The Hush of the Land: Smoke Elser shares some of this favorite stories from the Bob Marshall Wilderness

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. He co-authored the textbook Packin’ In on Mules and Horses and is a certified “Master of No Trace” instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).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. 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.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 stewarding the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Show notes: 00:03:59 - Teaching Guests to Listen to Wilderness00:06:14 - Wilderness Education for Youth Away from Screens00:07:48 - Bringing Youth Back to the Wilderness00:10:02 - Starting Wilderness Camps for Kids00:11:43 - Montana Elders Teaching Youth Wilderness Skills00:13:08 - Teaching Wilderness Skills to Young Adults00:15:08 - Touring the Historic Barn and Saddle Collection00:16:53 - Historic Saddles and Branding Iron Collection00:19:44 - Caring for Retired Horses and Mules00:22:17 - Camping at the Airfield with Horses00:24:23 - Sleeping with Grizzlies in the Wilderness00:26:38 - Protecting the Wilderness Through Innovation00:29:16 - Gore-Tex Innovation and Leave No Trace Camping00:33:46 - Lightweight Camping and Leave No Trace Practices00:36:05 - Making Fire Pans and Horse Shoeing Tips00:37:35 - Biodiversity: Why Every Species Matters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.