Philmont

This list taken from is the recommended equipment for backpacking Philmont, with notes from observations from the 2012 trek.

personal

• Pack
  • pack with padded hip belt (at least 4000 in3)
  • pack cover (waterproof nylon)
  • 6 to 12 1-gallon Ziploc plastic bags (for clothes)
  • 2-man tent, groundcloth
• Sleeping
  • sleeping bag in stuff sack lined with plastic bag
  • T-shirt and gym shorts (used only to sleep in)
  • straps to hold sleeping bag on pack (everyone should bring three extra bungee cords for carrying food)
  • foam sleeping pad (closed cell or Therma-Rest)
• Clothing Layer A (hiking)
  • sturdy hiking boots
  • lightweight sneakers (for the campsite)
  • 3 pairs heavy wool socks
  • 3 pairs light inner socks ("liners")
  • 3 changes underwear
  • 2 sturdy hiking shorts
  • 2 short sleeve shirts (not nylon or cotton)
  • bathing suit (not on official list, but good for the KOA campgrounds and for the "army-style" showers in the back country)
  • 1 hat or cap (flexible with brim)
• Clothing Layer B (cool evening)
  • 1 long-sleeve shirt (wool or flannel)
  • 1 long pair of pants (cotton or nylon, but not heavy jeans)
  • 1 pair insulated underwear (polypro) (did not find this necessary)
• Clothing Layer C (cold)
  • 1 sweater or jacket (wool or fleece)
  • 1 stocking cap (wool or polypro)
  • 1 pair gloves (liners or mittens, wool or polypro)
• Clothing Layer D (cold, wet, windy)
  • 1 sturdy rain suit (when it rains, it pours buckets) (they recommend this, but a good poncho has sufficed)
• Eating
  • deep bowl (small, plastic) (sierra cup is best)
  • cup (measuring) (two per crew should suffice)
  • spoon (make sure it's not breakable)
  • four 1-qt bottles (yes, four) (or two such bottles and a 2-liter bladder)
• Misc
  • pocketknife
  • moleskin (everyone should have some)
  • matches and lighter (in waterproof container)
  • flashlight (light crank one is best)
  • map (main one shared by group and a second one carried by someone else is good)
  • compass
  • 2 bandanas
  • money
  • bathing suit (preferred for staffed sites with "army-style" showers)
  • lip balm (SPF 25 chapstick)
  • biodegradable soap
  • toothbrush and paste
  • small camp towel
  • sunglasses (did not find this necessary)
  • ditty bags (for separating personal items - very useful)
  • toilet paper (1 roll)
  • sewing kit
  • 10 metal tent pins
  • sunscreen
  • insect repellant
  • (personal first aid kit should include moleskin, chafing powder, and bandaids)
  • 10 tent stakes
• Optional
  • camera
  • whistle
  • watch
  • fishing equipment (would not bring this)
  • rubber bands
  • foot (and or chafing) powder
  • note pad and pen
  • day pack for side hikes (very useful if not heavy - can also use as ditty bag)
  • aluminum hiking poles (highly recommended - use arms to help ascend and descend)

crew equipment (12 people)

• 1 nylon 12x12 dining fly (4 lbs) (recommend using Troop tarp since it's lighter) (issued by Philmont)
• 2 collapsible poles for dining fly (1 lb) (everyone should have hiking poles anyway)
• trail chef kit (6 lbs)
  • 8-qt pot
  • 4-qt pot with lid
  • 1 frying pan
• cutlery kit (1/2 lb)
  • 2 large spoons
  • 1 large spatula
• 2 pair hot tongs (1/2 lb)
• 1 extra 8-qt pot (for washing dishes) (1 lb)
• plastic trash bags
• salt and pepper
• dishwashing soap (issued by Philmont)
• scrub pad (issued by Philmont)
• water purification tablets (issued by Philmont)
• 2-3 water filters
• 150-ft length of 1/4-inch nylon rope (2.5 lbs)
• bear bags (issued by Philmont)
• plastic strainer, rubber scraper (1/2 lb)
• 3 collapsible water containers (Playtpus) (2.5 gallons each)
• 3 backpacking stoves and fuel
• first aid kit
  • band-aids (various sizes)
  • gauze pads (3"x3")
  • adhesive tape 1in x 5yd)
  • 4" elastic bandage
  • moleskin
  • second skin
  • Benadryl
  • cold medicine
  • disposable alcohol wipes
  • sunscreen (min. 25)
  • antibiotic ointment
  • steroid cream
  • insect repellent (with DEET)
  • ibuprofen
  • acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • antacids (Tums)
  • foot powder
  • latex gloves
  • lip balm
  • CPR barrier
  • small bar of soap
  • triangular bandage
  • oval eye patch
  • needle
  • scissors
  • safety pins
  • side cutters
  • chemical ice pack
  • thermometer
  • throat lozenges
  • tweezers
• duct tape
• 3 50-ft 1/8-inch nylon cords (two issued by Philmont)
• backup water purifier
• multi-tool
• shovel or trowel