort and health and safety.