![p h i l m o n t * [j o u r n a l]](MAR99/chrome2.gif)
The Philmont Guidebook presents us with a list of recommended
and required equipment for trekkers.
My pack was a bit different that the recommended. The Guidebook from 1983 seems to have been written before the popularity of internal frame packs. My pack was an internal frame design by Lowe. Essentially, it is a big cylindrical sack with a frame sewn into the fabric. It was divided into three main compartments, the middle of which was largest, and could be divided into two smaller compartments with a zip-in septum. All external zippers were covered with a lip so as to keep rain from entering. The top compartment was just large enough to accomodate flat, folded things like rain tarps, ponchos, maps, cameras, etc. The bottom compartment housed my sleeping bag. Everything else was stored in the central compartment.
It really looks like we're posing to model our packs
here on the trail to Beaubien, doesn't it.
The frame of the pack consists of two light aluminum flat bars sewn into a stiff nylon strap thatchwork. The bars can be bent to conform to the contour of the hiker's back. Built into the nylon thatchwork frame is a lower back lumbar pad. While nice on the back, this foam pad also serves the purpose of providing one more pocket area. This is in fact where I kept our Philmont trail map at all times. With the pack on, this was the only place I could reach to get a map.
The lumbar pad was integrated into the hip strap that served to support nearly all the vertical load. The shoulder straps serve only to hold the pack to your back horizontally. They came with an additional cross-tie strap that prevented them from slipping off your shoulders.
The primary benefit to an internal frame pack is that it presents a smaller profile, and thus is less likely to get snagged on any overhanging branches as you hike.
My pack was water resistant both in its overall design and its weather proofing. However, it was also nice to have an external rain cover for it. This was a simple, water-resistant nylon shell with elastic gathers that fit over the entire pack.
The Guidebook recommends that your sleeping bag be lightweight and capable of withstanding temperatures of 25 to 60 F. Mine was a blue North Face "mummy" bag. I still have it. I'd tell you its temperature rating, except that I cannot find a tag which indicates it. It was probably on that little tag that everybody removes (you know, the one that says, "DO NOT REMOVE THIS TAG UNDER PENALTY OF LAW"). At any rate, it was rated at well below the minimum required, even when wet (and I had a chance to test this).
A "mummy" bag is one that is tapered at the end to fit the contours of the person inside. The reasoning is that less airspace makes for better insulation. I am not too sure of that, since it seems to me that dead air can be a fairly good insulator. What's required is the prevention of air circulation, and my sleeping bag had an inner lip that covered the zipper top to bottom to help prevent this. It also had a hood at the top which can be drawn tight over the head of the person inside.
The Guidebook insists on good hiking boots. Mine were Asolo Sport brand. I've always felt that they were a bit heavier than other people's boots. And weighing them recently, I discovered that they are 6 pounds total. That's a bit heavier than the 3 to 4 pounds recommended by the Guidebook. Maybe the extra weight is due to all the coats of weather sealant we applied to them. At least they never leaked through the soles.
As for socks, I brought along a few pairs of the thick thermal kind. However, I found them less comfortable than standard socks. Perhaps this is because I was lucky enough to have boots that fit well.
Having a pair of tennis shoes was helpful to. There are times when the lighter, smaller shoes work better. The Guidebook actually mentions "moccasins", though I have not seen anybody wearing actual moccasins accept the Girl Scouts back in the 70s.
Be prepared for hot and cold weather, wet and dry. The Book says to dress in layers to accomodate quick climate changes. Bring enough clothes to provide a change if you get soaked. It rains often in the afternoon, and wet clothing does not keep heat in well.
Bring a rain poncho in addition to a rain jacket. The rain jacket can keep you dry, but it will not save your pack much. A large poncho, draped over your pack, can help to save you from having to sleep in a wet sleeping bag!
Hats. Hats always bothered me. Nevertheless, its very helpful to have one when exposed to the sun all day!
Consult your Guidebook for further details on clothing.
Pocket knife, waterproof case for matches (I used a camera film canister), compass, whistle, toilet paper (yes, for survival), and -- although my Guidebook does not mention it -- sunscreen.
For plates we used plastic frisbees. That worked well unless we had stews (and we had lots of them). Stews go well in a camp cup. Mine was a "Sierra Cup", a sturdy, large thing that remained clipped to my pack's shoulder straps most of the time. It did well at holding stew and most anything else. Sierra Cups also serve as good "cow-bells" that can be placed on your scout master so that you can tell when he's coming to raid the stew pot!
The only eating utensil I brought was a spoon. It worked for nearly everything except cutting the tougher noodles.
Water Bottle: Now, canteens were big in scouting when I made my trek. Nonetheless, I chose two, 1-litre Nalgene water bottles. Each was basically a thick, white plastic bottle with a wide 2-inch mouth. They were excellent for holding both water and re-hydrated drinks and foods. Yes, in a hurry, I made cold, re-hydrated spaghetti in one at one point.
I brought along a small bar of soap which served for washing on rare occasions. The Guidebook also lists toothbrush, toothpaste, small towel, and bandages. Oh, and a comb -- but why bother? Let's face it, after even just a few days at Philmont, you're gonna be a total grunge.
I also brought along with me a foam pad called a "Therma Rest". This was simply for comfort and a little bit of added insulation against the ground. Many people bring simple, rolled foam pads. But these are bulky and must be carried strapped to the outside of ones pack. On the other hand, a Therma Rest is an inflatable air mattress. It can be deflated, folded in half, and rolled up into a cylinder about the size of a small coffee can.
One of the more odd things that my Guidebook recommended was a stocking cap and "fish-net underwear". I'm still trying to figure out what this last item is. If you ask for fish-net underwear in most stores, they will direct you to Victoria's Secret. I think it's referring to thermal underwear.
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