Philmont Tips, Tricks, and Lessons Learned

This page is a repository of resources gathered from voluntary submissions of participants after returning from Philmont in 2024. It's purpose is to provide tips, tools, and insights for future trekkers. The order of display is the order in which submissions were received.

If you would like to submit to this page, please contact brianandlaurakeenan@gmail.com

WORD OF CAUTION: What works for some won't work for all. If you are new to backpacking, or of limited experience, be careful when adopting any single person's recommendations - especially with regards to gear. Philmont's recommended items list is conservative and built on years of experience. That's not to say that better solutions don't exist. (If you carefully study the gear I took verses what Philmont recommends, you'll see I deviate significantly in a number of places. But I have many years experience, and know what compromises and risks I'm taking.) If you aren't sure, or don't have significant experience to know better, you should default to Philmont's recommendations.

Most Frequent Topic Areas and Topic Index

As of 9/3/2024, sixteen different crews participated in this project (submitted lessons learned.) I have indexed/categorized them to facilitate user access. The file below tabulates the categories alphabetically and by the frequency. To use the summary, download a copy, open in Excel, then double-click on any number on either summary to see the http links and (for video recordings) timestamps.

Jeff Cress, Administrator of Philmont Trek Talk Facebook Groop, Troop 49, Gibsonville, North Carolina. Multiple treks. Jeff has put together a page devoted to Philmont on Gear-Report.com, Also hosts monthly Philmont Trek Talk Q&A sessions. LOTS of good info. This should be your first stop when looking for info, lessons learned, and recommendations, especially on gear.

Brian Keenan, Troop 485, San Antonio Texas, 2023 629-9F, Itinerary 9-12 (Super Strenuous).

Amanda Williams, Troop 10, Laurel Mississippi, 2024 611-7G, Itinerary 7-15 (Super Strenuous). Click here

Mary Dillon Arnold, Crew 6, Georgetown Indiana, 2024 614-A, Itinerary 12-16 (Rugged)

Nat Marie, Troop 324, San Diego California, who joined a trek with Troops 1981 and 221 from Beaumont, Texas. 2024 608-M, Itinerary 12-29 (Super Strenuous). Click here

Kristi Frederick Johnson. Troops 853 & 854, Wentzville MO. 2024 624-7H 1 & 2, Itineraries 7-12 and 7/1 (Strenuous and Challenging)

Jonathan Mitchel, Troop 192, St. Cloud Florida, 2024 610T, itinerary 12-14 (Rugged)

Paul Ritchie, Multi-troop crew from Connecticut, 2024 622-C, itinerary 12-19 (Strenuous).

Jay Bradley, Troop 117, Belton Texas, 2024 703-G-01, Itinerary 12-10 (Rugged). Click Here.

Kevin Waite, Troop 314, Raleigh North Carolina, 2024 703-C, Itinerary 12-15 (Rugged). Click here.

Alison Reid, Venture Crew 6, Sellersburg Indiana, 2024 614-A, Itinerary 12-16 (Rugged.)

Chris Lusby, Troop 430, Frederick, Maryland. 2024 705-7B, Itinerary 7-15 (Super Strenuous)

Eric Abrams, Troop 90, San Antonio Texas, 2024 617-E-01 (boys) & 617-E-02 (girls.) Itineraries 12-10 and 12-310 (Rugged and Super Strenuous). (Link awaiting submission.).

David Parmly, Mixed crew of Troop 506 and Crew 506, Knoxville Tennessee. 2004 717N1 (Rugged) Click here. David's insights were so useful that they were incorporated into the 2005 Philmont Advisors Guide (PAG.) See link below.

Vicki Armstrong, Troop 583, Castaic California. 2024 618-7A. Itinerary 7-4 (Rugged). Click here.

David Retherford, Troop 606, Riverview Florida. 2024 617-R-02. Itinerary 12-17 (Rugged).

Heather Compton, mixed troop, all girls. San Antonio/Boerne Texas. 2024 709-7F. Itinerary 7-7 (Rugged.) Click here.

Kevin Wunder, Troop 167, Stoughton Wisconsin. 2024 615-4. Itinerary 12-33 (Super Strenuous). Click here.

Nisha Zoeller, Troop 19, Rockway, New Jersey. 2024 722-7F. Itinerary 7-9 (Rugged)

Jay Grabiec, Troop 141, East Central Illinois, 2024 715-Q. Itinerary 12-24 (Strenuous)