Silver On the Sage

Allison (Vinson) DeFrees joins the show to chat about our connection to Philmont via the concept of Sense of Place.    Philmont Experience: 2006 - ROCS participant 2007 - PC Dan Beard 2008 - PC Rich Cabins 2009 - CD Urracca 2010 - Invasive Species Specialist, Autumn Guide 2012 - Trek participant 2013 - Logistics / Jamboree 2018 - 2019 - Full time PSR resident Notable Mentions Chris Reed Robert Ree...

Louise (Lopez) Mesaric was born in Santa Fe in 1941 and grew up in Cimarron, NM.  In this episode she shares fond memories of living at Philmont with her late husband, Larry Mesaric who worked full-time for the ranch as a horseman and cattle foreman from the early 1960s to early 1970s.  Notable Mentions: Leo Martinez Aunt Rosie Rudolph Schwartz McDaniels Ranch Boss Sanchez Bengie Vargas Mike Varga...

Rod Taylor, Eagle Scout and Texas native, worked full-time as a Philmont cowboy and Cattle Foreman for 34 years. Before that he trekked twice as a participant and worked seasonally for 5 summers.  Today he enjoys retirement and resides in Cimarron, NM. 2023 Philmont Wrangler Reunion website Closing song by Jessica Seifert, Slim Uribe-Goertz, and Rod Taylor. Philmont Experience: 1972 - Participant...

Christine (Salisbury) Sammons joins the show to discuss her nine summers working in the Ranger department, three of which she served as Philmont’s Chief Ranger.  Show notes link: 2023 Wrangler Reunion Philmont Experience: 2004 - Trek participant 2005 & 06 - Ranger 2007 & 08 - Ranger Trainer 2009 &10 - Associate Chief Ranger 2009 - Fall autumn guide 2010 - Fall autumn coordinator 2011 -...

Today Jason Maz joins the show.  We discuss everything from neurodivergence, native bee populations, and canoe portaging at Wilson Mesa to the challenges of the Rayado Trek Coordinator role and the operational processes that take place during a Philmont Search and Rescue.  Jason lives in the mountains of Vermont and works as a contracted ecologist, University educator, and economic pollination res...

As a city kid, Jack was initially apprehensive about trekking at Philmont and taking on true High Adventure. But in 2017, as an 18 year old on trek, they had the time of their life. Jack was deeply inspired by the music and the people, and simply could not believe a place like Philmont existed.    Today’s episode closes with Train song by the Metcalf 2022 staff, from their album titled “Sally No....

Zak shares his love for Zastrow and contends that the role of Camp Director is the best job on the ranch.  And that Philmont is the perfect environment for growing young adults - where problem solving and self-sufficiency is demanded of you.   YouTube link to The Agitators - backcountry musical from Crater Lake 2011 Note: The drawing of Zak climbing a tree and pulling lightning from the sky - The...

Seth discusses the Bonito Creek restoration project.  As the project lead and doctoral candidate , he explains the valley morphology of bonito creek and the timing and impacts of arroyo erosion in a wet meadow system. Check out the official Philmont Wrangler Reunion website - where you can browse auction items, share photos, consider sponsorship contributions, and RSVP.  All Philmont staff are wel...

Diana was among the first female seasonal staffers to work at Philmont in 1970’s.  She returned as the first ever female Protestant Chaplain in 2022.  For Diana and many of us, God lives in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. And going high into those mountains equates to total wellness of body, spirit, and mind.  Philmont Experience: 1973 - CHQ Public Relations Administrative Assistant (first female...

To fall in love at Philmont is a unique journey of it's own.  To celebrate Valentine's Day - husband and wife, Lee and Carly Scarbrough join the show to share their Philmont love story. Check out Carly's Website here: www.cjcasper.com Philmont Experience: Lee COPE 2014 PTC Fall 2014 PC Rich Cabins 2015 PTC Fall 2015 ACD Beaubien 2017 PTC Fall Coordinator 2017 Carly PC Ring Place 201...

Toph White shares some historical love for The Double H - a satellite BSA High Adventure Base that ran from 2004 - 2009 in Southwestern, NM.   At the Double H there were no designated trails, a staff of 60, and just one backcountry camp - the experiences were similar to Philmont, yet more austere and uniquely challenging.  In part two of this episode, Toph praises the licensed Philmont Infirmary f...

Today Ben Edmonds joins the show to discuss his staff experiences in the Philmont Maintenance and Conservation departments, as well as his career today as a Marine stewardship and monitoring specialist at The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary - including work with Mission: Iconic Reefs , large area image acquisition, and more. Philmont Experience: 2005 & 2008 - Trek participant 2009 - Bas...

Welcome to a special celebration episode to commemorate year 3 of Silver On the Sage Podcast!  A big thank you to everyone who interviews, listens, and supports the show. If you're a weekly or monthly listener, consider donating to the show!   Ways to Donate: * Become a monthly contributor: Patreon *One time donation: Venmo @Caitlin-Lowe-87714 or Podfan *Donate and enjoy: Silver On the Sage p...

Today, dedicated, life-long cowboy Chuck Enloe joins the show. Chuck has been working at Philmont seasonally and full-time for a combined total of 40 years.  He’s also worked at prominent Northern New Mexico ranches including the Moore Ranch and UU Bar.  Chuck is currently the Livestock Foreman for Philmont’s Ranch Department, and has been full-time in the department since 2002.  We discuss the ye...

Today, Ashley Olson, E-Commerce Manager for the Tooth of Time Traders (ToTT) joins the show.  We discuss her seasonal summers in Activities, where she fell in love with the Welcome Center and the role of being the first to greet crews upon their arrival at Philmont.  As an impressively productive retail store with six backcountry satellite operations - we discuss the ToTT's history and goals...

Former Philmont Comptroller, General Manager, and Director of BSA High Adventure Division,  John Clark discusses what goes on behind the curtain. John has been involved in Scouting since 1967, and made it known early on in his professional BSA career that he wanted to dedicate his work to the High Adventure programs - and he did just that. We chat about the business side of Philmont and Philmont’s...

Today Bob Mosher, current Executive Director of the Philmont Staff Association, joins the show. Bob worked seasonally at Philmont for 10 summers, 2  autumns, and 4 winters.  In this episode we discuss an array of topics including the importance of the Camp Director role, the origins of the Roving Prospector position, the year of the Donald Duck orange juice themed Phil-fiesta, the infamous Pizza H...

Today's holiday episode will focus on the cultural heritage of the holidays in Northern New Mexico, as well as holiday traditions specific to Philmont and Philmont staff. History - National Park Service Article: Luminaria Traditions Story book passage - “The Farolitos of Christmas,” by Rudolfo Anaya. Holiday intro tune - "Christmas Confluence" by Dylan McDermott Photograph - Diana L...

Today's 100th episode brings David GD Werhane to the show. For nearly 11 years, Dave has been living in Cimarron with his family and working full-time as the Philmont Museums Director. He kicks it off discussing his infamous nickname and memories of hiking Philmont's trails as a participant in 1981 and 83. Reflecting on Dave’s seasonal staff experience in Food Service, backcountry interp...

Philmont Scout Ranch staff are familiar with the notion of “other duties as assigned,” and the lack of "normal business hours," during the summer season.  This is especially the case for one department in particular - Logistics.  Today, Sid Covington joins the show.  Sid worked as Philmont’s logistics manager for several summers, among other positions at the Ranch. Sid discusses the main...

Bob is well known at the ranch and in Northern New Mexico for his work with livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.  He worked at Philmont seasonally for 6 summers and full-time for 44 years. The majority of this full-time career was spent as Philmont’s Ranch Superintendent.  In this episode, Bob focuses on the history of Philmont’s bear policies and procedures, in conjunction with New Mexico Game a...

I wish you all a crowded table, a warm fireside, plentiful food, good health, and the love you deserve.  Happy Thanksgiving friends! This episode highlights clips taken from previously recorded interviews, with the intention to highlight, celebrate, and honor the impact of Philmont Scout Ranch on all our lives. Notable Mentions: Tim Collver Doug Fasching Scott Toney Dylan McDermott Alex Ave Lallem...

Today, Robert Clemmer joins the show.  There’s a lot of  good energy in our discussion focusing on Philmont's Order of the Arrow Trail Crew Trek or OATC.  Clemmer worked as an OATC Forman, Coordinator, and Associate Director of Cons - overseeing the conservationists. He discusses the useful and cheerful service goals of OATC, and the philosophical consideration of Scouting as a movement, comp...

Mother-Daughter duo, Carol Munch and Piper Niehaus join today to discuss their experiences as Women Rangers at Philmont.  They examine the different hurdles they overcame, from Carol dealing with logistical and geographical constraints placed on Women Rangers in the '70s - to Piper recognizing the need for female specific backpacking guidelines in the mid '2000s. They celebrate the trait...

Girl Ranger, Betsy Teter, joins the show to share her experience as a part of the very first expedition of all-female youth that trekked Philmont, in June of 1973. "The Lost Legend of the Girl Rangers," by Outside Magazine. Philmont Experience: 1973 - Trek participant Notable Mentions: Ryan Raddatz George Withers Lisa Shingler Maggie Miller Ann Altman Missy Johnston Felicia Charles Lucy...