There are a few books that I have found to be useful while at Philmont, or before:

While I have nothing to do with this book, if you are planning a trip to Philmont, I have found this to be invaluable.
A Backpacker’s Guide to Philmont by Bill Sassani.
This is a no-nonsense guide. It tells you how to train, what to bring, what to expect at Basecamp and in the back country. Nobody that I have recommended this book to has been disappointed – adults and scouts. It is an easy read, but packed with great information!

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider using the link below.  It takes you to our fundraising link for Amazon on our troop website.  If you search for the book through our link, Amazon will pay us a small amount (it doesn’t cost you any more).

Amazon link

Philmont Fieldguide published by BSA – they published a new one in 2010.  Didn’t use it my first time, but nearly wore it out last time.  A great guide to plants and animals you will see.  Only need one per crew.

I’m sure there are other equally good books, but I have found both of these to be excellent.

Follow the link to the budget we use for Philmont. This is an all inclusive budget for the trip. The only extra cost will be any souvenirs you wish to purchase.

This budget uses the train as travel and the bus from Raton. It includes fuel to the train station and back, food while traveling and on the train, all of your patches and white gas while on the trek. There also is budgeted a contingenc cost for any extra costs that may arise. Also included is money for an overnight practice hike and camping. If the crew is a blended crew and has not camped together, this is time VERY well spent.

Philmont Budget

1. Trek Leader (and parents be aware of)
   1. Check health forms to make sure ALL required signatures are complete.
   2. All Philmont bills (to Philmont and the train) have been paid, so balances should be zero when you check-in.
   3. Crew gear (per crew, plus individual scouts should each have BOLDED items)
      1.  1-2 water filters and/or water purification tablets
      2.  Extra water containers
      3.  2+ stoves with a repair kit
      4.  Fuel tanks MUST BE EMPTY AND DRY to be transported on the train.
      5.   Full 1^st aid kit, plus each scout should carry a small personal one.
      6.   Each scout should bring a few extra tent stakes.

1. Logistics
   1. Departure
      1.   Be at the south parking lot of Orchard Hill Church BY 1:00pm on Saturday, June 30th. We will be taking pictures right at 1pm, so don’t be late or you will be left out of the pictures. We will take a picture of the entire contingent and of individual treks. Travel in your Troop t-shirt, NOT your Philmont t-shirt. The caravan will leave Cedar Falls around 1:30pm.
      2.   It is a 3-hour drive to Ft. Madison. Will stop for supper before going to the train station. Plan to be at train station around 5:30pm, with the train leaving at 6:40pm.
   2. Arrival in New Mexico
      1.  Should arrive on Sunday around 11am in Raton. Philmont bus will meet us, transporting us to restaurants for lunch, then to Philmont around 1pm. After leaders check-in the scouts, we will drop gear in our tents and have a few hours to explore before dinner. This is a good time to go into Cimmaron (if you desire, there is a bus that takes you there and back – $5 for the ride).  For the adults, they have a great shop with many unusual Woodbadge items.  For everyone is a great soda fountain.  After dinner, scouts are encouraged to attend a religious service (various faiths available). This is required for the Duty to God patch. A New Testament Book with Philmont logo is distributed at some of the services! Although scouts can visit the trading post before leaving on the trek, it is suggested that they wait to buy souvenirs until they get back (storage space of gear left at base camp is very limit).
      2.   Monday – The 13-station check-in process will take from 8am-lunch. If check-in goes smoothly, there will be some free time to explore before dinner. Although scouts can visit the trading post before leaving on the trek, it is suggested that they wait to buy souvenirs until they get back (storage space of gear left at base camp is very limit). An opening campfire with all newly arrived treks will take place this night.
      3.  During free time, a trip (as a trek group) to Waite’s Philmont Ranch home is available by sign-up.
      4.  Tuesday – Gear up and GO!
   3. Back at base camp from trek
      1.    Free time to clean-up and explore the trading post depends on how early they arrive back from the trail (hopefully before lunch). There is a check-in process when coming off the trail that takes a few hours – then have free-time before the ending campfire.
      2.    Next day most likely will have time to explore until our assigned bus time back to Raton to catch the train.
   4. Travel back to Iowa: each vehicle will make sure to alert the parents of the scouts in their vehicle as to the actual arrival time. It should be around 3pm on Sunday, July 15 – but the trains could run late. Final plans to be determined, but it may be easiest to meet at Orchard Hill Church to distribute scouts and their gear.
2. Money
   1. Your fees have paid for all meals (including those on the way down to New Mexico and back). Cash will be distributed by Mark Oberrieder to each scout for meals. During our meeting, scouts made a bag of snacks to carry on the train. These are for both down to New Mexico and back.
   2. You can send extra cash with your scout for additional snacks (on the train and in base camp) and souvenirs. They may want to even carry $10 with them on the trail (leaving other money and valuables at base camp). A few of the back-country staff camps sell snacks. Batteries and disposable cameras are also available in the back-country.
   3. If your scout forgets to bring extra cash, leaders may have additional cash – but don’t count on it.   SO, plan ahead!!
3. Luggage & Train ride
   1. All gear should be in your backpack, which will be INACCESSIBLE during the train ride. THUS, you will want a small carry-on bag with stuff for the train ride. Suggested items include a small pillow, small blanket, book, playing cards, snacks, Class A Uniform, and money. The Class As are carried in the carry-on so that they are easily accessible once at base camp.
   2. The scouts get a reclining seat on the train. Seats have pull-out leg rests, so sleeping on the train is possible. Charging stations are available on the train for any electronic devices and phones. THIS WILL BE THE ONLY ACCESS to electricity while on this trip (limited access for scouts – jus the restrooms, adults have an advisors lounge with electricity.)! All phone communication will need to be done BEFORE reaching base camp, as electronics are not to be used at Philmont (including base camp – except calls home).
   3. Electronic devices can be used on the train, but NOT at base camp or on the trail. Any devices brought will be stored in a lockbox (assuming there is space) while at base camp and on the trail. Keep in mind the limited “lock box” space at base camp. Each trek of 12 people will have two 2x2x3 foot lockers of space – that means one locker holds the “base camp” gear of six people! This includes the carry-on bags!! Each trek leader will carry a cell phone while on the trail (for emergencies). In the past, cell service on the trail has been poor and limited to sending a small text – not long calls.
   4. You will wear your Troop t-shirt on the train ride down and back (storing it at base camp while on the trail). Laundry is available at base camp – so with enough time, clothes could be washed after the trek.
   5. On the way down to Raton, it is important to be ready to get off the train quickly. Be aware of the time and have your carry-on packed up and be ready.   Once we go through the tunnel into New Mexico, it is about 10 minutes to Raton.

4. Mail and Communication
   1. Mail can be sent to scouts. It is kept at base camp and scouts will receive it upon return from the trek. Occasionally, mail is brought to them on the trail – but can’t count on that. When I send mail to Pheonix, it takes 3-4 days to get there. Send mail to:
      Scout Name (Expedition 702-L-01) Troop 1075,               Scout Name (Expedition 702-L-02) Troops 29/1062/1/13/42  47 Caballo Road                                                       Cimarron, NM 87714
   2. Scouts can send mail home by taking STAMPED post-cards with them (stamps are not available on the trail). Mail is collected at the back-country staff camps and sent through US mail.
   3. EMERGENCY PHONE CONTACT – This is for life/death emergencies only!!!!!! You can call 575-376-2281.
5. Helpful Information
   1. What emergency help is available on the trail?
      Each trek has two leaders with Wilderness First-aid training, and CPR. If an emergency happens on the trail, the trek can send someone on to a staff camp to get additional help if needed. Philmont is well prepared to deal with any trail emergencies, including search and rescue crews and pick-up by vehicle at most staff camps. THIS IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO PREVENT INJURIES AND MANAGE CONDITIONS WHILE ON THE TRAIL!!!!!
   2. Cedar Falls is at 650 feet in elevation. Philmont base camp is at 6700 feet and the highest elevation on our itinerary is 10, 328 feet!!!! Some people have trouble adjusting to the elevation, called altitude sickness. The best way to prevent this is to stay hydrated and rested – SO, DRINKING WATER ON THE TRAIN AND GETTING SOME SLEEP ON THE TRAIN is wise! We are lucky that we arrive at Philmont a day earlier than most treks, so we’ll have a bit of time to adjust slowly. Scouts will get packets of Gatorade and it is wise to drink at least one per day while on the trail – even if you don’t like the taste!
   3. Send several plastic trash bags with your scout. Keep your sleeping bag in two (double bag) to help keep it dry. Additional bags are for tent parts (since will be splitting the tent between two people) and other gear.
   4. It is suggested to keep stuff and clothes in ziplock bags for three reasons. ONE, you can quickly find what you need instead of digging through stuff; TWO, you can squish clothes and push the air out, compressing it smaller for easy packing; and THREE, you can put toiletries in a ziplock with your name for easy identification when getting them out of the bear-bag. REMEMBER, toiletries are kept in the bear bag (this includes anything with a smell, like toothpaste and chapstick). Your stuff will be with 11 other people’s stuff in the bear bag, so ziplocks can make finding your stuff easier.
   5. Medications – All medications are kept by the individual scout. Each scout will be responsible for remembering to bring their medications with them on the trail AND to take their medications each day. New Mexico law allows this, thus the signature spots under the medication boxes on Part A of the health form are not required. In Iowa (so at Camp Ingawanis), it IS required since all medications are to be administered by the health officer – so permission signatures are required.
   6. KNOW YOUR KNOTS! You need to be able to do the Lark’s Head, Clove Hitch, and Taut Line.
   7. Mosquitoes are almost non-existent at Philmont. Treks in the past haven’t used any bug spray. SO, if you want to have some, only a small bottle is necessary.
   8. Sunscreen: Only a small amount is needed (about 2-4 oz per person).
   9. Soap/shampoo: Use biodegradable camp soap. It only takes 1-2 drops to wash a shirt or take a shower. It is suggested that each crew have 1-2 2-ounce bottle with them.
   10. Carabineers: There will be times you want to hang stuff (wet clothes, extra water pack, etc) off the loops on your backpack. It is suggested that each scout have 3-4 carabineers to use for this purpose. Make sure to have 2 heavy-duty, load-bearing carabineers to use with the bear bags.
   11. Cameras: If your scout wants to take pictures, make sure to send a camera – don’t depend on their cell phone as a camera. Cell phones generally will run out of battery very quickly when used as a camera and there is NO PLACE TO CHARGE at Philmont base camp or on the trail. Bring extra batteries for the camera! Disposable film cameras are available for purchase at some of the back-country staff camps.
   12. High Adventure Blog: Greg Harter has high-adventure blog with most of this information. Visit this to find information on Philmont, packing information, trek schedules, train information, etc. Go to troop55cfia.org/wordpress

Final Hikes – If you haven’t gotten in many miles in your boots and with a 40-pound pack – GET GOING! This is a time to make sure your pack is adjusted properly, break-in your boots, and find out what type of socks feel the best. Greg will be leading hikes from Look-out Park (Cedar Falls) at 6pm on Tuesday and Thursdays.