<p><em>Arnold “Smoke” Elser is a legendary wilderness outfitter, educator, and conservationist whose life’s work is deeply rooted in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness.&nbsp;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.</em></p><br><p><em>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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;Elser has led over 700 trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and has spent more than 8,030 nights under its stars.</em></p><br><p><em>Elser’s influence extends beyond guiding.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;He co-authored the textbook&nbsp;Packin’ In on Mules and Horses&nbsp;and is a certified “Master of No Trace” instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).</em></p><br><p><em>A passionate advocate for wilderness preservation, Elser played a key role in the creation of the Great Bear Wilderness in 1978 and testified in support of the 1964 Wilderness Act.&nbsp;His efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including the University of Montana’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award and the Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award from The Conservation Roundtable.</em></p><br><p><em>Elser’s stories and experiences are captured in the memoir&nbsp;Hush of the Land: A Lifetime in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, co-authored with Eva-Maria Maggi.&nbsp;The book offers a vivid account of his adventures and his enduring commitment to protecting Montana’s wildlands.</em></p><br><p><em>Even in his 90s, Smoke Elser remains an active voice in wilderness education and conservation, embodying a lifetime dedicated to stewarding the Bob Marshall Wilderness. </em></p><br><p><strong>Show notes: </strong></p><p>00:03:59 - Teaching Guests to Listen to Wilderness</p><p>00:06:14 - Wilderness Education for Youth Away from Screens</p><p>00:07:48 - Bringing Youth Back to the Wilderness</p><p>00:10:02 - Starting Wilderness Camps for Kids</p><p>00:11:43 - Montana Elders Teaching Youth Wilderness Skills</p><p>00:13:08 - Teaching Wilderness Skills to Young Adults</p><p>00:15:08 - Touring the Historic Barn and Saddle Collection</p><p>00:16:53 - Historic Saddles and Branding Iron Collection</p><p>00:19:44 - Caring for Retired Horses and Mules</p><p>00:22:17 - Camping at the Airfield with Horses</p><p>00:24:23 - Sleeping with Grizzlies in the Wilderness</p><p>00:26:38 - Protecting the Wilderness Through Innovation</p><p>00:29:16 - Gore-Tex Innovation and Leave No Trace Camping</p><p>00:33:46 - Lightweight Camping and Leave No Trace Practices</p><p>00:36:05 - Making Fire Pans and Horse Shoeing Tips</p><p>00:37:35 - Biodiversity: Why Every Species Matters</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>