Philmont

Philmont

This page is a “work-in-progress“. As Troop 279 plans for its first trip to Philmont, this page will be populated with helpful information for future trekking crews.

Welcome!

Philmont Scout Ranch is BSA’s largest High Adventure Base. Established in 1938, Philmont has become a bustling center for high adventure. It covers 140,177 acres of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains in northeastern New Mexico. Philmont operates 35 staffed camps and 55 trail camps across the rugged terrain that ranges in elevation from 6,500 to 12,441 feet. In addition to providing an unforgettable adventure in backpacking across miles of rugged, rocky trails, Philmont offers programs that feature the best of the Old West: horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, chuckwagon dinners, and interpretive history. Philmont also offers exciting challenges for today such as rock climbing, mountain biking, and sport shooting.

FAQs

Are there any other FAQs available?

Yes! Please visit:

Toggle two title

Toggle two content goes here, click edit button to change this text.

Toggle Three title

Toggle three content goes here, click edit button to change this text.

Planning & Timeline

Monthly Checklist

October

Submit fee payments to Philmont – Oct 1
Decide transportation to/from Philmont
Receive health and medical forms from Philmont
Advisor Meeting Agenda

  • Your role as an advisor
  • Divide & Conquer
    • Lead, Safety, Advancement, Logistics
  • Timeline
Crew Meeting Agenda

  • Intro to Philmont
  • Fitness Plan
  • Trail Crew Method
  • Equipment: The “Big-Three”
  • Looking Ahead
    • What we will cover at future meetings

November

Item
Item
Item
Item
Advisor Meeting Agenda

  • One
  • Two
  • Three
Crew Meeting Agenda

  • One
  • Two
  • Three

Template Month

Item
Item
Item
Item
Advisor Meeting Agenda

  • One
  • Two
  • Three
Crew Meeting Agenda

  • One
  • Two
  • Three

Fees & Fundraising

Toggle one title

Toggle one content goes here, click edit button to change this text.

Toggle two title

Toggle two content goes here, click edit button to change this text.

Trip Logistics

Basic Logistic Info

  • Drive-Times to Nearby Airports
    • MDT (Harrisburg) – 22 min
    • BWI (Baltimore) – 1 hr 31 min
    • PHL (Philadelphia) – 1 hr 53 min
    • IAD (Washington Dulles) – 1 hr 57 min
    • DCA (Washington Reagan) – 2 hr 3 min
  • Drive-Times to Philmont
    • COS (Colorado Springs) – 3 hrs 1 min
    • ABQ (Albuquerque) – 3 hrs 8 min
    • DEN (Denver) – 4 hrs 18 min

Trip Tips & Ideas

  • View pages 31+ of the PLANNING GUIDE
  • Tour of CO Springs area, google map: DIA–>Chapel–>Red Rocks–>Pikes Peak–>Royal Gorge
    • BlueSkyAdventures $$$
      • The opinion of many other crews is train/fly into Denver or CO Springs, rent a 15-passanger van and find your own lodging.  MUCH cheaper and can dictate your own agenda.
      • Boy Scout Discount code for National and Enterprise (XZNCBSA)
    • Cabins at the KOA
    • Garden of the Gods RV resort
    • Colorado Adventure Hostel
    • BSA Camp Alexander
    • Thunder Ridge Campground
    • Air force Academy in the dorms?? …or the US Airforce Academy scout campsite
    • Denver Area Council’s Colorado Adventure Point “Philmont Scout Hostel”
  • okbunkhouse.com (2hrs outside Philmont)
  • Lots of options listed on here https://gear-report.com/philmont-what-to-do-in-cimarron-nm/
  • Do the extra night at base camp. Troop that have done this say it made the whole onboarding process so much less stressful.
    • Est. $15 for the night and $6 for each extra meal (per person)
  • NRA Whittington Center
    • Tent or lodge
  • Take Amtrak from CLE, and stay overnight in LaJunta CO at the Koshare Indian museum,….they usually have shows every Saturday night, and we eat at the Junior college
  • Hikers Cimarron Inn has reasonable/good value for scouts, and they have a bunk room. – Reserve EARLY
  • St. James Hotel, Philmont will shuttle you back and forth from there as long as you coordinate it with them.

Fitness

You might be asking yourself, “Don’t you just train for hiking by going on a few day-hikes?” That’s definitely something you should do, but to get ready for a multi-day, long-distant, high-adventure hike like Philmont, then doing preseason training IS A MUST.

This workout plan is designed to target areas that power you up the trail mile after mile: It increases strength in your core and major leg muscles, and it helps build endurance in those same muscle groups.

Here’s a quick, general overview of how to train for hiking:

  • Increase strength in major muscles that hikers rely upon. Stronger legs and core muscles will better support the load in your pack and help you hike harder, longer.
  • Build endurance in those same muscle groups, as well as the shoulders and lower back, because hiking can be an all-day activity.
  • Improve your balance so you have a more stable base that will allow you to take uneven terrain in stride.
  • Don’t forget your cardio. Complement this exercise plan with activities like trail running, mountain biking or another aerobic exercise that you enjoy.

Before beginning any training plan, check in with your doctor or certified training professional.

Training Schedule for Hiking

A good mix of workout types for each week involves the following:

  • 2 nonconsecutive days of strength training
  • 2 nonconsecutive rest days; take more any time you feel your body needs it
  • 3 nonconsecutive cardio sessions weekly until the final two weeks before a major hike
  • Four weeks before your trip: Change your cardio days to long day hikes (60+ minutes each) with a pack that’s close to the weight you’ll be carrying on your trip. Also add a fourth day-hike training session to one of your strength-training days.
  • One or two days prior to your trip: Ease up on all training.

Sample Training Plan

Days Duration
Stretch Mon – Sat 15-20 min./daily
Cardio Mon / Wed / Fri 30-45 min./daily
Strength Tues / Thurs 2-3 sets

Stretching Exercises

Stretching is one of the basic components of a sound exercise program. Good flexibility is not only important for exercise, but also for daily activities such as bending down to put on socks or reaching overhead to grab a tool in your garage. Regular stretching should be incorporated into your daily exercise routine.

Why Should I Stretch?

  • To improve your flexibility.
  • To improve muscle performance.
  • To promote better circulation.
  • To reduce the chance of muscular injuries.
  • To help prevent muscular stiffness and soreness.
  • To help reduce tension and to encourage relaxation.
  • To help you develop better awareness of your body.

When Should I Stretch?

  • After your warm-up but before you begin your physical activity, primarily to loosen muscles.
  • After your physical activity, primarily to increase flexibility and improve your range of motion.

How Do I Stretch?

  • Stretch in a slow relaxed manner.
  • Stretch until you feel a slight discomfort in the muscle.
  • Hold each stretch for at least 20 seconds.
  • Repeat each stretch one or more times.
  • Don’t bounce.
  • Never stretch to the point of feeling pain.
  • Breathe normally.

What Do I Stretch?

Strength Training Exercises

Keep the following in mind as you train:

  • Make the exercises fit your body, not the other way around.
  • If something hurts, modify the exercise or skip it; and take extra rest days if you feel the need
  • Move at your own pace, going slowly at first. Increase the repetitions or add more resistance or weight as your training progresses.

Warm up: Get yourself warmed up by doing a brisk 5- to 10-minute walk. Then follow the guidelines below as you progress through the exercises in this article:

  • Inhale during initial exertion, then exhale as you return to the starting position; during faster exercises, simply make sure you breathe regularly.
  • Rest for 30 to 45 seconds at the end of each exercise (unless otherwise noted).
  • Do each of the exercises below one time in succession, then rest for two minutes and repeat another set of the exercises (if you have time to fit in a third set of exercises, that’s even better).

Jump Squats

Squats find their way into many exercise plans because they provide an excellent all-around workout for all of the muscles in the lower body and legs—your body’s hiking engine. Adding a jump helps further develop power in the lower legs.
Props: None

  1. Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and then squat down until your thighs are at least parallel with the ground.
  2. Keep your chest up, your feet flat and your knees over your toes.
  3. As you come up from the squat, push through heels and explode up and jump a few inches off the ground.
  4. Land softly and quietly, and immediately go into another squat.
  5. Do 15-20 times.

Hip Roll

Most of your pack’s weight rides on your hips. This exercise works the glutes and other muscles that support the hips to improve their stability and endurance.
Props: None

  1. Stand on your left leg.
  2. Lean your body forward at your hips, keeping back straight and lift your right leg back behind you, slightly off the ground.
  3. Rotate (roll) your hip away from your standing foot.
  4. Keep your body in a straight plane as you roll your hips back.
  5. Repeat 10-15 times on each side.

Tips and modifications: If it’s too hard to balance, hold onto the back of a chair or keep your toes on the ground.

Step Up Exercise

Hiking with a pack on involves a seemingly endless amount of stepping up and over things. This exercise builds strength and endurance in your glutes and quad muscles so you can handle whatever obstacles you’ll encounter along the trail.
Props: A stable surface, about 8 inches off the ground. If you have a training box or an aerobic step at home, you can use that. If not, the bottom step on a flight of stairs can also work.

  1. Start with your left foot on the ground and your right foot on top of the step; your right knee will be bent.
  2. Step up until you are standing with your right leg nearly straight and you are balanced on top of the stop; your left leg should be bent slightly and your left foot poised an inch or so above the step.
  3. Pause in a balanced position, then step down, returning your left leg and right foot to the starting position.
  4. Do this 15 times; then repeat the exercise 15 times on the other side.

Tips and modifications: Adjust the difficulty by finding a higher or lower (stable) surface to step on.

Heel Down Exercise

To get down after you step on top of boulder or a log, you need to be able to lower your body and pack weight under control. That’s key to preventing knee injuries and stumbles. This exercise works your glutes and quad muscles so you have the strength and the balance to do that smoothly and efficiently.
Props: A stable surface, about 8 inches off the ground. If you have a training box or an aerobic step at home, you can use that. If not, the bottom step on a flight of stairs can also work.

  1. Start by standing on top of a step, balanced on your right foot with your left foot hovering to the side.
  2. Lift the toes on your left foot up, then bend your right knee as you slowly lower your left leg until your left heel is barely touching the ground or poised just above it.
  3. Power back up with your right leg until you are back to the starting position.
  4. Do this 15 times; then repeat the exercise 15 times on the other side.

Tips and modifications: Adjust the difficulty by finding a higher or lower (stable) surface to step on.

Squat Curl Overhead Press

This exercise combines a squat to work lower body muscles with quickly lifting a moderate amount of weight to build the strength you’ll need as you explore the trails and take your daypack on and off throughout the day.
Props: A pair of lightweight dumbbells

  1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your side, holding a dumbbell in each hand.
  2. Press your hips back and squat down as if you’re about to sit on an invisible chair. Try to bring your thighs parallel to the floor.
  3. Power back up to a standing position, using your upward momentum to assist you as you curl up and then press the dumbbells overhead with palms facing each other the entire time.
  4. Return to starting position and repeat 10-15 times.

Tips and modifications: Adjust the difficulty by finding a higher or lower (stable) surface to step on.

Bridge with Hamstring Curl

The bridge portion of the exercise engages your core muscles to help improve your balance on the trail. The hamstring curl builds up the glutes and hamstring muscles so they can provide power on uphill sections.
Props: This exercise requires a medium size exercise ball. To check for the correct size, sit on it. If the tops of your legs are parallel to the ground, then it’s the correct size. If the tops of your legs slope toward your knees, then the ball is too large. (If the tops of your legs slope slightly up toward your knees, the ball size is still fine.)

  1. Lie on your back with your arms extended down by your sides, with your legs extended and your heels resting atop the exercise ball.
  2. Tighten your glutes and abs as you pull your legs back, rolling the ball toward your butt.
  3. Stop when your knees are bent at slightly more than 90 degrees.
  4. Extend your legs straight again, rolling the ball away from you.
  5. Repeat the sequence 15 times.

Tips and modifications: If you struggle to maintain balance as you roll the ball, place your heels slightly farther apart on the ball and move your arms away from your body; increase difficulty by keeping your heels closer together and by moving your arms closer to your body.

Side Plank with Leg Raise

Planks are a staple of many exercise routines because they help build key core muscles like the obliques, glutes and leg muscles. This plank variation adds a leg raise to build endurance in the muscles that move and support your hips.
Props: None

  1. Lie on your right side, supported by your elbow under your shoulder; your right forearm should be perpendicular to your body; your left hand should rest on your left hip, with your left elbow pointing up; your legs and feet should be stacked atop one another.
  2. Tighten your core as you raise your hips up into a plank, creating a straight line from your head to feet.
  3. Slowly raise your left leg up and slightly back, keeping it straight as you do so. Keep your hips still.
  4. Lower your leg and raise it a total of 10 times.
  5. Repeat the exercise lying on your left side for 10 more reps.

Tips and modifications: Adjust the difficulty by adjusting how high you raise your top leg each time.

Hip Clock Exercise

Many hikers complain of knee fatigue and soreness. This exercise builds strength in the hips, which helps prevent knee issues by giving you better control over your knees.
Props: None

  1. Stand with your weight balanced on your left leg and that knee slightly bent.
  2. Keep your back straight and weight centered over the standing knee.
  3. Imagine that you’re at the center of a clock. Lift and extend your right leg, reaching forward toward 12 o’clock.
  4. Bring your leg back to the center.
  5. Repeat the movements toward the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. As you reach for each position, stay balanced over the standing leg and don’t let your hips shift side-to-side.
  6. Switch to the other leg and repeat; do 5 to 8 sets on each leg.

Tips and modifications: Keep your hips level and push into the ground with your standing foot for balance. Make smaller leg movements if you feel off balance.

Cardio Training Exercises

Walk, walk and walk some more!!!

  • Walk through your neighborhood
  • Walk around your school’s track
  • Walk up and down your school’s bleachers
  • Go on a day-hike
  • If you have a treadmill, try these workouts

Equipment

Crew Class-B Attire

The crew has selected a screen-printed design (#1605673) for the left crest with the shirt option of the Sport Tek Wicking shirts, both short sleeve (#B474) and long sleeve (#B476) in the “Silver” color. The color silver was selected to help reflect the sun/heat and keep the crew cooler. The long-sleeve option is a good choice if you sunburn easily as the sun can be quite intense in the southwest.

Crew members and adult advisors will want to consider purchasing shirts for both travel and on the trail. The Philmont Equipment List, has each member having 2 short-sleeve wicking shirts and 1 long-sleeve wicking shirt.

Use the troop’s TtSu page to place your order: https://www.timetosignup….der/7009/

Crew Crest Logo (#1605673)
Crew Crest Logo (#1605673)

Short-Sleeve Shirt (silver)
Short-Sleeve Shirt (silver)

Long-Sleeve Shirt (silver)
Long-Sleeve Shirt (silver)

Equipment Lists

Equipment List

Backpacks

Internal frame packs are highly functional and most commonly used. The pack needs to have a padded hip belt. Anything between a 65-85 liter carrying capacity will fit personal gear, crew gear, food, and water. To properly pack an internal frame backpack, place the heavy gear along the spine and close to the hiker’s back to keep the center of gravity forward and low. Lighter gear should be packed at the top of the backpack and on the outer edges of the main compartment. Sleeping bags usually fit at the bottom of the pack. Avoid having loose/dangling gear, as it is more likely to get caught in vegetation and requires you to exert more energy to offset its swaying motion. Backpacks are available for rent from Outfitting Services in Base Camp for $30 (this includes a pack cover as well). This is a great option for youth who you know will outgrow a pack in a year or two.

Meals & Cooking

Philmont has 10 variations of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Click here to view samples of the meals.

Below is the sample “life-cycle” of meal prep:

A Philmont Kitchen

Dietary Restrictions at Philmont

Dietary and Religious Needs and Accommodations

Special Food Procedures 

Visit Philmont’s Dining in The Backcountry

Cooking Methods

Advancements & Awards

Going to Philmont provides several opportunities for advancement and various awards, including:

  • Awards
    • Arrowhead Patch
    • 50-Miler Award
    • Duty to God Award
    • Wilderness Pledge Award
  • Merit Badges
    • Backpaking
    • Camping
    • Cooking
    • Hiking
    • Orienteering
    • Personal Fitness
Click to download pamphlet

Tracking Spreadsheet

Shakedowns

Trek Preparation Videos

The following link is a YouTube playlist of must-know techniques for Philmont, including:

  • How to pack a backpack
  • How to use a map & compass
  • How to setup a campsite
  • How to hang bear bags
  • How to wash dishes
  • Backcountry cooking
  • …and more!

 

Shakedown Planning

Shakedown Guide

Shakedown #1

Calendar: Troop 279 B
Event: PHILMONT: Shake-Down #1
Where: Caledonia State Park, 101 Pine Grove Rd, Fayetteville, PA 17222
When: Weekend in April

==EVENT NOTES==
This will be our first over-night shake-down for Philmont.

We’ll start at the church pavilion at noon for an equipment shakedown before heading out by 1:30pm.

The crew will be heading to Caledonia State Park and hike the Appalachian Trail to the Quarry Gap Shelters (only 2.25 mi.). Though the crew will not be using the shelters, the site does have a water source and a latrine that will closely simulate a Philmont campsite.

==> Trail Map

The crew will be following and practicing the hiking and camping methods outlined in the shakedown guides:

==> Shakedown Guide
==> Backcountry Cooking

When packing for the shakedown, you’ll want to try to pack EXACTLY as you would for Philmont, leaving space for crew gear and food. You’ll even want to include the daypack you plan to use, because after arriving and setting up camp, the crew will be taking a side-hike to a near-by summit.

==> Equipment List

 There are several items we want to practice during our first shakedown, including:
  • Equipment and Packing – we want to use the Philmont packing list  and properly pack all personal and crew gear (with food and water) into our backpacks.
  • Camp Setup – Spacing tents and arrange camp using the bear-muda triangle
    • 2 per tent – This is a Philmont rule. Please bring your own tents and buddy up. This will allow you to split the tent weight between the two of you. The troop may have a couple extra tents if needed.
    • Bear bags – The AT shelter location may have a bear box, not a cable. Regardless, we will practice separating our items and securing “smell-ables” in bear bags.
  • Meals – We will be cooking and eating as a patrol, using the Philmont cooking method to prepare our meals, including clean-up after the meal.  The Advisors will prepare meal-bags similar to the Philmont meals, bagged for two, containing a dinner, snack and breakfast. we will distribute the food bags at the church on Saturday before leaving for the park. …for Saturday lunch, please eat prior or bring a bagged lunch to eat in-route to the park.
  • Navigation – There are two peaks near the AT shelters and after we setup camp, we can take a side-hide to practice packing our day-packs and trail navigation.
  • Early Pack-out – we want to get accustom to waking early, packing up camp and getting on the trail. At Philmont, this will mean hiking in cooler temperatures and ensuring we arrive at our next camp in time to participate in its program.
To help prepare for our first shakedown outing, Philmont has prepared a video playlist that will show must-know techniques for Philmont, including: How to pack a backpack; How to use a map & compass; How to setup a campsite; How to hang bear bags; How to wash dishes; Backcountry cooking; …and more! The playlist is less then 1 hour in total length. You may skip the “How to Pack for Cavalcade” video.

 

==> Philmont YouTube Playlist


==ADD’L PLANNING TOOLS==
==> Crew 702-C’s 2023 Itinerary (12-19)
==> Philmont North Country Map
==> 2023 Itinerary Guidebook
==> 2023 Guidebook to Adventure
==> 2023 Guidebook to Adventure – ADVISOR EDITION
==> Preparedness Seminars
==> Troop’s Philmont Webpage (under construction)

Shakedown #2

Calendar: Troop 279 B
Event: PHILMONT: Shake-Down #2
Where: Caledonia State Park, 101 Pine Grove Rd, Fayetteville, PA 17222
When: Weekend in May

==EVENT NOTES==
This will be our last weekend opportunity to perform our second over-night shake-down before Philmont.

We’ll start at the church pavilion at 8am for an equipment shakedown before heading out by 9:30pm.

The crew will be heading to Caledonia State Park and hiking the Appalachian Trail to the Tumbling Run Shelters (10mi, one-way). Though the crew will not be using the shelters, the site does have a water source and a latrine that will closely simulate a Philmont campsite.

==> Trail Map
==> Navigation Skills

The crew will be following and practicing the hiking and camping methods outlined in the shakedown guides:

==> Shakedown Guide

Meals will be provided (Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast) that will closely simulate a Philmont packaged meal. Each meal will be packaged for 2 campers and will be handed out at the church prior to the hike. During the shakedown, you will practice the Philmont-style backcountry cooking method.

==> Backcountry Cooking

When packing for the shakedown, you’ll want to try to pack EXACTLY as you would for Philmont, leaving space for crew gear and food. Use your experience and lessons leaned from the first shakedown to lighten and minimize your pack load.

==> Equipment List
==> How to Pack Your Backpack

To help prepare for our first shakedown outing, Philmont has prepared a video playlist that will show must-know techniques for Philmont, including: How to pack a backpack; How to use a map & compass; How to setup a campsite; How to hang bear bags; How to wash dishes; Backcountry cooking; …and more! The playlist is less then 1 hour in total length. You may skip the “How to Pack for Cavalcade” video.

==> Philmont YouTube Playlist

==ADD’L PLANNING TOOLS==
==> Crew 702-C’s 2023 Itinerary (12-19)
==> Philmont North Country Map
==> 2023 Itinerary Guidebook
==> 2023 Guidebook to Adventure
==> 2023 Guidebook to Adventure – ADVISOR EDITION
==> Preparedness Seminars
==> Troop’s Philmont Webpage (under construction)

Trek Details

2023 Trek Detail, Itinerary 12-19

  • North Country Map
  • Selection Thoughts/Criteria:  In addition to the desired program choices, the crew also wanted to summit Mt. Baldy, avoid dry camps and hedge towards the “less strenuous” treks. Using the Itinerary Selection Tools found on the sccovington.com website helped to greatly narrow the itinerary choices.

 

For the all 2023 trek details and supporting info, please visit:

Sources & Resources

Below is a listing of the sources used to build this site and links to other units or councils that published their planning information or experience.

Philmont Camping Gateway

Tooth of Time

Contact Troop 279

St James Presbyterian Church
1425 Orrs Bridge Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
scouts@troop279.us

Follow the Troop

Build Your Adventure

Advancement Build an Adventure Campouts Cast Iron Cooking Cooking COVID-19 Go Outdoors Leadership Make a Legacy Patrol Method Scout Gear Scout me in ScoutOn Scouts BSA Skills for a Lifetime Social Distancing St. James Troop 276 Troop 279