Donnie discusses summiting the peaks of life - once you've conquered one, chase another.  Don't stay put, keep moving, creating, and growing.  Find people who support that in your life.

Philmont Experience:
1996 - OATC Participant
2002 - Work crew / Fire Rehab 
2003 - Miranda
2004 - CD Clear
2005 - CD Pueblano 
2006 & 2007 - Fire Ecology Specialist, Unit 98 

Notable Mentions:
John Clark
Unkl aka Bruce Wagner
Troy Leewright
Marcus Rynerson
David O'Neill
Ryan Mysky
Adam Throptburn
Owen Cook
Anita
Blake Longworth
John Schroder
Andrew Bass
Tim Collver
Johnathan Short
Doug Palmer
Mark Anderson
Allison Vinson
Bob Ricklefs
Seth Mangini
Trisha Brown
Nancy Coleman
Jackie Clark Zenzin
Devan Collier
Wayne Graham
Martin Gibson

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Silver On the Sage podcast’s largest group interview yet - thee original 1997 staff who wrote and performed Trail the Rock Opera at Cyphers Mine on this very day - August 9th - 26 years ago.  In addition, PJ Parmar joins the conversation - not only was he in the audience on the night of the original performance, but he also led the remake of Trail the rock opera in 2003.  In this interview we discuss the forbidden love affair between Johnny Tread and Molly McCloud and of course the origin of the impactful tune “I Don’t Mind.” 

Episode Sponsor: Zia Fly

Notable Mentions:
Larry McLaughlin
Evan McLaughlin
Topher Busch
Jason Gaskin
James Bakner
Bill Spice
Doug Palmer

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To wrap up Season 6, Jon and Kim Copeland share their stories and highlight the work they’re doing to maintain and encourage the Duty to God aspect of Scouting. Today, Jon and Kim are active participants in Philmont’s Chapel Refurbishment project, led by Chaplain Chip Turner and the Association of Baptists for Scouting.

Philmont Experience Jon:
1988 & 90 - Trek participant
1991 - Rayado Participant
1992 - Ranger
1993 - Ranger
1994 - Logistics
2015 & 2019 - Trek advisor
2021, 22, & 23 - Association of Baptist Scouts: Chapel Refurbishment
2014 - current: PSA Tech Committee, PSA Facebook page Admin

Philmont Experience Kim:
1994 - PTC Assistant South Tent City Manager
2002 - Ladies Autumn Adventure trek

Notable Mentions:
Doug Fasching
Dollie O'Neill
Steve Nelson
Steve and Doug Rayado Rangers
Chip Turner
Dale and Donna Copeland
Tom Giugni
Doug Fasching
Sam and Allison DeFrees

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Today I bring you an interview with current Philmont staffer, Paul French.  We kick it off by chatting about Paul’s experiences as a participant on Rayado.  We go on to discuss Paul’s passion for Philmont’s interpretive backcountry program, and how it’s a gateway to spark curiosity and humanize history.  Paul also shares his thoughts on current restraints on seasonal staffing including compensation and accessibility.

Philmont Experience:
2014 - 12 day trek participant
2015 - Rayado participant
2017 - Activities Staff
2018 - Ranger / TSI
2019 - PC Metcalf Station
2021 - CD Pueblano
2022 - CD Metcalf Station
2022 Fall - Backcountry Warehouse Clerk / Winter - BCW Manager
2023 - CD Baldy town

Notable Mentions:
Trevor Lombardi
Tucker Baker
Andrew Hendrix
Eric Witherington
Matt Shoemaker
Elliot Hoinville
Jack Siebert
Cormac Losbrook
Jack Holesure
David O'Neill
Arizona Duff

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An informative and thoughtful interview with current Associate Director of Camping, Phillip Ferrier.   We discuss the dynamic aspects of Human Resources - from staff training and discipline to cultural diversity and inclusiveness.  We also consider the recruitment needs for future staff and participants.

Notable Links:
Sherry Hamilton, Cimarron High School art teacher, organizes international trips for the high school kids through a group she’s called the Cimarron World Travelers.

Elevation Sound & Events 

BSA Experience:

• Camp Tapico (Michigan Crossroads Council) -  Summers of 2002-2007 & 2010-2012: Counselor in Training, Aquatics staff, Handicraft Director, Head Commissioner, COPE & Climbing Director, Program Director
• Camp Turrell (Northern New Jersey Council) – 2008 Summer: Pathfinder (First Year Camper) Director
• Florida Sea Base - 2012 Spring; 2013 Spring, Summer & Autumn, 2014 Spring, 2014-2015 winter: Coral Reef Mate, Sea Exploring Mate, Sailing Commissioner
• Summit Bechtel Reserve (Paul R. Christen High Adventure Base) - 2014 Summer & Autumn: Climbing Manager
• Summit Bechtel Reserve – February 2015 to May 2019: Director, James C. Justice National Scout Camp
• Philmont Scout Ranch – June 2019 to present: Associate Director of Camping – Base Camp Operations & Seasonal Personnel

Notable Mentions:
Nick Hutchinson
Shelley O'Neill
Steve Nelson
Chris Sawyer
Eric Martinez
Owen McCulloch
John Van Dreese
David O'Neil
Nate Lay
Austin St. George
Monic Turney
Joey Martinez
Derek Shiney
Slim Uribe-Goertz
Bryan Hayck
Tom Hellming
Betty
Jo
Heather
Kim Taylor
Carrie Hariston
Beth Carole
Ben Herman
Stosha
Ben Harper
Rob Ridgeway
Dave Kopsa
Issac
Troy
Ryan Jackson
Sherry Hamilton
Matt Hart
Mike Baretta

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Philmont staff trail hire, Cameron Loechl joins the show.  Cameron was hired off the trail in 2004 to be a cook at Beaubien. We have fun discussing that transition from participant to staff, and the immense amount of responsibility Philmont entrusts in its seasonal staff each summer.

He shares stories of impromptu Tobasco Donkeys concerts at Cypher’s mine, Fourth of July mud wrestling, The 2006 Casa Fire that threatened Philmont property, and more.

CureSearch Ultimate Hike - Support Barb Loechl

Philmont Experience:
1999 - Trek participant
2004 - Trek participant
2004 - Beaubien cook, hired off the trail
2005 - PC Sawmill
2006 - Cabin Restoration

Notable Mentions:
Chris Ford
Kim and Jenny Ford
Eric
Liz Bleeker
Mario Cambardella
Rick Smith aka Dirty Rick
Dirty Larry McLaughlin
Andy Gerhart
Iron John Logan

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Today's episode features two seasonal staffers who are currently at the ranch for the 2023 summer season: Kiley Conner - Base Camp Manager and Chase Anderson - Chief Ranger.  They speak of their goals to impact lives in the same fashion that their own lives were changed for the better by the Philmont experience.

Keith Walters 100th Maverick Rodeo posters and prints
 
Philmont Experience:
Kiley Conner
2016 - 12 day trek
2017 - Ranger / Fall Forestry Work Crew
2018 - Ranger / TSI
2019 - Ranger Trainer / Autumn Guide
2020 - Service Academy Coordinator (RIP) / Autumn Guide
2021 - Autumn Cavalcade participant
2023 - Base Camp Manager

Chase Anderson
2009 - 12 day trek
2017 - Ranger / Autumn Guide / Winter Adventure Guide/Coordinator
2018 - Ranger Trainer/TSI and Autumn Guide
2019 - Ranger Trainer / Autumn Guide
2020 - Associate Chief Ranger (RIP) / Autumn Guide
2021 - Autumn Cavalcade participant
2023 - Chief Ranger

Notable Mentions:
Chris Burk
Bill Chris
Eric Martinez
Todd Krentz
Ruel Holt
Sarah Roytech
Kat Rassussen
Caitlin Cormichael
Carson McCrea
Phillip Ferrier
Tim Collver

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Allison (Vinson) DeFrees joins the show to chat about our connection to Philmont via the concept of Sense of Place.   

Philmont Experience:
2006 - ROCS participant
2007 - PC Dan Beard
2008 - PC Rich Cabins
2009 - CD Urracca
2010 - Invasive Species Specialist, Autumn Guide
2012 - Trek participant
2013 - Logistics / Jamboree
2018 - 2019 - Full time PSR resident

Notable Mentions
Chris Reed
Robert Reed
Allison King
Kari Anderson
Kelly Tobin
Laura Munch 
Mary Stuver
Dave Bates
Mark Anderson
John Celley
Randa Celley
Mark Bryson
Ben Sparks
Cliff Eade
Tim Collver
Tobasco Donkeys
Ellie Nickens Turner
Iron John Logan
Rosendo Gallegos
Seth Mangini
Rod Taylor
Dave Plumb
Chris Sawyer
Sam DeFrees
Jim and Marianne MacGilivray
Dave Kopsa
Pete Bergone
Joe Duffield
Molly Hariston
Jason Maz

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Louise (Lopez) Mesaric was born in Santa Fe in 1941 and grew up in Cimarron, NM.  In this episode she shares fond memories of living at Philmont with her late husband, Larry Mesaric who worked full-time for the ranch as a horseman and cattle foreman from the early 1960s to early 1970s. 

Notable Mentions:
Leo Martinez
Aunt Rosie
Rudolph Schwartz
McDaniels Ranch
Boss Sanchez
Bengie Vargas
Mike Vargas
Larry Mesaric
Charlie and Esther
John and Margarette
John Mayner
Richard Munger
Laura Mesaric
Tracy Mesaric
Mr. Junker
Mr. Davis
Felipe
Pappy Schall
Gretchen Sammis
Gene Pompi
Grandpa Chase
Henry Lambert
David Adere
Eddie, Arabella, Gloria Sanchez
Grace and Bud
Vera Gourley
James Sitzberger
Larry Davis

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Rod Taylor, Eagle Scout and Texas native, worked full-time as a Philmont cowboy and Cattle Foreman for 34 years. Before that he trekked twice as a participant and worked seasonally for 5 summers.  Today he enjoys retirement and resides in Cimarron, NM.

2023 Philmont Wrangler Reunion website

Closing song by Jessica Seifert, Slim Uribe-Goertz, and Rod Taylor.

Philmont Experience:
1972 - Participant
1973 - Participant
1974 - PC French Henry
1975 - PC Beaubien
1976  - Wrangler Beaubien
1977 - Horseman Beaubien
1978 - Cavalcade Horseman
1983-2017 - Full-time Cowboy

Notable Mentions:
Patti Taylor
Steve Lewis
Carol Munch
Boss Sanchez
Bob Knox
Bob Rickleffs
Doug Johnson
Ben Sloan
Chope Phillips
Ben Vargas
Jane Munch
Chuck Enloe
Pep and Donna Archuleta
Hank Wiesscamp
Mollie Gruver
Margie Martinez
Joanne & Wiggs Martinez
Ry Taylor
Mason Taylor
Will Taylor
Jesse Martinez
Gene Schenell
Chris Hogan
Brian Thompson
Johnny Nelson
Doug Johnson
Jeremiah Johnson

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