Silver On the Sage

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, compared to Scouting as an organization. Returning in 2021 as a Volunteer Vacation Forman, Clemmer was pleasantly surprised by the continued positive influence and impact that Philmont imparted.  So much so that in 2022, Clemmer volunteered his time to be a part of the first ever Philmont Trail Series committee and the race itself.

I want to thank Clemmer for submitting an accordion version of Silver On the Sage podcast's theme song.  For more, check out Clemmer's group the Gypsy Hill Ramblers. 

Philmont Experience:
2007 - OATC participant, crew 803 B
2021 - PSA Cons Reunion

2009 - OATC Foreman
2010 - OATC Foreman
2011 - OATC Coordinator
2012 - Associate Director of Conservation - Conservationists
2021 - Volunteer Vacation Foreman
2022 - Philmont Trail Series Committee

Notable Mentions:
KJ Cassidy
Nick Davis
Spencer Powell
Jeff Landaw
Marty Cheddar
Robert Fudge
Christine Sailsbury Sammons
Evan Lawrence
Seth Mangini
Mike Crockett
Phil Winegardner
Jay Miten
Geral Short
Seth Eldridge
TJ Gwen
Tim Collver
Dave Rambo
Gene Schnell
John Sully
Michael Serio
Zach Harris
Craig Cochren
Zach Hunsberger
Ted Weary
Jack Chinn
Steve Nelson
Dave Burchfield
Greta
Austin St. George
Zach Harris
Allison Vinson Defrees

Support the show

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 traits of the Ranger experience, including empowerment and confidence, and discuss just what it is that makes Philmont so special.  Lastly, we chat about their three week trek on the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal, and how they continue to actively backpack and adventure to this day. 

Consider donating to the Philmont Staff Association Rayado Women Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Philmont Experience:
Carol Munch
1973-1976 Ranger 
1976 - First Rayado Women Crew 

Piper Niehaus
2002 - PSA trek
2004 - Rayado participant
2005 - ROCS participant

2006 & 2007 - Ranger
2008 - Rayado Ranger  (with Katie Nuessly)
2009 - Ranger Trainer
2010 - Rayado Trek Coordinator (with Sam DeFrees)

Notable Mentions:
Jim Munch
Kathy Leach
Nancy Wells
Joe Davis
Gary Richards
Allison King
Dave Caffe
Heather Wilson
Betsy Roof
Ward Breneger
Sam and Logan

Support the show

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 Lyles Henner 
Dennis Gilpin
Roger Rowlett
Ed Jensen

Support the show

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 first Kanik Winter Adventure staff of 1991. Today Lee resides just 70 miles north of Philmont in Trinidad, Colorado where he enjoys a successful career as a gunsmith.  You can check out his website at thearmsroom.com. Philmont taught Lee confidence and to maintain a “keep moving forward” mentality throughout life.

Philmont Experience:
1980 - Trek participant
1984 - PC Uracca
1985 - PC Beaubien
1986 - PC Pueblano
1987 - CD Clark's Fork
1988 - CD French Henry
1989 - CD Black Mountain
1990 - CD Miranda
1991 - First Kanik (Winter Adventure) Staff

Notable Mentions
Regan Par
Angela Foster
Jim Foster
JJ Stevens
Rachel, Sara, David Hadaway
Forky Rudin
Mike Jones
Dave Werhane
Ken Kaulka
Yogay Yuper aka Claude Hemphill
Steve Rick
Jason Smallwood
Dave Kenneke
Brian Palmer
Doug Palmer
VD Plough
Denise Vandemier
Mark Allen
Curly
Rob Mayor
Todd Conklin
Buddy Morse

Support the show

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, Sailboat and I go behind the scenes to discuss the recording of Down In the Contention by Charlie’s Revenge, including the haunting tune The Ballad of Anne Marie.  All of which you can listen to on Spotify.

Although Sailboat spent summers in the backcountry, perhaps his favorite summer was spent in the PTC Dining Hall where he built a tight knit group of friends and spent his days off as a self-proclaimed teenage dirtbag, living free.  After the traumatic experience of the 2018 Ute Park fire and doing his part on TSI, he lived at Pueblano with an incredible staff of friends and muses.  He also experienced a somewhat alarming encounter with the other side. Was it a ghost, a hallucination, an abnormal migraine? I’ll let you decide.  Furthermore, Sailboat spent a summer working at The Summit, and he shares some haphazard stories from that experience as well.

Philmont Experience:
2015 - Trek participant
2017 - PTC Dining Hall
2018 - PC Pueblano/TSI/LEBs
2019 - PC Pueblano for real
2020 - The Summit - housekeeping / zip lining
Fall 2020 - Philmont Forestry Team
2021 - PC Cypher's Mine

Notable Mentions:
Joey Fernandez
Brady Geronomy
Mike Neihart
Maggie McCulloch
Jenna Trione
Emily Bartles
Sarah Wettemann
Stephen Kurt
Sage Early
Zachary Vig
Alex Conrad
Ellyn Washburne
Jack Anthony
Ranger Conner

Support the show

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 that the Phillips Family gave to us all.  Also, an incredible first year job, to be able to engage with participants, PTC staff, and the general public.  Meg went on to personify a fictional Irish immigrant at French Henry, spend two consecutive summers at Fish Camp, and many more backcountry and second season experiences. Meg and I share our ghostly visitation encounters at Fish Camp, both of which ominously occurred on the celebration of Helen Jane’s birthday.

Meg discusses the ritual of celebrating birthdays at Philmont and attending surrounding community events like the Red River Wine and Arts Festival.  Today Meg is a Landscape Architect, and Director of Legacy Design at Design Workshop - out of the Aspen, CO office. From her professional socio-ecological perspective, we chat about what makes the landscape of Philmont so special to its people.  Meg closes the interview sharing memories of her cousin Coralie Graham, and how Meg continues to surround herself with Philmont and Northern NM culture in her daily life.

Philmont Experience:
2002 & 2004 Trek
2005 Villa Philmonte Guide
2006 PC French Henry
2007 PC Fish Camp
2008 CD Fish Camp
2008 Autumn Adventure Guide
2009 Kanik Guide
2009 CD Rich Cabins
2011 CD Beaubien
2011 Fall Seton Museum Staff

Notable Mentions:
Marianne MacGillivray
Jim MacGillivray
Slim Uribe Goertz
Lydia Uribe
Rebekah "Boot" Senter
Pamela Bullock
Nancy Klein
Doug Palmer
Phil Winegardner
Joe Davis
Matt Garcia
Katie Clardy
Tom Swaine
Will Cooper
Richard
Doug Palmer
Kari Anderson
Rachel Rosenbloom
Stephen Senter
Will Cooper
Will Barr
Dave Plumb
Kate Helbig
Kyle Coppinger
Emily Wilson
Desi Atwater
Tim Collver
Dom Alesandrini
Blake Butler
Michael Stamat
Coralie Graham
Cormac Graham
Jimmy Graham
Susan Graham
Ross Robinson
Mike Ritterhouse
Iron John Logan
Kari Anderson

Support the show

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 things, namely documenting and sharing the story of Philmont and its people.  With that passport also comes the responsibility and opportunity to become an empathetic and creative storyteller.  MPS staff get the job done by being collaborative, passionate, and hard-working in their pursuit to “Capture Lives Changing.”

Jack’s personal hope for MPS as it grows, is that it might become an internship hub for talented journalists and skilled students of media to come and refine their talents. To bring fresh perspectives to the ever-changing team sport of visual and written storytelling. We discuss Jack’s personal creative process, his love for portraits, and creating media that elicited emotion. The MPS Department works year round, serving the ranch and BSA National office, supporting efforts such as the PTC family program, website development, and reporting on events in real time.

We consider the unique notion that Philmont's main program is growth through adversity.  Each summer, thousands of people willingly take on something that is very challenging.  The stories that are born of this, are without a doubt endless in number.  MPS has created a space for these Philmont stories to live at Philmontstories.org.  So when you’re trying to explain Philmont to those who have never been, or you simply want to reminisce or contribute - check out the web page to discover and share. It is also the place to access past Phil-News articles, old documentaries, and more.
 
"I Don't Mind" from Trail: The Rock Opera.  VHS recording of 1997 performance by the Thunder Ridge Conservationists and the Cyphers Mine Staff.

Nebraska State 4-H Camp

Philmont Experience:
2014 & 2016 - Treks
2017 - Ranger
2018 - Ranger/TSI
2019 - Ranger Trainer
2020 Fall - Seasonal Marketing Specialist, transitioned to full-time Marketing Manager

Notable Mentions:
Dominic Bymo
Bryan Hayek
Justin Kernes
Tucker Prescott
Monica Dunn
Ellyn Washburne
Joe D

Support the show

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 were there for each other, a band of brothers - they would often meet to discuss the best ways to comfort, console, and celebrate when giving birth announcements or death notices.

He reminds us that sometimes the best counsel given is to look and listen twice as much as one speaks.  He attests to the reputation of Chaplains and their backcountry driving tendencies, he celebrates the ministry of presence, and discusses future growth of the department to include improved resources such as professional therapists or counselors, to work in conjunction with the Chaplaincy.

Philmont Experience:
1996 -Trek Advisor
1988 - current: Assorted PTC Courses (participant and/or faculty)

2002-2015: Chaplain for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2003-2015: Chaplain Coordinator

Notable Mentions
Rabbi Ziek Palnek
Charles Osborne
Jay Telrav
Padre
Father Donald Hummell
Charlene Wilson
Mark Anderson
Doug Palmer
Charles Duran
John Celley
Kevin Stickelman
Nate Lay
Bob Mosher
Bucko's Dad

Support the show

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 backcountry, namely the two summers he was CD at Fish Camp - back when the hot water heater, shower, and flushing toilet was still functioning.  Phil shares many stories including  the two year concrete removal project and the epic New Years fish fry.

In the second portion of his interview, Phil highlights the rewarding work of being involved with the Philmont Staff Association - where his Philmont family has grown exponentially.  He specifically discusses a behind the scenes take on Volunteer Vacation and PhilBreak. Both of which are an economical and worthwhile way to visit the ranch and give back. 

Philmont Experience:
1968 - Kit Carson Men (Rayado)
1969 - Ranger
1970 - Training Ranger
1971 - Camp Director - Fish Camp
1972 - Camp Director - Fish Camp
1973 - Camp Director - Baldy Town
1974 - Camp Director - Cimarroncito
2014-2016 - PSA Central Region Director
2017-2019 - PSA National Director
2020-2022 - PSA National Director
2023-2026 - PSA National Director
2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 - PSA Volunteer Vacation
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 - PSA PhilBreak
2005-2022 - 14 PSA Treks and 2 PSA Autumn Adventures

Notable Mentions:
Mike Barrett
Bill Shriver
Joe Davis
Clarence Dunn
Dave Caffey
Anne Marie Kauffman
Greg McEwen
Brad Plumb
John Calcaterra
Nick Pizor
Richard Persico
Dollie O'Neill
Kevin Dowling
Randy Saunders
Lee Huckstep
John Celley
Mike Crockett
Ben Harper
Alex Rose
Lee Hughes
Shayla Ridgway
Ed Pease
Mark Stinnett
Stephen and Cynthia Trumper

Support the show

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 Jeb appreciated the autonomy and opportunity to experience the benefits of successful team delegation.  We chat about behind the scenes cons things including what exactly work crews do on their 10 day runs in the backcountry, as well as the importance of building positive relationships with backcountry staff.

In 2018, Jeb was hired to be the Work Crew Coordinator.  When the Ute Park Fire hit, he and three others were suddenly tasked with managing not 20, but 150 people - teaching them skills they had just learned themselves. The perseverance and delegation Jeb had experienced in his previous years on staff, came into action that summer. Jeb also met his girlfriend at Philmont, and we laugh together while discussing the terrors of breaking the ice, and having those first interactions with someone you admire.

Today Jeb is the business owner of Redwine Wood Design. While studying in college to become a mechanical engineer, Jeb would seek out woodworking as a way to provide some mental relief and creativity.  Soon folks started commissioning pieces from him, and he found himself operating a successful woodworking business. Jeb’s philosophy behind Redwine Wood Design is to embrace the character, story, and flaws of each piece he designs.  This philosophy is inspired by a Japanese concept of finding beauty in the imperfections of life, celebrating the cracks, crevices, and all other marks that time, weather, and love leave behind. Check out his unique items including wooden bowls, pipes,  jewelry and more by following Redwine Wood Design on Instagram and Facebook.

Philmont Experience:
2012:  Trek Participant
2015: PC Cimarroncito
2016: Work Crew Staff
2017: Work Crew Foreman
2018: Work Crew Coordinator
2021: Camper Cons Coordinator
Fall 2021: Conservation Shop Coordinator

Notable Mentions:
Seth 
Jerry
Anne
Sid
Waite Gitzel
Gerald Ray Short
Seth Eldridge
Alex Cartlidge
Joe Robinson
Cimarron NM Rock Shop

Support the show