Click on the link below to open the 2009 Philmont trail menu and ingredient list.

 Philmont Trail Food Ingredients - 2009

For you calorie counters out there, the link below is the calorie count for the 2009 Phil-meals.

 2009 Philmeals Calorie Count

These documents can also be found in the Downloads section of the website.

Be Prepared

When we drive through the gate and get out of the vehicles at Philmont, take a deep breath, stretch and enjoy the scenery.  Both you and your crew are likely to be pretty excited.  After months of planning, we have finally made it!  Reality will set in when you remember that we are just one of approximately 30 crews that arrive every day.  And every one of these crews will have to go through the same in-processing routine.  But if you and your crew are prepared, the time can be shortened and the amount of confusion can be lessened.

Try also and remember that other than a few “first things first” items, the order of the in-processing activities described below may vary depending on the number of crews that arrive at the same time that we do and other factors.  Although you may feel the activities look like chaos, it is usually a very well controlled chaos.  Our Rangers will be following Rule 6 on Page 1 of the old Ranger Handbook - “Scramble, Be Flexible” - to get your crew’s check-in completed in the least amount of time possible.  Your attitude and level of preparation for the activities ahead (discussing options with the crew beforehand, being ready when its time, and so forth) will determine to a great extent the level of frustration and difficulty you encounter.

You can find the 2009 itineraries on the Scouting.org website.  Here are some quick links to follow.

2009 Itineraries at a glance

2009 Philtrek Guide (TREKS)

2009 Itinerary/Arrival card

Short Treks Itinerary/Arrival card

This is an essay I wrote a few years ago after returning from a trek.  It explains why Philmont -- and the wilderness in general -- has had such a profound effect on my life.  Each year, as I start preparing another Crew for their adventure, I dust it off and present it to them as a part of their trek preparation.

This is a handout I gave to my Crew before one of our weekend "shakedown" activities in preparation for the Philmont trek. The shakedown occured in February and the weather was especially cold and windy.  The article deals with cold weather comfort and safety.

Other than dealing with an injury to a member of your crew, nothing at Philmont can be as stressful as getting through the first day.  The first day at Philmont is "lovingly" called the Day 1 Marathon for good reason.  There is a specific list of tasks that MUST be completed before your crew can be bussed out to the back country, and there are a few other activities each crew wants to take part in.

The MUST DOs include:

• Arrival at Philmont
• Check-in at Welcome Center
• Meet your ranger
• Administration check-in
• Logistics consultation
• Medical re-checks
• Trail equipment check-out
• Trail food check-out
• Crew shakedown with your ranger
• Crew photos
• Advisors Meeting/Crew Leader Meeting/Chaplain Aid Meeting
• Opening Campfire

Some of the other activities you may want to do include:

• Tour the Villa Philmonte'
• Visit the Tooth of Time Traders
• Visit the snack bar
• Visit the News & Photo Service
• Attend evening chapel

For myself, and most of the adults I've talked to, Philmont Day 1 is the last stressful part of the 18 months of preparations for the trip.  The vacation does not start on Day 1.  The vacation starts on Day 2.  Here are some tips, tricks, and notes to help you get through that first stressful day.

Discussions about Wood Gas Stove

Consider using carbon neutral Wood Gas fuel rather than processed fossil fuel.

A few hand fulls of dry cellulose can boil a quart of water in less then 5 minutes.

Cellulose is bulkier by 4x that of liquid fuels but you might not have to carry any in some places.

Soot collects on the pot increasing the power absorbed.
Soot becomes hard and need not be cleaned to often.
You can place your pot in a plastic bag to contain the soot.
Works best if all you do is heat water in your pot and hydrate your food in freezer bags.

Learn more via links at
http://www.google.com/search?q=woodgas+stove

Would like to hear your comments so can update this HOWTO.

Mike Rushford ASM Troop931 Livermore Ca.