Step into the rugged beauty of Montana's backcountry as wilderness legend Smoke Elser shares his remarkable 60+ year journey through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Since 1957, Elser has been a guardian of these pristine lands, witnessing their transformation from horse-only trails to a diverse recreational haven. Learn about Bob Marshall himself - an extraordinary conservationist who, despite his aversion to horses, hiked extensively through Montana's wilderness, laying the groundwork for modern conservation efforts. His legacy lives on through the Wilderness Society and the landmark Wilderness Act of 1964.

Arnold “Smoke” Elser is a legendary wilderness outfitter, educator, and conservationist whose life’s work is deeply rooted in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness. Since his first trip into the Bob in 1956, Elser has spent nearly seven decades guiding thousands of people—many of them first-time riders—through its rugged terrain, sharing not only the landscape but also his deep reverence for wild places.

After graduating from the University of Montana in 1968 with a degree in range management and secondary education, Elser and his wife Thelma founded Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitters. They built their business on a philosophy of “interpreting the land,” helping guests connect with the wilderness through storytelling, horsemanship, and a commitment to conservation. Elser has led over 700 trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and has spent more than 8,030 nights under its stars.

Elser’s influence extends beyond guiding. He has taught horse and mule packing at the University of Montana since 1964, training over 30,000 students, including military personnel and federal land managers.

Elser’s stories and experiences are captured in the memoir Hush of the Land: A Lifetime in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, co-authored with Eva-Maria Maggi. The book offers a vivid account of his adventures and his enduring commitment to protecting Montana’s wildlands. Even in his 90s, Smoke Elser remains an active voice in wilderness education and conservation, embodying a lifetime dedicated to the stewardship of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Show notes:

00:04:06 - Founding the Wilderness Society

00:07:13 - Establishing Wilderness Areas

00:09:55 - Creation of the Bob Marshall Wilderness

00:12:56 - Development of Wilderness Access

00:14:29 - Evolution of Bob Marshall Wilderness Use

00:16:52 - Growth of Hiking and Floating Activities

00:18:58 - Alumni Gathering in the Hills

00:21:06 - Starting an Outfitting Business

00:23:27 - First Trip to Sentinel Lookout

00:25:53 - History of the Bob Marshall Wilderness

00:29:05 - Establishing a Ranger Station

00:33:28 - Exploring Hawn Creek and Ranger Stations

00:35:41 - History of the Ranger's Cabin

00:37:45 - History of Bob Marshall Wilderness

00:40:28 - Improving Wilderness Camping Practices

00:42:52 - Backpacking Fire Pan Tips

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The Missoula Housing Authority offers housing assistance to veterans through programs like HUD-VASH, which combines rental assistance with VA case management and supportive services. MHA's Valor House provides 17 one-bedroom units for permanent housing for homeless veterans, featuring communal amenities such as a kitchen, meeting spaces, and laundry facilities. In 2023, MHA received funding to expand permanent housing options for homeless veterans and their families.

Established in 1990, Veterans Inc. is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Massachusetts, serving veterans and their families across New England, Montana, and North Dakota. It provides holistic supportive services, including housing, employment and training, case management, food security, behavioral healthcare, suicide prevention, and programs for women veterans. Veterans Inc. has assisted over 100,000 veterans, achieving an 85% success rate in transitioning them out of homelessness.

Valor House is a 72-bed transitional housing facility operated by First Step House, offering housing and supportive services to veterans experiencing homelessness. The program provides structured support to help veterans transition to permanent housing.

Show notes:

00:04:32 - Journey from Alcoholism to Recovery

00:07:55 - Importance of Seeking Help

00:11:45 - Supporting Veterans and Community Programs

00:13:34 - Understanding Homelessness Among Veterans

00:17:22 - Finding Support and Rebuilding Life

00:25:15 - Opening Your Eyes to Change

00:26:42 - Supporting Veterans in Need

00:29:01 - Embracing Support and Community

00:30:36 - Journey to Self-Sufficiency

00:33:47 - Life at Valor House

00:35:04 - Update on Eye Surgery and Community Care

00:36:30 - Conservation Tips for Baby Birds

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Step into the extraordinary world of Skip Horner, a veteran adventure guide whose 50-year career spans over 100 countries and countless epic expeditions. Skip Horner is a legendary American adventure guide, mountaineer, and expedition leader with a career spanning over five decades. He is renowned for being the first guide to lead clients to the summits of all Seven Summits—the highest peaks on each continent—including Mount Everest, where he became the 420th person to reach the top. His extensive guiding experience encompasses more than 100 countries, with expeditions in 62 of them, ranging from mountain treks to river descents and wildlife safaris.

Horner's adventurous spirit has led him to accomplish numerous firsts in the world of exploration. He has led first descents of 12 major rivers, including the Yangtze, Zambezi, and Indus, and has navigated the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon 38 times. His mountaineering feats include 33 ascents of Kilimanjaro, eight of Mount Vinson in Antarctica, and six of Gunnbjørnsfjeld in the Arctic. Additionally, he has skied to the North Pole and participated in 11 expeditions to Antarctica.

Alongside his wife Elizabeth, Horner operates Skip Horner Worldwide, Inc., based in Victor, Montana. Together, they design and lead bespoke expeditions to some of the world's most remote and culturally rich destinations, including camel treks across the Sahara, Himalayan climbs, and Amazon rainforest explorations . Horner is a certified alpine guide by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and a Fellow Emeritus of the Explorers Club.

Show notes:

00:04:48 - Reflecting on 40 Years of Adventures

00:08:07 - Memorable Adventures in Burkina Faso

00:10:48 - Determining the Highest Arctic Peak

00:14:19 - Life's Journey Through Travel Chapters

00:16:39 - First Descent on the Çoru River

00:19:25 - Preparing for the River Challenge

00:21:57 - Preparing for Class Five Rapids

00:23:36 - First Descent of the Choroo River

00:25:35 - From Turkey to Antarctica Adventures

00:27:28 - First Ascent of Vinson

00:30:02 - Climbing Challenges at High Camp

00:32:27 - Facing Mistakes in Mountain Climbing

00:34:33 - Overcoming Failure on Mount Vinson

00:37:13 - Movement as a Key to Problem Solving

• Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
• The radio version of the show premieres Sunday nights at 6 MST, streaming live online at Trail1033.com & locally (Missoula) on the Trail 103.3 FM
• Why listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!
• Please help us keep the podcast ad free by donating $3/month via PATREON. We really need your help, as of right now we are only brining in $79/month in donations.

#travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #conservationpodcast #podcast #whitewaterrafting #antartica #skiphorner #travelpodcast #travel #adventuretravel #missoula #missoulamontana #montana #storytelling #mountainclimbing #whitewater

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