Philmont Backpacking Shelter

NOTE:  This page is primarily intended for scouts going on high adventure campouts like Philmont.   These tips also can apply for a backpacking tent for troop backpacking campouts but a speciality tent is not required.

Philmont Tips

Philmont requires closed-walled tents.  No hammocks, no tarps, no cowboy-camping.

Mountain Safety Research (MSR) has developed a tent specifically to be used at Philmont.  The Thunder Ridge tent is a 2-person tent available to crews to use free of charge.  Tent dimensions are 88 x 54 and it weighs in at 5 lbs. 13 ounces.  If you decide to use this tent you will be required to supply a ground cloth.  Lightweight Tyvek is a great option for this.  The weight will be split between the two scouts sharing the tent, so 3 pounds each.  This is your most budget friendly option.

Here are some reviews that I tend to pay attention to:

• https://www.adventurealan.com/best-tents-backpacking/

• https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-backpacking-tent

• https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-tents-backpacking

I am not going to have quite as much to say about shelters.  Look through the links above for in depth discussions on the types of shelters used while backpacking along with the detailed advantages and disadvantages of each.

Here is a pretty good video on how to choose a backpacking tent: https://youtu.be/EhxQhLghMeQ

Remember that we are shooting for lightweight options.  Budget, weight and functionality are all considerations.  Generally speaking, the lighter the weight the higher the cost.  Lighter weight does not necessarily mean the tent will be less durable.

Lightweight Backpacking Tents

This is the type of tent most are familiar with.  You will have an inner tent body that gets you off the bare ground and keeps the bugs out of your sleeping space.  An outer rainfly will cover the tent body and keep you dry in combination with the tent body’s waterproof floor when it rains.

Some things to consider

• A door that each occupant can access without climbing over someone else.  This means either a central door or a door for each person.

• A full coverage rainfly.  I don’t normally hear good things when part of the tent body (other than the floor) needs to be waterproof.

Single Wall Tents

Single wall tents do not separate the tent body from the rain fly, they are integrated into a single unit.  The main advantage is a lighter weight tent.  The disadvantage can be condensation.  If not designed well that condensation can make it to the occupants of the tent getting them and their gear wet/damp.