In July of 2008 Venture Crew 1716 trekked 40 miles through Alaska’s Wrangell St. Elias and Denali National Parks. Rugged terrain, uncooperative weather, bears, amazing scenery and high camaraderie characterized the trip.

Each of us are seasoned backpackers. We’ve trekked Philmont and paddled Northern Tier, the crème-del-a-crème of BSA high adventures, along with many National Parks like Glacier, Teton and Yosemite.

Alaska required more. Here’s what we learned. Some practical observations about gear, i.e. what we used, hints/tips on how we used it, and how well it worked. Comparisons to some of our favorite gear from previous treks.

What you’ll find here reinforces and extends the basics:

• Scouting’s Skills – Ready for the Great Outdoors section in the BSA handbook
• Gearing Up section in the BSA Fieldbook
• Camping, Hiking, Backpacking and Wilderness Survival Merit Badge books
• Philmont advisor’s guide

- Steve

THERE IS NO BAD WEATHER; JUST POOR CHOICES IN GEAR (adapted from here) and BAD GEAR MANAGEMENT (Lynn’s COROLLARY)

• Pack light, here’s why (Timeless quotes from the Philmont Discussion List and other sources.):
  • An ounce in the morning feels like a pound by nighttime.
  • On the day we left, my pack weight, food water and everything, was 44 pounds. One of the other adults with our Troop had every gadget imaginable and left with 64. He had to come off the trail on day 3.
  • Lighter packs mean more enjoyment. You are not as tired at the end of the day. You can enjoy the trail a little more. You can do some of the same by being in better shape. Get in perfect shape with a super light pack and you can have a great trip.
  • Your equipment stands between you and the wilderness. The less of it you have the closer you approach the wilderness. Expensive space age technology makes backpacking easier, or at least more efficient, but it is not what backpacking is all about, merely a means to it. Do only what you have to do.
  • Those who have read me over the past few years are aware that I pound on relative pack weight and physical preparation as two of the three key factors in enjoying a Philmont trek.
  • Don't bother (with weight control), and you'll probably suffer to some extent. It really is pretty basic.
  • After going to Philmont, my troop went "car camping" in August. I was amazed at what I did not take! If you can survive for 10 days on the trail in rugged terrain, leaving 50% of your pack space for carrying food, what can you possibly need for a 30-hour trip where the car is 1/4 mile away?
  • The biggest favor you can do for yourself before going to Philmont is to figure out how to get the pack weight down to a level comfortable for your size and strength.
  • Found on a thru-hiker list the other day: The more you carry, the more you enjoy your camping.
  • The less you carry, the more you enjoy your hiking. Each of us has to find that particular balance between "enjoying camping" and "enjoying hiking". Happy trails and campsites.
• Never, ever take untested gear on a campout. That’s considered the first rule of outdoor karma. Backcountry camping requires more: it requires you know thoroughly understand your gear through repeated use.
• Travel in full field (Class A) uniforms: Why? Because (yes, I did learn from my 8th grade English never to start a sentence with “because”) during a high adventure we'll come in contact with many people. Some will have a Scouting background, some won't. Customs officials, gas station attendants, convenience store clerks, and even Scouts from other Troops, to name just a few. One thing is certain; we will leave an impression with everyone we meet. Impressions will be formed about Venturing Crews in general and 1716 in particular. We will be judged by our attitude, actions and even our appearance. We are, in effect, ambassadors for the Boy Scouts. Fairly or not, we will be judged as such.

• Know your bag’s temperature rating.
• Know whether you sleep “warm” or “cold”. Cold sleepers should add 10F to a bag’s rating.
• Know the minimum and average nighttime low.
  • Pack for the average temp.
  • Your bag’s rating should be lower, i.e. the bag should be able to handle a lower temp.
  • Plan to wear your rain gear, in the bag, if temps hit the low.
• Protect your bag with two layers of waterproofing, e.g. waterproof sack and pack liner (garbage bag).
• Understand sleeping bag care, regardless of whether it’s down or synthetic.

• Stuff sacks are not waterproof! Waterproof your pack contents using small/medium Zip-Loc bags.

• Completely separate from other clothes (potential redundancy for cold)
• Hat, Socks, shirt, pants in plastic sealed bag

• Link to Crew Gear section

• In cold climates sleeping pads are deemed very important gear. Inflatable pad require a patch kit. Otherwise you lose 10 F!

• For rocks, hills, stream crossing, and glacier travel:
• Able to be cleaned

• Consider for stream/water/brush use. (Tall or short)

• Used for multiple electronic gadgets, e.g. the satellite phone, GPS transmitter, GPS, and several digital cameras.
• Try to choose gadgets that require the same batteries. This reduces the number of spare batteries – batteries are heavy. In a pinch camera batteries can be re-deployed to more critical uses, e.g. the GPS.
• Purchase batteries with the largest storage capacity, measured in milli-amp hours (mAH), you can find.
• Turn off your camera’s LCD display and use the viewfinder; it’ll extend battery life considerably.
• Don’t even think about using rechargeable (less volts, less mAH, and hold a charge for a shorter period of time).
• Battery technology:
  • Lithium ion (Li-ion) – preferred in backcountry, lasts considerably longer than NiMH and is lighter
  • Alkaline - less expensive, ok for short trips
  • Anything else, don’t waste your time

Use to walk around camp. Feet injuries can take you off the trail, fast. Don’t walk around camp barefoot. Camp shoes also refresh your feet. They give your hiking boots a chance to air out.

• Moccasins from WalMart or Target: Inexpensive, light, and reasonably comfortable for the weight they impose. Leather outer, lining, with a molded rubber soles. The soles allow you to walk on damp ground yet stay dry.
• Salomon Techamphibians: Expensive, but very light, versatile and comfortable. I used them to cross Hidden Creek in Wrangell St. Elias.

Some quite obvious, sprinkled with a couple of spur-of-the-moment solutions, that don’t fit anywhere else.

• If your sleeping pad’s wet, don’t put a dry sleeping bag on it.
• Keep your extremities warm:
  • Wear a knit hat. The rule of thumb I grew up with is that about 60% of body heat escapes thru your head. Estimates vary
  • Wear dry socks. If your feet are cold wear two pairs of socks. I’ve used three pair once.
• Likewise, wear dry gloves. No gloves? Wet gloves? In a pinch, use Zip-loc bags as makeshift gloves. You’ll be amazed at how warm they are.
• When you’re cold, after you’ve tried the other hints, put your (dry) raingear on, then get in your sleeping bag. You’ll be amazed.

Steve Lagreca’s wanderlust for hiking and backpacking has taken him to 90 national and state parks, in 6 countries. He shares this with others by volunteering as an Associate Advisor for BSA Venturing Crew 1716 and leading the Philmont Ranch contingent for Detroit Area Council. Facebook LinkedIn