Hey guys so like many of you getting ready for your treks this summer we are all trying to see how much we can leave at home, while remaining comfortable. I am very happy with my baseweight at the moment (about 15lbs) but am wondering exactly how cold it gets at phimont. I will be doing trek number 26, from july 28th to august 11th. I want to know if i can go with just an arc'teryx fleece, or if i also need to bring another longsleave base layer. (specifically an rei synthetic shirt) Thanks allot for any help. Have a great trek!
-Sean

Hi there!
Philmont is sweltering in the day, and darn chilly in the evenin'. My recommendation to you on layering is a windproof/rainproof shell and a warm thermal underlayer. I would leave rain pants and fleece jackets at home.

My experience comes from ultralighting through Philmont as an Academy Ranger for two years.

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to contact me.

Nico DeBarmore

Nico DeBarmore.com
Philmont Photos.com

Edited by nicodebarmore on 05/29/2012 20:38:42 MDT.

After 3 trips to Philmont and returning again in 16 days (previously 2 in August & 1 in June).... I opt for a light weight fleece jacket and NO thermals of any kind. Realize that August is the 'monsoon' season and you are all but guaranteed the 2pm rain storm every day, very different than a trek in June which has little to no rain. While it gets chilly at night, you are usually tucked in your sleeping bag by then and unless you plan to sleep in thermals (or tend to be really cold) I've never found them necessary. We saw snow in June in 2010, but still didn't need the thermals.... also will depend on what elevations you are camping at.... a night on Mt Phillips can get snow in the early season, not likely in August.

I think a fleece is plenty, especially if you layer it with your rain shell.

I like taking a long sleeved shirt too, more for sun protection than warmth.

On our last trek I used long underwear for my sleep clothes because I was using a relatively lightweight quilt and generally sleep on the cold side. I never used them outside of the tent, and our trek was early June and there was snow on Phillips.

Thank you guys for the ideas/ responces. I think that i will go with the fleece (i love it) so for fun i will give you guys my entire gearlist just for fun to see what you guys think about it.

Before you read this i am going a bit lighter than traditional backpacking, but by no means am a super light guy.

Main Items
Deuter ACT lite 65+10
Black Diamond trail ergo treking poles

Eating/ cooking
My trek crew is using the freezer bag method of cooking, so that is the cook system
Plastic bowl i got out of a steam fresh meal. (you guys should check those out, super light and FREE)
GSI fork and spoon.
Plastic coffee mug for mornings. (looking into lighter options)

Sleeping System
Big Agnes fly creek sl2 split up between me and my tent partner.
REI sub kilo 20 degree bag.
REI stratus sleeping mat.

Clothing (including what i am hiking in)
Columbia Zip off pants.
Two Nike dry fit shirts. (rotate every day)
Arc'teryx quarter zip fleece.
Marmot Mica Rain jacket.
Two pain exofficio boxer briefs.
Two pair smartwool PhD short legth socks.
One pair injinji toe socks.
One pair Nike running shorts.
New Balance Trail runners.
Lightweight flip flops.

Small Items
REI saharah cadet hat.
Some schweet free glasses i have.
Comfy burton binnie to sleep in.
Sea to Summit ultra-sil pack cover.
REI pack towel.
Small sunscreen.
Camp soap.
Small toothbrush/ toothpaste.
Small first aid kit.
One ziplock bag for whatever.

Water
One camel bak 3 liter blatter
one gatorade bottle

I think that is it. it is all about 15lbs (the pack is 4 of those haha)
Tell me whatcha think.
thanks!
-Sean

I totally forgot! i will also be bringing a canon powershot elph 310hs to take tons of pictures!!!

Edited by Scout22 on 05/30/2012 15:47:00 MDT.

My thoughts on your gear list:

Ultralight weight = don't need hiking poles
Leave the mug at home : drink coffee out of your cup or an empty water bottle if you must (coffee is not really essential)
Spork instead of fork+spoon
trade trailrunners+flipflops for crocs
a 2 lb pack would be better, but it might be late in the game for that


Nico
Philmont Photos.com

I have to take serious issue with your statement "coffee is not really essential." You must not drink coffee or you would not speak such blastphomy!

Ok, I'm kidding with you however if you are a coffee drinker don't just go cold turkey when you go to Philmont. Your body will go throught caffeine withdrawl and combined with the altitude you will feel extremely bad. If you are not going to take coffee then ween yourself off caffeine before you go. From personal experience it's not a pleasant experience.

For me getting up in the morning in the outdoors and drinking a cup of coffee is an experience I'm not willing to pass on. It's a highlight for me. I take with me a plastic insulated coffee cup I get for $1 at Dunkin Donughts. It is about 3 oz and I consider it a luxury item.

Good luck with your trip.

Confused on your thoughts exactly. You are recomending me to bring crocs instead of the flip flops? the flip flops are less than 1/2 the weight of crocs, and much more packable. And for the coffe mug. It is just an insulated double walled plastic mug that i cut the handle off, and in the philmont fodd i noticed that every morning there is a hot drink so i figured that it would be nice to drink it out of an insulated mug. (as well as the occasional starbucks via :)

Edited by Scout22 on 05/31/2012 07:40:00 MDT.

I've been to Philmont on 3 summer treks (one being a Cavalcade). Your list looks pretty good overall. Just a few observations: I have the Big Agnes UL-2 tent. You will be 'cozy' with your tent-mate. Flip-flops aren't 'legal' @ Philmont (closed-toe shoes required). I think the one poster was recommending Crocs instead of the flip-flops. I will carry long-underwear but carry a lighter sleeping bag (40 deg). Being a warm sleeper, this works for me. Trekking poles are a personal preference. I love'em and always hike with them. Your one bottle will be hung in the bear bag every night if you use it for Gatoraid. You might consider a .5L throw-away water bottle (0.6 oz or so) for your tent at night in case you get thirsty.

Have fun. We've got a trek for 2013 we're looking forward to.

Thanks for all the imput, I guess I will just not bring a pair of camp shoes (trail runners are pretty comfy) and I will definatly bring a small water bottle for tent use. Thanks!
-sean