Dan and Karen Ashton met at Philmont in 1977, and recently celebrated 31 years of marriage. Their story is untraditional and adventurous - much like the paths we traverse in the rugged backcountry hills. The couple shares stories as though we were casually grouped around a campfire, like old friends do.

Philmont Experience Dan:
1973 & 1974 – Trek participant
1975 – Kit Carson Man Trek
1976 – CHQ Dining Hall
1977 – Beaubien Cook

Philmont Experience Karen:
1975, 77, & 78 – Trek participant
1979 – CHQ Trading Post
1983 – PTC Trading Post Assistant Manager
1984 – PTC Tranding Post Manager
2019 – Museum Docent

Notable Mentions:
Henry Wicksen
Charlie Aldredge
Doug & Betty Palmer
Bill Tate
Hans Peterson
Rod Taylor
Steve Zimmer
Dave Kenneke
The Otts
Dean Tooley

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Happy birthday Silver On the Sage Podcast! Today the podcast begins it's fifth year of sharing stories and highlighting the immeasurable impact that Philmont has had on all of our lives.

As of today, the show has totaled 95,000 downloads. We have aired 166 episodes, and reached audiences in over 13 countries, and 315 cities. I'm so honored to continue to host and produce this podcast, and to preserve the history of Philmont and her people.

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David is currently the Director of Wilderness Adventures at Northern Tier, and was formerly a Senior Associate Director of Program at Philmont Scout Ranch. During his thirteen year tenure at Philmont he implemented several new safety and risk management procedures, enhanced Philmont's shooting sports program, expanded backcountry instrument inventory, refined backcountry warehouse usage data, and lead the opening of Metcalf Station.

David praises Scouting for its recent inclusivity efforts - opening the program to all walks of life, and of course the lifelong impact it offers youth.

Philmont Experience:
1992 – Two Treks - participant
1995 – PC Apache Springs
1996 – PC Iris Park
2003 – PSA Trek. Hiking through the Ponil fire area.
2011-2024 – Sr. Associate Director of Program

Northern Tier:
2018: Trek with Troop 68, Cimarron (Ute Park Fire closed Philmont)
2024 – Present: Director of Wilderness Adventures

Florida Sea Base:
2017: Volunteer Staff – Post Hurricane Irma recovery team (PSA)

Summitt:
2017 National Jamboree Staff – High Adventure Booth Director

Notable Mentions:
Monty Gibson
Brent Smith
Jimmy Lowe
Denise Tony
Brent Smith
Chris Sawyer
Tony Chandless
Doug Lundsford
Donnie Lundsford
Doug Palmer
Mark Anderson
John Van Dreese

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Today we travel to 2012 when Jeremy Cunningham and I, along with several other phenomenal individuals, spent the summer at Beaubien - calling it our home. This episode is special for me because it's the first interview I've done with a fellow staff member. Jeremy and I chat about his one and only summer on staff - the family bond amongst co-workers, working hard to delivery a world class experience for Scouts and advisors, and working hard to enjoy ourselves in our youth - as we all should.

Philmont Experience:
2007 - Trek Participant
2009 - Trek Participant (crew leader)
2012 - PC Beaubien

Notable Mentions:
Jimmy Lowe
Kim Ford "Mouse"
Gentle Jeff Gamble
Ranger Shawn
Ben Moniz
Nate Nastase
Rachel Aguirre
Dylan McDermott
Van
Dan Edwards
Garrick Lancaster
Teresa
Hannah

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As we close out Season 8 of Silver On the Sage Podcast - I share with you an episode from the vault. In late spring of 2021 I interviewed my sister Claire Ficke. We had intentions to co-host the podcast that summer, but - had to delay the idea. All the same - this episode still holds relevance, meaning, and nuggets of wisdom too good not to share.

Philmont Experience:
2013 - PC Beaubien
2014 - PC Cyphers Mine
2015 - ACD Beaubien
2016 - Videographer NPS

Notable Mentions:
Austin St. George
Kreable Young
Devyn Healy (Hanselmann)
Caroline Davis
Nathan Ford
Tanner Shaw
Sam Anderson
Ellyn Washburne Rager
Tyler Minchow
Lucy Baker
Nicole Butler
Ted Cook

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In today's episode I get to chat with the current Director of Program at the Philmont Training Center, Maddy Houk. In addition to discussing what this new era of PTC has to offer, we highlight the success of a special project that Maddy is very passionate about - the Zia Experience. The Zia experience is a modified BSA Family Adventure Camp program focusing on giving Scouts with special needs and disabilities, their parent(s), family members, and caregiver(s) new and exciting Philmont adventures.

Philmont Experience:
2016 - PTC Craft Center Staff
2017 - PTC Assistant Program Manager
2018 - PTC Program Manager
2019 - PTC Program Manager
March 2021- Present - PTC Director of Program

Notable Mentions:
Davilyn McArthur (Rohr)
Caroline Olerich
Caroline Miller
Grant Reigleman
Shelley O'Neill
Nick Hutchinson
Danny Tucker
Amanda Martinez
Shelley O'Neill
Brian Seibert
Chris Werhane
Alisa Hightower
Nate Lay
Kevin Stickleman
Julie Still
Graeme Bagley

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Eric Locklar, known to several of you as Lock, joins the show to share many a story and a heartfelt appreciation for all that Philmont Scout Ranch has given him. From the Ponil Rootbeer challenege to the 1996 Harlan Tornado radio call - Lock embodies the spirit of work hard, play hard. He expresses his dedication to the Philmont scouting experience and to the late Doug Palmer as a mentor and lifelong friend.

Philmont Experience:
1986 - Trek participant
1988 - Trek participant
1990 - Trading Post Clerk & Opening Campfire
1991 - Trading Post Manager Ponil
1992 - PC Ponil
1995 - PC Harlan
1996 - CD Harlan
1997 - CD Fish Camp

Notbale Mentions:
Bill Spice
Doug Palmer
Spencer Seim
Fred Cribbett
GS Harper
Doug Cram
Cajun
Red
Pat Adams
Rebecca Ellis
Brandon White
Megan Gruellia
Shelley O'Neill
Larry McLaughlin
Roch Roharbacher
Owen McCulloch
Reggie Jayne

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The next 90 minutes will showcase original songs, poems, and stories shared to celebrate the life and impact of Doug Palmer who served as Philmont's Associate Director of Program for over 23 years.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted content to make this episode possible. Be sure to read the show notes below for set list details.

Set List

1) "The Phil-Sick Blues" - Mark Haechen

2) City Limit Sign - written by Dr. John Alexander and performed with Gayanne Jeffers

3) Cabin Music - Ali Meeks, Andy Gerhart, and Bob Brown

4) Doug Story / Fire and The Sky - Reid Templeton

5) Beaubien Porch - Bob Busch

6) "Green of Dawn" - Dave Liebmann

7) The Other Side - Bonnie Miller

8) Higher Ground - Will Kemple Taylor

9) The Wind and the River - Carly & Dylan McDermott

10) Doug Story - Fred Cribbett

11) "Philmont Land Ahead of Me" - Steve Chase

12) Philmont on my Mind - Warren Smith

13) Little Ditty - Topher Busch

14) "Waiting" - Elizabeth Knapp

15) Alright For Now - Zak Butler

16) Rich Brothers - Grace Wall

17) "Pondering A Ponderosa" - Ali Meeks

18) Where There's Mountains - Becca Fallaw with credit to Finnaghan Stumps

19) Everything You've Grown - Will Kemple Taylor

20) Rayado - David Burchfield

21) "A Young Girl in a Red Hooded Cape" - Anonymous

22) Across The Great Divide - Jack Chinn

23) Winds Change - Claire Ficke and Dylan McDermott

24) Leaving Beaubien - Tom Munch

25) "The Letter" - Tim Rosseisen

26) Tim's Song - Zak Butler

27) Ride With Me Jesus - written by Dr. John Alexander performed by Rod Taylor

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