Help with Philmont tent and backpack decision.?

I wіll bе going tο Philmont next summer аnd i wаѕ wondering іf i сουld take thе Ascend™ Hiker 1 1-Person Bivy Tent. And whаt wουld bе thе best pack tο take.

Thanks fοr уουr hеlр.
Wουld thе Osprey Kestrel 48 bе a gοοd pack fοr Philmont?

Tags: Backpack, decision, Help, Philmont, Tent

3 Responses to “Help with Philmont tent and backpack decision.?”

1. Scott says:

   March 24, 2011 at 7:09 pm

   Check with your leaders, but normally tou do not need to take a tent to Philmont in the regular summer season, tents are provided free of charge, but they do recommend each Scout have 8-10 metal tent stakes. As I am sure you are aware, Scouts use the “Buddy System” so you will not have the opportunity to camp off by yourself.

   The pack looks OK in quality. Like boots, a backpack should be tried on and fitted to your particular body by a person who knows what they are doing.

   Your local Scout-Shop has a similar pack but be careful, some of the older ones used off-brand plastic buckles and zippers. This has been corrected, look for YKK zippers and “Fastex” plastic clips and buckles. The inferior packs were about $80, the good ones are a little over $100.

   The other concern I have with the scout shop is they do not always have someone who knows how to assemble and fit the packs correctly.

   Edit: I usually let most of Chris’ comments slide, but how many times have you ever heard of a scout returning from Philmont and complaining about the poor equipment! Come on, this is literally the BSA’s flagship camp. I can say with confidence that if they provide something, it will be more than functional.
2. MountainMan says:

   March 24, 2011 at 8:09 pm

   I have used the Osprey Kestrel 48, $160, for about a decade and dozens of wilderness overnight trips. It has a single large storage compartment, which I find a little awkward for finding separate items. Primarily, I use the large compartment for layers of clothing and tent storage. However, I utilize all of the additional pockets and attach my sleeping pad and sleeping bag to the exterior with caribiners, straps, and bungie cords [using electrical tape to attach caribiners to the end of the cords to avoid losing the cords]. I attach my day pack to the top of the pack for storage of my GPS, journal, water filter, bottle, food, and essential emergency gear, so it is already organized and not forgotten on day hikes.

   I cannot understand your selection of tent, since my tent is a three-person for about the same weight and much more storage space and head room for days of nasty weather when you may be stuck inside for hours. If there was a substantial weight advantage to a one-person bivy, I would understand your selection. My Hubba-Hubba by MSR, $230, is lightweight and very fast for set-up, which is especially advantageous for wildland firefighting and pleasant for establishing camp at night after a long hike in the wilderness.
3. chris w says:

   March 24, 2011 at 8:29 pm

   I don’t trust the tents you may get “issued” by Philmont staff you have no idea how the previous user took care of it so it is best to bring your own. They do require a buddy system not necessarily a tent buddy though you will camp in pairs at least.

   Your choice of tent, the Ascend™ Hiker 1 1-Person Bivy Tenthttp://www. basspro. com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_104394_325001000_325000000_325001000_325-1-0
   is not a free standing tent, although light weight and of low to fair quality, these tents that require staking do not perform as well as free standing models do. Nor do they give you space to move around in bad weather. You get what you pay for, up your price range and go with at least a 2 man model and share the weight with your buddy. I recommend the REI Quarter dome
   http://www. rei. com/product/761893

   Your pack choice of the Osprey Kestrel 48 is ok
   http://www. rei. com/search?query=Osprey+Kestrel+48+&button. x=90&button. y=14

   However when the weather is hot these internal frame packs make you sweat like a pig and Philmont gets toasty hot. The other problem with your choice is limited space 4800ci may not be enough. So Then the better choice would be an external frame pack like the Kelty with 6500ci of space and plenty of outside storage options.
   http://www. kelty. com/p-430-trekker-65. aspx

   There are arguments for and against these pack and tent choices what you can do is rent them try them out on an overnight-er and see for your self if you like the set up. Good Hiking!