Traditionally, Scouts have not given a lot of thought to what they carry on their backs when backpacking. Weights of 40 - 50 pounds were (and still are) common on the trails at Philmont. This was accepted as necessary, in keeping with the Scout motto of "Be Prepared"; one must carry gear for any possible occurrence. The sad truth is that this approach makes backpacking a real nightmare and discourages many from ever hiking again, after lugging a Volkswagen around for a week. The great news is that you can carry all that you need to be safe and comfortable and keep your packweight low.This is particularly important for younger, growing Scouts. Heavy packs can cause injury, promote blisters, and generally make you miserable. A light pack can make hiking a joy, leaving one with plenty of energy for the days activities. A general recommendation is that the total packweight not exceed 25% to 30% of a Scouts body weight. For a 90 pound boy, this means a maximum of 27 pounds, total pack weight. It is my goal to see that we do not exceed the maximum weight goal for each Scout on the expedition.

How can we get a handle on pack weight? First, we can weigh every piece of gear we use. This allows us to add the criteria of weight to the process of deciding what to carry. If a piece of gear is heavy for its utility, we may have to look for a lighter substitute or leave it at home. Second, we can buy the lightest piece of gear that works in the application we need. Why buy a 4 pound sleeping bag when a 2 pound bag will do just as well (but probably at a higher cost). Applied to every piece of gear we carry, substantial weight savings will ensue. This is particularly important with the "Big Three"; sleeping bag, pack, and tent. Our goal is to have the big three weigh 6 pounds or less total.Finally, we need to think multi-use when we analyze our gear. A bandana is a multi-use item. It can be a sweat cloth, a towel, a strainer, a sun hat, a bandaged, etc. In thinking multi -use we should also think in terms of systems of gear. A 30 degree rated sleeping bag can be used in colder conditions by using a good pad and by wearing our clothing in the bag to extend the temperature rating. Convertible pants with mesh liners act as shorts, pants and underwear- in one piece of gear. This thinking should inform all our gear purchases.