Bryce Blankenship

As a current Philosophy Instructor at the University of Idaho, Bryce discusses backcountry culture, logger camps, Phil-flings, and the connective elements of sharing food and drink - all through a philosophical and contemplative lens.  Bryce praises Philmont for teaching him to appreciate mentors and staff with opposing world views and how to be patient and adaptive at such a young age. That it’s okay not to know what to expect - in fact, if given the opportunity to expect the unexpected, one is actually, better prepared.  Bryce misses meals with staff and what they represent - a time to gather, swap stories, and pause before daytime or evening program.  Those quiet moments in camp, when perhaps the existential awareness of self becomes very profound, intoxicating, and a shared mystery amongst all Philmont staff.  How years of lived history collide with the unique individuals who are there today - speaking through the landscape, each and every fleeting summer. His stories include epic Phil-fiestas at Crater Lake and of course music. Bryce says, “There is undoubtedly a connection between his life's trajectory and his experience at Philmont,” Today Bryce is a Senior Instructor of Philosophy at the University of Idaho.  He studies existentialism, environmental ethics, and feminism.  And, most recently, he is interested in addressing the ways various topics in philosophy intersect with various topics and questions surrounding perceptions of alcohol and alcohol use. He is the accomplished Editor of the text: Handling the Hard Stuff: Conversations on the Philosophy of Alcohol.Philmont Experience2001 - Trek Participant2007 - PC Pueblano2008 - PC Crater Lake2009 - CD Crater LakeNotable Mentions:Barbara GarciaDavid BurchfieldPhillip LewisMark BrysonRy TaylorWill TaylorPete WeberAlex PagnottaTravisPhil LewisGene SchnellPete WeberAustin Best & JessicaSlim Uribe-Goertz Eli Page-GoertzAndrew GarnerWalter BearAdam and Brad HerrinbrookKerri AndersonBarbara GarciaDom AlisindriniTim CollverSupport the show