In 2016, my brother started his 716X trek with my dad and their crew of five. After several days on trail, carrying the extra weight of a fellow Scout’s pack, his shoes began to give out, causing blisters he could not ignore. After telling a staff camp, the Tooth of Time Traders was notified; the next day, three pairs of boots intersected him on the trail. He was able to choose the one that fit best and wear them for the remainder of the trek. Without it, he could easily have been pulled off the trail; however, he was able to see through his 12-day trek.

Things happen on the trail. Items are lost, gear is damaged, and quick replacements are needed. Most commonly, they deal with rain gear, boots, and stoves; they also provide small splints and common trail items. Without the efforts of the TOTT, some Scouts would not be able to complete their trek, as they would need adequate shoes, fixed tents, and other essentials. Originally, the Tooth of Time Traders was nothing more than a small storefront.

“It started really minor,” said Ashley Olson, full-time system manager of the store, e-commerce manager, and overseer of the satellite operations in the backcountry. “It was more of what you would see when you go into a Scout shop… Patches and Knives.”

“Shelley fought for the very first full-time position,” said Olson. “And then it started to grow.”

Now it is a fully stocked outfitters, able to supply Scouts with gear in the backcountry as well as all over the U.S. Since newly digitized and operating online, the mobile program “has freed up 80% of the busy work that used to be with this position, which allows us to actually support the stores so much more,” said Backcountry Operations Coordinator Ethan Crook.

The process to get crew gear on trek is now simple and efficient. The participant first contacts the nearest staff camp. Then, the back of house receives a radio call, giving the trek number, the Scout in need, and the item in question. From there, the warehouse directs the campers either to the closest trading post with available supplies or places an order to be shipped to the backcountry.

With logistics information, the Admin Gateway provides the TOTT with access to the crew’s itinerary, ensuring the Backcountry warehouse can deliver the package efficiently. After the order is processed, they print a label with all the info: the Scout’s name, expedition number, places staying, and item. Making it easy for the Backcountry Warehouse to ship it on time. They put the item in a poly bag, put the label on it, and ship it out on the soonest available transport. 

“Basically, an IOU, that’s what the trail charges stand for,” said Olson. The Scout gets a slip in the bag with the trail charge, and an email is sent to Philmontscoutranchtrailcharge@scouting.org, which goes in their checkout package at the end of their trek.

They can rent usually $300 Lowa boots for $50 for the rest of their trek, and when they get back, they can use that $50 as credit to purchase a new set of boots if they like them.

Over the last several years, Director of Business Operations Shelley O’Neill, with a vision to secure gear outreach from trusted brands, helped develop and sustain a program suited to Philmont’s equipment needs. 

“She worked a lot in the earlier years with outdoor gear brands,” said Olson. Helping staff become “gear experts at the TOTT, not just selling the gear, but really knowing”

Vendors such as Cascade, which oversees Thermarest, MSR, and PackTowl, come during the beginning-of-season training to teach staff about the equipment. Representatives from Osprey even come to teach pack fitting.

“It’s really cool to get [staff] comfortable, at least to a point where they can help a customer,” said Olson. Not just showing customers to products but advising them on the best option. 

With around fifty people hired seasonally, Traders’ staff are dispersed between the different cantinas, trading posts, and the main store on base. “You’re going into the backcountry, but not alone. We are there to help out, but it’s not making it any less difficult. It’s still a rewarding process; we’re just helping out along the way so that everyone has the ability… to be able to experience Philmont,” said Crook.

Ultimately, the goal of the TOTT is to provide participants with the best possible experience at Philmont. Sometimes that means a small push from new gear that helps them stay on trail, a souvenir to remember their trek, or even a cold root beer in the backcountry when they don’t think they can make it any further in the heat. Whatever it may be, the TOTT works hard to ensure the participants are equipped and ready to take on Philmont!