Outdoor Explorer - Alaska Public Media: Recent Episodes
Alaska Public Media
You're invited to step outside into Alaska. Follow us to a new trail or fishing hole, learn what to pack, when to go, and most importantly, how to stay safe. Learn about life-long fitness and get inspired to go outside in the backcountry or on the bike trails.
Every year at the end of August in the Black Rock Desert of northwest Nevada, Black Rock City is built, and for about a week it becomes the third largest city in Nevada, with around 60,000 inhabitants. It is the host city for the annual event called Burning Man and it has all the amenities you’d expect to see in any other city of this size. It has with bars, restaurants, bike shops, clothing boutiques, auto mechanics and recreation centers. But the thing that differentiates this city from other American cities is that nothing at Burning Man is bought or sold, traded or bartered; Black Rock City runs on a gift economy. Every resident is expected to participate, and to bring something to contribute for the common good. What you decide to contribute – that’s up to you.
On this episode of Outdoor Explorer host Adam Varrier explores Burning Man. He speaks with Cherie Yanek. She’s the race director for the annual Burning Man Ultramarathon, which takes place in the middle of the week at 5 o’clock in the morning, to beat the mid-day desert heat. In the second half of the show, we hear from the artist Miguel Guzman about the art piece he created along with his partner, Iyvone Khoo, using recycled and biodegradable materials including Mycelium. The sculpture is presented in an area of Burning Man called “Deep Playa," which is open desert, some distance from the tent city that holds the occupants of Black Rock City. The art piece represents the Mayan Rain God, Chaac, and our conversation took place at around 3:00am under a full moon and the stars of the Milky Way galaxy stretching from horizon to horizon across the night sky.
HOST: Adam Varrier
GUESTS:
Cherie Yanek, race director for the annual Burning Man Ultramarathon
Miguel Guzman and Iyvone Khoo, artists
LINKS:
Burning Man website
Burning Man Ultramarathon 50k
Miguel Guzman's Instagram page
Iyvone Khoo's website
BROADCAST: Thursday, September 28th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, September 28th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
What makes an outdoor expedition successful? Most trips in the outdoors, whether one day or two weeks, are enjoyable and fun, that's why Alaskans, even on wet summers like this one, flock to the outdoors. But some outings turn into epics and even tragedy. On this Outdoor Explorer host Paul Twardock talks about what makes a good expedition happen with retired Denali Mountaineering ranger Daryl Miller and current South District Ranger for Denali National Park Tucker Chenoweth. They discuss what made some of their expeditions succeed despite life-threatening weather and what they've learned advising and observing expeditions on Denali.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
Daryl Miller, retired Denali Mountaineering ranger
Tucker Chenoweth, South District Ranger for Denali National Park
LINKS:
Leave No Trace.org: Plan Ahead and Prepare
National Park Service: Climbing Denali
REI: Food Planning
The Hall of the Mountain King
Alaska author Don Rearden grew up in Southwest Alaska living and observing rural life. His books "Raven's Gift," a novel, and "Without A Paddle," a collection of poems, reflect his Alaska experiences and life. Don also co-authored books featuring two of Alaska's professional military rescuers. Don joins host Paul Twardock to discuss Alaska's culture, history and environment and how they influenced his writing.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUEST: Don Rearden, author
LINK:
Don Rearden's website
Biking single track trail on mountain bikes has become very popular in Southcentral Alaska. Trails have proliferated and more are planned. Long trails like the Alaska Traverse will help connect communities and increase non-motorized recreational opportunities. In the Matanuska Susitna Valley and Chugiak/Eagle River individuals and groups are busy building and maintaining trails. On this Outdoor Explorer host PaulTwardock welcomes Will Taygan with the Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and Rene Dervaes with the Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers to discuss what is happening in Mat-Su Valley and Chugiak/Eagle River and the upcoming Alaska Mountain Bike
Summit.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
Will Taygan, Chugach Mountain Bike Riders
Rene Dervaes, Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers
LINKS:
Chugach Mountain Bike Riders
Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers
Alaska Trails
Single Track Advocates
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Joe Kurtak embodies a modern day Alaskan. He was raised at a remote mining camp in eastern California, went to college, then came to Alaska in 1971 for a summer job. He quickly fell for everything the Great Land had to offer, especially its geology. Joe worked for 40 years mapping Alaska's geology while working for both private firms and the federal government. Along the way he also pursued his love of skiing and sea kayaking. On this Outdoor Explorer Joe shares his wealth of knowledge of Alaska's geology, including Prince William Sound, and some of his many adventures with host Paul Twardock.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUEST: Joe Kurtak
LINKS:
"Of Rock and Ice: An Explorer's Guide to the Geology of Prince William Sound, Alaska"
On the next Outdoor Explorer our guest is Nicole Chamberlain and the Meowtaineer, Petra the Adventure Cat. Petra is a Siberian Forest Cat, well-adapted to the cold, and Nicole has taken her on many adventures on the snow and the water. They recently spent time at the Sheldon House in Denali and Petra became the first cat to ski on the Ruth Glacier.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
Petra the Adventure Cat, meowtaineer
Nicole Chamberlain, meowtaineer guide
LINKS:
BROADCAST: Thursday, August 10th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, August 10th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
Jessica Cherry, editor of "Wheels on Ice"
Andromeda Romano-Lax, author, contributor to "Wheels on Ice"
LINKS:
More than a century of tales from the trails in ‘Wheels on Ice: Stories of Cycling in Alaska’
BROADCAST: Thursday, August 3rd, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, August 3rd, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
On this Outdoor Explorer we're joined by Alison Mariella Dèsir, author of "Running While Black: Finding Freedom in a Sport That Wasn’t Built for Us." Her book unveils the running movement as being centered around and represented by White people, not only ignoring the foundational work and performances of Black distance runners but also not acknowledging that running while Black can be dangerous.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUEST: Alison Mariella Dèsir
LINKS:
The Running Industry Diversity Coalition
Many Alaskans have helped preserve the open spaces we enjoy. Their hard work, dedication and perseverance gave us our state parks, trails and environmental standards that we enjoy. This Outdoor Explorer features Peg Tileston. Peg has been active in organizations including the Alaska Center for the Environment (now called the Alaska Center), the Alaska Women’s Environmental Network, the Alaska Conservation Foundation, the Alaska Water Resource Board, Trustees for Alaska, the Alaska and Alaska Common Ground. She has also been on the board of Chugach Electric Association, the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Council, and the Anchorage Recycling Task Force to name a few. She has received numerous awards including being inducted into the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame. Along the way she explored much of Alaska. She joins host Paul Twardock to discuss her many contributions and adventures.HOST: Paul Twardock
GUEST: Peg Tileston
LINKS:
Alaska Women's Hall of Fame
Alaska Center
Alaska Common Ground
Alaska Conservation Foundation
Trustees for Alaska
BROADCAST: Thursday, July 20th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, July 20th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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The bike race formerly known as the Fireweed 400 is back. Now simply called “The Fireweed,” this 200-mile race makes its comeback this weekend taking riders from Sheep Mountain Lodge to Valdez! This week on Outdoor Explorer, we talk with president of the board of directors, Sara Wendling about all things race details and catch up with the a few members of the 1wheel1ders, a unicycle team that will be participating in this years race.
HOST: Martha Rosenstein
GUESTS:
Sara Wendling, President, Fireweed Board of Directors
1wheel1ders, unicycle team
LINKS:
BROADCAST: Thursday, July 13th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, July 13th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
People come to Alaska for a variety of reasons. Award-winning photographer Mark Kelley came with the hopes of meeting a whale, and almost 50 years later, he’s still here. On this episode of Outdoor Explorer host Martha Rosenstein and Kelley talk about the challenges of photographing wildlife in Alaska, turning his passion into a career and what it’s like to return to a special spot year after year to observe and photograph bears.
HOST: Martha Rosenstein
GUEST: Mark Kelly
LINKS:
BROADCAST: Thursday, June 1st, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, June 1st, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
On the this Outdoor Explorer, host Lisa Keller is joined by Tom Walker, author of the book "The Wanderer." In less than 6 months, Wolf 258 traversed almost 3000 miles in Alaska and Canada. His amazing journey, documented through his GPS tracking collar, is the subject of a story that mixes what we know about his movement with speculation on what he was doing during his travels.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUEST: Tom Walker, author
LINK:
"The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey" at Mountaineers Books
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 25th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 25th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
In March, Ben Americus accomplished many firsts on the Linkup: the first late winter completion, the first to ski off the peaks and the first to complete the Linkup since Ptarmigan Peak was added as the 13th summit over 5000 feet. This week on Outdoor Explorer Ben joins host Lisa Keller to talk about how he added his name to Chugach Front Linkup history.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUEST: Ben Americus
LINKS:
Chugach Front Linkup website
Alaska Public Media Outdoor Explorer, May 2018, “The 12-Peak Challenge and Chugach Trails.”
Alaska Public Media Outdoor Explorer, October 25, 2019, “Imagine hiking all the tallest summits of the Chugach Front Range in one trip. These people did it this year.”
Alaska Public Media Outdoor Explorer, March 10, 2020, “Sophia Tidler’s Winter Solstice Adventure.”
Summer in Alaska brings a plethora of outdoor adventure opportunities. Boating, hiking, climbing, fishing, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting ramp up and so do the calls for help. Southcentral Alaska is fortunate to have good search and rescue capabilities compared to most of the country. However much of it is provided by volunteer organizations. This Outdoor Explorer has representatives from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, the Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs, the Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol, and the Alaska Incident Management Team. With host Paul Twardock they will discuss their roles, how search and rescue works in Alaska, how to volunteer, and most importantly how avoid needing a rescue.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
Erin Boklage, Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs
Mark Miraglia, Alaska Mountain Rescue Group
Amy Holman, Alaska Incident Management Team
Zach Liller, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol
LINKS:
Alaska Incident Management Team
Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol
Alaska Mountain Rescue Group
Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs
Alaska Search and Rescue Association
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 11th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 11th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
What was it like to be a field scientist in Alaska during the 1970s and 80's? John Schoen spent 20 years working for Alaska's Department of Fish and Game as a scientist studying Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats and brown bears in the Tongass National Forest. John's research influenced the prevailing thoughts on the effects of clearcutting on deer habitat, and added to our understanding of Brown Bears importance to their ecosystem. His strong conservation ethic, influenced by Aldo Leopold and others, melded with science and advocacy continued after he left Fish and Game to work for Audubon Alaska. John is a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in field science, the Tongass temperate rainforest, and conservation. John joins host Paul Twardock to discuss his fascinating career and memoir titled "Tongass Odyssey: Seeing the Forest Ecosystem Through the Politics of Trees, A Biologist's Memoir."
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUEST:
John Schoen, author, former Fish and Game field scientist
LINKS:
"Tongass Odyssey: Seeing the Forest Ecosystem Through the Politics of Trees: A
Biologists Memoir"
More information about John Schoen
Southeast Alaska Conservation Council
The Landmark Trees Project
Audubon Alaska
Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 4th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 4th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
Arlene Blum, mountaineer, scientist
Pam Miller, Alaska Community Action on Toxics
LINKS:
Arlene Blum website
Alaska Community Action on Toxics
Green Science Policy Institute
BROADCAST: Thursday, April 27th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, April 27th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUEST: Harlow Robinson, executive director of Healthy Futures and the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame
LINKS:
Alaska Sports Hall of Fame
Healthy Futures 100 Miles in May
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUEST: Holly Brooks, two-time Olympian and licensed professional counselor
LINKS:
Holly Brooks’ website
Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance with link to “Winning at All Costs: Breaking the Silience on Athletes and Eating
Disorders”
Project Red-S
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
Steve Cleary, Executive Director of Alaska Trails
Donnie Hayes, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Fairbanks North Star Borough
Mark Kimerer,
The first migratory birds are showing up and bear tracks have been sighted in the Chugach. That means it's time to dust off the backpacks, boats, and tents and start planning for summer! Join host Paul Twardock and guests on this week's Outdoor Explorer to get a start on summer.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
Randy Dowd, Executive Director and founder of Onward and Upward
Onward and Upward Staff
LINKS:
Onward and Upward website
Youtube
BROADCAST: Thursday, March 16th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, March 16th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
Beth Nordlund, executive director Anchorage Park Foundation
Joe Connolly, chair of the Glen Alps Road Service Area Board of Supervisors
LINKS:
Anchorage Park Foundation
Glen Alps Board of Supervisors
Ballot information
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUEST: Steve Mock, Denali Rescue Volunteers, the Alex Lowe Foundation, and the Khumbu Climbing Center
LINKS:
Denali Rescue Volunteers
Khumbu Climbing Center
Denali Climbing History
Alex Lowe Foundation
HOST: Adam Verrier
GUESTS:
Sara Studebaker-Hall, Director of Operations at TeamUSA Biathlon
Zach Hall, Team Manager and Head Coach at the Soldier Hollow Olympic Legacy Program
LINKS:
Biathlon Alaska
Anchorage Biathlon Club
Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage: Biathlon
Team USA: Biathlon
HOST: Adam Varrier
GUEST: Jim Burkholder
LINKS:
Kincaid Park Web Page
Kincaid Park Ski Trail Map
BROADCAST: Thursday, February 9th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: February 9th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
Sally Burkholder, the Alaska Ski for Women co-founder
Molly Mylius, Alaska Ski for Women race director
BROADCAST: Thursday, January 26th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, January 26th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS: Dan Osborne, Dick Jabonowski, Ed Minot, Steve O'Brien, Tom Kensler, and Mike
Sallee
LINKS:
Denali Climbing History
BROADCAST: Thursday, February 2nd, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, February 2nd, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
What draws us to the outdoors? Marybeth Holleman is an Alaskan writer who's new book of poetry, titled tender gravity, expresses many reasons. Marybeth is a long time Alaskan whose works include The Heart of the Sound and Among Wolves. Her collection of poems are accessible and cover everything from moss to comets and from her garden to the Brooks Range. In her interview with host Paul Twardock she discusses how loss, exploration, activism and day to day life intertwine with her poetry to create this deep and lovely collection.
On the next Outdoor Explorer, the first part of a continuing series of stories about Title IX, the historic legislation passed 50 years ago that changed the landscape of women’s sports. We'll learn about the start and evolution of Title IX and you’ll hear from Chloe Ivanoff, who is bringing her love of wrestling to the girls of Alaska.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
Chris Reynolds, treasurer of Friends of the Stewart Public Trail
Kelly Becker, a long-time trail adjacent homeowner
LINKS:
Recreation Access in Anchorage Vol 1
“Judge rules that Anchorage’s historic Stewart Trail is open to the public” - The Alaska Landmine
Friends of Stewart Public Trail Facebook page
“Road rage AK” - Craig Medred
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUEST: Tom Choate
LINKS:
Tom Choate Biography
BROADCAST: Thursday, December 1st, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, December 1st, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
Ricky Geese: Director, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Zachary Babb: Program Manager, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA)
Alaska; NPS
LINKS:
Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Barneys Sports Chalet
Hoarding Marmot
Play It Again Sports
REI Anchorage
BROADCAST: Thursday, November 17th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, November 17th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
On this next Outdoor Explorer, our guests are Jeff Landfield and Paxson Woelber from The Alaska Landmine. The two journalists have reported extensively on disputed access to public lands in Anchorage. Our conversation focused on the history and battle for access to Chugach State Park from the Stewart Trail.
On this Outdoor Explorer, we’ll go for a walk with a man known as The Walking Monk, because he’s walked across North America five separate times and he recently published a book about the people he’s met along the way. Join host Adam Verrier on Outdoor Explorer to
hear our discussion about the joys and pleasures of taking a good long walk.
Anchorage's Off the Chain Bicycle Collective is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization aiming to increase bicycle ridership, awareness, and safety. Started as a UAA bike club Off the Chain is housed in a full, but well organized, workspace in Spenard. Open a few evenings a week the shop has all the tools and most parts to fix a bike and volunteers that teach you how to do it. Off the Chain also sells used bikes, and accepts bikes as donations, as a way to cover their costs. Low cost and fun, the organization also offers clinics and outreach all meant to make biking affordable and accessible. On this show host, Paul Twardock visits the shop, with his bike, and gets a tour of the facility, along with some bike repair advice!
ur guests for this show are Laura Marcus and Zach Brown, the founders and co-executive directors of the Tidelines Institute. On two campuses along Icy Strait in Southeast Alaska, Tidelines Institute offers a variety of programs from a six-month immersive gap year experience to short courses lasting one to three weeks to community workshops. They also host research scientists and a residency program for anyone seeking to advance knowledge, beauty, justice, health,or sustainability. A key piece of the Tidelines Institute experience is being outdoors working, harvesting, hiking, and paddling. Laura and Zach both have unique life paths that led them to collaborate on an environmental leadership and science education experience in one of the most remote and beautiful locations in the world.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS: Laura Marcus and Zach Brown, the founders and co-executive directors of the Tidelines
Institute
LINKS:
- Tidelines Institute Facebook page
- Tidelines Institute
BROADCAST: Thursday, October 27th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, October 27th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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HOST: Lisa Keller
GUEST: Beth Nordlund, executive director of Anchorage Park Foundation
LINKS:
Register for the Moose Loop Virtual Race
BROADCAST: Thursday, September 15th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, September 15th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
SUBSCRIBE: Receive Outdoor Explorer automatically every week via:
Orienteering is the sport of using a map and compass to navigate the outdoors. The Arctic Orienteering Club in Anchorage organizes orienteering races and events during the summer months that are open to everyone, competitors, or those just out to learn new trails and open spaces. This Outdoor Explorer introduces the sport, discusses how new technology and mapping are influencing orienteering, and we learn from Olympic nordic skier Scott Patterson what it's like to be a beginner. Also on the show are Jen Jolliff, author of Fogunner, and Mike Robinson, Arctic Orienteering Club board president.
LINKS:
Orienteering is the sport of using a map and compass to navigate the outdoors. The Arctic Orienteering Club in Anchorage organizes orienteering races and events during the summer months that are open to everyone, competitors, or those just out to learn new trails and open spaces. This Outdoor Explorer introduces the sport, discusses how new technology and mapping are influencing orienteering, and we learn from Olympic nordic skier Scott Patterson what it’s like to be a beginner. Also on the show are Jen Jolliff, author of Fogunner, and Mike Robinson, Arctic Orienteering Club board president.
LINKS:
Our guest for this show is Jen Aschoff, a geology professor at UAA who recently became the tenth person and the second woman to complete the Chugach 120. The Chugach 120 is the 120 peaks in the Chugach State Park with a prominence of 500 feet or more. Unlike the Chugach Linkup, which links all front range 12 peaks over 5000 feet in one go, the Chugach 120 can only be achieved over a period of years. It entails some relatively easy walk-up summits but also some technical climbs, including rock and ice climbing, with long approaches that may include glacier travel. Jen looks at the Chugach 120 as a personal challenge that anyone who likes to hike can work up to; she will share how to get started and connected to the peak bagger community.
Peakbagger “List of Lists,” listing peaks worldwide
Chugach State Park 120 Peak List (official Mountaineering Club list)
What is it like to be an avalanche specialist? A conservationist? A wilderness traveler? A Buddhist? Brad Meiklejohn is a long-time Alaskan who has written a new book titled The Wild Trails that explores these topics and more. On this show Brad discusses the challenges and rewards of helping others and the natural world, including his work on restoring the Eklutna watershed by removing an old dam by working with the Eklutna People and others. His insights on recreation, conservation, and self-growth are based on his work as an avalanche forecaster and educator, co-founder of the American Packrafting Association, his role as the Alaska State Director of the Conservation Fund, and his many significant trips to the Arctic and other wild places.
Our guests for this show are congressional candidates Nick Begich and Mary Peltola. Your host, Lisa, reached out to the Sarah Palin campaign three times but never received a response. In these interviews with Nick and Mary, she asked questions sourced from four leaders in the outdoor industry in Alaska: Mary Goddard of Sustainable Southeast Partnership, Steve Cleary of Alaska Trails, Lee Hart of Alaska Outdoor Alliance, and Kikkan Randall of Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage. They also chatted about their own personal experiences in the outdoors, what makes the Alaska outdoors special, and where they are happiest in the Alaska outdoors.
• A commission in progress of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, on the easel near Reno, photo by Alli Harvey. The happy artist pictured with the Colorado aspen in autumn commission, photo by Wes Hoskins The Airstream boneyard at P&S Trailer Service in Ohio, photo by Alli Harvey. The newly minted Alli Harvey Mobile Art Studio in New Mexico, photo by Alli Harvey. Our guest for this show is Alli Harvey, outdoor columnist for the Anchorage Daily News and landscape artist. The last time she was on Outdoor Explorer she shared that she would soon pick up her new custom-built Airstream trailer that would serve as a mobile art studio. In May, she headed out to Ohio to see her new mobile art studio for the first time and drive it back to Alaska. On the way home, she hit some of the most beautiful country in the Lower 48, painting outside as she went and even dropping off commissioned art pieces as she finished them.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1: Alli Harvey, traveling artist
LINKS:
- Alli Harvey Art website
- Alli Harvey Art Facebook page
- Alli Harvey Art Instagram
- P & S Trailer Service
- Wood & Locks (interior design)
- Palmer Museum
Camping Apps:
- Campendium, best for RV sites
- Great for “pull off to the side of the road” style boondocking; works without cell service
- Federal public land fee camping (and more); great for planning longer stays in protected wild areas
- Like Airbnb but home/landowners rent out their land for campers
- A membership-only network of people providing free boondocking for RVs and trailers
BROADCAST: Thursday, July 28th, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, July 28th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
SUBSCRIBE: Receive Outdoor Explorer automatically every week via:
- iTunes
- RSS Feed
- Podcast
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A Youth Emplyment in Parks crew. Photo by Paul Twardock. A Youth Emplyment in Parks crew. Photo by Paul Twardock. The Youth Emplyment in Parks logo. A Youth Emplyment in Parks crew. Photo by Paul Twardock. A YEP crew member. Summer camps are ubiquitous in Alaska. Though few offer the chance to get paid to learn new skills and build a resume. Anchorage’s Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) provides that opportunity for Anchorage high schoolers ages 16-19. YEP is a program of the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Anchorage Parks Foundation and Alaska Trails. Crews work on trails, learn to work in a team and about land management, remove invasive plants and plant trees, and have fun! This past June a crew was working on improving the trails around University Lake, a popular dog-friendly park. Host Paul Twardock spent some time with them and their supervisors learning about what they were doing and learning.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Annie Dubois, Brant Hylinski, Kaytherine Pugh, EnzioRangel, Nathan Worden, and Ben Ervin
LINKS:
Youth Employment in Parks (YEP)
BROADCAST: Thursday, July 21st, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, July 21st, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
SUBSCRIBE: Receive Outdoor Explorer automatically every week via:
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- Podcast
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Jody Potts-Joseph Jody Potts-Joseph, Arctic Wild Alaska Indigenous Peoples have been living, playing, and thriving in Alaska for thousands of years. However outdoor recreation and tourism are generally perceived as being primarily a white person’s game. Many people are trying to change that by encouraging, many times by example, people of color to venture outdoors. Jody Potts-Joseph is Han Gwich’in and grew up in Eagle Village. She is a dog musher, a wilderness guide, founded “Native Youth Outdoors,” and is a North Face Explorer Fund Council member all while living in rural Alaska. On this Outdoor Explorer, we talk with Jody about her life and efforts to diversify the outdoors.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Jody Potts-Joseph, founder of Native Youth Outdoors
LINKS:
Arctic Wild
Alaska Wilderness League
Data for Indigenous Justice
North Face Explorer Fund
Teton Gravity: Indigenous Outdoor Organizations
BROADCAST: Thursday, June 2nd, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, June 2nd, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
SUBSCRIBE: Receive Outdoor Explorer automatically every week via:
- iTunes
- RSS Feed
- Podcast
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Walter Harper, photo courtesy NPS The view from the spotting scope of a busy day on the headwall, photo courtesy of NPS Photo, Chris Erickson Tucker Chenowith ice climbing, photo courtesy NPS Photo, Kakiko Ramos-Leon View of tents at the 14,200-foot camp looking at Mount Foraker, photo courtesy of Menno Boermans. Denali, by Emily Mesner photo courtesy of NPS Denali National Park and Preserve, website cover image courtesy of NPS Denali National Park and Preserve, established in 1917, is Alaska’s most iconic park. Our guests in this show are Sharon Stiteler, the park’s Public Affairs Officer, and Tucker Chenowith, the park’s South District Ranger. As the park is opening for summer tourism and the mountain is hosting its first climbers of the season, Sharon and Tucker will cover ground from the first successful summit of Denali in 1913 to the impact of the Pretty Rocks landslide on travel in the park this summer.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1:
Sharon Stiteler, Public Affairs Officer for Denali National Park and Preserve
Tucker Chenowith, South District Ranger for Denali National Park and Preserve
LINKS:
- Denali National Park and Preserve
- Walter Harper
- Pretty Rocks landslide
- Denali Dispatches
- Denali Kennels
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 26th, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 26th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
SUBSCRIBE: Receive Outdoor Explorer automatically every week via:
- iTunes
- RSS Feed
- Podcast
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iking Resurection Pass by John Wolfe. Skiing to the Skookum Glacier, byJohnWolfe Rebecca Wolfe, credit Gretchen Nelson. John Wolfe, credit Anne Raup. Becca Wolfe and Helen Nienhueser, by John Wolfe Alaska Adventure 55 Ways Cover 50 years ago the first edition of 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska was published, written by Helen Nienhueser and Nancy Simmerman. After five editions Helen’s son John Wolfe and granddaughter Rebecca Wolfe are following in Helen’s footsteps and publishing a new version titled Alaska Adventure 55 Ways: Southcentral Wilderness Explorations. The book will be available in June 1st. Helen, John, and Becca join host Paul Twardock to talk about the genesis of the series and the latest version. Not only will they introduce us to the new book, but they’ll share about researching and writing it as a family. Finally, we’ll learn a little about the 4th annual Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium on May 23rd.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Helen Nienhueser, John Wolfe, and Rebecca Wolfe
LINKS:
Alaska Adventure 55 Ways Southcentral Wilderness Explorations
55 Ways on Instagram
Mountaineers Books
Outerspacial mapping app
Alaska Huts
Alaska Long Trail
Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 19th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 19th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Dave Johnson and family camping on Curry Ridge, Denali State Park. Photo courtesy of Pete Robinson. Adventure Journal Art Dave Johnston has had many firsts: the first winter ascent of Denali, the first winter ascent of Mt Foraker, and the first Denali State Park Ranger being just three. He also has climbed or visited the 50 highest peaks in the U.S. with his family, and in the winter. He and his wife Cari Sayre and son Galen lived off the grid near Talkeetna and were a big part of many of Dave’s adventures, including summitting Denali when Galen was 11! Dave, Cari, and Galen join us on this episode of Outdoor Explorer to share some of their stories.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- –Dave Johnston, Cari Sayre, and Galen Johnston
LINKS:
Denali Climbing History
Project Jutebox: Dave Johnson Bio and Interview
Book: Minus 148
Alaska Hall of Fame account
Adventure Journal
State Park History
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 12th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 12th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Hannah Halvorsen (r) accepts the Trajan Langdon Award from Nina Kemppel (l), photo courtesy Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. Beth Bragg accepts the Joe Floyd Award, photo courtesy Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. Jeremy Lane and supporters, photo courtesy Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. Scott Patterson accepts the Pride of Alaska Award, photo courtesy Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. Lydia Jacoby accepts the Pride of Alaska Award, photo courtesy Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. Jeremy Lane of Point Lay accepts the Trajan Langdon Award, photo courtesy Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. 2022 Alaska Sports Hall of Fame The Alaska Sports Hall of Fame is in its 16th year honoring Alaska’s sports community. This year’s annual award ceremony was held last month, the first ceremony held since the start of the pandemic. The class of 2020 – Marcie Trent and Matt Carle in the Individual category, The Yukon 800 in the event category, and the UAA hockey upset of Boston College in 1991 in the moment category – became the class of 2022.
Harlow Robinson, executive director of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, joined me for the first time since the fall of 2020, to chat about this year’s Directors’ Awards and the Healthy Futures annual fundraiser 100 Miles in May. The Directors’ Awards include the Pride of Alaska Award for consistent excellence in athletic competition, the Joe Floyd Award for significant and lasting contribution to Alaska through sports, and the Trajan Langdon Award for leadership, sportsmanship, and inspiration. The Healthy Futures program 100 Miles in May is an annual fundraiser that encourages Alaskans to get out and move during the month of May.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1: Harlow Robinson, founding board member and Executive Director of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame
LINKS:
- Alaska Sports Hall of Fame
- Outdoor Explorer Episode 2020/2022 Hall of Fame inductees
- Healthy Futures 100 Miles in May
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 5th, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 5th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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A bar-tailed godwit. Photo courtesy of Steve Maslowski. Dan Ruthrauff Bird migration is one of the natural wonders of the world. Every spring millions of birds stream into Alaska from all over the globe to feed, mate, and raise their young. Their stories include a hummingbird’s journey to Florida and back, a whimbrel’s commute to and from Chile, and the northern wheatear trip from Africa. Their ability to navigate and endure makes them the ultimate endurance athletes. Dan Ruthrauff, a USGS wildlife biologist with the Alaska Science Center, discusses bird migration biology. We’ll also learn about some of the shorebird festivals in Alaska including the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival with Melanie Dufour.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- -Dan Ruthrauff, a USGS wildlife biologist with the Alaska Science Center
- -Melanie Dufour, a coordinator with the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
LINKS:
Dan Ruthrauff, USGS
Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival
Yakutat Tern Festival
Audubon Alaska
Alaska Fish and Game Birding information
Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium
BROADCAST: Thursday, April 28th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, April 28th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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There’s a lot less sea ice in the Arctic, and only 1% of it is old ice, which is thicker and more resilient. (Image: NOAA Climate.gov) In this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo, flames burn up a giant tree as part of the Windy Fire in the Trail of 100 Giants grove in Sequoia National Forest, Calif. California firefighters battled fast-growing forest fires threatening giant sequoias and small communities in the Sierra Nevada on Monday, Sept. 27, and worked to fully surround a suspected arson wildfire that destroyed homes the week before. More than 2,000 firefighters were on the lines of the Windy Fire burning on the Tule River Indian Reservation and in Sequoia National Forest, including Giant Sequoia National Monument. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File) On July 12, 2011, crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy retrieved a canister dropped by parachute from a C-130 during the ICESCAPE mission, or “Impacts of Climate on Ecosystems and Chemistry of the Arctic Pacific Environment.” (Photo by Kathryn Hansen/NASA) On this show, in celebration of Earth Day, we hear from several guests about climate change and its impact on the sports and recreational activities that so many of us love. Our guests on this show are Tim Hinterberer, Toby Schwoerer, Rosie Brennan, and Dave Atcheson. Tim is a volunteer with the Citizen’s Climate Lobby. Toby is an accomplished cross-country skier and a research assistant at the International Arctic Research Center. Rosie is a two-time Olympic cross country skier, and Dave is an author, a hunter, and sport fisher. We cover how the climate in Alaska is changing, what these changes mean for all Alaskans, and what we as individuals can do to help combat climate change.
HOST: Martha Rosenstein
GUESTS:
- Tim Hinterberer – a volunteer with the Citizen’s Climate Lobby
- Rosie Brennan – a two-time Olympic skier
- Toby Schwoerer – a skier and a Research Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Economics at the International Arctic Research Center
- Dave Atcheson – an author, hunter, and sport fisher
LINKS:
Citizen’s Climate Lobby – Anchorage FB Page
IARC
Rosie’s website
Dave’s website
BROADCAST: Thursday, April 21st, 2022. 2:00 pm – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, April 21st, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Millett Keller on Mount Marathon, photo courtesy Lisa Keller. Millett Scissorhands Keller article, courtesy Lisa Keller. Millett Keller, far left, viewing perfect tracks in the Cariboo Mountains, photo courtesy Lisa Keller. This is the second of two interviews with Millett Keller, Lisa’s dad. Pat and Millet Keller arrived in Anchorage in 1963 from Palo Alto, California. They stayed for 30 years and in the process, instilled a great love of Alaska and the outdoors to Lisa and her brother. Along the way, they both were parts of key moments in Alaska history. In the first episode of this two-part series, you’ll hear about Millet’s early life in Montana, his 1964 earthquake experience, and his partnership with John Browne, the former CEO of BP. Together, they developed a crucial oil field reservoir model of the North Slope.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1: Millet Keller
LINKS:
- Talk of Alaska: Remembering Don Young
- “Hickel Comeback Bid Angers Republicans”
- Heli-Skiing in the Cariboo Mountains
BROADCAST: Thursday, April 7th, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, April 7th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Millett Keller, screenshot from the interview. Pat and Millett Keller with baby Lisa, in their Turnagain neighborhood one year after the 1964 earthquake, photo courtesy Lisa Keller. Millett Keller, with his grandchildren at Lake Tahoe in 2008, photo by Lisa Keller. Our guest for this show is Millett Keller, Lisa’s dad. Pat and Millet Keller arrived in Anchorage in 1963 from Palo Alto, California. They stayed for 30 years and in the process, instilled a great love of Alaska and the outdoors to Lisa and her brother. Along the way, they both were parts of key moments in Alaska history. In the first episode of this two-part series, you’ll hear about Millet’s early life in Montana, his 1964 earthquake experience, and his partnership with John Browne, the former CEO of BP. Together, they developed a crucial oil field reservoir model of the North Slope.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1: Millet Keller
LINKS:
- 1964 Alaska Earthquake
- Biography Lord John Browne
BROADCAST: Thursday, March 31st, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, March 31st, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Amy Bushatz, photo courtesy Amy Bushatz. Heather Helzer, photo by Andre Horton. The Humans Outside medal, photo courtesy of Amy Bushatz Turnagain Training kids’ duathlon start, photo courtesy Heather Helzer. Virtual Race Across Alaska Winter Challenge, image courtesy Heather Helzer On this Outdoor Explorer, we’ll have two guests who are inspiring people to get out and move. Heather Helzer, the founder of the Virtual Race Across Alaska Winter Challenge, and Amy Bushatz, host of the podcast Humans Outside, will share their enthusiasm for fun challenges that will motivate you to keep moving in the outdoors, all year long and regardless of the weather.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1: Heather Helzer, founder of the Virtual Race Across Alaska Winter Challenge
*Segment 2:* Amy Bushatz, host of the podcast “Humans Outside”
LINKS:
- Turnagain Training
- Virtual Race Across Alaska Winter Challenge Facebook page
- Humans Outside podcast
- Humans Outside Challenge
- Humans Outside Instagram
- Humans Outside Facebook
BROADCAST: Thursday, March 24th, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, March 24th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Karina Movement Class Photo: Paul Twardock Yukon Classroom by Paul Twardock Snow Science by Paul Twardock Sea Kayaking by Paul Twardock Map Reading PWS by Paul Twardock.
Alaska has a number of high-quality university outdoor degree programs that benefit from the great experiential learning Alaska’s mountains, oceans, rivers, and history and cultures have to offer. Starting in the ’60s and ’70s with Alaska Community College, now University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), and Alaska Methodist University, now Alaska Pacific University (APU), the programs have evolved as the outdoor profession has grown. This Outdoor Explorer welcomes representatives from APU, UAA, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Prince William Sound College, and the University of Alaska Southeast. They’ll describe their programs and discuss the value of an outdoor education degree.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
Eeva Latosuo: Alaska Pacific University
Benjamin Rush: Prince William Sound College
TJ Miller: University of Alaska Anchorage
Peggy Keiper: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Mark Oldmixon: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Forest Wagner: University of Alaska Southeast
LINKS:
Alaska Pacific University Outdoor Studies: Undergraduate
APU MS in Outdoor and Environmental Education
Prince William Sound College Outdoor Leadership
University of Alaska Anchorage Health, Science, PE and Recreation
University of Alaska Fairbanks Sports and Recreation Business
University of Alaska Southeast Outdoor Studies
BROADCAST: Thursday, March 17th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, March 17th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Mary Goddard, Regional Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism with the Sustainable Southeast Partnership, photo courtesy Mary Goddard. Lee Hart, Executive Director of Alaska Outdoor Alliance, photo courtesy Alaska Outdoor Alliance, photo courtesy Lee Hart. Sarah Leonard, President & CEO, Alaska Travel Industry Association. Last fall when Lisa was interviewing Lee Hart, Founder and Executive Director of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance, they briefly touched on the concept of regenerative tourism. She had only heard the term in passing before that, during one of the Alliance’s Lunch and Learn series, and wanted to know more. Regenerative tourism is deeply rooted in indigenous values and knowledge systems. Around the world, indigenous communities have been negatively impacted by tourism; their lands have been compromised and their culture has been expected to conform to colonial influence. But there is a big change happening now, with the influencers in Alaska tourism promoting a vision of a more authentic and reflective tourism experience in our state.
Our guests for this show are Mary Goddard, Regional Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism with the Sustainable Southeast Partnership, Lee Hart, Executive Director of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance, and Sarah Leonard, President & CEO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association. Together, they’ll lay out the present and future of regenerative tourism in Alaska, led by Alaska Native communities, joined in common interest with travel and outdoor recreation groups.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1:
Mary Goddard, Regional Catalyst for Regenerative Tourism with the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
Lee Hart, Founder and Executive Director of Alaska Outdoor Alliance
Sarah Leonard, President & CEO, Alaska Travel Industry Association
LINKS:
- Sustainable Southeast Partnership
- Alaska Travel Industry Association
- Sarah Leonard, on LinkedIn
- Alaska Outdoor Alliance website
- Alaska Outdoor Alliance Facebook
BROADCAST: Thursday, March 10th, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, March 10th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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March is prime time for winter sports in Alaska. The light is back, the snow is good, and
Alaskans are ready to enjoy it all. Dog mushing has been part of Alaska as long as people have
been in Alaska. In March the sport has its best-known event the Iditarod, along with Anchorage’s
Fur Rondy Open World Championship Sled Dog Race. On this show, we visit Ineka Kennels and
the Forto family to learn a little about mushing life. Besides mushing, nordic skiing is one of
the oldest winter sports and a popular one in Alaska. Ms. Uff Da was an advice columnist in the
Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage’s newsletter in the ’90s and ’00s. Alice and Gunnar Knapp
recently compiled her columns in a new book titled “The Wit and Wisdom of Ms. Uff Da.”
Alice joins us to share some of Ms. Uff Da’s advice, especially useful in these times crowded
trails.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Robert and Nicole Forto, mushers with Ineka Kennels
- Alice Knapp who put together a new book titled “The Wit and Wisdom of Ms. Uff Da.”
- Darcy Dugan with Ski for Women and Ski For Kids
LINKS:
Team Ineka
Robert Forto
Fur Rondy World Championship Sled Dog Race
Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
Ski for Kids
BROADCAST: Thursday, February 24th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, February 24th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Alli Harvey finishing the 2021 Equinox Marathon in Fairbanks, photo courtesy of Alli Harvey. Alli Harvey, photo courtesy of Alli Harvey. “Hiking Anchorage” currently on display at Stephan Fine Arts Gallery, photo courtesy of Alli Harvey. Our guest for this show is Alli Harvey, outdoor columnist for the Anchorage Daily News. Alli grew up on the East Coast but fell in love with Alaska at a young age when she first learned about the Aurora. As a teenager, she made her first visit to the state. She kept figuring out ways to return, and she was eventually able to move to Anchorage with an internship that became her first professional job with the Alaska Center for the Environment. Although her degree is in Urban Studies, she had also been writing and painting since a young age. Her blog about her adventures eventually led to an offer from the Anchorage Daily News, where she now writes a weekly column that explores the connection between happiness and outdoor adventure. She is also a professional landscape artist and is about to start her next adventure in her new mobile art studio and gallery, an Airstream trailer that she will take on the road to the places she wants to paint.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1: Alli Harvey, outdoor columnist for the Anchorage Daily News and landscape artist
LINKS:
- Alli Harvey Art website
- Alli Harvey Art Facebook page
- Alli Harvey Art Instagram
- Anchorage Daily News columns
BROADCAST: Thursday, February 17th, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, February 17th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Team doctor for the 1971 International Everest Expedition.
- Peter Steel in his home in Whitehorse, from early 2022. Photo: Adam Verrier.
- Peter Steele in Bhutan, with his family, in the 1960’s. With his wife Sarah, and children Adam and Judith.
On this Outdoor Explorer, we’ll go to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, to visit with doctor, mountaineer, and author Peter Steele. Introduced to rock climbing and outdoorsmanship in the 1950s at the Outward Bound school in England, Peter Steele eventually found his way to the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Himalayas before finding his way, with his family, to the Yukon Territory. As a medical doctor, he walked the length of Bhutan with his family over the course of five and a half months in the 1960s, conducting a goiter study at the invitation of the King – likely the first European to do so. He became friends with Eric Shipton, the most active and well-known European explorer of the Himalayas in the 1930’s and 40’s. And he was the team doctor for the 1971 International Everest Expedition. We’ll discuss Peter’s adventures as a mountaineer, a husband, and a father, his friendship with Eric Shipton, and his observations about large Himalayan mountaineering expeditions.
HOST: Adam Verrier
GUESTS:
- Peter Steele – doctor, mountaineer, and author
LINKS:
- 1971 International Everest Expedition Documentary
- Peter Steele’s author page on Amazon
BROADCAST: Thursday, February 10th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, February 10th 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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John Morton The Winter Olympics begin this week in Beijing, China. To mark the occasion, this week’s guest on Outdoor Explorer will be biathlete, author, and former Alaskan John Morton, who’s participated in ten Olympics: two as an athlete, five more as a coach and team leader, one as Chief of Course for the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002 and, finally, two more as a spectator. He’s got plenty of stories to tell from 50 years’ worth of Olympic experiences and his time stationed at Fort Richardson in the 1960s and ‘70’s in the Army Biathlon program. We’ll discuss changes to the Olympic Games over the years, friendships made across political borders, the art of building ski trails, the power of international competition to bring people together, and Morton’s newest book, “Celebrate Winter”.
HOST: Adam Verrier
GUESTS:
- John Morton, Olympian and author of “Celebrate Winter”.
LINKS:
- Morton Trails website
- John Morton’s latest book “Celebrate Winter: An Olympian’s Stories of a Life in Nordic Skiing”
BROADCAST: Thursday, February 3rd, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, February 3rd 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Seth Kantner’s new book A Thousand Trails Home: Living With Caribou details his life where caribou, hunting, and subsistence are the center of everything. Seth joins host Paul Twardock to discuss his life growing up on the Kobuk River with his parents and brother in a sod house. Living miles from the nearest village and learning to live with what the land provided Seth experiences rich in nature and culture. The changes to the arctic wrought by climate and cultural change have been rapid and incredibly challenging. Seth shares his experiences and insights as someone who has spent his entire life observing and living with those changes.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Seth Kantner, author of A Thousand Trails Home: Living with caribou
LINKS:
A Thousand Trails Home: Living with Caribou
Proposed Ambler Road PDF
Alaska development authority signs land access agreement with Native corporation for Ambler Road project
Environmental Justice Atlas
BROADCAST: Thursday, January 27th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, January 27th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Service High School cross country running team in 1972.
- Tom Corbin in 1969.
- Tom Corbin today.
- Tom Corbin’s hand-drawn map of the Hillside Ski Trails from the 1970’s.
The Anchorage Hillside Ski Trail System is 50 years old this year. The first five-kilometer ski loop was cut by Service High School families and coaches in 1971. Over time, the trail system has gradually expanded to its current 24 kilometers, many of them lighted for night skiing. The ski trails at Hillside are used by hundreds, and sometimes thousands of people each day, for exercise, recreation and sometimes racing, and the trail system’s impact on the local community is difficult to overstate.
This week on Outdoor Explorer, we’ll go out skiing with Tom Corbin around some of the original Hillside Ski Trails, and find out how they came to be where they are, and who was responsible for their creation. Corbin was straight out of college and had just been hired as a ski coach at Service High School in 1971 when the original five-kilometer loop was cut through the forest. He’s been directly involved with the trail system ever since.
Listen here:
HOST: Adam Verrier
GUESTS:
- Tom Corbin, one of the people who built the original Hillside ski trails in 1971.
LINKS:
- Trail maps for all of the ski trails from the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
BROADCAST: Thursday, January 20th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, January 20th 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Daniel Lieberman at home with his dog, Echo, photo courtesy Daniel Lieberman.
- Exercised book jacket, photo courtesy Daniel Lieberman.
If you have read the book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougal, you are familiar with the name Daniel Lieberman. Along with his colleague, Dennis Bramble, his research has been used to support the thesis that human beings owe some of our evolutionary success to our ability to run efficiently. Dr. Lieberman is a paleoanthropologist and professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University who has authored books about the human body and the human head. His most recent book, “Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do is Healthy and Rewarding,” explores purposeful exercise as it relates to our evolution and why it is a rarity outside of the developed world.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1: Daniel Lieberman, professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University and
author of “Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do is Healthy and Rewarding.”
LINKS:
- Exercised book from Harvard.edu
- ‘Exercised’ Explains Why It Can Be Hard To Commit To Working Out — And Why We Should from NPR
BROADCAST: Thursday, January 13th, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, January 13th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- A tree seen at the Solstice Tree Tour at Kincais park. Photo by Paull Twardock.
- An illuminited van at the Alaska Botanical Garden. Photo by Paul Twardock.
- A tree lit up at the Alaska Botanical Garden. Photo by Paul Twardock.
- Illuminated ice candles at the Alaska Botanical Garden. Photo by Paul Twardock.
- The Solstice Tree Tour map from the NSAA.
As the year 2021 comes to a close we feature two traditions in Anchorage: The Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage’s Solstice Tree Tour at Kincaid Park and the Alaska Botanical Garden’s Holiday Lights. Sara Miller with NSAA and Patrick Ryan with the Botanical Garden will explain their winter programs and how to get involved. Host Paul Twardock will take you on an audio postcard of NSAA’s 2020 Solstice Tree Tour. We’ll also have co-host Lisa Keller and a few college students elaborate on their holiday wishes, from wishes for a better world to ideas for stocking stuffers.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Sara Miller with the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage
- Patrick Ryan with the Alaska Botanical Garden
- Well wishers: Chloe Khokhar, Abby Jones, Toshio Matsuoka, and Lisa Keller
LINKS:
Alaska Botanical Garden
Holiday Lights at Alaska Botanical Garden
Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage
Solstice Tree Tour
BROADCAST: Thursday, December 16th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, December 16th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Mask by Joe Senungetuk
- Mask by Joe Senungetuk
- James Tempte
- Joe and Martha Senungetuk
- Artwork by Joe Senungetuk
Alaska Natives have been creating art influenced by nature and culture for thousands of years. The clothing, tools, kayaks, weapons, baskets, and other items of everyday life and ceremony were, and are, functional and artistic. During the 1960s young Native artists like Joe Senungetuk started creating Indigenous art that blended the traditional to more contemporary. They started including environmental and social issues into their art along with the influences of their upbringing in rural Alaska. Joe attended UAF, taught art at Mt. Edgecumbe in Sitka, attended the San Francisco Arts Institute (in 1968!), author of Give or Take A Century: An Eskimo Chronology, and was a columnist for the Anchorage Daily News, all while being a prolific artist. Martha was born in Cordova and is an established Native artist in her own right. This Outdoor Explorer welcomes Joe and Martha to discuss the influences that their long lives in Alaska have had on their art. Currently, Joe and his wife Martha are the Elder Artists in Residence at Alaska Pacific University. Also joining host Paul Twardock is James Tempte, a young indigenous artist, and Karli Tyance Hassell.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Joe and Martha Senungetuk, and James Tempte and Karli Tyance Hassell
LINKS:
Joe Senungetuk at APU
Senungetuk Arts website
Joe and Martha Senungetuk and APU Elder Artists in Residence Program
James Tempte’s website
BROADCAST: Thursday, December 9th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, December 9th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Aaron Ramirez and Lisa Keller at the Lavaman Triathlon, photo courtesy Lisa Keller.
- Alisa Carroll, photo courtesy Alisa Carroll.
- Dr. Kim Harmon, photo courtesy Kim Harmon.
At the beginning of this summer, our host Lisa had several trips planned to support her friend Aaron Ramirez at Ironman races. It looked to be a fun summer and fall, back to our usual activities of traveling and racing. Of course, you know what happened next. Alaska was hit hard by the Delta variant, and everything changed once again. Even though Aaron was vaccinated, he developed a breakthrough Covid infection. Training was impossible and races were quickly canceled. The long journey he is on, to be able to train as before and feel comfortable racing, inspired Lisa to put together this show. You’ll hear from Dr. Kim Harmon, the team physician for the University of Washington football team who has been researching the impacts of Covid on athletes, and Alisa Carroll, a physical therapist who helps people recover lung function after a Covid infection. But first, you’ll hear about Aaron’s Covid experience and what he has learned while returning to his active life.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1: Aaron Ramirez, Ironman athlete
Segment 2: Dr. Kim Harmon, team physician for the University of Washington football team
Segment 3: Alisa Carroll, DPT, of Progressive Physical Therapy
LINKS:
- American Medical Society for Sports Medicine/NCCA Guidelines for return to sport
- Study that followed > 3,000 college athletes with COVID-19
- Study looking at long term issues in athletes with COVID-19
- Progressive Physical Therapy
BROADCAST: Thursday, November 18th, 2021. 10:00 am – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, November 18th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Luc Mehl. Photo with permission from the owner.
- Luc Mehl. Photo with permission from the owner.
- Luc Mehl packrafting the Matanuska River.
- Luc Mehl backcountry skating in Katmai. Photo courtesy Luc Mehl.
Trip planning and risk analysis are keys to safe and successful outings, whether it is a day hike or an extended trip far from medical help. Alaska’s vast expanse, large and cold rivers, challenging weather, wild animals, and scarcity of emergency response resources add to the need for responsible and thoughtful trip preparation and execution. On this Outdoor Explorer we look at near misses and accidents from this past summer of 2021, then look forward to trip planning for this coming winter and next summer. Our guest is Luc Mehl. Luc spent a significant part of his youth in McGrath, Alaska, and has traveled throughout Alaska in all seasons as an adventurer, wilderness athlete, scientist, and educator. Besides hosting a popular trip planning website he is the co-author of the new book The Packrafting Handbook and is an avid wilderness Nordic skater and skier. He shares his insights and thoughts on trip planning and risk analysis, aiming to help us become safer in the outdoors.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Segment 1: Luc Mehl, co-author of the new book The Packrafting Handbook
LINKS:
- Luc Mehl’s Website, where you can purchase his book
- The Packraft Handbook
- Reviews of The Packraft Handbook on GoodReads
- American Packrafting Association
- American Whitewater Accident database
- Avalanche.org
- Alaska Avalanche School
- Alaska Avalanche Information Center
- Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center
- Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
- Nordic Skate-Southcentral Alaska Facebook Group
BROADCAST: Thursday, November 11th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, November 11th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Kikkan and Breck riding to school, photo courtesy Kikkan Randall.
- Former NSAA Junior Nordic skier Kikkan Randall, photo courtesy Kikkan Randall.
- NSAA Executive Director Kikkan Randall, photo courtesy Kikkan Randall.
Our guest for this episode of Outdoor Explorer is Kikkan Randall, one of Alaska’s most popular and well-known athletes. In the 2018 Winter Olympics, Kikkan and Jessie Diggins became the first Americans to win a gold medal in Nordic skiing, in the team sprint freestyle race. Shortly after the Olympics, Randall was diagnosed with breast cancer and became an advocate for an active lifestyle while in treatment. She had been living in Canada, but now she’s back in Anchorage as the new executive director of the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Kikkan Randall, executive director of the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
LINKS:
- Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage
- Activ Against Cancer
- Kikkan Randall’s website
BROADCAST: Thursday, November 4th, 2021. 10:00 am – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, November 4th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Kayaks at the NOLS headquarters.
- John Gans, former NOLS Alaska director and NOLS President
- Ashley Wise, NOLS Alaska Program Manager
- The NOLS Red Barn in Palmer.
NOLS, formerly known as the National Outdoor Leadership School, has been educating and inspiring students in Alaska since 1971. Though not the first wilderness education program in Alaska, it is one of the most successful based on its longevity, number of alumni, and impact it has had on Alaska. Many of its alumni and instructors have lived and contributed to Alaska whether as educators, business people, authors, land managers, public servants, or just being active in the outdoor community. NOLS has also greatly influenced the outdoor industry’s risk management and Leave No Trace ethics, with its Alaska operations offering significant contributions. We welcome John Gans, former NOLS Alaska director, and NOLS President, and Ashley Wise, current NOLS Alaska Program Manager, to discuss NOLS’s history in Alaska, its influences, and its current status and future.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Segment 1: John Gans, former NOLS Alaska Director and NOLS President
- Segment 2: Ashley Wise, current NOLS Alaska Program Manager
LINKS:
- NOLS’s website
- NOLS history
- Leave No Trace
- NOLS Risk Management Conference
BROADCAST: Thursday, October 28th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, October 28th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Crow Pass Trail, photo courtesy Max Romey
- Debris found on the beach, photo courtesy Max Romey
- Max Romey sketching Raven Glacier at Crow Pass, photo courtesy Max Romey.
Our guest this week is Max Romey. Max is a watercolor artist and filmmaker from Anchorage. He has joined us before to tell us about his creative style of using watercolors in his films focusing on the outdoors. Storytelling using pictures instead of words was born from his life with dyslexia. The last time he visited us in the fall of 2020, he was developing a six-chapter project called “Trailbound Alaska.” Although the project has changed and evolved, he has finished one part of the film series, the journey from Seward to Eagle River. Another one of his films, “If You Give a Beach a Bottle,” is a story that took him many years to tell and is a finalist at this year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival at the end of this month. Max will also give us a preview of his next project, which is very close to home.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Max Romey, watercolor artist and filmmaker
LINKS:
- Max Romey Productions
- Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
BROADCAST: Thursday, October 21st, 2021. 10:00 am – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, October 21st, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Much of Alaska’s landmass is covered in water. During the winter when those lakes and rivers freeze solid, and if the snow isn’t deeper than an inch or so, all that frozen water makes for great ice skating! Around the world, people have been ice skating for a very long time. But recent advances in skate and binding technology, including the popularity of “nordic skates”, have made recreational skating more comfortable and convenient than ever before. Skating on natural ice in Alaska allows access to places that can be difficult or inconvenient to reach when ice-free, like Portage Glacier, the far side of Eklutna Lake, or other remote lakes, rivers, and swampy areas all around the state. This week on Outdoor Explorer, we’ll be talking with Carl Oswald, President of the Anchorage Speedskating Club, and Paxson Woelber, a nordic skating enthusiast who has begun manufacturing his own line of nordic skates. We’ll discuss everything skating: equipment, safety, places to skate, “wild ice”, skating adventures, and skating programs.
HOST: Adam Verrier
GUESTS:
- Carl Oswald, President of the Anchorage Speedskating Club
- Paxson Woelber, a nordic skating enthusiast
LINKS:
- Anchorage Speedskating club
- Anchorage skates
- Ermine skate
- Paxson’s skating film
BROADCAST: Thursday, October 14 th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, October 14th 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Economic impact of outdoor activities, image courtesy Alaska Outdoor Alliance.
Lee Hart, Executive Director of Alaska Outdoor Alliance, photo courtesy Alaska Outdoor Alliance.
The guest for this show is Lee Hart, Executive Director of Alaska Outdoor Alliance. The Alliance’s mission is to build the best outdoor economy in the world. The outdoor economy is an under-recognized yet important economic driver to
communities across the Western United States. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, 81% of Alaskans
participate in outdoor recreation each year and we have the 7th largest recreation economy in the United States. There
is $3.2 billion spent by Alaskan consumers that can be tied to outdoor recreation, according to the State of Alaska Center for Economic Development. The Alliance is a critical player in advancing policy and promoting outdoor recreation and infrastructure in our state.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Lee Hart, Executive Director of Alaska Outdoor Alliance
LINKS:
- Alaska Outdoor Alliance website
- Alaska Outdoor Alliance Facebook
BROADCAST: Thursday, October 7th, 2021. 10:00 am – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, October 7th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Aaron Leggett, President of the Native Village of Eklutna, photo courtesy Aaron Leggett. This show is a follow-up to a show that aired in February of 2021 about Chugach State Park. We found a few paragraphs in the 2016 Management Plan about the First People to arrive in the Anchorage area intriguing. We will learn more about the seafaring First People who first discovered the Upper Cook Inlet and the Dena’ina Athabaskans who then moved into the area we now know as Anchorage and hunted and fished in the area we now know as Chugach State Park. Although Eklutna Inc. owns 10% of the land that Chugach State Park sits on and is the largest private landowner in the Anchorage Municipality, the Dena’ina have been called the “invisible people” because the stories of their ancestors have not been heard. Aaron Leggett, Senior Curator of Alaska History & Indigenous Culture at the Anchorage Museum and President of the Tribal Council of the Native Village of Eklutna, joins us to talk about the past, present, and future of the Dena’ina in the Anchorage area.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Aaron Leggett, Senior Curator of Alaska History & Indigenous Culture at the Anchorage Museum and President of the Tribal Council of the Native Village of Eklutna
LINKS:
- Chugach State Park Management Plan
- “Shem Pete’s Alaska” book
- Aaron Leggett’s essay, “This Is My Story: “Tanaina” No More,” and the Anchorage Museum exhibit “Being Dena’ina”
- Native Village of Eklutna
BROADCAST: Thursday, September 30th, 2021. 10:00 am – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, September 30th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Heather Caldwell
- Sarah Histand
On this show, our guests are Sarah Histand and Heather Caldwell. Sarah is a mental health professional as well as a fitness trainer and we talk about easing the transition of both your brain and your body from summer into winter. We cover some important areas of strength and fitness to focus on as you think about winter sports as well as how a less frantic summer can lead to a less abrupt change in energy with the season change. Heather is a psychotherapist, athlete, and outdoor lover. We take a deeper dive into using a connection to nature to ease our seasonal transitions as well as preparing our minds and bodies for the arrival of winter.
HOST: Martha Rosenstein
GUEST:
Sarah Histand – a mental health professional and a fitness trainer
Heather Caldwell – a psychotherapist, althete and outdoor lover
LINKS:
Evolve in Nature, Heather’s site
Sarah website
Sarah on Instagram
BROADCAST: Thursday, September 23rd, 2021. 2:00 pm – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, September 23rd, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- The Teaming With Series, photo courtesy Jeff Lowenfels.
- Jeff Lowenfels, Lord of the Roots, photo courtesy Jeff Lowenfels
- DIY Autoflowering Cannabis book, photo courtesy Jeff Lowenfels.
This show is about exploring your own backyard and who better to tell us all about what’s out there than my guest, Jeff Lowenfels. Jeff has written a weekly gardening column for the Anchorage Daily News since 1976, the longest-running gardening column in the United States. Along the way, he has documented our changing climate and has been at the forefront of advocating for an organic and sustainable yard and garden. He is the author of a series of books on organic gardening, with a new book coming out in the spring of 2022. Join Jeff and host Lisa Keller as we explore the changing scene of gardening in the 49th state.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Jeff Lowenfels– Author and ADN columnist
LINKS:
- Jeff Lowenfels’ website
- The New York Times Magazine article
BROADCAST: Thursday, September 16 th, 2021. 10:00 am – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, September 16th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Mike Branham
On this show, our guest is Mike Branham. Mike is a financial planner with a passion for the outdoors. We talk about how you can fund your outdoor adventures and save for your future, why it’s important to find a balance between these things, as well as some ideas for maximizing your dollars when it comes to the gear and gadgets you need (or think you need) for your outdoor hobbies. Also, just a quick note that while Mike is an expert in the area of financial planning, our discussion is meant to be informational only and not to be considered professional advice.
HOST: Martha Rosenstein
GUEST:
- Mike Branham – Financial planner and outdoor enthusiast
BROADCAST: Thursday, September 9th, 2021. 2:00 pm – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 13th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Tony Perelli and Becky King with morels_Photo: Tony Perelli
- Mushrooms
- Raina picking blueberries.
- Understory.
- Highbush cranberries.
Late summer and fall are the time for picking blueberries, hunting for mushrooms, and getting
ready for winter. Gathering edible berries and plants has many benefits besides their great
taste. Jackie Qataliña, Tony Perelli, and Dana Diehl join host Paul Twardock to discuss what
their favorite edible and medicinal plants and mushrooms are, their uses, the physical and
emotional benefits of foraging, and ethical considerations.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Segment 1: Jackie Qataliña and Tony Perelli
- Segment 2: Dana Diehl
LINKS:
- Store Outside Your Door webisodes
- Alaska Native Traditional Food Guide
- Free mushroom guide from the Forest Service
- Mushrooms Book: All That The Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Field Guide
- Mushroom Workshops by Dr. Gary Laursen
BROADCAST: Thursday, September 2nd, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, September 2nd, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Lee Bolling’s book “Welcome to Earth Fellow Human”.
- Lee Bolling.
- Lee Bolling riding in Anchorage.
The Anchorage Bowl is known for its trail networks, and many residents and visitors think our various trail systems are one of the city’s best features. During this Outdoor Explorer, we’ll be talking about one element of the city’s trail system: The soft surface trails built over the past fifteen years by Singletrack Advocates – a group committed to the construction and maintenance of mountain biking trails in several locations around the Anchorage Bowl. Our guest will be Lee Bolling, the President of Singletrack Advocates, and we’ll discuss the existing system of mountain bike trails, current projects in the works, and Lee’s vision for the future of Anchorage’s soft-surface mountain bike trail networks. We’ll also talk about the book that Lee recently wrote and released, titled “Welcome to Earth Fellow Human”, which explores the question, “Where did we come from, and what should we do now that we’re here?”
HOST: Adam Verrier
GUESTS:
- Lee Bolling, president of Singletrack Advocates and author of the book, “Welcome to Earth Fellow Human”
LINKS:
- Singletrack Advocates
- Welcome to Earth Fellow Human book website
BROADCAST: Thursday, August 26th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, August 26th 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- St Elias the trench, photoby John Bauman.
- Russell base camp, photo by John Bauman.
- Mt Deborah basecamp igloo, photo by John Bauman.
- Bauman Kayaking 1
- Paddlng the Katmai Coast 1992, photo by Paul Twardock.
- Bauman Kayaking
- BaumanKayaking2
Alaska has thousands of world-class outdoor men and women. Most have gone about their business without fanfare or notice, sharing their adventures with a few friends before heading off on their next trip. John Bauman lived in Alaska making a living as a carpenter while pursuing winter first ascents and sea kayaking throughout the world. John’s climbs (primarily in the winter) include St Elias, Mt Logan, and Mt Russell. He kayaked around Kodiak, the Aleutians, Iceland, the Falkland Islands, and the length of the Alaska Peninsula. And those are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. John talks about some of these trips and what it took to live to become as they say, ‘An old mountaineer.’
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- John Bauman, kayaker and mountaineer
LINKS:
- Seekers of the Horizon review
- Mountaineering Club of Alaska
- Iceland Circumnavigation
- Mt. Russell
BROADCAST: Thursday, August 12th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, August 12, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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This episode of Outdoor Explorer first aired on May 14, 2020. In the fall of 2020, it was submitted to the Alaska Professional Communicators 2020 – 2021 Communications Contest where it won first place in the category of “Special Programming – Radio.” First-place state winners are automatically submitted to the National Federation of Press Women’s Communications Contest. The awards ceremony for the national contest is June 11th and although we know we have won an award for the show we do not know how it placed. This was a complicated and time-consuming episode to host and produce. Lisa recorded the entire episode on her smartphone and then edited hours of conversation on the phone, submitting many segments to the producer, Eric Bork, to work his magic and put it together into the finished show. We thank the women pilots who were part of the show who not only spoke honestly about discrimination but also shared concerns common to all pilots, and as the contest judge remarked, provided “an
entertaining and often funny dialogue.”
Since 1980, the number of female pilots in the United States has remained stagnant at 6% of all pilots. In Alaska, however, with a per capita pilot population three times the next closest state, it’s not hard to find a group of women pilots to talk about their adventures. Jody Oyen, a pilot for Copper Valley Air Service, has a tradition called “Fly for Pie.” She meets up with other women pilots in parts of Alaska to bond over a slice of pie. I was asked to come along for a trip to Talkeetna and record the conversation among a diverse group of women pilots. Jodi Harskamp, an Alaska Airlines captain, joined us at Merrill Field to fly in Jody Oyen’s Cessna 185. Jamie Patterson-Simes, a flight instructor who owns SkyTrek Alaska Flight Training, flew her own plane and met us at the Talkeetna airstrip. The four of us walked to the Roadhouse in Talkeetna and met up with Leighan Falley, a pilot at Talkeetna Air Taxi. The conversation was honest and sometimes salty.
HOST: Lisa Keller
SEGMENTS:
Segment 1a: The first segment of the show was recorded on the walk to the Roadhouse in Talkeetna. You will hear Jamie Patterson-Simes, Jodi Harskamp, me, and Jody Oyen, in that order.
Segment 1b: Walking to the Roadhouse with Jodi Harskamp, Jody Oyen and Jamie Patterson-Simes
Segment 2a: The next segment of the show was recorded in the dining room of the Roadhouse. You will hear me, Jamie Patterson-Simes, Leighan Falley, Jody Oyen, and Jodi Harskamp, in that order.
Segment 2b – 2e: Lunch at the Roadhouse with Jodi Harskamp, Jody Oyen, Jamie Patterson-Simes and Leighan Falley
Segment 3: Close/Pilot jokes with Becky Hrdy, Jodi Harskamp, Jody Oyen, Jamie Patterson-Simes and Leighan Falley
LINKS:
- Alaska 99’s
- AOPA
- Women in Aviation
- Leighan Falley’s AOPA blog
- SkyTrek Alaska Flight Training
BROADCAST: Thursday, June 10th, 2021. 10:00 am – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, June 10th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- A paddle boarder on Goose Lake, wearing a life vest.
- Children in a kayak on Goose Lake, wearing life vests
- A fishing boat on the ocean.
- Paddle boarders all wearing life vests and protective clothing.
Summer has arrived and that means it is time to go boating.
Alaska has around 34,000 miles of coast line and 365,000 miles of rivers with people living, working, exploring and enjoying them. But, some also get in boating accidents of all sorts.
As we prepare for the boating season it is worthwhile to review the equipment and safety precautions needed.
On this week’s episode of Outdoor Explorer, we discuss boating safety with staff from the Alaska Office of Boating Safety, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s Injury Prevention program, the Kingikmiut Singers and Dancers of Anchorage and the Maniilaq Association of Kotzebue.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Joe McCullough: Alaska Office of Boating Safety
- Annie Greneir: Alaska Office of Boating Safety
- Ingrid Stevens: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
- Arlo Norrik Davis: Maniilaq Association
- Gregory Nothstine: ANTHC and Kingikmiut Dancers and Singers
LINKS:
- How the Float Coat Song came about on Youtube
- Alaska Office of Boating Safety
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Boating Safety
- Maniilaq Association
- U.S Coast Guard Auxillary
- American Canoeing Association
- Knik Canoers and Kayakers
- Alaska Recreational Boating Incident Report Project
BROADCAST: Thursday, June 3rd, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, June 3rd, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- The Stan-Kamps on the last leg of their journey in Utah, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp.
- Leif and Tui Stanbury with Nukka at Capitol Reef National Park, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp.
- Tui and Leif Stanbury at Landscape Arch in Arches National Park, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp.
- Leif and Neal Stanbury at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp.
- Tui and the snow Buddha, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp.
When Alaska Airlines Captain Jodi Harskamp took leave due to the pandemic and her children’s school shifted to on-line learning, she and her husband Neal Stanbury decided to take school on the road. Over the past three episodes we have heard about their trips to the parks of Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Florida. In this episode, the last of our episodes, the Stan-Kamps are in Florida when Jodi gets called back to work. The homeward bound journey begins with some stops in the Southwest before heading back to Alaska.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
Segment 1: Jodi Harskamp and Neal, Tui and Leif Stanbury aka The Stan-Kamps
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 27th, 2021. 10-11 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 27th, 2021. 8–9 p.m. AKT
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Most accidents occur for similar reasons: not being prepared, poor equipment, being in a rush, and lack of skill. Some accidents, however, are unpredictable. Learning from others is a great way to avoid the perils of being outdoors. Whether it is talking to friends, watching documentaries, or reading one can learn how to be ready for a particular activity or outing. Emma Walker, author of Dead Reckoning, is on this week’s Outdoor Explorer discussing her new book Dead Reckoning and the lessons she and others have learned from their near misses and accidents in the outdoors.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Emma Walker, the author of Dead Reckoning
LINKS:
- Dead Reckoning website
- Pre-order Dead Reckoning on Amazon
- Emma Walker’s site
- Accidents in North American Mountaineering
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 20th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 20th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Tim Gravel
- Gina Shively
On this show, we are talking about enjoying coffee in the outdoors. First, you’ll hear from Tim Gravel who is the co-owner of Kaladi Brothers Coffee about his favorite backcountry coffee brewing method as well as some other ideas for making coffee on your next camping trip. Then you’ll hear from Gina Shively who is a pilot and an avid outdoorswoman about her attempts to find a good backcountry coffee option and what she is currently using that keeps her caffeinated while she’s out hunting.
HOST: Martha Rosenstein
GUESTS:
- Tim Gravel, co-owner of Kaladi Brothers Coffee
- Gina Shively, pilot and avid outdoorswoman
LINKS:
- Kaladi Community Page
- Aeropress, also available locally at Kaladi and REI
- Gina’s website
- Gina’s Instagram
- Genesis Coffee Lab
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 13th, 2021. 2:00 pm – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 13th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- A tool at work. Photo from MatSu Trail Parks Foundation.
- A trail near Kachemak Bay
- Alaska Trails Volunteers
- Trails at Kincaid Park, photo by Paul Twardock.
- A trail crew near Kachemak Bay.
- A trail crew near Kachemak Bay
Trails are one of the primary infrastructures in the outdoors. They lead us to destinations or are and end unto themselves. Trails get us through the bushes and into the high country. They provide opportunities for observing nature, exercise, and relaxation. A good trail is well designed and built to avoid erosion and lasts a long time. Trail building in Alaska has come a long way since people went straight up the fall line. Alaska Trails and other organizations and trail building businesses spend the winter months funding and planning for the summer trail building season. This show talks with the people who will be working on trails around the state, discussing what trail-building projects are happening this summer.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Steve Cleary: Alaska Trails
- Kathy Sarns-Irwin: Friends of Kachemak Bay State Parks
- Christine Byl: Interior Trails
- Wes Hoskins: Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation
- Nelson Crone: Valley Mountain Biker and Hikers
LINKS:
- Alaska Trails
- Friends of Kachemak Bay State Parks on Facebook
- Interior Trails
- Mat Su Trails and Parks Foundation
- Valley Mountain Biker and Hikers
- State of Alaska State Park Trail Maps
BROADCAST: Thursday, May 6th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 6th, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- The Stan-Kamps at Horseshoe Bend in the Grand Canyon, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp.
- The Stan-Kamps at the Nevada-Arizona State Border, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp.
- The Stan-Kamps at the Southernmost Point on the Continental USA, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp
- Tui, Leif and Neal Stanbury sledding at White Sands National Monument, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp
- Camping platform in the Flamingo Park Everglades National Park, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp.
When Alaska Airlines Captain Jodi Harskamp took leave due to the pandemic and her children’s school shifted to online learning, she and her husband Neal Stanbury decided to take school on the road. In the first episode of this series, Lisa spoke with the Stan-Kamp family after they had toured the parks of the Pacific Northwest. In the second episode of the series, it was the parks of California, the state with the most parks in the nation. At the end of their stay in California, they were planning a 5-day backpacking trip into Death Valley National Park. They arrived at the park just before Los Angeles county went into lockdown and were forced to leave the park and abandon plans to also visit Joshua Tree National Park. Instead, they headed for their next destination: Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. As they start to head east through the Southwest, plans again shift as the nighttime temperatures in the desert states start to dive and they find themselves heading for the warmest state during the winter: Florida.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
Segment 1: Jodi Harskamp and Neal, Tui and Leif Stanbury aka The Stan-Kamps
BROADCAST: Thursday, April 29th, 2021. 10-11 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, April 29th, 2021. 8–9 p.m. AKT
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Drones, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), are becoming more common in Alaska and
elsewhere every month. This past year they were one of the hottest selling outdoor retail items with sales growing around 12% annually according to thebusinessresearchcompany.com. In Alaska, drones are quickly becoming a part of the outdoor experience. The research, photos, and videos they enable help scientists, land managers, trail builders, artists, and others with their work. On the other hand, they have the potential to disrupt wildlife and other people’s outdoor experience. We will be discussing drone capabilities, regulations, benefits, and challenges with Bill Billmeier of Corax, Dan Beutel with the State of Alaska’s Division of Parks and Recreation, and Heath Schaaf with the U.S. Forest Service.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Bill Billmeier: Corax
- Dan Beutel: State of Alaska DNR Division of Parks and Recreation
- Heath Schaaf: U.S. Forest Service
LINKS:
- State of Alaska UAS (Drone) web site
- State of Alaska Best Practices downloadable PDF
- FAA Drone Information
- FAA Temporary Flight Restriction web page
- U.S. Forest Service Drone web site
- State of Alaska email address for input on drone regulations: dpor.regulations@alaska.gov
- Corax
- Alaska Aireal Media
BROADCAST: Thursday, April 22nd, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, April 22nd, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- The Stan-Kamps at Half Dome in Yosemite, photo courtesy of Jodi Harskamp.
- Tui and Leif Stanbury looking out over Yosemite, photo courtesy of Jodi Harskamp.
- The retrofitted truck before the accident, photo courtesy of Jodi Harskamp.
- The truck after the accident, photo courtesy of Jodi Harskamp.
- Tui Stanbury with a giant pinecone, photo courtesy of Jodi Harskamp.
- Leif and Tui Stanbury on a giant redwood, photo courtesy of Jodi Harskamp.
When Alaska Airlines Captain Jodi Harskamp took leave due to the pandemic and her children’s school shifted to on-line learning, she and her husband Neal Stanbury decided to take school on the road. In the first episode of this series, I spoke with the Stan-Kamp family after they had toured the parks of the Pacific Northwest and were taking a breather at Jodi’s aunt’s house in Grants Pass, Oregon. In this episode, the Stan-Kamps are leaving Oregon and beginning their journey through California. California has the most state parks and national parks in the United States. However, before they even make it out of Oregon, they encounter trouble.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
Segment 1: Jodi Harskamp and Neal, Tui and Leif Stanbury aka The Stan-Kamps
BROADCAST: Thursday, April 8th, 2021. 10-11 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, April 8th, 2021. 8–9 p.m. AKT
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Sepp Weber, photo by Paul Twardock. Sepp Weber has climbed, kayaked, and skied for at least 80 years, and is still at it! Sepp’s first experience in the American Arctic was kayaking across Canada and down the Yukon. Shortly afterward he took a job coaching skiing at Arctic Valley. In his long and active life, he did the first ski ascent of Denali and Mount Logan. His trips involved paddling and skiing to the start of climbs, then returning the same way. Sepp also owned and ran a ski lodge near Denali which he built himself. In the summers he was a river guide and he wrote a book titled “Wild Rivers of Alaska.” He has a full life of adventure and experience to share on this episode of Outdoor Explorer.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- Sepp Weber, first to ascend Denali by ski
LINKS:
- Denali View Chalet
- Sepp’s book Wild Rivers of Alaska
BROADCAST: Thursday, April 1st, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, April 1st, 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Neal Stanbury, Tui Stanbury, Leif Stanbury and Jodi Harskamp at Crater Lake, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp.
- The retrofitted truck, photo courtesy of Jodi Harskamp
- The truck’s pantry, photo courtesy of Jodi Harskamp
- Sticker designed by Tui Stanbury to commemorate the family’s travels, photo courtesy Jodi Harskamp
When Alaska Airlines Captain Jodi Harskamp took leave due to the pandemic and her children’s school shifted to on-line learning, she and her husband Neal Stanbury decided to take school on the road. Starting in the Pacific Northwest with their truck retrofitted to accommodate their outdoor gear, they began to tour national and state parks, with a vow to only camp and cook along the way with occasional breaks at family and friends’ homes. Their five-month journey is the subject of a series of episodes in the parks of the Northwest.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
*Segment 1:* Jodi Harskamp and Neal, Tui and Leif Stanbury
BROADCAST: Thursday, March 25th, 2021. 10-11 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, March 25th, 2021. 8–9 p.m. AKT
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For the past year, the Coronavirus Pandemic has been canceling sporting events all around the world. But the organizers of North America’s biggest ski marathon, the American Birkebeiner, were determined to find a way to hold the race anyway, and they were resolved to do it safely. The American Birkebeiner Ski Race takes place every February in northern Wisconsin, and it usually attracts over 10,000 skiers. But this year’s participation numbers were down to less than half of the usual number, and the organizers incorporated a variety of changes intended to mitigate the potential spread of Coronavirus among participants. On this week’s Outdoor Explorer, we’ll speak with the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation’s executive director, Ben Popp, about the changes and mitigations that were put in place for this winter’s event, and about how they made their decision to go forward with the race, even during the pandemic.
HOST: Adam Verrier
GUESTS:
- Ben Popp, Executive Director, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
LINKS:
- List of events at this year’s events
BROADCAST: Thursday, March 18th, 2021. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, March 18th 2021. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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- Hank Lentfer, Griselda Landa-Posas, and Richard Nelson at Lake Minichumina, photo by Davyd Betchkal.
- Richard K. Nelson and the cover of Raven’s Witness The Alaska Life of Richard K. Nelson, courtesy of Hank Lentfer.
On the next Outdoor Explorer, our guest is Hank Lentfer. His book “Raven’s Witness: The Alaska Life of Richard K. Nelson,” won the 2020 Banff Mountain Book Grand Prize after winning best in Mountain Literature. The distinctive opening to Richard Nelson’s public radio show “Encounters” was an easily recognizable signal that you were about to take a journey into the sound of Alaska. Richard’s Alaska life spanned across the state from the North Slope to the Interior to Southeast. He immersed himself in village life and Native culture and spent his life studying the relationships between people and nature. Richard died in 2019 but he lives on through his influential radio and written work.
HOST: Lisa Keller
GUESTS:
Segment 1: Hank Lentfer, author of “Raven’s Witness: The Alaska Life of Richard K. Nelson.”
LINKS:
- KSKA’s last interview with him on Hometown, Alaska.
- Raven’s Witness website
- Mountaineers Books
BROADCAST: Thursday, March 11th, 2021. 10-11 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, March 11th, 2021. 8–9 p.m. AKT
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Emotional intelligence contributes to healthy relationships and successful adventures. Personal traits such as knowing your strengths and weaknesses, self-control, empathy, and social skills help individuals and groups make better decisions and work well together. Outdoor literature and lore are full of epic stories and tragedies caused by poor decision-making, many times due to lack of the traits associated with emotional intelligence. This Outdoor Explorer focuses on the topic with guests David McGivern, Betsy Young, and Bill Billmeier. The three of them have decades of experience teaching, guiding, and leading in Alaska and have much to contribute to the topic of emotional intelligence and its relevance to outdoor activities.
HOST: Paul Twardock
GUESTS:
- David McGivern, Betsy Young, and Bill Billmeier
LINKS:
- Daniel Goleman’s Five Principles of Emotional Intelligence
- Climbing through the lens of Emotion Intelligence with David McGivern
- Corax: Betsy Young and Bill Billmeier
BROADCAST: Thursday, March 4th, 2020. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, March 4th, 2020. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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