When was the last time you took on a completely new outdoor skill? Outdoor skills like hunting and fishing are part of Alaska’s rich cultural history, But they can also be intimidating to learn or prohibitively expensive to dive into, especially if you don’t know someone who can show you the ropes.Fortunately, people in Alaska have access to an affordable program that can help. Offered by the state’s Department of Fish and Game, classes under the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program provide a fun, friendly environment where students can learn new skills. In this episode of Outdoor Explorer on Alaska Public Media, we’ll talk to some folks who run it about what makes this program special and how Alaskans can participate.HOST: Amy BushatzGUESTS:Maria Bakic, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Outreach & Education CoordinatorKatelyn Zonneville, Information Officer and instuctor, Alaska Department of Fish and Game sport fish divisionAbby McAlister, Becoming an Outdoors Woman Alaska Southeast coordinatorLINKS:Sign-up for classes with BOW Alaska HEREBOW on Facebook

Is the outdoors any riskier than our day to day lives? How does our risk tolerance affect our decision making? What variables influence our level of risk tolerance? On this Outdoor Explorer host Paul Twardock discusses these questions and more with Deb Ajango and Luc Mehl. Deb teaches risk management and wilderness first aid and Luc is an Alaska-born adventurer who teaches water safety and avalanche classes. The concept of risk is as old as humanity, influencing us consciously and unconsciously. As we plan and undertake trips with friends and family, or go on a class or guided outing, understanding the risks and how we react to them can lead to successful and enjoyable outings. Deb, Luc and Paul will talk about the history and definitions of risk, how our risk tolerance evolves with age and experience, and how group dynamics are affected by risk.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Deb Ajango, risk management and wilderness first aid educatorLuc Mehl, adventurer, water safety and avalanche educatorLINKS:"Keeping safe during Summer adventures | Talk of Alaska" Things To Luc At: Luc Mehl's websiteSafety EdTriple Point SafetyAlaska Avalanche School

What goes into making a new trail? After four years of work this summer the new Curry to K'esugi Ridge Connector trail opened. The 15 mile trail connects the Curry Ridge trails that start at Ken K'esugi camp ground and the K'esugi Ridge trails to the north, all in Denali State Park. A partnership between State Parks, Mat/Su Trails and Parks Foundation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Interior Trails worked together to procure funding, design and build the trail. The trail was made possible by a grant from the Federal Government's Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project, aka Pittman Robertson Act. Besides the partnerships above a dedicated trail crew worked on the trail. On this episode, host Paul Twardock learns the history and the process of building the trail from the people who made it happen. We also hear tips on hiking the new trail, including completing the 50 miles between Ken K'esugi to Little Coal Creek.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Christine Byl, Gabe Travis, Blaine Smith, Interior TrailsStuart Leidner, Superintendent of Mat/Su/Copper Basin State ParksLINKS:Denali State ParkInterior TrailsMat/Su Trails and Parks FoundationMaps of Denali State Park trailsAlaska Department Fish and Game Curry and K'esugi Ridge Information and Maps

The Alaska State Fair in Palmer draws thousands of people each year to the Matanuska-Susina Valley for food, rides, craft booths and – of course – the farm exhibits. It’s also a top spot for community connection. But can the State Fair also be a place for Alaskans to connect with outdoor recreation?In this episode hear host Amy Bushatz explore that question while on location at the fair as she attends events ranging from the annual directors’ reception to the great pumpkin weigh-off, with special guest appearances by fair historians, outdoor enthusiasts, pumpkin growers and cabbage fairies. HOST: Amy BushatzGUESTS:Jeff Curtis, Alaska State Fair CEOTalis Colberg, former Alaska Attorney GeneralBurl Dickman, Alaska Department of Fish and GameKen Baylock, giant pumpkin master of ceremoniesSilas and Seth Dinkel, giant pumpkin competitorsKierre Childers, cabbage fairyAilis Vann, cabbage fairyNick Hanson, Alaska Ninja WarriorMegan Justus, Skee tawk managerJessi Morse, Alaska Division of ForestryLINKS:Alaska State FairTalis Colberg’s work on Alaska State Fair historyAlaska State Fair pumpkin weigh-off

This episode of features Jordan Iverson and Shannon Titzel. In June, Jordan completed the Triple Crown of Swimming, a challenge that includes three iconic swims: the English Channel, the Catalina Channel and the Swim around Manhattan. Only 333 people in the world have completed the Triple Crown, and Jordan did all three swims in a year, becoming the second Alaskan to finish the challenge. Meanwhile, her friend Shannon had been eying a swim across Cook Inlet, from Point MacKenzie to the Anchorage Small Boat Harbor. The distance straight across is three miles, but due to currents, the route is six miles. It wasn’t hard for Shannon to convince Jordan to join her on this historic swim. The swim had been completed only once before by Bob Kaufman and Chris Hodel, although the pair had been in wetsuits. To be considered an official open swim by the governing body, it would have to be in swimsuits only.HOST: Lisa KellerGUESTS:Jordan Iverson and Shannon Titzel, open water swimmersLINKS:Triple Crown of Swimming"This Anchorage nurse just became the first Alaska woman to complete the grueling ‘Triple Crown’ of swimming" Alaska Public Media

As Autumn descends upon Alaska, Outdoor Explorer is taking a moment to look back at the year so far. This week we’ll be taking a listen to some favorite segments of interviews conducted by our wonderful hosts, including chats with a champion cyclist from Homer, Alaska avalanche forecasters, and an elite outdoor runner. We also hear about the benefits of outdoor activities on mental health and how it can help heal from trauma.

The songs and calls of birds on the lakes and waterways of southcentral are a familiar and comforting soundtrack to summer, including the familiar loon. Just how well these species are fairing is said to be an excellent indicator of the air and water quality and nearby open space.And that’s exactly why Maxine Franklin, a longtime parks employee, volunteer and loon enthusiast got little worried when she noticed over the summer of 2023 that she hadn’t seen many loon chicks at Nancy Lake State Recreation Area where she was working. She flagged her concern to Tamara Zeller, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, and revitalized an effort to monitor the loon population there.In this episode of Outdoor Explorer you’ll learn all about loons in Southcentral, hear what the monitoring team is up to and go on a loon adventure with us at Nancy Lake.HOST: Amy Bushatz GUESTS:Tamara Zeller, U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologistMaxine Franklin, former state park employee and volunteerLINKS:Hear the different loon callsU.S. Fish and Wildlife loon websiteLovealoon.org

The Annual Lost Lake Run is an iconic Alaska mountain race traversing the Lost Lake trail in the Kenai Mountains north of Seward. Started in 1992 to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis by Marsha Vincent, the original race had 55 participants and has grown to over 700 participants and many volunteers. The registration for the event fills in minutes. The event has raised over $2 million dollars for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, contributing to research that resulted in life saving medications. Host Paul Twardock interviews race director Pat Simpson and board member Sabrina Walker. They discuss their connections to the race, Cystic Fibrosis and the challenges and rewards of organizing a mountain running race on public lands. HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Pat Simpson, Director, Lost Lake RunSabrina Walker, Board Member, Lost Lake RunLINKS:Lost Lake RunLost Lake Trail Forest Service Information

Skinny Raven turns 30 this year! They are planning an anniversary block party on Saturday, August 17, that will coincide with the Anchorage Mile, one of the competitive events that are part of the Anchorage RunFest weekend. Daniel Greenhalgh and Tasha Heikkila-Adam are co-owners of Skinny Raven Sports and have been with the iconic store from the beginning, in one capacity or another. There have been ups and downs throughout the years, including a point at which the original owner almost liquidated the store and Daniel and Tasha stepped up and bought the business. Skinny then survived COVID, pivoting to an innovative online presence. The store has a culture unto itself and is recognized as one of the top running stores in the nation.HOST: Lisa KellerGUESTS:Daniel Greenhalgh and Tasha Heikkila-Adam, co-owners of Skinny Raven SportsLINKS:Skinny Raven website30th Birthday info

The Matanuska-Susitna Valley is home to a wide variety of parks and recreation lands managed by the state or Mat-Su Borough. From Hatcher Pass down to Jim Creek Recreation Area and out to Denali State Park, there’s plenty happening all year long to make space for a wide variety of motorized and nonmotorized sports enthusiasts, protect the wild spaces many users love, and welcome in both locals and tourists.So what’s new in Mat-Su and what are you missing by not exploring the Valley more? In this episode we hear from Stuart Leidner, superintendent of the Mat-Su’s state parks, and Hugh Leslie, recreation manager for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.HOST: Amy BushatzGUESTS:Stuart Leidner, Alaska State Park superintendent for the Mat-Su/Copper River Basin regionHugh Leslie, Recreational Services Manager for the Matanuska-Susitna BoroughLINKS:Matanuska-Susitna Borough parks and recreation Mat-Su/Copper River Basin State Parks Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation Mat-Su Ski Club Hatcher Pass Snow Riders

Anchorage's plethora of bike trails provide many possibilities for cycling enthusiasts. Over many decades, individuals and organizations have worked hard to preserve and expand bike trails and routes. This Outdoor Explorer features two events that highlight those efforts. The first half of the show features Bike to Work Day, an event organized by Bike Anchorage. The event consists of around 80 treat stations and 4,000 riders along the bike trails and bike commuter routes in Anchorage in the morning and afternoon commuter hours of May 17, 2024. Stations had food and drinks, swag and information on biking. Host Paul Twardock biked between Westchester Lagoon and the U-Med district interviewing participants, treat station hosts and Bike Anchorage Executive Director Alexa Dobson.The second half the show highlights the new temporary dedicated bike lane in downtown Anchorage. The lane, a bike only, two way path separated from traffic, runs along 6th Ave. through the heart of downtown. It continues on A Street to connect to the Chester Creek greenbelt. The path creates an easy loop from downtown to the Chester Creek bike path to the Coastal Trail back to downtown. The path is an experiment by the Municipality of Anchorage and the State Department of Transportation to test the feasibility of dedicated bike lanes in Anchorage. Host Paul Twardock attended the dedication of the new lane on May 30, 2024 and interviewed attendees and the people that made it happen.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Bike to Work Day commutersAlexa Dobson, Executive Director, Bike Anchorage.Downtown dedicated bike lane organizers and dedication attendees LINKS:Anchorage Bike Lane StudyBike AnchorageOff the ChainSusitna Bicycle InstituteBROADCAST: Thursday, August 1st, 2024. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKTREPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, August 1st, 2024. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

Did you know that one of the best professional cyclists in the world is an Alaskan? Kristen Faulkner from Homer is a member of the U.S. Olympic track cycling team for this summer’s Paris games. This week she joins Outdoor Explorer to discuss the finer points of riding a bike inside a velodrome.HOST: Adam VerrierGUEST: Kristen Faulkner, U.S. Olympic track cycling teamLINKS:Kristen Faulkner's websiteTeam USA Cycling website

Alaskan's adventurous nature can lead down many paths. For some, starting their own business in the outdoors is one. The risks and rewards of traveling through the mountains, rivers, and oceans are similar to being an entrepreneur: exploring new terrain with uncertain outcomes and potentially high benefits. This Outdoor Explorer is part of an informal series featuring Alaskans that started their own business. This episode features Kierre Childers with Revel Treks and Tours based in Palmer, Alaska. Kierre shares her story of becoming a small business owner leading hiking and backpacking trips in Southcentral Alaska.HOST: Paul TwardockGUEST: Kierre Childers, Revel Treks and ToursLINKS:Revel Treks and Tours websiteInstagramFacebook

Memorial Day may be the traditional first day of summer, but veterans, their families and the loved ones left behind know it’s also about something much bigger—remembering those who lost their lives in service to the nation.While some mark the day with ceremony, many others honor the lost by taking to mountains and trails. That includes the challenging journey up Gold Star Peak, where a moving memorial site is perched on the rocky top.Gold Star Peak sits on a slightly angled ridgeline in the Chugach Range, adjacent to Mount POW MIA, west of Pioneer Peak and the Twin Peaks and easily spotted from Mat-Su. It’s a tough climb tackled each year by hundreds of military-connected Alaskans and visitors. Explore why doing something hard outside helps us mark military loss and find out how you can participate.HOST: Amy BushatzGUEST:Mark DeRocchi, Army veteran and president of The 98 FundMike McCauley, Navy veteran and volunteer with The 98 FundLINKS:The 98 FundGold Star Peak, Inc

It is time for boating! After a long winter kayaks and canoes are finally appearing from beneath piles of snow, rivers are running, lakes are thawing, and the ocean beckons. This episode of Outdoor Explorer is about getting ready for rafting, kayaking, canoeing and other non-motorized paddle sports. Topics include preparing yourself and your equipment for a summer of paddling. We also talk about Knik Canoers and Kayakers, or KCK. The club is instrumental in river conservation, access, and education in Southcentral Alaska. It hosts a safety education meeting, a paddle film festival, Paddle FunDay and organizes trips.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS: Jule Harle, packrafting author and instructorEric Downey, Knik Canoer and Kayaking club president Chris Hellmann, organizer of the KCK paddle film festival and KCK vice presidentKnik Canoers and KayakersAlaska Packrafter School and Jule HarleAmerican Canoe AssociationAlaska Office of Boating SafetyAlaska Pacific University Outdoor ProgramsAlaska Sea KayakersAlaska Coastal SafetyFairbanks PaddlersPaddlers RealmThings to Luc At: Wilderness Safety and Alaskan AdventureTurnagain Kayaks

For as long as humans created art nature has inspired us. From cave paintings in France to Indigenous art in Alaska to western artists like Rockwell Kent artists and their work celebrate the wonders of the natural world. The Forest Service's Voices of the Wilderness program continues the tradition with an artist in residence model of service and art. Individuals apply to the program and if accepted spend a week or more in a Wilderness or Wilderness Study Area with wilderness specialists. During that time they help with service projects and work on a creative piece that is then shared with the agency and the general public. On this Outdoor Explorer host Paul Twardock discusses the program with Barbara Lydon, program coordinator with the U.S. Forest Service; Marybeth Holleman, author and poet; Youpa Stein, multimedia artist; and Klara Maisch, painter. We learn about the program and the work they created from the inspiration they got during their time with the program in the wilderness.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS: Barbara Lydon, program coordinator with the U.S. Forest ServiceMarybeth Holleman, author and poetYoupa Stein, multimedia artistKlara Maisch, painterLINKS:Forest Service Voices of the WildernessMarybeth HollemanKlara MaischYoupa SteinBarbara LydonPrince William Sound Natural History Symposium

Volunteers contribute immensely to our ability to access and enjoy the outdoors. Whether building and maintaining trails, organizing races, teaching and mentoring beginners, pulling invasive weeds, picking up trash or serving as board members, volunteers are the core of the outdoor community. Volunteers also require work and commitment from the organizations they contribute to. HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Kikkan Randall, Executive Director, Nordic Ski Association of AnchorageMaya Kaup, Volunteer and Communication Coordinator, Alaska TrailsMike Morganson, Single Track Advocates and a volunteer with Alaska TrailsPeter Taylor, President, Mountaineering Club of AlaskaLINKS:Alaska Trails Volunteer Opportunities PageAlaska Trail Stewards PageNordic Ski Association of AnchorageMountaineering Club of AlaskaSingle Track AdvocatesHabitat for Humanity

On this Outdoor Explorer host Lisa Keller sits down with Harlow Robinson, executive director of Healthy Futures and the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. On April 30, the Hall will induct the class of 2024. Harlow tells us about the people and the moment that comprise this year’s class, as well as the annual Director’s Awards and the popular 100 Miles in May.HOST: Lisa KellerGUEST: Harlow Robinson, executive director, Healthy Futures and the Alaska Sports Hall of FameLINKS:Alaska Sports Hall of FameHealthy Futures 100 Miles in May

Alaska's mountains and oceans provide some of the most dramatic landscapes on earth. Anchorage trails have connected the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet for decades, with a few gaps. Just recently newly created trails make it possible to bike, hike, run, or ski from Glen Alps to Knik Arm of Cook Inlet without crossing a single road. The Anchorage Park Foundation designated a route called "Mountains to Sea Trails," with a video, signage, and other information to help people navigate from Glen Alps trailhead in Chugach State Park to Westchester Lagoon and the Anchorage Small Boat Launch, around 24 miles. To help explain the route and its history Host Paul Twardock is joined by Anchorage Park Foundation's Diana Rhodes, cyclist Christina Grande, and filmmaker William Melton.

In 2012 Michael Engelhard, an outdoor guide, writer, and anthropologist decided to hike and paddle from Canada to Kotzebue, acting on a lifelong goal. Though not the first to make the trip, and just the start of the "through hike" trend occurring in the far north, Engelhard brought his unique Alaskan background to the trip. This spring The Mountaineers published his memoir of the trip "Arctic Traverse." The book is a mix of travelogue, natural and cultural history and philosophy. Michael joins host Paul Twardock to discuss his motivations for the trip, how the book came about, doing a two month solo trip, the natural history of the Brooks Range and his musings on wild lands and development.