Start Packing!

 How do you know when you've packed everything?  How do you know if you have all your gear and are ready to go?  This method of packing will help.  Here's what you need;

• A big box, this can be a large Rubbermaid box or a big cardboard box
• Your Philmont Guide to Adventure Book (pages 20-23)

• A pen or pencil  
• All your gear 

Step 1: get ready

 

Step 2: when I described the box I said Rubbermaid or Rubber box, I meant cardboard box

 Step 3: hold the item in your hands, put it in the box, check it off the list.

 Part 4: The pants I talk about in this video are here.

Part 5: One day's clothes per gallon ziplock.  Pack cover can be found here. Your sleeping bag should be small and should fit in a small compression stuff sack.

Part 6:  Here's a better look at the camel back water carrier and a better look at the sierra cup since I was out of the screen when I showed it.

Part 7: Here's a sample of the closed toe camp shoes I talk about in the next video.

Part 8: Other optional Items on the list but not mentioned in the next video are: trekking poles, sunglasses, camera, logbook. The logbook I'm taking is just a mini blank notebook and a pen/pencil.  I plan on writing in it every day at least one thing that happened.  You should do that too.

Part 9; Here's a link to the hat I talk about in the next video, since I can't seem to keep it on screen.

Part 10: Here is a link to the tent stakes I talked about in the next video but didn't show very well.

Part 11: The backpacking towel I talk about is one like this.  You can see the ziplock bag with the notebook and pen in it in this video as well.

The whole point here is that you can see and put hands on what you have and what you still need.  If you use the big box method along with your checklist from the guidebook, you can see exactly what you don't have.

 IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OF THESE THINGS YET THEN NOW IS THE TIME TO GET IT.  

Our next practice hike should see you with only a few of these things left to get.  If you have trouble  getting any of these things then let an advisor know that now.

Itinerary Confirmed!

 Howdy Crew 706-BB!

Our trek is confirmed as 12-4.  I've included screen shots of the itinerary but if that's hard to read then you can look at this link at pages 36 and 37 for the same information.

You can also click on the image to enlarge it.

We hike out of base camp and then back in to base camp when we're done.  No buses to trailheads or back to base camp. We have 3 dry camps and two with possible showers.  We have to pack our own water into those dry camps.

Highlights include:

• Rock Climbing/Rapelling
• Gold Panning
• Muzzle Loading rifles
• Railroad Tie Making
• Ropes Course
• Tomahawks
• Branding

Our longest hike is 8.6 miles and our highest peak is Mt. Phillips at 11,736 feet. 

 It's going to be a great trip!

Handy Hiking Tip

 If you have the means to walk a large dog that tends to pull on the leash, consider this.  When you lean back to try to walk with your dog at a normal pace then it's actually good practice for walking downhill with a heavy backpack.  I just noticed this today.

 It may sound like a joke but it's true.  If you have access to a large dog that you can try this on then see for yourself.  If you don't and would like to walk our dogs then you are welcome to do that too.  

 That's not a joke either.

😁

CREW ZOOM MEETING IMPORTANT STUFF

 Last week at the Zoom Crew meeting we discussed:

-Why you should be reading this "Smart Backpacker Blog"

-Practice hike opportunities happening every weekend

-$50. fee added to Philmont for CDC reasons

-More options for crew T-shirt

-Trek itinerary choices submitted, will inform when our choice is approved

-Sunblock and bug spray requirements 

Comment below if you have any comments or questions about the above topics

Keep up with your exercise plan!  If you don't have one any more because your athletic season has ended then let me know, I've got a few options for you.

AS OF 2/6/21:

 

 

Your Handy Dandy Gear Guide

 Howdy Crew!

Now is the time to:

-Have your pack up to at least 25 pounds

-Know that your exercise regimen is working, (if you're not breaking a sweat after your workout then dial it up a notch.)

-Do something about it if you don't have the above two requirements

Also:

(click on above image to embiggen)  

 If the above looks familiar then I'm impressed!  It's from your (collector's edition) copy of the 2020 Philmont Guide to Adventure.  By February 28 your job is to contact me or one of the other two adult advisors and let them know that you have the above gear or your time frame to get it.  If you are having trouble getting some of this then let us know and we will work on that challenge together.

Here's a slight modification to the above list.  I fully endorse replacing the above item "Matches" with a regular Bic lighter.  When everyone has one of those then we will have more than enough ability to get both stoves and campfires burning.

 Lastly I'll add:

* Backpack (60liters or more)

* Hiking Boots (if your feet are still growing a size or so then wait until March) 

Be of good cheer!  We've got a great adventure to look forward to.  However we need everyone ready.  If you don't have the above then the end of February is the deadline.