Kelly Dix was raised in Lyndonville, NY, where time spent outside sparked her curiosity and awe of the natural world. She holds degrees in Mathematics, Environmental Sciences & Engineering, and Toxicology. Throughout her career in biomedical research she spent her spare time backpacking and exploring the mountain west with her husband. Kelly found her true passion in retirement, sharing her enthusiasm for science and nature with others. She’s been a substitute teacher and a volunteer with several environmental education non-profit organizations. After moving to Montana with her husband in 2016 Kelly found her home at MNHC and she has been involved with the VNS, Montana Master Naturalist, WOW, and other programs ever since. When she’s not volunteering at MNHC, you can find her at the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium, hiking almost anywhere, or taking way too many photos of just about anything in the natural world.

Show notes:

00:03:39 - Childhood Outdoor Play

00:07:18 - Teamwork and Listening

00:10:52 - Listening to Nature's Hidden Voices

00:14:58 - From Math to Toxicology

00:17:09 - Pharmacokinetics and Environmental Toxicology

00:19:48 - Toxicology's Multidisciplinary Nature

00:22:16 - Importance of Public Lands

00:26:55 - Kelly Dix, Montana Naturalist

00:31:02 - Visiting Naturalist in Schools

00:34:26 - Hands-On Nature Education

00:37:26 - Montana Master Naturalist Program

00:42:23 - Montana Master Naturalists

00:44:32 - Montana Natural History Center Info

00:49:21 - Visiting Naturalist in Schools

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Lynx Vilden is a renowned author, wilderness guide, and ancestral skills teacher known for her immersive “Stone Age Projects,” where participants live off the land using only primitive tools and techniques. With over three decades of experience in earth-based living, Lynx has dedicated her life to reconnecting people with the rhythms of the natural world through traditional lifeways. Her teachings blend deep ecological awareness with hands-on instruction in skills such as hide tanning, fire-making, and shelter-building, inspiring a global movement toward rewilding and self-sufficiency. Her work has been featured in documentaries, books, and international media, and she continues to guide others on the path of ancestral remembrance and ecological belonging. In her stunning memoir Lynx Vilden chronicles her journey to reconnect with the earth, offering a model for how we all can nurture the wild around and inside ourselves.

Show notes:

00:03:33 - Connection to Nature and Ancestral Skills

00:07:06 - Finding My Path in Community

00:10:12 - Importance of Community in Wilderness Skills

00:13:54 - Exploring Stones by the River

00:15:32 - Exploring Natural Elements for Survival

00:17:19 - Exploring Earth, Water, and Fire

00:20:12 - Indigenous Survival Skills and Practices

00:24:33 - Learning Wilderness Skills with Lynx

00:27:07 - Exploring Nature's Grandeur

00:29:17 - Journeying Through the Wilderness

00:33:48 - Understanding Our Safety Plan

00:36:52 - Journey of Writing and Discovery

00:39:34 - Exploring Non-Conventional Publishing Paths

00:45:46 - Connecting with Nature and Moon Phases

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Dana Anderson, better known as Wild Mountain Man Dan, is a celebrated bushcraft instructor based in Matlock, Washington. Now 68, he has spent over six decades honing wilderness skills and teaching them to others. Dana has lived completely off the grid in a hand‑built cabin by a creek for more than three decades, cultivating a rich life subsisting on foraging, hunting, fishing, and primitive craftsmanship.

A master of stone‑tool crafting, arrowhead chipping, primitive cooking, and stone‑age technologies, Dana has taught countless students in wilderness gatherings across the western U.S. He’s best known for leading shelter‑building and raft‑building challenges at the PNW Survival Games, emphasizing resourcefulness, survival principles, and hands‑on learning. With over 33 years off‑grid experience and ongoing instructor roles in events like PNW Survival Games, Dana shares not just skills but also deep respect for wild landscapes.

Ean Anderson, Dana’s son, has followed in his father’s footsteps in a rugged way. As a veteran bear hunter and certified survival skills instructor, Ean blends traditional wilderness mastery with modern safety and technique. He specializes in teaching advanced tracking, big-game fieldcraft, and hands‑on wilderness preparedness.

With a strong focus on black and brown bear hunting, Ean has earned a reputation for combining ethical hunting practices with deep survival know‑how. Drawing on his father's traditions and his own professional experience, Ean teaches both individual learners and groups how to thrive safely in bear‑inhabited wilderness—from crafting emergency shelters and gear improvisation to honing decision-making under pressure.

Show notes:

00:04:26 - Childhood Adventures and Life Lessons

00:08:03 - Growing Up in a Remote Town

00:10:08 - Lessons from Childhood Hardship

00:12:11 - Growing Up in Nature

00:14:45 - Childhood Adventures in the Woods

00:17:33 - Ancient Skills and Modern Gatherings

00:19:59 - Traditional Survival Skills Overview

00:24:05 - Traditional Hunting and Food Connection

00:26:06 - Honoring Animals Through Sustainable Hunting

00:28:09 - Respecting Nature Through Hunting

00:30:56 - The Significance of Names

00:33:41 - Finding Identity Through Names

00:36:01 - Passion for Bear Hunting

00:37:08 - Passion for Bear Hunting

00:39:00 - Connection Between Hunting and Conservation

00:41:48 - Understanding Nature's Clues

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Together, Tim, Heather, and Lindsey strengthen Salmon State’s mission: defending rivers and salmon through policy advocacy, community engagement, and protection of critical watersheds across Alaska and its transboundary rivers.

As Executive Director based in Juneau, Alaska, Tim Bristol is a leading voice in salmon conservation policy. He has testified before the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, highlighting the urgent need to curb bycatch from large trawl fleets off Alaska and demanding stronger tribal co-management for rivers like the Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim—calling salmon population crashes “a human rights crisis and an ecological disaster”. Under his leadership, SalmonState champions habitat protection and bycatch reduction, bringing Indigenous stewardship into fisheries management at both local and federal levels.

In her role as Salmon Beyond Borders Campaign Advisor, Heather Hardcastle leads cross-jurisdictional efforts to protect salmon ecosystems that transcend political boundaries. Based in Juneau, she coordinates with stakeholders across Alaska and Canada to ensure the health of transboundary rivers—such as the Taku—by advocating science-based policy and Indigenous-led watershed governance. Her work helps strengthen salmon runs that cross national borders, safeguarding migratory pathways essential to species survival.

A second-generation gillnet captain from Bristol Bay, Lindsey Bloom brings first-hand fishing experience and a background in sustainable development (M.A.) to her campaign strategy role. After more than a decade fishing, she now organizes Alaskans—particularly young fishermen—and collaborates with tribal, nonprofit, and business communities to protect salmon habitat and influence fisheries policy around rivers and coastal waters. She helped lead the grassroots movement opposing the Pebble mine in Bristol Bay, even addressing its importance during President Obama’s 2015 visit.

https://salmonstate.org/

Show notes:

00:05:16 - Connecting with Alaska's Natural Heritage

00:08:17 - Protecting Transboundary Rivers Together

00:11:36 - Impact of Mining on Wild Salmon

00:17:30 - Advocating for Wildlife and Wild Places

00:20:29 - Understanding Salmon Species

00:21:50 - Salmon's Unique Life Cycles

00:25:23 - Connection Between Fishing and Family

00:28:20 - Protecting Alaska's Salmon Habitat

00:31:24 - Protecting Alaska's Salmon Ecosystem

00:34:19 - Tim Bristol's Conservation Journey

00:36:45 - Protecting Southeast Alaska's Forests

00:39:09 - Salmon State: Protecting Alaska's Ecosystem

00:42:06 - Transboundary Rivers and Mining Issues

00:44:39 - Lessons from Salmon Resilience

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Clint Fries is a deeply experienced river guide and expedition leader with over two decades of professional guiding across some of the planet’s most remote and breathtaking landscapes. Known for his calm presence, intuitive leadership, and profound respect for wild places, Clint has become a trusted figure in the world of wilderness travel.

For the past several years, Clint has guided multi-day rafting expeditions in Alaska with MT Sobek, one of the country’s most respected adventure travel companies. His work has taken him deep into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where he leads trips down the pristine Hulahula River—a rarely traveled corridor that winds from the Brooks Range through the tundra to the Beaufort Sea. Guiding in the Arctic demands more than just technical skill; it requires logistical precision, environmental sensitivity, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Clint brings all three, along with a quiet confidence that reassures both first-time adventurers and seasoned travelers.

Clients often remark on Clint’s ability to make even the most rugged landscapes feel like home. Whether navigating braided channels, managing wildlife encounters, or helping guests find comfort and joy in the wild, he leads with humility and insight. His years of experience have made him fluent in the rhythm of rivers—from the heat of Latin America to the icy silence of Alaska’s far north.

Clint’s path to guiding was shaped by a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. He studied at Earlham College, an institution known for its commitment to social justice and experiential learning, and participated in immersive field programs that laid the foundation for his career. He now lives in Capitola, California, but spends much of the year off-grid—on rivers, in mountains, and in the company of wild water.

More than just a guide, Clint is a teacher, a storyteller, and a quiet advocate for the wild. He believes that the best journeys aren’t about conquering nature—they’re about listening to it. Through each expedition, he invites guests to slow down, pay attention, and discover a deeper connection to the land and to themselves.

Show notes:

00:02:36 - Journey from Wilderness to Exploration

00:06:52 - Value of Excellence in Guiding

00:09:30 - Expedition Overview: Hula Hula Adventure

00:11:19 - Exploring the Arctic Tundra

00:13:50 - Muskox and Arctic River Adventures

00:17:23 - Exploring Tundra and Wildlife

00:21:23 - Dealing with Mosquito Pressure

00:22:42 - Experience with Caribou in the Arctic

00:25:31 - Wilderness Adventure and Bear Encounters

00:28:11 - Epic Hiking and River Adventures

00:30:31 - Exploring the Stunning Alaskan Wilderness

00:33:43 - Challenges of Guiding on Alsec River

00:36:05 - Embracing Nature as Healing Medicine

00:38:25 - Fostering Connection with Nature

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Bridget Crocker is a trailblazer in women's empowerment within the outdoor industry. A leading whitewater rafting guide in far-flung regions of Zambia, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, India, and the Western United States. During this interview, she discusses her new memoir The Rivers Daughter. Support your local bookstore and pickup a copy today!

Bridget is also a contributing author to Lonely Planet guidebooks and Travel Anthology and the Best Women's Travel Writing series from Travelers' Tales. Her work has been featured in magazines including Westways, Men's Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Trail Runner, Paddler, Outside, Vela, and Patagonia's blog, The Cleanest Line, among others. She lives in Malibu, California.

Show notes:

00:04:36 - Connecting with Nature and Overcoming Challenges

00:09:04 - Overcoming Insecurity in Guide School

00:10:27 - Facing Fear on the Snake River

00:12:29 - Empowerment and Challenges in River Guiding

00:15:46 - Shifting Power Dynamics in Society

00:20:03 - Empowering Women Beyond Sexual Power

00:22:54 - Navigating Power Dynamics as Women

00:24:44 - Connecting Through Nyami Nyami and Zambezi

00:28:21 - Lessons on Allyship and Empowerment

00:30:35 - Understanding Grief Behind Rage

00:32:55 - Overcoming Obstacles in Relationships

00:36:53 - Embracing Change and Courage

00:40:29 - Embracing Change and New Experiences

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#travel #adventure #adventuretravel #podcast #travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #whitewater #whitewaterrafting #whitewaterkayaking #riverguide #theriversdaughter #rivers #womenwholead #zambezi #kernriver #snakeriver #bridgetcrocker #traillesstraveled #jacksonhole

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Kevin McDermott—a.k.a. “Thirsty" has been guiding since he was 16 years old. He has 30+ years of experience guiding in Alaska, has climbed Denali and endears himself to travelers with his expertise, calm demeanor, and sense of humor. When he isn't guiding in the Arctic, you might find him on the Alsek, Tatshenshini, Middlefork Salmon or the Grand Canyon. He lives in Arizona with his wife, Darla, and enjoys working on Land Cruisers in his spare time.

Show notes:

00:03:33 - Discovering a Passion for the Outdoors

00:06:15 - Early Guiding Experiences in Alaska

00:09:32 - Discovering Alaska Through Rafting

00:12:15 - Exploring the Arctic Tundra

00:15:19 - Exploring the Arctic Landscape

00:18:31 - Understanding Winter River Dynamics

00:20:26 - Spring River Conditions and Challenges

00:22:37 - Wildlife and Mosquitoes in the Arctic

00:26:28 - Exploring Glaciers and Wildlife

00:29:33 - Climbing Denali: Challenges and Triumphs

00:33:41 - Reading Glacial Rivers in Alaska

00:38:37 - Understanding Nature Beyond Identification

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. 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 bringing in less than $100/month. Thanks for considering!

#arcticnationalwildliferefuge #hulahulariver #alaska #travel #adventure #storytelling #alsek #tatshenshini #whitewaterrafting #rafting #adventurepodcast #travelpodcast #arcticrefuge #grandcanyon

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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

• 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.
• Help us keep the podcast ad free by donating $3/month via PATREON. #montana #bobmarshall #wilderness

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

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