I have Achilles tendinopathy and wear prescription orthotics that are hard, but work well for daily wear. I’m not sure if they’ll be good for a multi day trek as my heel starts hurting after weekend hiking trips. What heel inserts or insoles do you use for backpacking, specifically at Philmont.

This was my first trek, and we only did 7 days but we knocked out 46 miles and we found out we're all a lot stronger than we thought. I wanted to tap out a number of times but I had 7 teenage girls in front of me and they weren't quitting so I couldn't either. In the end it was one of the most valuable experiences of my life and I cant wait to go back. I wanna go back to Philmont!!!

This past June I and my family (wife, 7 yo granddaughter, son, daughter-in-law and her mother) signed up for a PTC Family Adventure Camp.

Backstory:

I have been going to HOmE since 1965 (Regular Treks, PSA Treks, Seasonal Staff, BackCountry Program Trainer and PTC conferences. My son has made multiple treks, both Summer and PSA Treks.

My wife had only been there twice as a day visitor (1973 and 2016), however she has had to endure decades of (mostly true) Philmont stories.

Our granddaughter and daughter-in-law have never experience HOmE life and this year was their first time there.

You only have one opportunity to make a good first impression and, not surprisingly, it went very well and all involved look forward to future trips.

My son and daughter-in-law are planning on renewing their wedding vow on the grounds of the Casa de Gavilan (with the TOT as a backdrop) and our granddaughter thinks that it would be great to work there when she gets older (she will be eligible for Seasonal Staff in 2038).

Three of us signed up for the Happy Hiker option and the rest stayed around the PTC for various activities.

- The opening campfire was well done!

- 7 yo granddaughter did take a hike to the T-Rex tracks, but mostly hung out at the craft center and pony corral.

- Happy hikers went to Mountain View Ridge trail above Ponil, Indian Writings (Atl Atl,) Abreu and most importantly Inspiration Point (the one of the few places that I had not visited in my 61 years of Philventures). Two of the three of us, having endured the Stockade to TOT trail once, decided to pass on that hike.

Living at 56 feet above sea level I began prepping (stadium stairs) for the Inspiration Point hike last January and arrived in Cimarron two days before PTC check in for acclimatization (did 2 Cimarron to CHQ hikes). The prep worked and the Urraca hike was only mildly annoying for my 76 year old legs and I had no real altitude/breathing problems.

- The staff, in general (especially Amanda Martinez) were great. One of us needed gluten free meals, which were actually very good.

However, the PTC that escorted us on the hikes were definitely short on trail knowledge and it was disappointing that they were not sure of their trails even their main, and only, map was on their phone. I did carry North and South country maps and reassured them that, on the Mountain Ridge trail, if they kept going straight ahead instead of turning left at a junction, we would end up in Pueblano.

- The bus talks included snide comments about Rangers "need to fence them" in as they are mean and bite people.

- The PTC glamping tents are very nice!! Good ventilation, spacious capable of accommodating six family members.

- The new "regular" PTC tents are a definite improvement over the old ones! If possible bring or borrow a hammer to pound down the nails that pop up from the wood floor planks.

- The BB gun/Archery was a hit for all age groups.

- As usual deer and turkeys everywhere.

- The candlelight tour of Rayado lent a different viewpoint of period life there.

- Cantina root beer at Abreu and Ponil were a high note for those hikes.

- The North Country trail bridges that replaced ones wiped out in the 2015 flood are massive!

- For Cimarron meals skip Burrito Banquet/St. James/Cree-Me and go to Dustys!

- Take the road from Costilla to Shuree Ponds and then to Cimarron/HOmE if you have the opportunity. It is gravel, but can accommodate normal cars if you take your time.

IWTGBTP

Does anyone out there have any audio or video from this year's Cypher's Mine Stomp? I have a kid working out there this summer and I'd really like to see what they've gotten into.

On my trek in south country, we ran into a staff member who gave me, the crew leader, a special philmont patch for the 250th anniversary of the USA. I cannot find anything about it anywhere online.

It is very similar to the gold text limited edition one but there is nothing on the philmont website or Google that I can find about this patch.

My first hike to Lovers Leap. It was inspiring.

Does HOmE still require the “lightning crouch”? Comments about this articles cinclusions? As a relevant note, I was a Ranger in the 1960’s (68 or 69) when a TOT ridge lightning strike caused multiple camper fatalities.

And one big disappointment.

Hey all, my crew is going to Philmont at the end of this month and I learned we're short on our WFA requirement. I need to get it done ASAP. I followed the link directly from the BSA site that leads to this: https://www.ecsinstitute.org/training-programs/online-courses/productdetails/9781284224719

That link says it's good for BSA, but this link makes it sound like it won't be. https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Philmont-First-Aid-and-CPR-Guideline-2026.pdf

Does anyone know if the ECS link will work?

Good morning I’m trying to get my green belt please reach out if you’re available!

Has anyone been through Clear Creek this summer? A crusty, old backcountry staffer would love to see pictures!

For those who've used pack liners, can you describe what you've done? For example, did you simply place a plastic bag into your pack and load all your gear inside? How thick is the plastic (3mm - 9mm)? Did you forego access to the bottom of your pack assuming you have multiple access points to the main pack space? Did you use the pack liner in addition to a pack cover?

Thanks!

I'll be heading to Philmont this Friday for 12 day trek. Can anyone tell me in what conditions a travel bag that is not going on the trek will be stored? Are they indoors in a climate controlled facility or outdoors, exposed to external temps? I know they're in lockers.

I ask because I'm planning to travel with my laptop but would not do so if it's stored and exposed to the temperature fluctuations.

Thanks!

Just returned from Philmont, arrived June 17 and completed June 29. On Trek 12-5 our only scheduled dry camp was Dean Skyline, but think we ended up with 5 dry camps. There were also a few camps that had water, but it needed to be treated.

- Water Filters - There were times we used the micro-pure, and times we used water filters. The water filters we used were 2 of the 4L Platypus from REI. BSA’s stance is to always use micro-pure and never filters. I think the Trek was more apt to drink the filtered water because it tastes better. https://www.rei.com/product/242664/platypus-gravityworks-water-filter-system-4-l

- Water Bags - We carried 3 Hydropack water bags, which worked great. You need to be careful with the water bags, so they don’t get punctured. Place them in the top of your pack or on the back, and do not strap to the bottom of packs, as if you sit a full pack on a full water bags, it will puncture. https://www.rei.com/product/190152/hydrapak-seeker-4l-collapsible-water-container-140-fl-oz

Hello,

I am leaving to Philmont next week, and we will be on 9-4, so no dry camps. Our camps are McBride Canyon, Ponil, Elkhorn, Pueblano, Copper Park, and Miranda.

I just wanted to check how are the water levels doing, how the showers are, etc. I know that stream crossings can vary a lot from very dry to very high, and sometimes the water sources can be dry even at trail camps.

Can anyone whose been to any of these camps this season tell how its been so far?

Amazed by the beauty that I saw. The staff at Miranda was amazing. The views even better.

My troop is leaving for Philmont In about 3 days. I am pretty confident that I have everything I need for the trip. However, I still have some last minute questions. (I would also like to ask for any packing/hiking tips anyone would like to provide)

1. Is the 4L water capacity on the Guide to Adventure needed? I have a Nalgene that I've been using on hikes for a long time. I also see lots of people using Smart water bottles, good idea?.

2. Why is the camera listed as an item that is supposed to go in the Bear Bag on the Guide to Adventure? I'm bringing a camera so I'd like to know.

3. How much sunscreen do we need to bring individually? I'm pretty used to wearing sunscreen in the summer - but the guide says we only need about 12 - 18 oz for the crew which doesn't seem right for a week long trek?

4. How is the weather there? I heard it can go down into the 30s and up to the 100s. However, when look at weather for Cimmaron it seems to be 50-80 next week. I know the weather on the mountains going to be different, what are your experiences like?

5. How big of an issue is elevation sickness?

6. About how much % of your body weight are you expected to carry?

7. How visible are the stars?

I bought boots back in January and have used them on all my training hikes. They were okay the first couple of times but then started causing blisters. This past weekend was a very difficult training hike and I came home with horrible blisters. One on the bottom of my left foot and blisters on both sides of my toebox. Before you offer suggestions…. Here’s what I’ve tried:

Sock liners
Wool socks (darn tough and another brand)
Wools socks with liners
Moleskin with sock liners
Leukotape
Leukotape over moleskin

At this point I think it is just the shoes (which I was professionally fitted for and yes they have the Goretex to help with moisture wicking etc)

I feel like I’m doing everything right but now I’m panicked about a 12-day Philmont trek. I know there isn’t time to break in another pair but what else can I do? I’m very close to buying a pair of Hoka boots and just wearing them 24/7 until we leave lol. They seem very breathable. Help?!?!

We have a couple of adults that swear by them and others that don't think they are necessary.

What are your thoughts?

We are heading out on 9-6, rugged, 46 miles next week. With Abreu, Crater, Lake, Beaubien, Porcupine, Red Hills, Black Mountain, Shaefer's Pass and the Tooth of Time as our camps/highlights.

Wondering how many side miles we will hike in addition to the 46. I've read as few as six or as many as twelve.

Crew of 10, all first timers. I'm not so worried about the distance or pack weight, but the elevation is going to be brutal for us flatland Louisiana men.

I brought my 55L Kakwa (unfortunately did not get a picture of it loaded up).I had a Nemo Tensor, x-dome 1, and zenbivy 25 deg quilt. I had a more substantial first aid kit and carried the MSR reactor stove. I think without the side strap conversion kit from SomeDaveGear, I would have struggled to fit everything . We had a big resupply, and I alternated between strapping my food or tent outside on top of pack. It carried well but it was tight I did really appreciate pockets and waterproofness.

My brother and I attended Philmont for a trek overlapping June into July of 1978. I’ve looked through the photo archives and cannot find our crew picture. I don’t remember our trek number and only remember a few of the camps we stayed in along the way. Is there a history that can link a troop/city/state with the crew number?
My daughters are there now and I found their crew photo easily.