Silver On the Sage

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...

Lee kicks it off with his haunting "Music Man" tale that happened at French Henry in 1988.  We also discuss the story behind Lee’s nickname "Bear," as well as highlights of the progressive North Country Christmas party of 88' that went from Miranda, to Baldy, ending at French with a sweat lodge of epic proportions. Lastly, we chat about Lee’s experience as part of the very...

At Philmont one is able to dream and take on different lives - spend a summer as a miner, learn the ropes as a wrangler,  or protect lives as a medic.  Youth is full of unusual adventures - like for instance recording an entire album at a backcountry camp, and managing to release it before the summers end.  Sailboat, also known as Ryan McDowell, and the Cypher’s Staff of 2021 did just that. Today,...

For today’s guest, Meg Plumb, Philmont has always been and continues to be a family affair.  From trekking with her immediate family and recruiting her cousins to be on staff - to today, visiting the area often as her family now has ties to Ute Park, NM. Her first summer on staff, Meg was a tour guide at the Villa Philmonte.  A job that for Meg was a constant reminder of the generosity of the gift...

Stories unite us.  They create a universal space to share how we came to be, and who we are becoming.  Today’s guest, Jack Rodgers, discusses the drive behind Philmont’s Marketing and Photo Services Department.  Jack is currently the Marketing Manager for the department, and has also been a seasonal trek participant and a Ranger.  In MPS, staff members are given a passport to do a lot of cool thin...

Elder Wilson, spent thirteen summers as a Chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch. For him, the beauty of being a Chaplain was the privilege to be able to serve the entire ranch - staff and participants alike. Philmont is a place where you can experience numerous faiths in action, attend services, and simply be still in the presence and wonder of nature. For Elder Wilson, the team of Philmont Chaplains w...

Phil first trekked with the inaugural group of Kit Carson Men in 1968.  He returned and worked on staff in the 60s and 70s.  From 2014 on, he’s been heavily involved with the PSA and this summer, he completed his 14th PSA trek.  As a ranger on staff in 69, Phil appreciated and enjoyed the exposure to diversity, guiding crew from all over the country. The rest of his  tenure was spent in the backco...

As a young Scout, Jeb looked up to the older boys in is troop and dreamed of one  day going to the elusive Philmont Scout Ranch.  After trekking in 2012, he began on staff in 2015 and worked 6 seasons total.  He quickly found his forte in the Conservation Department.  On work crew in 2016, perseverance was the name of the game.  He excelled and went on to become a Work Crew Foreman.  In that role...

Welcome to Season 5 of Silver On the Sage Podcast.  We are four months away from celebrating our two year anniversary and fourteen interviews away from our 100th episode.  I want to thank all those who contributed to today's campfire episode - I can’t think of a better way to acknowledge the immeasurable impact that Philmont has had on us, than gathering together to share music and stories. ...