Silver On the Sage

Today I share an interview with Grace Wall, also known as Nolly.  Nolly is a current Philmont staffer and a long time scouter.  This interview embodies those moments when you meet a fellow alumni and feel instantly at ease and eager to chat about all things Philmont.   

Philmont Experience:
2019 - 12-day trek participant
2021 - PC Rich Cabins
2022 - PC Crater Lake
2023 - PC Cypher's Mine
2024 - CD Rich Cabins

Notable Mentions:
Cormac 
Jack Siebert

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Today's guest will soon begin his  27th summer on seasonal staff at Philmont Scout Ranch.  He's hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail, and summited over 40 state highpoints and 40 Colorado fourteeners.  But you may know him best from his published book - The Philmanac, and his famous Philmont cookies and desserts. 

Philmont Experience:
1978 - Trek Participant
1982 - Ranger
1983 - Seasonal Registrar
1985 - Welcome Center Manager
1986 - Trek Advisor
1987 CD -Phillips Junction
1988 CD - Phillips Junction
1989 CD - Baldy Town
1990 CD - Head of Dean
1991 CD - Cimarroncito
1992 CD - Miners Park
1993 CD - Pueblano
1994 CD - French Henry
1995 CD - Dean Cow
1996 CD - Clear Creek
1997 CD - Black Mountain
1999 CD - Rich Cabin
2002 CD - Crooked Creek
2004 CD - Miranda
2006 Cook - Cimarroncito
2008 Cook - Cimarroncito
2009 Cook - Beaubien
2011 Cook - Cimarroncito
2013 Cook - Ponil
2015 Cook - Clarks Fork
2018 Cook - Cimarroncito/Museum staff (Ute Park Fire)
2021 CD - Chase Ranch
2023 Cook - Clarks Fork
2024 - CD Dan Beard
Early 2000s - PSA Director (6 years)

Notable Mentions
Cliff Waygee
Dean Tooley
Dawn Chandler 
Doug Palmer
Lee Haddaway
Jim Foster
GS Harper
Fryer
Gene Schnell
Carlos Abuelo
Derek Shiney
Father Kevin Smith
John Eric Kauffman
John Pierce 
David O'Neil
Ed Pease
Bill Spice

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Kicking off Season 8 with the current Director of Camping, Unit 2 - Matt Hart.  Matt shares an enthusiastic commitment to Philmont’s exemplary levels of service and professionalism, from the first bus of the season to the last - and beyond. We discuss everything from recruitment, participant numbers, and BSA policy updates to Philmont capital projects, pilot programs, NM sunsets and more. 

Support the podcast!

• Monthly contributions via Patreon 
• One time donation via Venmo : Caitlin-Lowe-87714
• Podcast merchandise 

Scouting Background

• Eagle Scout from Troop 23 in Rockmart, GA
• District Executive, Senior District Executive, Program Director, Field Director Northwest GA Council, Rome, GA 1994-2002
• Scout Executive, Alapaha Area Council, Valdosta, GA-2002-2007
• Scout Executive, Suwannee River Area Council, Tallahassee, FL-2007-2010
• Scout Executive, South GA Area Council, Valdosta, GA-2010-2020
• Scout Executive, Northwest GA Council, Rome, GA-2020-2023
• Director of Camping, Philmont Scout Ranch 2023-present.

Philmont Background

• 12 Day Backcountry Treks in 2009 and 2013.
• PTC Faculty-Council Key 3-2022
• PTC Faculty-Commissioner Service-2005
• PTC Participant-(Council Key 3) 2010
• Philmont Fly Fishing Invitational-Annually from 2013-2022  

Notable Mentions:
Doug Palmer
Steve Nelson
Roger Hoyt
Shelley O'Neil
Dave Kenneke
Kevin Sticklemen
Dave Werhane
Austin St. George
Phillip Ferrier
David O'Neill
Nate Lay
Joey Fernadez
Monica Turney
Carrie Kosmicki Hairston 
Derek Shiney
Chris Sawyer
Kimberly Rayburn Hart
Chick Harvey
Linda Davis

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Donna kicks it off reminiscing back to 1986 when she gathered with friends to celebrate New Years at the ranch.  From her experiences as a rent-a-ranger and mountain trek mom to encounters with wildlife and full moon pranks, Donna embodies that special connection we all feel while sitting around a fire, gathering and reconnecting with Philmont friends.   

Girls and Women, Equity and Inclusion (GWEI)

Philmont Experience:
1978 - Trek participant
1980 - Camping dining hall staff
1981 - Camping distribution staff
1982 - Ranger
1983 - Ranger
1986 - New Years participant
2001 - PTC Participant
2011 - PSA Backcountry Liaison

Notable Mentions:
Chris Bowles
Ben Rush
Jon Antonavitch
Dean Tooley
Owen Michaelson
Dave Bogart
Chistine McCarthy-Standard
Scott Ingram
John Deal - Griz
Kathy Leach
Cliff Watje
Betty Watje
Bev Aldridge
Mr. Lloyd Knutson
Jim Foster
Willie Hittson

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Today I chat with the creator of the Instagram account "Cons Meme Cache."  Some of you may follow this social media account - where common Philmont staff experiences are presented with humor and jest.  The content creator wished to remain anonymous - but he shares the history and making of the account, as well as his experiences on staff and more. 

Philmont Experience:
2017 - Trek Participant
2019 - Trek Participant
2021 - Conservation Work Crew

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Bob and I chat about recording Tobasco Donkeys album “Sawin On The Strings,” black mountain bog wars, PSA cavalcade, New Years at the Ranch, and more.  A big thanks to Jeremy Spivey, Bob, his wife Val, and their daughter Mattie, for hosting a mini Philmont reunion and of course the chance to sing some tunes together.

Bob is a bass player for the Blood Brothers - check out their music!

Philmont Experience:
1988 - Trek participant
1990 - Trek participant
1991 - Trail Crew Trek
1992 - Trail Crew Trek / Trading post trail hire
1993 - Seally Canyon
1994 - Crater Lake
1995 - Black Mountain
1996 - CD Apache
1997 - CD Crater
1998 - CD Cyphers

Notable Mentions:
Dirty Larry Mclaughlin
Spencer Seim
Andy Gerhart
Shelley O'Neil
Chris Knolls
John Ferris Chaplain
Dave Bates
Scott Toney
Doug Fasching
Reggie Jayne
Ali Wick Meeks
Ryan Raddish
David Higginbotham
Joe Gats
Eric Voss
Reid Templeton
Ron Powers
Alex Ave 
Jag McLaughlin
Gene Schnell
Kelley Kirkwood "Cajun"
Chris Bryant
Pat (BCM)
Hunter Seim
Doug Palmer

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Conservation veteran, Crockett joins the show to share his experience and expertise in trail and campsite infrastructure, installation, and sustainability at Philmont Scout Ranch. 

Philmont Experience:
Summer '12 - Sustainability
Summer '13 - Environmental Educator, TCT & ROCS
Summer '14 - Conservation Site Foreman - Whiteman Vega
Summer '15 - Conservation Field Coordinator
Fall '15 - Trail Survey Team w/ Jordan Moede
May '16 - Nov '17 - Conservation Field Manager
Winter '18 - Conservation Hiring Support Staff
Summer '18 - Recreation Resource Specialist
Sept '18 - Dec '21 - Conservation Field Manager (full-time)

Notable Mentions:
Max McCale
David Pedrick
Carrie Anderson
Logan Hardin
John Celley
Kevin Dowling
Zach Seager
Casey Meyers
Jeb Redwine
Bryce Stephenson
Ben Harper
Conner Oxburger
Marty - Forester
Mary Steuver
Nate Lay
Chris Sawyer
Limmer Boot Company

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Between sips of coffee and contemplative grins - Ben and Marilyn Vargas share stories of love, dedication, and incredible hard work during their time living at Philmont Scout Ranch.  As second parents to many seasonal wranglers, Ben and Marilyn are humble celebrities among the Ranch Department, and I want to thank them for inviting me into their home and sharing just a small portion of the immeasurable impact they’ve had on so many lives.

I’d like to note that this episode was generously and anonymously sponsored by a member of the Old Horse Department, whom without, the making of this episode would not have been possible. I thank you.

Support the show and enjoy some tunes - "The Places We Call Home" by The Calico Stray.

Philmont Experience
Ben Vargas
Seasonal Staff
1964 - Rayado grounds
1965 - Rayado Dining Hall
1966 - Trading Post staff
1967 - Wrangler
1968 - Horseman
1969 - Horseman
1970 - Horseman

Full Time
1971 - Fence Crew then moved to Cowboy
1972 - 1979 - Cowboy
1980 - Horse Forman
2018 - Livestock Foreman

Marilyn Vargas
Seasonal Staff
1974 - Small Fry Director
1976 - 1979 - Nursery Director

Part Time
1980 - 1984 - Housekeeping

Full Time
1985 - 2018 - Assistant to General Manager (2015 promoted to Assistant to GM and Team Leader Administrative/Housekeeping).

Notable Mentions
Leo Martinez
Bob Knox
Jim Bird
Lee Mariett
Mark Anderson
Paul Claussen
Chuck Binger
Bill Spice
Keith Galloway
John Clark
Kevin Dowling
Austin Vargas
Kelly Vargas
Chope Phillips
BJ - Lost Ranger
Danny Sloan
Dollie O'Neill
Casey Lyman
Dr. John Alexander
John Bell
Jason Smallwood
Brad Newberry
Bob Rickleffs
Rusty Lowe

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Today we celebrate not only amazing Philmont friendships, but also the relationships that summit the highest peak of life - that of love and commitment. Mike and Katie Nyhart share their story, which began in 2015 on the Baldy Town porch. Their wedding day was truly a work of art - surrounded by over 30 Philmont friends, and etched into every intentional detail - memories from those special hills. Lastly, the couple share tips on how to maintain Philmont relationships across space and time.

Philmont Experience:
Katie (Krzyvon)
2011: Trek participant
2013: Trek participant
2014: Rayado participant
2015: PC Baldy Town
2016: CD Ring Place
2017: CD Baldy Town
2018: Logistics (arrived late and left mid-summer)

Mike
2011: Trek participant
2013: Trek participant
2014: PC Beaubien
2015: PC Pueblano
2016: PC Metcalf
2017: CD Whiteman Vega
2018: CD Pueblano/TSI
2018: Autumn BCW
2019: BCM

Notable Mentions:
Sean Murphy
Lela Murphy
Lizzie Standard
Zach Garmoe

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Father-daughter duo, discusses the generational similarities and differences of working as Wranglers in the Philmont Ranch Department. Chris began on seasonal staff in 1990, and Anna in 2023.  They express gratitude to the Ranch Department for its close-knit culture and dedicated work ethic – which prepared them for future careers and successful relationships.

Celebrate and support Silver On the Sage Podcast by contributing via a monthly contribution through Patreon or a one time donation via Venmo @Caitlin-Lowe-87714.

Philmont Experience:
Chris Holloway
1984 - Trek Participant
1988 - Trek Participant
1990 - Wrangler
1991 - Wrangler - North Cav Horseman
2005 - PTC Faculty
2013 - PTC Wilderness First Aid
2022 - Trek Advisor
2024 - Trek Advisor

Anna Holloway
2023 - Wrangler
2024 - Wrangler

Notable Mentions:
Bob Rickleffs
Ben Vargas
Rod Taylor
Chuck Enloe
Dr. John Alexander
Rusty Lowe
Dave Davis
Chris Lathum
Brandon Blakney
Leslie Davis
Linda Davis
Nate Lay

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