Outdoor Explorer - Alaska Public Media

Alaska Public Media
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Outdoor Explorer - 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.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Wild Places and the Thawing Arctic | Outdoor Explorer

    What does it mean to live a life shaped by wild places? This week on Outdoor Explorer, we talk with author and adventurer Jon Waterman. From rescuing climbers on Denali to crossing the Arctic alone, Jon shares what he’s learned, including powerful lessons from Indigenous communities he’s met along the way.

    57 min

  2. 22 MAY

    Taking care of our Alaska state parks | Outdoor Explorer

    It's spring and time to prepare to visit Alaska's lakes, mountains, oceans and rivers to enjoy the outdoors. Many of us head to our state parks and increasing use can lead to impacts on vegetation, water quality and wildlife. However, it doesn't have to. On this episode, we hear about how we can enjoy the parks and take care of them at the same time. Host Paul Twardock interviews Stuart Leidner, Superintendent of the Mat-Su/Copper River Basin Region of Alaska State Parks and Wendy Sailors, Community Engagement Manager for Alaska State Parks, to discuss what challenges come with the increasing use of state parks and what individual users and park management can do to minimize user impacts. HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: Stuart Leidner, Superintendent of the Mat-Su/Copper River Basin Region of Alaska State Parks Wendy Sailors, Community Engagement Manager for Alaska State Parks LINKS: Alaska State Parks Leave No Trace ]]>

    57 min

  3. 15 MAY

    Alaska Sports Hall of Fame | Outdoor Explorer

    On this Outdoor Explorer, we hear from Harlow Robinson, the executive director of Healthy Futures and the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. On June 5, the Hall will induct the class of 2025. Harlow tells us about the people and the moments that comprise this year’s class, as well as the annual Director’s Awards and the popular 100 Miles in May. HOST: Lisa Keller GUEST: Harlow Robinson LINKS: Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Healthy Futures 100 Miles in May ]]>

    57 min

  4. 8 MAY

    What's new with cabins and huts in Southcentral Alaska? | Outdoor Explorer

    Public use cabins are very popular in Alaska, with demand exceeding supply. Various organizations are working on new huts and on this Outdoor Explorer we highlight two: Arctic Valley Ski Area and Alaska Huts. Arctic Valley has two huts available for the general public and is building more. General Manager John Robinson and architect Allana Blough describe the challenges of building cabins in Artic Valley's alpine environment. On the second half of the show Alaska Huts' Executive Director Philip Swiny updates us on their new hut at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: John Robinson, General Manager, Arctic Valley Allana Blough, architect Philip Swiny, Executive Director, Alaska Huts LINKS: Alaska Huts Arctic Valley Ski Area Public Use Cabins Chugach National Forest Public Use Cabins ]]>

    57 min

  5. 1 MAY

    A weird winter, a volcano and your yard with Jeff Lowenfels | Outdoor Explorer

    Since 1976, Jeff Lowenfels has been observing the climate and giving gardening and yardening advice in his weekly Anchorage Daily News column, the longest running gardening column in the United States. Hear about the weird winter, the potential Mount Spurr eruption and the effect this strange year will have on your yard and garden. We also hear about Lowenfels' past as the happy boy on Happy Boy Margarine packages and other great anecdotes from his and Anchorage's history. HOST: Lisa Keller GUEST: Jeff Lownfels, Anchorage Daily News gardening columnist LINKS: Jeff Lowenfels’ website "He Wrote a Gardening Column. He Ended Up Documenting Climate Change" - New York Times Magazine ]]>

    57 min

  6. 24 APR

    Mount Marathon | Outdoor Explorer

    Seward’s hometown Mount Marathon Race holds legendary status among professional and novice runners alike as the world’s toughest 5K. Each year, more than 1,000 runners enter a lottery for a chance to sprint through town and climb more than 3,000 vertical feet before descending the grueling course. So, what makes this annual Fourth of July event so special? Join co-hosts Amy Bushatz and Adam Verrier as Adam shares what it’s like to be a Mount Marathon Race announcer. They also check in with race official Matias Saari and Mount Marathon enthusiasts Denali Foldager Strabel and Steve Mayer to learn more about this uniquely Alaskan outdoor experience. Hosts: Adam Verrier Amy Bushatz Guests: Matias Saari Steve Mayer Denali Foldager-Strabel ]]>

    57 min

  7. 18 APR

    Hawk Watch | Outdoor Explorer

    Every year thousands of hawks and other raptors migrate into Southcentral Alaska by Gunsight Mountain on the Glen Highway. Redtail Hawks, Rough Legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Golden Eagles, Sharp Shinned Hawks, Merlins and Peregrine Falcons are some of the many species of birds that traverse the zone. Anchorage Audubon and the Mat-Su Birders host the annual Hawk Watch tailgate every mid April with talks about how to identify the birds as they zoom over head. Bob Dittrick and Ted Swem join host Paul Twardock to share the history of Hawk Watch and why the Gunsight Mountain location is a magnet for hawk migration. On the second half of the show Paul visits with professional birders working for Hawk Watch International to talk about their work counting birds. HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: Bob Dittrick and Ted Swem Sam Darmstadt, Hawk Watch International LINKS: Mat-Su Birders Anchorage Audubon Hawk Watch International Gunsight Mountain Bird Count Hawk Watch International ]]>

    57 min

  8. 10 APR

    State of the Trails | Outdoor Explorer

    As spring approaches and the snow disappears, summer trails reemerge from their own hibernation. At the same time, trail crews are gearing up for their summer projects. On this Outdoor Explorer Haley Johnson and Mariyam Medovaya with Alaska Trails join host Paul Twardock to discuss various trail projects, including upgrades to the Crow Pass Trail out of Eagle River. In addition, they discuss the Bureau of Land Management's recently released Alaska Long Trail National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study. The study, requested by Congress, looks at the financial and physical feasibility, suitability, and desirability of making the Alaska Long Trail a National Scenic Trail. HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: Haley Johnson and Mariyam Medovaya, Alaska Trails LINKS: Alaska Long Trail National Scenic Feasibility Study Alaska State Parks Alaska Trails ]]>

    57 min
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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.

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