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

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.