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Dave is the current Director of Ranching and Conservation at Philmont Scout Ranch.  He shares that Philmont aims to be a leader in land management, stewardship, and conservation.  Philmont is raising the bar, and doing so in large part thanks to the dedicated and driven staff - both seasonal and full time.  Support the show

Friar chats about his love for the more remote backcountry camps, his fondness for burros and llamas, and the entertaining nature of telling yarns. Philmont Experience 1983 & 1985 - Trek Participant 1986 - CHQ food service  1987 - PC Clark’s Fork 1988 - PC Clear creek 1989 - PC Clear creek 1990 - CD French Henry 1991 - CD Clear Creek  1992 - CD French Henry 1993 - CD Clear Creek  1994 - CD Miranda Support the show

Today we are celebrating our 200th episode with Chris Werhane.  Chris works with the Disabilities & Special Needs community, including the Philmont Zia trek program.  Philmont Experience:  1982 Maintenance – Base Camp  1983 Pueblano PC 1984 Kit Carson PC 1985 French Henry PC 1986 Clear Creek PC 1987 Pueblano (CD) 1988 Clear Creek (CD) 1989 Miranda (CD)  1990 Clear Creek (CD) Support the show

Celebrating Chuck Enloe's 31 years of Service - January 9, 2026.  May an end of an era give birth to the continuation of a legacy so rooted in the reverence of work worth doing - that all who went before and all who are yet to come honor it as deep as blood, as family.  Philmont Experience 1968-1970 - Trek participant 1971 - Dining Hall Staff 1972 & 1975 - Wrangler 1976 - 1980 - Horseman 1983 & 1992 - Horseman 1992 - 1993 - Kanik Season 1995 - 1998 - Full time Fence Crew 1999 - 2001 - Fence Crew / Ponil Horseman 2002 - 2019 - Cowboy 2019 - 2026 - Livestock Foreman Notable Mentions Dave Kenneke Andrea Watson Dr. John Alexander Miller Adams Don Connealy   Degus Wright Dawson Enloe Support the show

Hey listeners - welcome back to Silver On the Sage Podcast. Today I get to chat with Russ Walliser. We discuss everything from how the podcast prompted Russ to apply to work at the ranch, to the upcoming Rayado Reunion, and more. Philmont Experience: 2017 - Trek participant 2019 - Trek participant 2023 - Ranger 2024 - Ranger on Rayado 2025 - Ranger Trainer, Autumn Guide Support the show

Snow Day episode!  In honor of the precipitation - please enjoy this month's extra episode, with Ryan Jackson, current Associate Director of Camping at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Today's episode is sponsored by the National Scouting Museum. The NSM exists to preserve and present the history and stories of Scouting in interesting, educational, and inspirational ways to visitors, both in person and virtually. Scouting Experience: Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation, Whiteford, MD -Counselor In Training - 2011 -Scoutcraft Staff - 2012 -Council Camping Director/Camp Director - 2021-2024 Summit Bechtel Reserve, Glen Jean, WV -Camp Commissioner (High Adventure) - 2014 -Camp Commissioner (Scout Camp) - 2015-2016 -Base Camp Manager - 2017-2019 -Program Operations & Logistics Support (POLS) Director - 2020 Philmont Scout Ranch  -Winter Base Camp Manager - 2021 -Associate Director of Camping - 2024-Present Support the show

Today's episode celebrates the special bonds that we create with the people we meet on staff and on the trail.  Kat and Ryan share their story of growing up and finding each other among those special hills.   Check out Dawn Chandler's weekly emails: TuesdayDawnings.  They are a free, weekly tonic of contemplation, curiosity & creativity.   Support the show

To help us celebrate the podcast's birthday and kick off our 6th year highlighting the impact of Philmont Scout Ranch - my kiddos Gillian, Louise, and Dawson join the show.  They candidly share the little and grand moments that sparked magic during their first visit to those special hills we call home. Support the show

What is a Riding Counselor?  Stick around to find out.  Kip shares stories of his experience in the Ranch Department in the early 1970s - including an exchange with Boss Sanchez, an encounter with the Grey Rider, and the task of learning each horse by its unique name.  He's volunteered for his local council for over 50 years, and is an avid supporter of time well spent in the outdoors. Philmont Experience: 1970 - Riding Counselor 1971 - Wrangler 1994 - Trek Advisor 1999 - Trek Advisor 2014 - Autumn Trek 2017 - Autumn Trek Support the show

Jenna's three week Rayado experience as a participant, and learning to expect unexpected - set her up for career success as a travel nurse, especially in the ER.  We chat about nuanced topics such as the Philmont sibling relationship, imposter syndrome, the multifaceted dynamics of being a Camp Director, and the lore of El Jenkins - an obscure painting that was the catalyst for a summer long prank.   Philmont Experience 2013 - 12 day trek 2015 - Rayado  2017 - PC Cimarroncito 2018 - PC French Henry / TSI 2019 - PC Cyphers Mine 2021 - CD Cyphers Mine Fall 2021 - Infirmary 2022 & 2023 - Volunteer Infirmary 2024 - Infirmary Driver & Nurse 2025 - CD Pueblano 2026 - BCM Support the show

Today Jake Koch joins the show to chat about his experiences on seasonal and full-time staff at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Thank you for being here, and for partaking in this experience.  Cheers to our last episode of 2025!   Philmont Experience: 2005: 12-day Trek participant 2009: 12-day Trek participant 2010 PC - Apache Springs 2011 PC - Head of Dean 2012 TBA PC - Cimarroncito 2013 CD - Miners Park 2014 CD - Clarks Fork / Autumn Adventure Guide 2015 CD - Cimarroncito / Winter Adventure Guide 2015 PTC Autumn Staff 2016:PSA Office Staff Full-Time - 2016-2021: Assistant Manager Tooth of Time Traders Support the show

Warren trekked and worked on staff in the 1970s, returned in the 80s to manage PTC Family Programs, and has been a major contributor to the PSA including President, editor, author, and more.  Sponsorship This episode is proudly sponsored by the National Scouting Museum, whose mission is to showcase the history and stories of Scouting in interesting, educational, and inspirational ways, both in person and virtual.  Philmont Experience 1974 - Trek participant 1975 - Kit Carson Men (now Rayado) participant 1975 - Trail hire: Ponil barkeeper 1976 - Ranger / USAFA Training Ranger 1977 - Training Ranger (now Ranger Trainer) 1978 - Rayado Trek Coordinator 1979 - Camp Director – Crater Lake 1981-1983 - Manager – Brooks Lodge – Katmai National Park, Alaska 1984-1985 - PTC Manager of Family Programs 1985 - Editor - Philmont Fieldguide 1985-1990 - Editor – High Country 1994-1998 - PSA Vice President of Membership 1998-2002 - President – Philmont Staff Association 2003 - Editor and Contributor – Tales from the High Country (Best of…collection) 2007 - Editor and Contributor – More Tales From The High Country 2011 - Author - I Wanna Go Back – Stories from the First 50 Years of the Philmont Rangers – First Edition 2013 - Author - I Wanna Go Back – Stories from the First 50 Years of the Philmont Rangers – Second Printing 2017 - Author - Print The Legend – Novel set in Philmont country 1985-2025 - Various roles with High Country. Contributing Writer Support the show

In September of 2025 I had the privilege of participating in the second week of the PSA Beaubein Service Corps Project.  The construction of the new Staff Dining Hall was made possible thanks to the many service corps volunteers, the Philmont  maintenance team, and generous donors.   Throughout the week, I recorded bits and pieces of the physical work being accomplished and the stories being told.  I hope you enjoy these highlights I’ve curated in an attempt to capture the immeasurable impact that Philmont Scout Ranch continues to have on my life, and the lives of many others. Notable Mentions: Jeff Wallick Elizabeth Morgan Liv Cunningham Badger Caster / Colin Potluri Jack on porch swing Christening meal - Colin Potluri Tim Greminger Campfire - Jeremy, Liv, Ron and Cunningham, Caitlin Lowe, Colin Potluri Closing - Curtis Seifert Dedication - Chris Vahlkamp Support the show

Today’s guest, John Richardson, brings enthusiastic insights and an eagerness to share his experiences as a participant and coordinator of the Philmont Leadership Challenge.  PLC hones the skills taught in Wood badge and promotes the concepts of servant leadership in an outdoor experiential learning environment. Support the show

Carl worked on staff in the 1970s, in the Ranger department.  Notably, in 1976, he was assigned to be a Coordinator of the newly named “Rayado” program, alongside Ian Sutherland.   Today, he is excited to be a part of the planning committee for the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Rayado Program.  This event will take place at Philmont July 23-26, 2026.  There will also be a Rayado themed 7-day trek option from July 19-26.   Philmont Experience: 1973 - Overnight visit to Philmont 1974 - Ranger 1975 - Training Ranger 1976 - Rayado Coordinator of new Rayado Program 2010 - Fly Fishing seminar 2004, 2006, 2010 - Trek advisor Support the show