Philmont Scout Ranch welcomes ALPS Mountaineering as sponsor for Wilderness Guía Program

Philmont Scout Ranch is partnering with ALPS Mountaineering to support the Wilderness Guía Program, an outdoor experience for Philmont participants that involves conservation and sustainability efforts and a pledge to be conservation-minded in all things you do while on the property.

Guía is Spanish for guide. The use of the Spanish version of the word is a nod to Philmont’s history. Waite and Genevieve Phillips, who began their purchase of the property in 1922, named their new land the Philmont Ranch – “Phil” for Phillips and “mont” for monte, the Spanish word for mountain.

Under the guidance of a Wilderness Pledge Guía, Philmont trek participants may work to fulfill the requirements of the Wilderness Pledge Achievement Award.

What is the Philmont Wilderness Pledge?

For more than 30 years, Philmont has been asking each participant to sign the Philmont Wilderness Pledge, which declares that they will do everything possible to preserve the beauty and wonder of the Philmont wilderness and neighboring properties by practicing the proper Scout camping processes.

The Philmont Wilderness Pledge is:

Through good Scout camping, I pledge to preserve the beauty and splendor of the Philmont Wilderness. I commit myself to:

1. An absence of litter and graffiti.
2. Respect for Philmont’s wildlife.
3. Conservation and proper use of water.
4. Respect for trails and trail signs.

The major points of emphasis in the Philmont Wilderness Pledge are:

1. Litter/Graffiti. Each camper should make sure that all trails, campsites and facilities are left neat and clean.
2. Respect wild (and domestic) animals. Do not feed or harass any wild animals.
3. Remember, you are in a land where water is scarce and very precious. You should never bathe or do laundry or dishes in or near a spring or stream. Do not throw rocks in springs or touch any solar systems. They are easily damaged, and the flow of water can be disrupted.
4. Pledge yourself to respect all trails. Do not cut or mark green boughs or trees. Do not cut across switchbacks, and do not alter trail signs.
5. Each crew is responsible for leaving a neat and orderly campsite. Whether it be in camping headquarters, staffed camps or non-staffed camps, your campsite should be left litter-free with its latrine and sump clean. Fires (if permitted) must be left dead out.

“Philmont typically serves 18,000 youth and adult participants each year,” according to a Philmont news release. “Consequently, some trails and camps, especially around commissaries, are subject to heavy use. It is our sincere hope that through the commitment of every participant to the Philmont Wilderness Pledge, Philmont will always remain a beautiful and clean place to enjoy high adventure.”

Who is ALPS Mountaineering?

ALPS Mountaineering is a family-owned business that for more than 30 years has specialized in creating and selling high-quality, affordable outdoors gear. Founded by gear designer Dennis Brune, the company has become a leader in both innovation and customer satisfaction.

Brune and his wife, LaRayne, have long had the goal of creating high-quality performance gear priced within the range of the everyday outdoors enthusiast. The Brunes raised their children to have a healthy knowledge, love and respect for the outdoors. It’s no surprise, then, that all three of their kids – Brian, Adam and Sarah — have roles in their parents’ company.

The Brunes’ love for the outdoors, along with their desire to make outdoor adventures more accessible to everyone, makes ALPS Mountaineering the perfect partner for the Wilderness Guía Program.

What are the requirements of the Wilderness Pledge Achievement Award?

Over the years, the encouragement of sound wilderness ethics has, thankfully, evolved.  Most significantly has been the endorsement and incorporation of the principles of Leave No Trace into the Scouting program.

Leave No Trace is a cooperative educational program that helps foster stewardship of public and private lands through education and training.

To place added emphasis on the practice of wilderness ethics, Philmont Scout Ranch is incorporating the traditional training of the Philmont Wilderness Pledge and the Leave No Trace principles for all crews that will utilize the backcountry.

The requirements for the Wilderness Pledge Achievement Award are:

1. Take part in ranger-led training for the Philmont Wilderness Pledge and Leave No Trace.
2. Follow all Philmont camping practices as outlined by your ranger throughout your trek.
3. Practice all Philmont bear and wildlife procedures throughout your trek.
4. Take part in seven trail discussions with your crew that will focus on each of the seven principles of Leave No Trace and find examples of the focus principle during that day of the trek.
5. Complete three hours of conservation work under the direction of a member of the Philmont Conservation Staff. (Three hours of conservation work is also a requirement for the Philmont Arrowhead Patch. Conservation work is built into every itinerary, and hours count towards both awards.)

Any participant in a Philmont backcountry trek can earn the award. Once the requirements have been met, the Wilderness Pledge Achievement Award patch may be purchased in person at the Tooth of Time Traders. All program proceeds are directed to conservation and sustainability initiatives at the ranch, including those that benefit forest health.