Important Philmont Information
2018 Philmont Trip
The basic information about the trip is provided below, if you should have any questions please don’t hesitate to call or write.
Trip dates & cost
July 20-August 11 2018 (this includes the actual Philmont trek 7/28-8/9 and site seeing –see the tentative itinerary below).
The estimated trip cost is $1800-1900. Payment schedule: $300 by 9/18, $300 by 2/15/18 and the balance by 5/15/18. All check should be made payable to Troop 4 Clinton.
Medical Form
Attached is the Philmont Medical Form. All participants must have a physical exam within one year of participating in Philmont (8/9/18).
Training
In order to make sure the kids are ready to complete the trek at Philmont we will conduct a number of training hikes to get the boys familiar with backpacking, their equipment and orienteering skills they will need.
Training hikes are designed to:
- Get the boys accustomed to backpacking – carrying 25-30% of their body weight on their back for 5-8 miles a day (depending on the Philmont treks the boys choose, this is what they can expect).
- Get the boys accustomed to packing for a trip; what’s needed, weight considerations, how their pack should be packed.
- Brush up on orienteering skills and practice backwoods camping.
- Working together as group.
We will schedule two or three more training hikes – All participants need to complete a minimum of three training hike.
Equipment
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding equipment purchases. The major pieces of equipment are listed below.
Packs: The link below provide good information regarding for purchasing a pack. Since we will be carrying ten days’ worth of equipment, food and water the recommended pack size is 75L.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacks-adjusting-fit.html
Boots: Most of the guys choose light weight hiking boots which have a shorter break in period and are more comfortable in hot weather.
Sleeping bag: Nights can be cold at Philmont so they recommend a 20 degree bag which weighs less that 5lbs and compresses.
Rain gear: Water proof, breathable and lightweight is best.
Tentative Trip dates and Itinerary
At this point the schedule is tentative; the only firm dates are the day we are at Philmont.
7/20 Leave Boston fly to Phoenix, camp at the Grand Canyon -2 nights
7/22 Leave Grand Canyon – travel to Zion NP, UT 2 nights– (visit Hoover Dam)
7/24 Leave Zion National Park travel to Mesa Verde NP, CO – 2 nights
7/26 Leave Mesa Verde – travel to Heron Lake State Park, NM – 1 night
7/27 Leave Heron Lake – travel to Pilar, NM – 1 night ( ½ day of rafting)
7/28-8/9 Hiking at Philmont
8/9 travel to William AZ camp at Homolovi SP – 1 night
8/10 Travel to Mesa, AZ camp at Apache Junction KOA – 1 night
8/11 Leave Phoenix