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The Trail Less Traveled
Bitterroot Alpine Guides provides inspired outdoor pursuits in the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains of western Montana.
Paul Belanger is the founder and lead guide for Bitterroot Alpine Guides. His passion in life has been centered around connecting people with the the natural world through outdoor pursuits of all kinds. He is a skilled naturalist and birder and believes deeply that getting outdoors is good for the mind, body and soul. Paul has dedicated his career to helping young and old develop their “sense of place” and connecting to the land, water and wildlife.
Paul's professional background working outdoors began with a couple of summers working for the United States Forest in Montana. Paul began his graduate studies in science educations with a year-long residency at the Teton Science School and then to the University of Montana. These experiences forged Paul's abilities as a naturalist and educator and led him into a career over the next two decades in conservation and education with the Nature Conservancy of Montana and the Montana Audubon Society. These transformative years introduced Paul to some of the most spectacular landscapes and people in Montana and, deepened his understanding of working landscapes that support both people and wildlife. Always looking to expand his audience and his horizons, Paul moved into the world of education and adventure travel working as a travel program specialist, education leader and professional guide to the National Parks of the west, Belize and Costa Rica.
Paul’s greatest pride and joy is his beautiful family including his wife Dulcie who is a beautiful ceramic artist and teacher and his two boys Finn and Tucker. Rounding out the family homestead are Zephyr the Lab, Whinnie the Cat and Phoenix the chicken. Paul enjoys fly-fishing, wilderness camping, skiing, subsistence hunting, traveling, mountain biking and tending to his ever expanding garden.
Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube!!!
The radio version of the show includes copyright music and premieres Sunday nights at 6 MST. You can live online at Trail1033.com & locally (Missoula) on the Trail 103.3 FM
This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps.
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Discover the Montana Natural History Center with Marilyn Marler
45:13|Marilyn Marler holds a Bachelor's degree from University of California, Davis and a Master's degree from the University of Montana, both in Biology. She has been a Natural Areas Specialist at the University of Montana since 1998. Marilyn brings 25 years’ experience in land stewardship, science education, and public service to her role at MNHC. She grew up in the Sierra Nevada foothills, attended UC Davis for her biology degree, and moved to Missoula in 1994 for a master’s in biology at the University of Montana. For the last 28 years Marilyn and her husband David have enjoyed Missoula’s vibrant community spirit and Montana’s unmatched outdoor pursuits. She has served on the boards of many state and local non-profits and has served in elected office in both city and state government.Show notes: 00:04:28 - Growing Up in the Sierra Nevada Foothills00:07:02 - Hunting, Conservation, and Personal Journey00:10:39 - The Role of Hunters in Conservation00:12:24 - Promoting Nature Appreciation Through Education00:14:58 - Free Nature Exploration for Young Kids00:17:57 - Embracing Native Plants and Art Exploration00:20:07 - The Benefits of Membership00:23:22 - Life as a Montana Legislator00:26:01 - The Hectic Life of a Legislator00:28:25 - Passion for Native Plants and Land Stewardship00:31:22 - The Fragile Beauty of Montana's Wildflowers00:33:07 - Appreciating Nature in Missoula00:35:09 - Fostering Nature Connection through Classroom Mentorship00:38:28 - Inspiring the Next Generation of Nature Stewards00:41:02 - Montana Natural History Center Staff and Board share their PassionYou can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.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 FMWhy listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects.#travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #conservationpodcast #podcast #MONTANA #ecology #hunting #conservation #MontanaNaturalHistoryCenter #storytelling #adventure #travel #traillesstraveled #missoula #haines #adventuretravelShaping Modern Expedition Rafting with Bart Henderson
48:21|Bart Henderson, a retired international river guide, shares his experiences growing up in Utah and being part of the early river rafting industry. He describes how the town of Vernal and the Green River were central to the development of companies like Hatch River Expeditions, which pioneered commercial rafting. Bart's early exposure to the river guiding business sparked his lifelong passion for adventure and exploration, leading him to guide expeditions in diverse ecosystems around the world, from Alaska to Ethiopia.Experience the thrills and challenges of navigating remote waterways, from battling powerful winds to managing wildlife encounters, as Bart shares insights from decades of guiding experience across diverse ecosystems. His story culminates in the successful establishment of Chilkat Guides, proving that adventure tourism can breathe new life into local economies.Join us for this fascinating journey through the history of river rafting and discover how one man's passion for adventure helped chart new courses in global expedition tourism.Listen now to hear firsthand accounts of these remarkable river adventures that shaped modern expedition rafting.Show notes:00:07:46 - From River Kid to Boatman00:10:33 - Pioneering International River Guiding00:13:08 - Exploring the Gaba River: A Risky Adventure00:15:09 - Harrowing Rescue Mission on the Alsek River00:19:21 - Navigating the Alsek River: Challenges and Logistics00:21:33 - Guiding on Whitewater Rivers: Challenges and Rewards00:24:46 - Navigating the Unique Challenges of Glacial River Guiding00:27:36 - Mastering the Portagee Stroke: Efficient Rowing Techniques00:29:47 - Navigating Braided Rivers and Dangerous Channels00:33:45 - Navigating Treacherous River Channels00:36:45 - Pioneering River Guiding Across the Globe00:38:27 - Advice for Aspiring River Guides: Have Fun, Take Care of Your Body, and Plan for the Future!You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.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 FMWhy listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects. #travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #conservationpodcast #podcast #alaska #alsek #tatshenshini #whitewaterrafting #rafting #whitewater #storytelling #adventure #travel #traillesstraveled #missoula #haines #adventuretravelThe Path of the Puma with with Jim Williams
52:09|Step into the fascinating world of mountain lions with Jim Williams, a veteran wildlife biologist with over 30 years of experience in large carnivore conservation. Often referred to as the "ghosts of the forest", in this episode Jim shares captivating insights about these magnificent predators that roam the Americas.Through his remarkable career journey, Jim has championed wildlife conservation efforts in the Northern Rockies, fighting to protect crucial habitats from increasing development pressures. His work has been instrumental in securing conservation easements that preserve both public access and wildlife corridors, especially during the recent pandemic-driven population surge in the region.The episode delves into mountain lions' unique hunting strategies, their solitary nature, and their ability to thrive across diverse landscapes. Jim also addresses common misconceptions about large carnivores and shares wisdom gained from decades of field experience. Ready to discover the secret life of America's most enigmatic big cat? Tune in to hear Jim's extraordinary tales from the wild and learn why these powerful predators deserve our respect and protection.Show notes:00:03:05 - From Surfing to Conservation00:04:37 - Diverse Wildlife Management Roles in Montana00:07:30 - Preserving Land and Sharing Conservation Experiences00:12:47 - Conserving Vital Landscapes for Wildlife and People00:16:58 - Introducing the Elusive Mountain Lion00:20:13 - Risks and Realities of Mountain Lion Hunting00:24:35 - Respecting the Role of Large Carnivores00:27:01 - How Wolves Impact Mountain Lion Hunting Patterns00:30:15 - Ecological Benefits of Large Carnivores00:32:57 - Connecting People and Place with Xplorer Maps00:35:32 - Preserving Wildlife Corridors Through Private Land Conservation00:41:55 - Coexisting with Mountain Lions in Montana00:44:46 - Balancing Tolerance and Conservation00:48:09 - Don't Take No for an Answer: Advice for Persistence and Positivity00:49:50 - Prioritize Your Stress WiselyYou can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.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 FMWhy listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects. #travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #conservationpodcast #podcastMissoula: A Thriving Hub of Community, Culture, and Commerce
48:00|Discover how a small Montana city became a thriving hub of culture, entrepreneurship, and community connection. From the iconic Big Dipper Ice Cream celebrating its 30th anniversary to the bustling Caras Park hosting over 100 community events annually, downtown Missoula exemplifies the perfect blend of historical preservation and modern vibrancy.Linda McCarthy, Executive Director of the Downtown Missoula Partnership, shares how Missoula has evolved into a pedestrian-friendly destination where strangers still greet each other on the street. The city's commitment to inclusivity shines through initiatives like zero-fare public transportation and free community events.The "hip strip" showcases the entrepreneurial spirit of local businesses, while the University of Montana adds a dynamic educational dimension. Whether it's exploring the farmers markets, enjoying outdoor recreation, or sampling unique local flavors at Big Dipper Ice Cream, Missoula offers what Teresa Cox describes as "not just a place to make a living, but a place to make a life."Listen to this episode to experience the authentic charm of a city where community connection and innovation create something truly special.SHOW NOTES:00:02:35 - Revitalizing Downtown Missoula00:05:25 - Exploring Missoula's Rich History and Vibrant Downtown00:07:35 - Missoula's Vibrant Downtown Events and Initiatives00:12:28 - Preserving Missoula's Community Spirit00:14:05 - Celebrating Missoula's Vibrant Arts and Culture00:17:27 - Exploring Missoula's Free and Affordable Attractions00:24:46 - Favorite Ice Cream Flavors and Missoula's Huckleberry00:27:01 - Appreciating Missoula's Unique Outdoors and Music Scene00:30:46 - The Thousand Islands Map and Explorer Maps00:33:18 - Missoula's Carousel Dream Takes Shape00:36:00 - The Missoula Carousel: From Humble Beginnings to Community Treasure00:38:20 - Creating a Magical Playground with Children's Input00:40:57 - Carousel Horses: Personalized Designs and Time Capsules00:43:15 - Pennies for Ponies: Raising Funds for a CarouselYou can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.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 FMWhy listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects.A Life of Wildlife Conservation, Biology and Management with U.S. Forest Service
42:14|Tom Puchlerz is married with two children, two grandchildren, and three English setters. Retired after 38 years with the U.S. Forest Service as a biologist and administrator with assignments in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, Tom is a member of numerous local and national wildlife and fisheries conservation organizations. He is an avid hunter, angler, and advocate for wild places and wild things. Tom is a past president and current board member for the Montana Wildlife Federation. You can become a member of the Montana Wildlife Federation for $35 per year! Click HERE to become a member today! You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.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 FMWhy listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects.Ancestral Skills for Self-Sufficiency
47:15|Patrick Farneman is the executive director of Bridges to the Past, the non-profit parent organization that hosts the annual "Between the Rivers" skills gathering near Valley, Washington. Patrick has been published in Survival Quarterly Magazine, and in The Bulletin of Primitive Technology. He has been an instructor at Rabbitstick, Wintercount, Echoes in Time, and Saskatoon Circle Gatherings, and has taught classes in ancestral skills privately and for multiple organizations for over 30 years. Learn more here: https://www.betweentheriversgathering.com/ You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.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 FMWhy listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects.#travel #adventure #adventuretravel #travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #adventureradio #traillesstraveled #thetraillesstraveled #missoula #missoulamontana #storytelling #podcast #wildlifeconservation #conservation #conservationpodcastPoaching, Guiding, and Conservation on the Lower Zambezi River
55:51|Moses Chiguta has been guiding professionally for the past 25 years. He currently works as a guide for Chiawa Camp, located on the banks of the Zambezi River, under a grove of evergreen Mahogany trees. Chiawa Camp holds the prime position in the heart of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park.Moses comes from Kabwadu village in Chiawa chiefdom and he started his guiding career in 1999 as trainee guide. By 2005 he was a fully qualified guide in the fields of game drives, walks, canoeing and boating/angling. Moses’ favorite animal is a Baboon as traditionally he hails from the “Baboon” clan and he therefore enjoys watching them as they play around while feeding. You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.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 FMWhy listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects.#travel #adventure #adventuretravel #travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #adventureradio #traillesstraveled #thetraillesstraveled #missoula #missoulamontana #storytelling #podcast #wildlifeconservation #conservation #conservationpodcastFishery Management in the Bob Marshall and Conservation of Montana's Public Lands
45:52|Jim Vashro serves on the board of directors for the Montana Wildlife Federation and worked for 39 years with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks before retiring as the regional fisheries manager in Kalispell where he lives with his wife Sandi. In the last 20 years, he focused on aquatic education and access, still active with Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW), Hooked on Fishing, Casting For Recovery and Bowhunter Education as well as crusading against illegal fish introductions. Currently, he is the president of Flathead Wildlife, Inc. when not fishing, hunting, hiking or paddling somewhere. You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.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 FMWhy listen to the radio version instead of the podcast? Well, because the radio version includes music selected by the folks we interview!This episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects.#travel #adventure #adventuretravel #travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #adventureradio #traillesstraveled #thetraillesstraveled #missoula #missoulamontana #storytelling #podcast #wildlifeconservation #conservation #conservationpodcastThe Complete Guide to the Tatshenshini River: Including the Upper Alsek River.
45:20|Russ Lyman grew up in northwest Washington State. He received a B.S. degree in Visual Communications from Western Washington University and then spent a couple of years in Ketchum, Idaho. In 1989 he began his river guiding career in Haines, Alaska, and started guiding on the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers in 1990. He has also worked as a river rafting guide in the Arctic, Chile, Indonesia, Nepal and Ethiopia. He lives in Haines, Alaska with his wife Cynthia, where he runs his publishing business, Cloudburst Productions. Russ draws maps and gathers inspiration from the majestic Saint Elias and Coast Range Mountains which surround him. He began his river guiding career in Haines in 1989 and has made over 40 trips down the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers since then, as well as guided on rivers in other parts of the world. Russ has been a volunteer DJ at KHNS since 1990, covering a variety of different shows over the years. Russ is one of the coauthors of The Complete Guide to the Tatshenshini River: Including the Upper Alsek River. You can support this podcast by donating a few dollars per month on Patreon! We really appreciate any contribution, no matter how small.Follow the adventures and interviews in real time at TrailLessTraveled.net and be sure to check out our visual series on YouTube!!!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 FMThis episode was recorded on location in collaboration with Xplorer Maps. We want to extend boatloads of gratitude to Xplorer Maps for their generous support of this podcast and international outreach programs paired with conservation projects.