High Adventure

2024 Council Philmont Trek

Date: The Council Trek is scheduled at Philmont from 12-24 June 2024.    

Cost:  The cost of the trek is expected to be approximately $3,620.00 per person.  The trek will be primarily self funded but we will fundraise in order to lessen the impact on all attendees. Limited scholarships may be available.  

Proposed budget:  ESTIMATE

Item

QTY

Cost

Total

Philmont Fee

12

$1,595.00

$19,140.00

Blue Sky Adventure

12

$1,079.00

$12,300.00

Airfare

12

$750.00

$9,000.00

Crew Gear/Misc.

12

$250.00

$3,000.00

TOTAL

 

 

$42,240.00

Per Person

 

 

$3,620.00

 

Selection:  Scouts will submit applications to Tony Osborne who will review applications. Upon approval, a $150 deposit is needed to reserve a place. There is no rank requirement for Philmont, but Scouts must turn 14 years old or be 13 and have completed the 8th grade by June 9th, 2024.  Adults wishing to go should speak with Tony Osborne and Dan Rogers.  Payments will be 1/3 due on 1 August, 1 November, 1 January.

Commitment:  Scouts and adults will commit to attending planning meetings and shakedown trips as well as participating in fundraising efforts.  Scouts and adults will also commit to working out on their own time to develop and maintain the physical fitness necessary to complete the trek.  See height/weight requirements below.  Scouts will commit to being active in the council troop during this process as well.

Parents will commit to providing their scout with appropriate gear for the trek.  Gear will be inspected and approved by Tony prior to departure.

Blue Sky Adventure. The Tour Guide will greet you upon arrival in Denver. Custom airport pickup. 7 meals, 2 nights lodging at Great Wolf Lodge with water park access. Guided hike at Red Rocks Park & amphitear, guided Air Force Academy tour, trip to the summit of Pikes Peak, and whitewater rafting.

Shakedowns:  Starting this fall, the selected crew will meet monthly to begin planning, training, and preparing for the trek.  The crew will begin participating in weekend long shakedowns to get used to backpacking together and put their training to test in the field.  We will have between 4-6 shakedown trips and possibly several day hikes to prepare us.  Participants will be required to attend these sessions unless excused by Tony.

Gear:  A gear list is provided, and it is recommended that scouts acquire all gear, except for boots/shoes/clothing (that they may outgrow) prior to the first shakedown trip this summer.  In addition to the official Philmont gear list, we will be available to recommend appropriate gear before you invest.  Some of the items on this trek will be trek specific (i.e., we will use a certain type of dishware this time) so it is best to wait until after the first meeting to purchase any gear.

Health RequirementsEach participant in a backcountry Philmont trek must not exceed the maximum acceptable limit in the weight-for-height chart below. The right column shows the maximum acceptable weight for a person’s height in order to participate in a Philmont trek. Those who fall within the limits are more likely to have an enjoyable trek and avoid incurring health risks. Every Philmont trek involves hiking with a 35 to 50-pound backpack at elevations of 6,500 to 12,500 feet. Philmont recommends that participants carry a pack weighing no more than 25% to 30% of their body weight.

Height (inches)

Max. Weight

Height (Inches)

Max. Weight

60

166

70

226

61

172

71

233

62

178

72

239

63

183

73

246

64

189

74

252

65

195

75

260

66

201

76

267

67

207

77

274

68

214

78

281

69

220

79 and over

295

 

Participants 21 years and older who exceed the maximum acceptable weight limit for their height at the Philmont medical recheck will not be permitted to backpack or hike at Philmont. For example, a person 5′ 10″ cannot weigh more than 226 pounds.

The Philmont physicians will use their best professional judgment in determining participation in a Philmont trek by individuals under 21 years of age who exceed the maximum acceptable weight for their height. Participants under 21 years of age are strongly encouraged to meet the weight limit for their height, and exceptions are not made automatically, and the maximum allowable exception will be 20 pounds. Discussion in advance with Philmont regarding any exception to the weight limit for persons under 21 years of age is required, whether it is over or under.

Under no circumstances will any individual over 295 pounds be allowed to participate regardless of height or age. This limit is necessary due to limitations of rescue equipment and for the safety of Philmont personnel.

Individuals not meeting the physical requirements for participation will not be allowed to participate and will be sent home. This can put a crew’s participation at risk if the crew does not meet requirements for participation if the individual(s) removed were part of the required leadership or medical coverage. Please plan accordingly and understand that exceptions to Philmont’s physical requirements will not be made.

BSA National High Adventure Bases

Philmont Scout Ranch located in Cimarron New Mexico

Florida Sea Base located in Islamorada in the Florida Keys

Northern Tier located in Ely Minnesota

Summit Bechtel Reserve located in Glen Jean West Virginia