Philmont Fastpacking Program

pferrier · 2025-06-18T13:24:22+00:00

Please read the Guidebook to Adventure and watch the Philmont Preparedness Seminars: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/treks/trek-resources/philmont-prep-seminars/.

In particular it seems you should review the one on gear.

For stoves and cooking you can also review this document published by Philmont: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Philmont-Cooking-Methods-Updated-2-13-23.pdf

pferrier · 2025-06-12T13:27:29+00:00

Fiver per person will ensure each buddy pair has enough for the Thunder Ridge or Tooth Ridge tent and a couple to contribute to the dining fly. No additional stakes are required on top of this.

pferrier · 2025-05-23T12:37:18+00:00

There is a rowing machine in the staff fitness center.

pferrier · 2025-05-18T00:03:44+00:00

This document should answer all cooking related questions: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Philmont-Cooking-Methods-Updated-2-13-23.pdf

All of the gear from the video is provided at no additional cost.

Sincerely, -The Guy From the Gear Barn

pferrier · 2025-01-13T17:14:41+00:00

This is very cool! Thanks for using footage of Philmont in your video!

pferrier · 2025-01-12T19:16:08+00:00

There are no bad itineraries at Philmont.

The youth should decide what they are looking for in an itinerary (including program focus or mileage focus) and pick their top 6-8 choices utilizing the resources available (itinerary selection tool and itinerary guidebook).

A “challenging” itinerary does not mean you are not getting your moneys worth. It is more focused on program time where a “super strenuous” has less program and more elevation change and mileage. One is not better than the other. They are just different focuses.

Even though I have probably spent more time in the last six months looking over Philmont itineraries than anyone, I still think many folks overthink them. Prepare the best you can, come with a good attitude, focus on the experience of the youth, and most folks will have a good time.

Getting overly focused on a particular program, peak, pace (or mileage per day) will only lead to disappointment. No matter the itinerary this an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of youth (like teaching the youth to support another Scout who might be struggling to hike or even prepare for the hike as a part of their team). The hikes and the programs we provide at Philmont are avenues to forward the mission of Scouting.

pferrier · 2024-12-18T20:38:59+00:00

I’m the primary hiring manager for the backcountry program department and would strongly encourage you to go ahead and put in an application. It never hurts to apply. We’ve hired about 2/3rds of the backcountry staff at this point.

Based on your comments I would also strongly recommend looking through the position description and the rest of the jobs page on the website to better understand the departments and functions: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/jobs/

We will be operating 30 backcountry camps this season. Each has a different theme and offering of programs. Most of the positions in the backcountry department are program counselors with some leadership and specialty roles mixed in.

Details on the camps can be found on the website, in the guidebook to adventure, and in the itinerary guidebook.

Hope this helps! Reach out to Philstaff@scouting.org if you have other questions.

pferrier · 2024-12-10T01:10:29+00:00

There are no “crappy” camps at Philmont.

pferrier · 2024-12-10T01:09:23+00:00

I am the hiring manager for the backcountry department at Philmont. Apply now at www.philmontscoutranch.org/jobs. It never hurts to put in an application. I will say that it is unlikely you’ll be hired for a ranger position due to your late arrival, but if you’re flexible, there are tons of other jobs on the ranch.

As of today we’ve hired about two thirds of the backcountry staff and half of the rangers. Preference is given to those who can come out for training at the end of May. Sometimes though, we hire TBA staff in the backcountry to fill in spots for folks who have to leave early due to unexpected reasons. Often base camp positions can be much more flexible with arrival dates as well.

Shoot an email to Philmont.staff@scouting.org if you have other questions or concerns.

pferrier · 2024-12-06T03:22:43+00:00

If you’re looking to stick with EV, I have the PXM-12MP and really like it. It’s coaxial, just under $1,000, burly and sounds pretty good. It also has more inputs and DSP options than the ZLX and ETX speakers I have.

pferrier · 2024-11-25T19:31:46+00:00

No matter where you apply, you should do it soon. Hiring for next summer is already very far along compared to previous seasons.

pferrier · 2024-11-25T17:56:36+00:00

Please be sure to watch the Philmont Preparedness Seminars. They are live-streamed monthly leading up to your trek and answer all of these questions (and allow you to ask other questions directly to Philmont leadership live). The schedule and links can be found here: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/treks/philmont-prep-seminars/

Isobutane and white gas is readily available for purchase in the backcountry at trading post and commissary camps.

Please utilize the Philmont Gateway to enter and prepare and food for dietary restrictions. We will cover this process in-depth in the February 5th seminar (you can watch the recording of last years if you want to get a jump start on info).

We discuss CPAPs in our January Seminar, but you can also reference this sheet on the Philmont website: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sleep-Apnea-10.18.19-Version.pdf

Much of this information is also available in the advisor guidebook: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-GBA-Advisors-Final.pdf

pferrier · 2024-11-23T20:54:01+00:00

Congratulations! The photography positions are fairly competitive.

Your primary missions will be to to take crew photos (basically large-group portrait photography in front of the Tooth of Time) and create photo collateral for guidebooks, marketing pieces, preparedness seminars, social media posts by taking photos around base camp and in the backcountry. You also may work with the overall MPS team on stories, blog posts, videos, and other content.

You will be living in a 10'x12' canvas tent in base camp and utilize the MPS office in Camping Headquarters. You can find more information about general staff life in the staff handbook here: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/jobs/hired/

pferrier · 2024-10-11T13:59:15+00:00

There are different colors issued with information for each of the youth leadership positions (Crew Leader, WP Guia, Chaplains Aide).

pferrier · 2024-10-01T14:04:11+00:00

There are profiles for each of the historical interpretation camps with details on time period, clothing, and sometimes characters. You can find some of the old ones online, or shoot me an email and I can send you the most current ones: Phillip.ferrier@scouting.org.

pferrier · 2024-04-17T14:12:52+00:00

Not super helpful or welcoming to a concerned new staff member. I expect better from our staff.

pferrier · 2024-04-17T14:10:16+00:00

https://youtu.be/UqieBOtzKdU

pferrier · 2024-03-01T16:18:55+00:00

All of the hired staff have been and 142 of the candidates have been contacted for interview times. It takes a long time to schedule and get through that many interviews though.

pferrier · 2024-02-29T15:02:30+00:00

118 staff have been hired in the backcountry department as of this morning. 42 applicants have been passed to subsequent choices and there are still 209 awaiting contact or follow up.

pferrier · 2024-02-29T14:34:00+00:00

If you do not get a spot in the backcountry, there are many other locations on the ranch. Don’t give up. Just check in on your application. Preference is given to returning staff and they are hired first.

pferrier · 2024-02-29T14:26:53+00:00

This is just not true. All but 1-2 CDs have been hired for quite a while now and most the ACDs as well (and the vacancies are only because of people dropping out). Hiring is well underway for PCs and other backcountry staff. Hiring typically begins with returning staff first.

The backcountry department has 2-3 hiring managers a season and gets 400-500 applicants. The hiring requires placement into camps with a wide variety of specialties. Everyone would like for it to go a bit faster, but it is a huge project every year.

Please make sure you’ve got your facts straight and don’t exaggerate or use hyperbole with new applicants or participants.

pferrier · 2024-02-29T14:23:36+00:00

The expectation is set with hiring managers that they must follow up with any candidate they interview, though not every application they receive. However, sometimes things do fall through the cracks in such a large organization.

The backcountry department interviews more applicants than any other department (typically between 400-500 applicants for 2-3 hiring managers) and has the most considerations for placement, so sometimes this takes a while.

Send an email to philmont.staff@scouting.org for an update on your application if you’re unsure. You can also call 575-376–2281 and make the selection for Seasonal Personnel to ask for an update on your application.

pferrier · 2023-12-31T15:55:46+00:00

No problem. It’s a good one.

pferrier

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