The Trail Less Traveled

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 Skills00:07:06 - Finding My Path in Community00:10:12 - Importance of Community in Wilderness Skills00:13:54 - Exploring Stones by the River00:15:32 - Exploring Natural Elements for Survival00:17:19 - Exploring Earth, Water, and Fire00:20:12 - Indigenous Survival Skills and Practices00:24:33 - Learning Wilderness Skills with Lynx00:27:07 - Exploring Nature's Grandeur00:29:17 - Journeying Through the Wilderness00:33:48 - Understanding Our Safety Plan00:36:52 - Journey of Writing and Discovery00:39:34 - Exploring Non-Conventional Publishing Paths00:45:46 - Connecting with Nature and Moon PhasesPlease help us keep the podcast version of the show advertisement free while also supporting our educational outreach efforts by donating $3/month on Patreon. To donate, visit Patreon.com/TrailLessTraveled

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 Lessons00:08:03 - Growing Up in a Remote Town00:10:08 - Lessons from Childhood Hardship00:12:11 - Growing Up in Nature00:14:45 - Childhood Adventures in the Woods00:17:33 - Ancient Skills and Modern Gatherings00:19:59 - Traditional Survival Skills Overview00:24:05 - Traditional Hunting and Food Connection00:26:06 - Honoring Animals Through Sustainable Hunting00:28:09 - Respecting Nature Through Hunting00:30:56 - The Significance of Names00:33:41 - Finding Identity Through Names00:36:01 - Passion for Bear Hunting00:37:08 - Passion for Bear Hunting00:39:00 - Connection Between Hunting and Conservation00:41:48 - Understanding Nature's CluesPlease help us keep the podcast version of the show advertisement free while also supporting our educational outreach efforts by donating $3/month on Patreon. To donate, visit Patreon.com/TrailLessTraveled

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 Heritage00:08:17 - Protecting Transboundary Rivers Together00:11:36 - Impact of Mining on Wild Salmon00:17:30 - Advocating for Wildlife and Wild Places00:20:29 - Understanding Salmon Species00:21:50 - Salmon's Unique Life Cycles00:25:23 - Connection Between Fishing and Family00:28:20 - Protecting Alaska's Salmon Habitat00:31:24 - Protecting Alaska's Salmon Ecosystem00:34:19 - Tim Bristol's Conservation Journey00:36:45 - Protecting Southeast Alaska's Forests00:39:09 - Salmon State: Protecting Alaska's Ecosystem00:42:06 - Transboundary Rivers and Mining Issues00:44:39 - Lessons from Salmon ResiliencePlease help us keep the podcast version of the show advertisement free while also supporting our educational outreach efforts by donating $3/month on Patreon. To donate, visit Patreon.com/TrailLessTraveled

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 Exploration00:06:52 - Value of Excellence in Guiding00:09:30 - Expedition Overview: Hula Hula Adventure00:11:19 - Exploring the Arctic Tundra00:13:50 - Muskox and Arctic River Adventures00:17:23 - Exploring Tundra and Wildlife00:21:23 - Dealing with Mosquito Pressure00:22:42 - Experience with Caribou in the Arctic00:25:31 - Wilderness Adventure and Bear Encounters00:28:11 - Epic Hiking and River Adventures00:30:31 - Exploring the Stunning Alaskan Wilderness00:33:43 - Challenges of Guiding on Alsec River00:36:05 - Embracing Nature as Healing Medicine00:38:25 - Fostering Connection with NaturePlease 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!

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 Challenges00:09:04 - Overcoming Insecurity in Guide School00:10:27 - Facing Fear on the Snake River00:12:29 - Empowerment and Challenges in River Guiding00:15:46 - Shifting Power Dynamics in Society00:20:03 - Empowering Women Beyond Sexual Power00:22:54 - Navigating Power Dynamics as Women00:24:44 - Connecting Through Nyami Nyami and Zambezi00:28:21 - Lessons on Allyship and Empowerment00:30:35 - Understanding Grief Behind Rage00:32:55 - Overcoming Obstacles in Relationships00:36:53 - Embracing Change and Courage00:40:29 - Embracing Change and New ExperiencesPlease 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! #travel #adventure #adventuretravel #podcast #travelpodcast #adventurepodcast #whitewater #whitewaterrafting #whitewaterkayaking #riverguide #theriversdaughter #rivers #womenwholead #zambezi #kernriver #snakeriver #bridgetcrocker #traillesstraveled #jacksonhole

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 Outdoors00:06:15 - Early Guiding Experiences in Alaska00:09:32 - Discovering Alaska Through Rafting00:12:15 - Exploring the Arctic Tundra00:15:19 - Exploring the Arctic Landscape00:18:31 - Understanding Winter River Dynamics00:20:26 - Spring River Conditions and Challenges00:22:37 - Wildlife and Mosquitoes in the Arctic00:26:28 - Exploring Glaciers and Wildlife00:29:33 - Climbing Denali: Challenges and Triumphs00:33:41 - Reading Glacial Rivers in Alaska00:38:37 - Understanding Nature Beyond IdentificationFollow 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