Silver On the Sage

Today I share an interview with Grace Wall, also known as Nollie. Nollie is a current Philmont staffer and a long time scouter. This interview embodies those moments when you meet a fellow alumni and feel instantly at ease and eager to chat about all things Philmont. Philmont Experience:2019 - 12-day trek participant2021 - PC Rich Cabins 2022 - PC Crater Lake 2023 - PC Cypher's Mine2024 - CD Rich Cabins Notable Mentions:Cormac Jack SiebertSupport the Show.

Today's guest will soon begin his 27th summer on seasonal staff at Philmont Scout Ranch. He's hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail, and summited over 40 state highpoints and 40 Colorado fourteeners. But you may know him best from his published book - The Philmanac, and his famous Philmont cookies and desserts. Philmont Experience:1978 - Trek Participant 1982 - Ranger1983 - Seasonal Registrar1985 - Welcome Center Manager1986 - Trek Advisor 1987 CD -Phillips Junct...

Kicking off Season 8 with the current Director of Camping, Unit 2 - Matt Hart. Matt shares an enthusiastic commitment to Philmont’s exemplary levels of service and professionalism, from the first bus of the season to the last - and beyond. We discuss everything from recruitment, participant numbers, and BSA policy updates to Philmont capital projects, pilot programs, NM sunsets and more. Support the podcast!Monthly contributions via Patreon One time donation via Venmo : Caitl...

Donna kicks it off reminiscing back to 1986 when she gathered with friends to celebrate New Years at the ranch. From her experiences as a rent-a-ranger and mountain trek mom to encounters with wildlife and full moon pranks, Donna embodies that special connection we all feel while sitting around a fire, gathering and reconnecting with Philmont friends. Girls and Women, Equity and Inclusion (GWEI) Philmont Experience:1978 - Trek participant1980 - Camping dining hall staff1981 ...

Today I chat with the creator of the Instagram account "Cons Meme Cache." Some of you may follow this social media account - where common Philmont staff experiences are presented with humor and jest. The content creator wished to remain anonymous - but he shares the history and making of the account, as well as his experiences on staff and more. Philmont Experience:2017 - Trek Participant2019 - Trek Participant2021 - Conservation Work CrewSupport the Show.

Bob and I chat about recording Tobasco Donkeys album “Sawin On The Strings,” black mountain bog wars, PSA cavalcade, New Years at the Ranch, and more. A big thanks to Jeremy Spivey, Bob, his wife Val, and their daughter Mattie, for hosting a mini Philmont reunion and of course the chance to sing some tunes together. Bob is a bass player for the Blood Brothers - check out their music! Philmont Experience:1988 - Trek participant1990 - Trek participant1991 - Trail Crew Trek 1992 - Trail Cr...

Conservation veteran, Crockett joins the show to share his experience and expertise in trail and campsite infrastructure, installation, and sustainability at Philmont Scout Ranch. Philmont Experience:Summer '12 - SustainabilitySummer '13 - Environmental Educator, TCT & ROCS Summer '14 - Conservation Site Foreman - Whiteman VegaSummer '15 - Conservation Field CoordinatorFall '15 - Trail Survey Team w/ Jordan MoedeMay '16 - Nov '17 - Conservation Field Manager Winter '18 - Conservatio...

Between sips of coffee and contemplative grins - Ben and Marilyn Vargas share stories of love, dedication, and incredible hard work during their time living at Philmont Scout Ranch. As second parents to many seasonal wranglers, Ben and Marilyn are humble celebrities among the Ranch Department, and I want to thank them for inviting me into their home and sharing just a small portion of the immeasurable impact they’ve had on so many lives. I’d like to note that this episode was generously...

Today we celebrate not only amazing Philmont friendships, but also the relationships that summit the highest peak of life - that of love and commitment. Mike and Katie Nyhart share their story, which began in 2015 on the Baldy Town porch. Their wedding day was truly a work of art - surrounded by over 30 Philmont friends, and etched into every intentional detail - memories from those special hills. Lastly, the couple share tips on how to maintain Philmont relationships across space and time.Ph...

Father-daughter duo, discusses the generational similarities and differences of working as Wranglers in the Philmont Ranch Department. Chris began on seasonal staff in 1990, and Anna in 2023. They express gratitude to the Ranch Department for its close-knit culture and dedicated work ethic – which prepared them for future careers and successful relationships.Celebrate and support Silver On the Sage Podcast by contributing via a monthly contribution through Patreon or a one time don...

Current General Manager of Philmont Scout Ranch, Roger Hoyt, joins the show. We discuss everything from operational aspects of the ranch to strategic goals for the Ute Park burn scar and the 2024 summer season. Throughout his tenure, Roger has seen the ranch overcome several challenges. He shares his gratitude to both full-time and seasonal staff, for their commitment and dedication to the mission of Scouting.Notable ArticleBSA CEO Roger Krone - Fortune article Scouting Care...

Dinner is over and we help clean dishes as the evening itinerary read out begins. A thunderstorm rolls, lanterns are lit, and the staff take pause to enjoy the satisfaction of a day’s work done. We make the brief trek up the hill to Charlie’s Cabin where Stomp is about to begin. The show kicks off with a resounding chorus and the energy of a talented performance. All staff members - past and present join together on stage to close with the Philmont Hymn. Support the Show.

Follow along as we hike from Hunting Lodge to Cypher’s mine by way of the Middle Fork Trail. Our crew of three - Cormac, Dave, and I - banter as we pause along the stream, discussing Philmont past, present, and future. Arriving at Cypher’s main cabin, we’re welcomed by the bustling energy of crews, porch talks, and the staff prepping for dinner. We jump at the chance to go on a tour of the Contention mine and catch a moment at the forge. The episode closes as I slip away to sit ne...

Wrapping up our Advisors of Philmont mini-series with Barry Bray. Barry has been on numerous treks, and has participated in PTC programs. Today he focuses the conversation on the three Cavalcades he’s been an Advisor for. Philmont Experience:1972 - Trek1991 - Trek2008 - Trek2012 - Trek2014 - Cavalcade2016 - Trek and Autumn Adventure2017 - Cavalcade and PTC2018 - PTC and QAC Retreat2021 - Cavalcade2022 - PTC2023 - Faculty PTC2024 - Faculty PTCNotable Mentions:Rod TaylorJessica Seif...

Emily Smith joins the show as part of our Advisors of Philmont mini-series. She shares her unique perspective of being an Advisor on two treks in the summer of 2023 - first with her home troop and second with a troop she’d never met. She also discusses the challenging transition going from a youth participant with her peers to an adult advisor. Emily credits her Scouting leadership experiences to pushing her out of her comfort zone, challenging her to be the person she’s grown int...

I’ve known of Ellie Nickens Turner for quite some time - she’s friends with my friends, she's a Tobasco Donkeys member, and in the evenings, her fiddle and vocals fill my kitchen as I sweep. I was able to spend quality time with her in 2023 at Philmont, and felt that instant, familiar connection as a fellow staffer, mom, and adventure seeker.Philmont Experience:2003 - Mountain Trek participant2004 - Mountain Trek participant2005 - Rayado participant2006 - Ranger / Tobasco Donkeys2007 - Ponil2...

Today we continue our Advisors of Philmont mini-series with Steve Chase. To prepare for his role as a first time lead Advisor, Steve participated in the Philmont Advisor Skills School also known as the PASS program. Steve shares his insights including the importance of nominating a crew leader prior to arriving at Philmont, preparing the crew for potential disappointments consequential to inclement weather or injuries on the trail, and the pros and cons of the Father/Son dynamic w...

Kicking off our next mini-series: Advisors of Philmont Scout Ranch. Chris Ford has been continuously registered with BSA since 1962 when he joined cub scouts. In 1973 he was offered a late contract to be a Ranger, but had to decline. Since then he’s been on 9 treks, 7 of which have been co-ed. He estimates that he's hiked over 700 miles at Philmont. Representing Venturing, he shares his experiences as an Advisor. Philmont Experience: 1971 - Trek participant...

For today’s guest, Pete Scifres, immersing himself in the wonderous and simple rhythms of nature while on staff at Philmont Scout Ranch, freed him from the ramifications of years as a combat engineer in the US army. Pete discusses the challenges of going from military style leadership to Philmont leadership, the fulfilling opportunity to work on the heavy equipment crew after the Ute Park fire in 2018, and his affinity for the Cimarron 4th of July rodeo. Today Pete works as a profession...

I was inspired by today’s guests, Liz and Bob Bush, in their accomplishment of operating and owning a business that they refer to as “they’re own backcountry camp.” At Buckley’s Mountainside Canoes, you’ll find Liz the logistics coordinator and Bob the Porch Director, there to ensure all enjoy the Chippawa River in Isabella county, Michigan.Philmont Experience:Bob1991 - Trek participant1994 - Trek participant1994 - Ranger (trail hire)1995 - Ranger (Rayado 2nd season)1996 - PC Pueblano19...