What is Philmont All What is Philmont All About?About?

An Introduction to Philmont Treks An Introduction to Philmont Treks and Programsand Programs

November 17, 2013November 17, 2013by Brian Gannonby Brian Gannon

What is Philmont?What is Philmont?• One of the four National High One of the four National High

Adventure Bases operated by the Boy Adventure Bases operated by the Boy Scouts of AmericaScouts of America

• More than 215 square miles of More than 215 square miles of Northern New Mexico wilderness Northern New Mexico wilderness donated to the BSA by Waite Phillipsdonated to the BSA by Waite Phillips

• Over 20,000 Scouts and Scouters Over 20,000 Scouts and Scouters attend Philmont each summerattend Philmont each summer

Rio Gra nd eRive r

Santa Fe

Ca na d ia nRiver

Albuquerque

Gallup

Pec os Rive r

CarlsbadLas Cruces

GilaRiver

CARLSBAD CAVERNSNATIONAL PARK

NEW MEXICO

25

4040

25

10

TAOS CO.TAOS CO.

COLFAX CO.COLFAX CO.

CIMARRON

RATON

TAOS

to COLORADO SPRINGSand DENVERCOLORADOCOLORADO

to SANTA FE and ALBUQUERQUE

NEW MEXICONEW MEXICO

The NCAC Philmont Trips:The NCAC Philmont Trips:• Day 1Day 1

– Baltimore/Washington to either Denver Baltimore/Washington to either Denver or Albuquerqueor Albuquerque

– SightseeingSightseeing• Day 2 (Standard Trip)Day 2 (Standard Trip)

– Additional Touring and SightseeingAdditional Touring and Sightseeing

These Two Days Allow for Acclimation These Two Days Allow for Acclimation to the Altitudeto the Altitude

The NCAC Philmont TripsThe NCAC Philmont Trips• Day 2 (Economy)/Day 3 (Standard)Day 2 (Economy)/Day 3 (Standard)

– Arrival @ Base CampArrival @ Base Camp– Check-inCheck-in

• Day 3/4 – Day 13/14Day 3/4 – Day 13/14– On The Trail!On The Trail!

• Day 14/15Day 14/15– Check Out, Return HomeCheck Out, Return Home

The Philmont ExperienceThe Philmont Experience• 11-day/10-night backpacking 11-day/10-night backpacking

expeditionsexpeditions– 35 pre-selected itineraries to choose from 35 pre-selected itineraries to choose from – 50 – 90+ miles total length50 – 90+ miles total length– Challenging, Rugged, Strenuous or Super Challenging, Rugged, Strenuous or Super

StrenuousStrenuous– Elevations range from 6,500 feet (at base Elevations range from 6,500 feet (at base

camp) to 12,441 feetcamp) to 12,441 feet

The Philmont ExperienceThe Philmont Experience• All personal gear, crew gear and food is All personal gear, crew gear and food is

carried on your back (30-50 pounds)carried on your back (30-50 pounds)• Each night is spent at a different Each night is spent at a different

backcountry camp (80 total camps)backcountry camp (80 total camps)• All cooking is done on backpacking All cooking is done on backpacking

stovesstoves• Two days of training by a Philmont Two days of training by a Philmont

RangerRanger

The Philmont ExperienceThe Philmont Experience

• Backcountry Camps offer various unique Backcountry Camps offer various unique program opportunitiesprogram opportunities

• A chance to meet other Scouts from around A chance to meet other Scouts from around the country – and the worldthe country – and the world

• Personal DevelopmentPersonal Development• 50-Miler Award50-Miler Award• Potential for Hiking and Backpacking MBsPotential for Hiking and Backpacking MBs

““What do you do besides hiking?”What do you do besides hiking?”

The TREKS GuideThe TREKS Guide

• The Official Guide to Philmont ItinerariesThe Official Guide to Philmont Itineraries• Mailed in mid-MarchMailed in mid-March• Includes Day-by-Day Breakdown, Map and Includes Day-by-Day Breakdown, Map and

Elevation Profile for Each TrekElevation Profile for Each Trek

Start Thinking About Your Trek NOWStart Thinking About Your Trek NOW

Choosing A TrekChoosing A Trek• Factors to Consider:Factors to Consider:

– Total MileageTotal Mileage– DifficultyDifficulty– Program OpportunitiesProgram Opportunities

• Decide AS A CREW which programs you want to doDecide AS A CREW which programs you want to do• Many popular programs are offered at multiple camps Many popular programs are offered at multiple camps

(rock climbing, horseback riding)(rock climbing, horseback riding)• Consider “Double-Dipping”: doing program at a pass-Consider “Double-Dipping”: doing program at a pass-

thru campthru camp– The High PeaksThe High Peaks

• Baldy, Phillips, Tooth of Time, etc.Baldy, Phillips, Tooth of Time, etc.

ChallengingChallenging• 50 – 60 Total Miles50 – 60 Total Miles• Generally Only Cover a Portion of the Generally Only Cover a Portion of the

Ranch (i.e., South Country)Ranch (i.e., South Country)• May Climb One or Two PeaksMay Climb One or Two Peaks• Lots of Time for ProgramsLots of Time for Programs• Layover DayLayover Day• Best Suited for Younger Crews w/o Best Suited for Younger Crews w/o

Significant ExperienceSignificant Experience

RuggedRugged• 60 – 70 Total Miles60 – 70 Total Miles• Cover More Territory Than TypicalCover More Territory Than Typical• Include at Least One or Two PeaksInclude at Least One or Two Peaks• Adequate Time for ProgramsAdequate Time for Programs• Best Suited for Younger Crews That Best Suited for Younger Crews That

Have Some Backpacking ExperienceHave Some Backpacking Experience

StrenuousStrenuous• 70 – 80 Total Miles70 – 80 Total Miles• Cover a Significant Portion of the Cover a Significant Portion of the

Ranch (i.e., Start in South Country & Ranch (i.e., Start in South Country & Finish in North Country)Finish in North Country)

• Include Several PeaksInclude Several Peaks• Limited Time for ProgramsLimited Time for Programs• Best Suited for Experienced Older Best Suited for Experienced Older

Crews (15 and up)Crews (15 and up)

Super StrenuousSuper Strenuous• 80+ Total Miles80+ Total Miles• Cover Most of the RanchCover Most of the Ranch• Include Several PeaksInclude Several Peaks• Longer Hiking DaysLonger Hiking Days• Limited Time for ProgramsLimited Time for Programs• Should Only be Attempted by Older Should Only be Attempted by Older

Crews (16 and up) w/ Significant Crews (16 and up) w/ Significant ExperienceExperience

Avoid…Avoid…• “Undertrekking”Undertrekking”

– Choosing a Trek That Is “Too Easy”Choosing a Trek That Is “Too Easy”– Too Much “Down Time”Too Much “Down Time”

• ““Overtrekking”Overtrekking”– Doing More Miles Than Crew Can Doing More Miles Than Crew Can

Physically/Emotionally Handle Physically/Emotionally Handle – Missing Program OpportunitiesMissing Program Opportunities– Constantly HikingConstantly Hiking

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources• NCAC HAC Website

– http://www.ncacbsa.org/highadventure• Philmont Website

– www.scouting.org/philmont• PhilSearch

– http://www.philsearch.org• Tooth of Time Traders (Philmont T.P.)

– http://www.toothoftimetraders.com• Like us on Facebook:

– www.facebook.com/ncachighadventure