Philmont Shipping – what needs to be shipped?

[KEVIN W]

We are flying to Denver and driving down.  We are planning to take Optimus Vega canister stoves (we can be talked into another type but after research here and other places seems like these will work fine for us).

I have seen people say they ship out stoves and gas canisters, but why?  If flying, why not take your stoves on the plane (checked bag, pack it up) and when you get there buy gas canisters or fill them up if white gas?

Anything else people typically mail vs bring directly?

[Bob Shuff]

Here’s a good, fairly recent, summary of the challenges of flying with stoves:

https://thesummitregister.com/flying-with-a-camping-stove/

It sounds like your plan would work if you prepare well.  Nothing against TSA folks, but they’re not always consistent.  If you’re checked bag got picked for a wipe test, some may confiscate it.  Maybe it’s ironic to trust the USPS instead.  I wouldn’t want to buy new stoves and then have to buy new replacements on arrival.

Interested to hear other’s experience.

[KEVIN W]

interesting – should be ok, but at the discretion of TSA if they decide it is an issue.

Any reason not to buy fuel canisters at Philmont when we get there vs. shipping them as well?  I read we may even be able to pick up full/partials at the Advisor lounge (would not count on this, but can still check when we get there).  I have a Jetboil Jetguage we can use to get an idea how much fuel is left in the a canister.

[Phillip M]

An extra bit of insurance on stove parts and fuel tanks getting checked. Once disassembled and aired out a thin coating of Pinesol or short spray with pine scented air freshener.  If examined by TSA it will not have the fuel smell that could trigger a further look.

[Aubrey W. Bogard]

I think buying fuel canisters at the Philmont Tooth of Time Traders is the best plan if you are flying.  It wouldn’t hurt to call a few days prior to departure to confirm, but the store is very well stocked in my limited experience.

[Jason T]

Same, we bought them on site.  Also crews turn in unused / partially  canisters at the fuel depot. Does not hurt to check there before purchasing new ones.

Also, there is one or two places in the backcountry where you can purchase tanks.
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[David Y]

Philmont recommends you ship your stoves and fuel bottle/canisters by USPS, UPS or whatever because the airlines do not want them on their planes for obvious reasons. Don’t start your adventure by breaking the rules before you leave, that’s a bad start and a slippery slope.

I recommend MSR Dragonfly white gas stoves (with one matching for backup).  You will be boiling 2 to 3 quarts of water in an 8-quart pot for supper every evening.  The Dragonfly easily supports a half full 8-quart pot.

We carry three 11 ounce MSR fuel bottles with the stove’s pump installed and never remove it unless swapping or refilling bottles. They will last more than half the trek.

[Bruce Tolley]

+ 1 to what David Y recommends about shipping stoves. We shipped ours USPS and it worked fine.  If you really want to buy your stove new at Philmont, the prices and models are all on the Tooth of Time Traders website. http://www.toothoftimetraders.com

Cheers

 

[David Y]

Haven’t you been training on local shakedown trips with your stoves and gear? Wouldn’t you want to use the same stoves and gear at Philmont? Ship those and if by some extremely rare event they don’t show up then buy new ones at Philmont.

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