The following are suggestions for future crews attending Philmont.

Schedule

• Book a time that is not in Philmont's rainy season (August)
• Make sure beginning and ending of trip is not rushed; e.g., take early flight to Albuquerque to insure we get there to do all activities on first day. Also pick Philmont Itinerary that allows you to get back to base camp in the morning the last day on the trail
• Make sure there is at least a week after the trek ends before school begins
• Hire "Blue Sky Adventures" for transportation and activities before and after Philmont.

Conditioning Treks

• Carry at least 50 lbs on conditioning treks
• Exercising regularly (30 - 60 minutes everyday) is the key to getting in shape for Philmont
• Everyone attending Philmont must attend at least one overnight campout
• Practice "Philmont Way" of setting up camp putting "smellables" in bear bags with bear lines, and setting up a dining fly in the "bear-uda triangle"

Crew Gear

• Candles for fire starting
• Duct tape wrapped around a Nalgene bottle (will be a smellable)
• Bring troop gear as much as possible. Don't rely upon Philmont tents, cooking kits, bear lines, dining fly, etc...
• Use hiking poles for dining fly poles
• Divide all crew gear evenly among all crew members, including separating tents, poles, rain fly, etc... into separate stuff sacks
• Make sure tents are really waterproof
• Set up and check ALL crew gear at base camp BEFORE you hit the trail
• Bring one GPS per crew
• See John D's Packing list for details...

First Aid Kits

• Lots of Ibuprofen
• Flexall? (muscle relaxer by prescription only)
• Cold Medicine
• Upset stomach medicine

Food

• Everyone should bring their own trail food

Clothing

• Synthetic sleeping mat (that can't absorb moisture)
• Bring a head cap to keep head warm at night
• Everyone should have rain pants
• Lots of extra large trash bags (6 per person minimum)
• Don't bring anything made of cotton!
• Synthetic long sleeve long johns