Dinner is over and we help clean dishes as the evening itinerary read out begins.  A thunderstorm rolls, lanterns are lit, and the staff take pause to enjoy the satisfaction of a day’s work done. We make the brief trek up the hill to Charlie’s Cabin where Stomp is about to begin. The show kicks off with a resounding chorus and the energy of a talented performance.  All staff members - past and present join together on stage to close with the Philmont Hymn. 

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Follow along as we hike from Hunting Lodge to Cypher’s mine by way of the Middle Fork Trail. Our crew of three - Cormac, Dave, and I - banter as we pause along the stream, discussing Philmont past, present, and future.  Arriving at Cypher’s main cabin, we’re welcomed by the bustling energy of crews, porch talks, and the staff prepping for dinner.  We jump at the chance to go on a tour of the Contention mine and catch a moment at the forge. The episode closes as I slip away to sit next to the stream, and journal.  

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Wrapping up our Advisors of Philmont mini-series with Barry Bray.  Barry has been on numerous treks, and has participated in PTC programs. Today he focuses the conversation on the three Cavalcades he’s been an Advisor for.

Philmont Experience:
1972 - Trek
1991 - Trek
2008 - Trek
2012 - Trek
2014 - Cavalcade
2016 - Trek and Autumn Adventure
2017  - Cavalcade and PTC
2018 - PTC and QAC Retreat
2021 - Cavalcade
2022 - PTC
2023 - Faculty PTC
2024 - Faculty PTC

Notable Mentions:
Rod Taylor
Jessica Seifert
Wrangler Henry

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Emily Smith joins the show as part of our Advisors of Philmont mini-series.  She shares her unique perspective of being an Advisor on two treks in the summer of 2023 - first with her home troop and second with a troop she’d never met.  She also discusses the challenging transition going from a youth participant with her peers to an adult advisor. Emily credits her Scouting leadership experiences to pushing her out of her comfort zone, challenging her to be the person she’s grown into today.   

Philmont Experience:
2018-2021 -  NAYLE staff
2021 - Youth trek participant
2023 - Adult Advisor
2023 - Adult Advisor 

Notable Mentions:
Dasha

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I’ve known of Ellie Nickens Turner for quite some time - she’s friends with my friends, she's a Tobasco Donkeys member, and in the evenings, her fiddle and vocals fill my kitchen as I sweep. I was able to spend quality time with her in 2023 at Philmont, and felt that instant, familiar connection as a fellow staffer, mom, and adventure seeker.

Philmont Experience:
2003 - Mountain Trek participant
2004 - Mountain Trek participant
2005 - Rayado participant

2006 - Ranger / Tobasco Donkeys
2007 - Ponil
2008 - Rich Cabins

Notable Mentions:
Kyle Egmeyer
Robert Fudge
Dirty Larry
Doug Palmer
Michael Henneberry
Andy Gerhart
Mike
Peter Bingen
Ry Taylor
Rod Taylor
Tim Collver
GS Harper
Iron John Logan
Allison Vinson DeFrees
Abby Cashman Hugivman
Meg (Graham) and Dave Plumb
Jimmy Lowe
Michael and Martin Stamat

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Today we continue our Advisors of Philmont mini-series with Steve Chase.  To prepare for his role as a first time lead Advisor, Steve participated in the Philmont Advisor Skills School also known as the PASS program.  Steve shares his insights including the importance of nominating a crew leader prior to arriving at Philmont, preparing the crew for potential disappointments consequential to inclement weather or injuries on the trail, and the pros and cons of the Father/Son dynamic within the crew.
 
Philmont Experience:
1997 - Security staff
1998 - Ranger
1999 - Rayado Ranger
2022 - Lead Advisor 7 Day Trek

Notable Mentions:
Dwight Stein
David Setzer
Ranger Janell
Luke Heidal
Tobasco Donkeys
Rod Taylor
Ranger Andrew
Jeff Cress
Facebook: Philmont Trek Talk - Prep, News, Info
Kathleen's Burrito Banquet
Steve Nelson

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Kicking off our next mini-series: Advisors of Philmont Scout Ranch.   

Chris Ford has been continuously registered with BSA since 1962 when he joined cub scouts.  In 1973 he was offered a late contract to be a Ranger, but had to decline.  Since then he’s been on 9 treks, 7 of which have been co-ed.  He estimates that he's hiked over 700 miles at Philmont.  Representing Venturing, he shares his experiences as an Advisor.

Philmont Experience:
1971 - Trek participant, crew leader
1995 - Council Contingent Leader
2006 - Council Contingent Leader 
2008 - Council Contingent Leader
2010 - Lead Advisor 
2012 - Lead Advisor
2014 - Lead Advisor
2018 - Lead Advisor - Cancelled: Ute Park Fire.
2019 - Crew Planner (did not trek)
2021 - Lead Advisor 

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For today’s guest, Pete Scifres, immersing himself in the wonderous and simple rhythms of nature while on staff at Philmont Scout Ranch, freed him from the ramifications of years as a combat engineer in the US army.  Pete discusses the challenges of going from military style leadership to Philmont leadership, the fulfilling opportunity to work on the heavy equipment crew after the Ute Park fire in 2018, and his affinity for the Cimarron 4th of July rodeo. Today Pete works as a professional gunsmith in Albuquerque, NM and returns to the ranch each summer to help train the firearms specialist.

Philmont Experience:
2015 - PC Sawmill
2017 - CD Harlan
2018 - Winter TOTT Clerk.  CD Miranda/Heavy equipment crew. Fall Cons
2019 - BCM.  Fall Cons - Masticator Operator
2020 - BCM (Cancelled due to covid).
2021 - BCW Firearms specialist

Notable Mentions:
Grant Reigleman
Carter Smith
Carson Mcray
Sean Murphy
Charlie Beaser
John Celley
Jordan Meade

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I was inspired by today’s guests, Liz and Bob Bush, in their accomplishment of operating and owning a business that they refer to as “they’re own backcountry camp.”  At Buckley’s Mountainside Canoes, you’ll find Liz the logistics coordinator and Bob the Porch Director, there to ensure all enjoy the Chippawa River in Isabella county, Michigan.

Philmont Experience:

Bob
1991 - Trek participant
1994 - Trek participant
1994 - Ranger (trail hire)
1995 - Ranger (Rayado 2nd season)
1996 - PC Pueblano
1997 - PC Cyphers Mine
1998 - CD Crater Lake

Liz
1995 - Rayado participant
1996 - Ranger
1997 - Rayado Ranger
1998 - CD Abreu

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My personal favorite version of Peggy-O is that sung by Ben Hoffman at the Crater Lake campfire bowl in 2011.  My second favorite version is by Nicholas Edward Williams, on his album titled Folk Songs For Old Times' Sake. Third favorite is a reggae version by Goose on The Summit.

For the rest of the story - check out today’s episode with special guest host Jo Bob of Camp Kids Podcast!

Philmont Experience:
2007 - PC Beaubien
2008 - PC Crooked Creek
2009 - Photographer NPS
2010 - CD Fish Camp
2011 - CD Abreu
2012 - CD Beaubien
2013 - Backcountry Manager

2017 - 2019: PSA Board of Directors

2021 - Present: Host and Producer Silver On the Sage Podcast

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