Outdoor Explorer - Alaska Public Media

Indigenous Peoples have lived in Alaska for thousands of years. They have stories and names for many of the places that we recreate and live — stories that are interesting and tell something about the place that anyone can learn from. For instance, caribou once populated the Chugach Mountains and upper Ship Creek. Did you know that a battle between the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq and Dena'ina peoples happened in Kincaid Park in Anchorage? The Indigenous Place Name Project honors the names and stories by erecting monuments that highlight over 30 locations in South Central Alaska.

Hatcher Pass is a favorite area for many—from skiing and hiking to berry-picking and snowmachining—it’s a gem that is nestled in the center of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The Bomber Traverse is a hut to hut adventure that connect passes, glacier and mountain valleys to wind its way through this incredible backcountry area—even passing by the wreckage of a World War II bomber. Today I will speak with the Huts Manager of the Mountaineering Club of Alaska about their work to maintain this route—and two hikers about their experiences. This episode of Outdoor Explorer is supported by a grant from Mat-Su Health Foundation.

Alaskans love to take their dogs outdoors. Whether it's a walk in the local park, a run in the mountains, a ski or an outing on the water, dogs seem to be everywhere. Dogs provide companionship and a different set of eyes, ears and noses to their owner's outdoor experience. Most of the time the outings go well and everyone comes back happy, especially when the owners take care of their pets.However, sometimes dogs, and their owners, get into trouble. They get lost, encounter a porcupine, chase animals or get injured. Other times dogs help their owners out by finding a trail back to the parking lot in a whiteout or provide a morale boost when the weather is bad.On this Outdoor Explorer we hear from a veterinarian on how to take care of your dog and some hints on dog first aid, a story on how listening to your dog sometimes is a good idea, helpful hints for biking and hiking with your dog, and a story of finding a lost dog.

Alaska has a long history of producing competitive cross-country skiers. While the spotlight of the Olympics and the medals won there take the spotlight every four years, Nordic skiers compete in the World Cup each year in Europe – a grueling months-long competition that spans many countries and requires a steadfast dedication to the sport and the training requires. Today I will speak to two athletes, Rosie Brennan and Gus Schumacher, to hear about their experiences, their careers and what they have planned next for their skiing journeys.

Early fall is whale-watching season for Cook Inlet beluga enthusiasts, and a perfect time for the whale-curious to catch a peek at these giant white mammals as they hunt and eat in the waters just outside Anchorage.With only about 300 of this endangered species out there right now, a group of scientists and their citizen volunteers keep tabs on their health and movements. So what do you need to know about the Cook Inlet beluga, and how can you help keep watch, too?Join Outdoor Explorer host Amy Bushatz for a conversation with beluga monitor and environmental chemist Regan Davey as we talk all things beluga, then head out on a whale-watching excursion in Anchorage to experience a day in the field.

In early August, hiker Brad Bartels set down his pack, propped up his camera for a selfie, took a picture in front of a monument in Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, and became the first known person to ever complete the Alaska Long Trail thru-hike.Brad started his hike in Seward in late June and pieced together a route for the Long Trail, envisioned as a nearly 500-mile-long network of trails that is still very much under development. So how did he make his way from Seward to Fairbanks? And what did he see and learn along the way?In this episode of Outdoor Explorer, Brad joins host Amy Bushatz on her back porch in Palmer for a conversation about the trail, his route, and what he experienced.

Meg Inokuma is a quiet and determined woman who has set course records in ultra-distance events such as the Susitna 100 winter running race, the Resurrection Pass 100 and the White Mountain 100. She also won the Equinox Marathon in 2022 at the age of 42. Her story is one of a late bloomer becoming one of Alaska's best endurance athletes.She joins host Paul Twardock to discuss her path to Alaska, fighting and overcoming health issues and running some of the hardest, coldest races anywhere. They talk about her training, nutrition, balancing work and her running passion, her love of Alaska's mountains and what inspires her.

While mountain biking has been around for decades, its popularity in Alaska has taken off in recent years as more riders join the sport and more trails are added to the growing list of singletrack trails in the state. Host Steve Cleary speaks with trail advocates and cyclists from Alaska's three largest cities to find out about the growth and changes of mountain biking in Alaska.

What’s it like to ditch work for a year and bike pack more than 16,000 miles across two continents? And what challenges—physical, mental and animal—do you encounter along the way?On this episode of Outdoor Explorer we hear from Anchorage residents and endurance athletes Ryan Fox and Katie Seybert about their year off of work cycling from Edmonton, Canada to the southern tip of Argentina with a side quest down the East Coast of the Lower 48.Katie and Ryan share what it’s like to take on a big adventure, how to afford it, and the challenges of coming home.

The Alaska Fellows Program matches young people with professional positions in Alaska, helping attract and keep their energy and expertise in Alaska. Many of the fellows focus on outdoor related fields such as tourism, outdoor education, and conservation. On this Outdoor Explorer host Paul Twardock is joined by Alaska Fellows Executive Director Tina Buxbaum, fellow Amelia Lamotte and fellow Kamryn You Mak. Join us as we learn about the program and the adventures they experienced this past year.