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Ditty Bag

This small, lightweight bag will hold your personal hygiene items and any other small, smellable items that could attract bears. It’s essentially your personal organization system for keeping your gear safe, secure, and compliant with Philmont’s bear safety protocols.

What Goes in Your Ditty Bag?

Your ditty bag is primarily for personal hygiene products and other smellable items. This includes essential items such as:

Toothbrush and Toothpaste: A compact toothbrush and a small tube of unscented toothpaste are recommended.
Soap: Biodegradable soap for cleaning your hands, face, or gear.
Lip Balm: If you bring lip balm, make sure it’s unscented or lightly scented to reduce the chances of attracting wildlife.
Medication: Any personal medication should also be stored in your ditty bag, as it can have scents that might attract animals.
Other Smellables: Any other personal items with a scent, such as hand sanitizer, sunscreen, or bug spray, should also go in your ditty bag.

Why is the Ditty Bag Important?

The primary reason for keeping your personal items in a ditty bag is to ensure that anything with a scent is properly managed to minimize the risk of attracting bears or other wildlife to your campsite. At Philmont, bear safety is a top priority, and all smellable items must be stored in your crew’s bear bags each night and hoisted safely out of reach of wildlife.

Keeping your personal hygiene items in a single bag not only makes it easier to manage your smellables but also ensures you don’t accidentally leave any items out at night, which could compromise the safety of your crew.

Choosing the Right Ditty Bag

Your ditty bag should be:

Lightweight: A simple, lightweight bag is sufficient since it won’t need to carry heavy items.
Durable: Look for a bag made of tough, rip-resistant material to withstand the rigors of the trail.
Compact: It should be small enough to fit easily in your pack but large enough to hold all your smellable items.

Tips for Managing Your Ditty Bag

Keep it Organized: Knowing exactly where your toothbrush, soap, or medication is saves time and effort, especially during the nightly bear bag routine.
Check it Daily: Before hoisting the bear bags each night, double-check your pack, pockets, and tent to ensure all smellables are in your ditty bag.
Use Resealable Bags: Inside your ditty bag, consider storing items like toothpaste or soap in resealable plastic bags to prevent leaks and further contain scents.
Hang it Every Night: Make sure your ditty bag, along with the rest of your crew’s bear bags, is properly hoisted and stored in accordance with Philmont’s guidelines.

Final Thoughts

Your ditty bag is more than just a convenient storage solution—it’s a critical part of staying safe and organized on the trail. By keeping all your smellable items in one place, you’ll reduce the risk of attracting wildlife to your campsite and make your nightly bear bag routine more efficient. Choose a durable, lightweight bag and take the time to pack it carefully. With your ditty bag in hand, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the challenges of Philmont and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.

Gear Category: PersonalRecommended Quantity: 1

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