With tremendous spirit and rowdy Louisiana accent - Tucker Baker joins the show.   Tucker praises the Philmont staff experience for its  “can-do” attitude, taking on other duties as assigned and of course the comradery and close-knit friendships which together form the  “Philmont collective consciousness.”  Tucker shares his “Who Dat” story - a somewhat lengthy but worthwhile recounting of the Search and Rescue that occurred on Big Red in 2013.

Alongside these stories, Tucker shares his latest project as a co-author of a historical book titled Pride and Glory: The Cimarron and Northwestern Railway Company.  This book is a piece of the whole microcosm of North Eastern New Mexican history.  

Philmont Experience
2008, 2010 - Trek participant
2012 - PC Miranda 
2013 - PC Clear Creek
2014 - PC Metcalf Station
2015 - CD Metcalf Station
2019 - PC Abreu / PC Cyphers Mine

Notable Mentions:
Troop 6 Alexandria, Louisiana 
Henry Lessen
Father Adam Travis
Chris Naydene
JJ Stevens
Rock Rohrbacher
Toph Schaller
Paul Marsh
David O'Neill
Tyler, Trey, and Trevor Dubard
Carson Mcrae
Lottice Taylor
Slim Uribe
Jimmy Lowe
Evan Combs
Kyle Soyer
Sid Covington
Patrick Kelly - photographer
Danika Foster
Kyle Arrobaugh
Nate Lay
Toph White
Mark Anderson
Mazerouski
Pete Bergene
Paul Marsh
Linda Anderson
Trevor Lombardi
Matthew Houser
Big Bob Man - Old camp rail road program in the 60s
Lawrence Murphy
Thomas (Theodore) Schomburg
Tooth of Time's been chewin on me
Kit Carson
Lucian Maxwell
Charlie Cyphers
Andy Gerhart
Guy Palms
Sid Covington
John Van Dreese 
Gene Lamb
Roger Sanchez
Henry Frankenberg
Steve Lewis - Eagle Trail Press
Steve Zimmer
Harriet Fryberger
Dawn Chandler
Justin Kernes
Philmont Staff Association

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To kick off the 2021 Holiday Season, podcast listeners are invited to send in shout out dedications to their Philmont friends.  Recorded in their own voices, spreading love across the airwaves!

 “The mere fact that another had walked where I was walking made the path easier for my feet.”  - D.E. Stevenson

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From Mt. Baldy to Mt. Kilimanjaro - Rachel Tindall, current surgeon and former Philmont Ranger and Infirmary Medic joins the show.   As a young Mountain Trek participant, and later a Mountain Trek Ranger - Rachel discusses the life-changing impact that the program had on her.  As a seasonal driver and Medic at the Philmont Infirmary, she was able to practice and embrace a life-long mentality of a student - "the learning is never done."  She shares insights from her journey of becoming a surgeon, and how she utilizes the Philmont "teachable moments" practice with her residents to this day.  In June of 2021 Rachel summited Mt. Kilimanjaro at 19,341 feet, wearing her trusty Philmont gear and trekking poles in had.

Philmont Experience
2004 - Ranger
2005, 06, 07 - Mountain Trek Ranger
2008 - Health Lodge Support / Driver
2010 - Health Lodge Support / Chief Medic

Intermission Highlight:  S Designs - Handmade jewelry by Philmont alumni, Savren Nelson

Notable Mentions
Nate Lay
Dwight in Logistics

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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 independence and perseverance in them all.  Today Ali is an accomplished three time Ironman/Ironwoman triathlete, an entrepreneur, and alongside her husband, a visionary behind Promise Land Ranch- a future horse camp for at risk and special needs youth.  She as deep faith in God and a love for the Philmont community.

Conquer your Fear of the Triathlon Swim  - By Ali Meeks and M. Ellen Dash
 
Ready Set Sweat - Endurance Coaching and Swim Lessons

REI Adventures: Ali the Ironwoman produced by Philmont alumni Larry McLaughlin.

Philmont Experience
1993 - PTC Tent City Manager
1994 - Conservation work crew
1995 - Conservation Trail Crew Trek Forman
1996 - Conservation Trail Crew Trek Forman
1998 - CD Indian Writings 

Notable Mentions
Forest McVicker
Amy Rushall
Josh Houdek
Anna Lundstine Tuohy
Michelle Debuhr
Jenny Rawson DeVenegas
James Bakner
Kevin Silard
Curt Wolff
Michael Booker
Marty Tschetter
Doug Palmer
Keith Hilsabeck
"The Kevins"
Tricia Dailey Seifert
Larry McLaughlin
John Seim and Minda Pengelly
Dara Houdek Johnson and Jeremy Johnson
David Betka
Karl Sparks
Tobasco Donkeys

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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 still gets goosebumps while recounting his Philmont ghost encounters.  Today he shares two stories - the first occurred at Miranda and the second at French Henry.   Graham also shares his personal story, how he grew up at Philmont as a kid, tagging along each summer with his parents volunteering at the Infirmary.  From backcountry prank wars to nostalgia for community and close summer friendships - this episode is both mysterious and reflection. 

Philmont Experience
2008 - PC Miranda
2009 - PC Crooked Creek
2010 - PC French Henry

Notable Mentions:
Bill Forster
Jeff Shortridge "Smithy" 
Evan Withrow
Mike Rittenhouse
Mark Anderson
Paul Grasse
Gene Schnell
Ross Robinson
Mike Richards
Kentucky
Ryan Gustafson
Rebecca "Boots" Uribe-Senter
Slim Uribe-Goertz
Stephen Albach

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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 great mix of history and hair-raising, some might say horrifying tales.  From an unexplained white mass moving alongside the canyon wall and footsteps circling staff tents, to the discovery perhaps even a human bone - Metcalf station has much to uncover regarding history and horror. 

Philmont Experience
2009 - Trek participant
2013 - PC Clark's Fork
2014 - PC Hunting Lodge
2015 - 2017 - PC Metcalf Station
2018 - 2019 - CD Metcalf Station
Fall 2019 - Backcountry Warehouse Inventory

Notable Mentions
Tim Rosseisen
David O'Neill
Zachary Garmoe
Grayson Wolf
Mike O'dwyer
Liam Black
Ben Cockfield
Patrick Navin
Scheen Carole
Jimmy Fritze
Tim Frisco

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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 imagination - kicks off our 2021 October tales mini-series.

Philmont Experience
1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 – Trek participant 
1991 – CHQ Maintenance
1992 – PC Crater Lake
1993 – PC Black Mountain
1994 – PC Cypher’s Mine
1995 – CD Black Mountain
1996 – CD Crater Lake
1999 – Volunteer Backcountry Manager (Unit 46, informally)
1999 – Autumn Adventure Trek
1999 – Tobasco Donkeys recording “Sawin’ on the Strings”
2006 – PSA Trek
2007, 2008 – Tobasco Donkeys recording “Yarn Sessions” and Philmont concert
2019, 2021 – Participant on trek

Notable Mentions:
Keith
Scott
Larry McLaughlin
Spencer
Ron
Brent
Karl Dawes
Eric Voss
Daryl
Larry Murphy

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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 experience positively impacted his life, and led him to where he is today - video content producer, director, Phil-famous media king, and super nice guy. Stay tuned for further collaborations with Larry and Caitlin to share the podcast love. What backcountry camp should we record from next? 

Philmont Experience
92 - CHQ Dining Hall
93 - PC Cyphers Mine
94 - PC Black Mountain
95-  PC Black Mountain
96 - CD Black Mountain
97 - CD Cyphers Mine (Trail Rock Opera)
98 - CD Black Mountain
99 - Backcountry Manager Unit 43
99 - Spring Break recorded Tobasco Donkeys, ’Sawin On Strings’
07 - Recorded Tobasco Donkeys, ‘Yarn Sessions’ 
2008-10: Philmont Documentary 

Notable Mentions:
Lee Hughes "Fluffy"
Doug Palmer
Andy Gerhart
Jannette McLaughlin
Abby Helton
Anna Barker
Gene Schnell
GS Harper
Eric Voss
Peter Bingen
Ellie Nickens Turner
Chope and Virginia Phillips
Sid Covington

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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 staff in the late 1970's.  In 2007, Caitlin followed in his footsteps and would continue to work seasonally at Philmont for the next seven summers.   Join us for this special episode, recorded at the Crater Lake campfire bowl at Philmont Scout Ranch!

A very special thank you to Nate Lay, Larry McLaughlin, Andy Gerhart, and Jimmy Lowe for making this special episode possible!  

Philmont Experience:
2007 - PC Beaubien
2008 - PC Crooked Creek
2009 - Photographer, News and Photo
2010 - CD Fish Camp
2011 - CD Abreu, Autumn Adventure Guide, Winter Adventure Guide
2012 - CD Beaubien
2013 - Backcountry Manager

Notable mentions:
Slim Uribe-Goertz
Tim Collver
Lee Hughes
Robin Knoll Newton
The Ficke Family

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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 heart of their journey is connection. They serve those they meet with engagement and honor, then work to convey their perspectives to a worldwide network of supporters and followers. You can follow along on social media or via their website to learn more about the hike, the empowering stories of human connection, and to support their mission.  

Philmont Experience
2004-2007 - Ranger

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