Silver On the Sage

With a resounding Alabama, "Come on!," Ali Meeks joins the show to discuss her time on staff in the 90's.  Ali worked at the Philmont Training Center, Conservation Department, and in the Backcountry.  Ali voices her appreciation for the "work hard, play hard" attitude of Conservation, and how it impacted the young women she lead on on Trail Crew Trek, helping instill indep...

November 1st and 2nd, celebrates Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos.  Day of the Dead is a traditional Mexican holiday - when it is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit their living family members.   To honor this holiday, we will wrap up our mini-series on Philmont Ghost stories with Graham Nelson.  Graham has been able to see ghosts since he was a child.  All the same, he stil...

Trevor Lombardi joins the show to share is passion for one of the newer backcountry camps at Philmont Scout Ranch - Metcalf Station.  Trevor shares some quick history of the North Ponil Canyon as well as the Railroad industry of that area.  In fact, he is a co-author of the soon to be released book, titled: Pride and Glory, the Cimarron & Northwestern Railway Company .   This episode is a grea...

Andy Gerhart has been collecting Philmont ghost stories for years, including his own encounters.  Andy shares two of these stories today - the first happened in 1994 at Cypher's Mine, and the second in 1992 at Crater Lake.  Lantern tricks, misplaced items, shadowy figures, and voices in the mine.  The rich Philmont history and Southwestern environment, paired with the power of the mind and im...

Dirty Larry and Sassy Caitlin continue their conversation, this time covering Larry's Philmont story.  Larry shares his experience as a Rayado participant, ghost stories, being the music chairman in the dining hall, and more.  He also shares behind the scenes stories about the evolution of the Tobasco Donkeys and the making of the Philmont Documentary .  Like many of us, Larry's Philmont...

This week the tables are turned as Caitlin Lowe, host and producer of Silver On the Sage Podcast, is interviewed by former staffer, Larry McLaughlin (Producer of the Philmont Documentary and Tobasco Donkeys member).  In this episode Larry and Caitlin discuss all things podcasting and Philmont, including phil-music and phil-flings.  Caitlin grew up listening to her dad's stories of his time on...

Bethany 'Fidgit' Hughes joins the show to discuss how her experiences as a Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch led to a life of professional through-hiking.  From November 2015 to today, Fidgit and Neon (Lauren Reed) have been hiking the length of the Americas via non-motorized means; a 20,000 mile trek.  Their journey is titled: Her Odyssey - "we walk, we talk, we connect." The hea...

As a youth, Jessica was eager to join BSA Venturing and her Philmont story began as a family affair, pioneered by her father, who is also a Philmont alumni (1976).  As a seasonal wrangler, Jess enjoyed participating in both ranch and backcountry activities, broadening her understanding of program and her circle of friends.  Today Jess works full-time for the Ranch Department.  She talks about the...

In 1972 Kathy Leach and Nancy Wells became the first two female Rangers on staff at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Kathy shares her reflections of the experience, how it was both a moment of apprehensive change for Philmont and the Boy Scouts of America as well as positive empowerment for her. Kathy also co-led the first Kit Carson Women's trek - today known as Rayado Women - in August of 1973.  Kath...

Little did she know, when Karyl Yeston's mom filled out an application for her daughter to work at Philmont Scout Ranch, that she would end up being the first female manager of the Trading Post - today known as the Tooth of Time Traders.  In this episode we chat about generational differences and the humble pioneering that Karyl was a part of for women at Philmont.  Karyl credits the leadersh...

Dawn Chandler - Philmont's first ever female Camp Director and first Executive Director of the Philmont Staff Association, joins the show.  With humble reflection and the passionate heart of a true creator, Dawn credits her rich Philmont experiences to family, peers, and her art.  From the rewarding struggles of a Rayado participant to the successes of a full-time artist, Dawn is relatable, w...

Kicking off our first ever mini-series, Women of Philmont, Katrina Moon joins the show!  Katrina was the first female Ranger from the Naval Academy to work at Philmont.  Although she was only there for a short time, Katrina praises Philmont for it's leadership style and ability to challenge participants and staff to grow in unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations.  Today Katrina lives in Nort...

A man of many names and many incredible stories - Karl J.P. Smith, Karl Sparks, Doctor Sparks - joins the show!  Karl draws a direct connection between his storytelling days at Philmont campfires to what he does today - working as a traveling professional storyteller .  From accidental and somewhat haphazard vison quests and backcountry  musical performances, to moments of humble reflection and gr...

At 10,000+ downloads and 30 episodes - this is a quick celebratory episode with some fun stats and facts about how the podcast as grown, info about what's to come, and how you can support the podcast!  A big thank you to the listeners and interviewees for making the podcast possible. Ways to support Silver On the Sage Podcast: To support via a one-time contribution, please click the link belo...

As a previous seasonal and full-time Maintenance employee, Bryan Spink discusses the learning and teaching aspects of the Camping Headquarters Maintenance Department at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Bryan also shares his love for the spirit of Philmont friendships and stories of the "good old days."  Thanks Bryan!  Philmont Experience: 2011- Camping Headquarters (CHQ) Maintenance  2011 Fall- CH...

From an enthusiastic to-be assigned seasonal staff hire to a full-time employee at Philmont Scout Ranch, Eric Martinez joins the show to share stories and insights.  Eric was a co-creator and active facilitator of the PASS (Philmont Advisor Skills School) and PAW (Philmont Advisor Workshop) programs, and also played an integral role in improving the Ranger hiring process and enhancing the Winter A...

An episode where tangents and tall tales are always welcome.  Jada "Day" McGirt, a loving extrovert, avid rock climber, passionate servant leader, and relationship builder joins the show.  Jada embraces tough love and the many challenges that Philmont allows us to grow from.  Today she and her Philmont mate, Michael Serio, are farmers in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Philmont Experience 20...

Author of the inspirational and Philmont famous song, "I Don't Mind," Peter Bingen joins the show to discuss his summers on staff.  Today Peter is a professional luthier in Minneapolis, MN - http://www.bingenviolin.com/ Philmont Experience 1989 - Trek Participant 1990 - Rayado Participant 1993 - Ranger 1997 - Conservationist at Thunder Ridge Notable Mentions (Spellings may be incorr...

Bear encounter expert and professional ski industry guru, Kevin joins the show to discuss an array of topics to include how to stay true to yourself while on your professional career path, to stories of the 2002 Ponil complex fire and more.  Thanks Kevin! Philmont Experience 1993, 1995, 1997 - Participant on trek 2000 - Logistics 2001 - CD Clark's Fork 2002 - CD Miranda 2003 - Backcountry Man...

A life-long "Scout Kid," and one of Philmont's first female "Lumber-Jills," Maggie joins the show today to share her stories about growing up at Philmont.  Maggie also highlights the Cimarron community and the amazing people who come together to make the town and school prosper each and every day.  A SPAM lover, aspiring artist, and nomadic soul, Maggie lights up when talk...

Kicking off Season 2 of Silver On the Sage podcast, current full-time Director of Conservation, Lee Hughes joins the show. With humor and wisdom, Lee shares stories and highlights the positive impact that seasonal Philmont staff have on youth participants.  As one  of the first Backcountry Managers alongside the late Unit 41, Gene Schnell, Lee discusses how the ranch has evolved and improved throu...

Campfire of all Campfires - Season 1 Finale Ellyn Washburne - Rich Cabins Memories Slim Uribe-Goertz , Jessica Seifert, Rod Taylor - Night Rider's Lament Tucker Baker and 2014 Metcalf Staff - Campfire Stories and John Henry Dan Edwards - Rollin in my Sweet Baby’s arms Kira Redzinak - Wayfaring Stranger, Abigail Belle of Kilronan Sam Anderson - Gold Miner’s Daughter, Fire On the Mountain Josh...

Jimmy Lowe wraps up season one discussing his influential time as a participant on OATC and as a seasonal staff member.  Synthesizing his memories for the first time in a while, Jimmy recalls how exposure to Philmont mines and mining history influenced his higher education, career path, and passions. This is the final interview episode of season one of the podcast!  Thanks Jimmy!  Philmont Experie...

Wally Wolanin, tenured Philmont Training Center staff member, shares a lively interview that begins with a young man’s disbelief that such a place as Philmont Scout Ranch could really be that cool. Turns out it was that cool, and so much more. Wally walks us through the inner workings of a summer experience at the Philmont Training Center (PTC). Discussing that although sometimes thought of as an...

From participant, to seasonal staffer, to current full-time resident of Cimarron/Ute Park - Meghan Herman joins the show to share the insight she gained while working seasonally in the Health Lodge and in the Backcountry.  Florida native, Meghan trained for two-years in preparation to trek at Philmont as a youth.  On the plane ride home, she cried, wishing she could stay forever.  Turns out, with...