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 ...
Sep 28, 2023•59 min
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 ma...
Sep 22, 2023•1 hr
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...
Sep 07, 2023•59 min
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 Paul Twardock welcomes Will Taygan with the Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and Rene Dervae...
Aug 25, 2023•59 min
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...
Aug 17, 2023•59 min
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: Petra and Nicole’s Instagram Petra and Ni...
Aug 10, 2023•59 min
HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: Jessica Cherry , editor of "Wheels on Ice" Andromeda Romano-Lax , author, contributor to "Wheels on Ice" LINKS: "Wheels on Ice" 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...
Aug 07, 2023•59 min
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: Alison Mariella Dèsir website Harlem Run Run4Al...
Jul 27, 2023•59 min
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 Com...
Jul 20, 2023•59 min
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, Fir...
Jul 13, 2023•59 min
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: Mark Kelly Photog...
Jun 01, 2023•59 min
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...
May 25, 2023•59 min
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 Challeng...
May 18, 2023•59 min
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...
May 11, 2023•59 min
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 ...
May 04, 2023•59 min
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...
Apr 27, 2023•59 min
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
Apr 20, 2023•59 min
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...
Apr 13, 2023•59 min
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 ,
Apr 13, 2023•59 min
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.
Mar 31, 2023•59 min
HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: Randy Dowd , Executive Director and founder of Onward and Upward Onward and Upward Staff LINKS: Onward and Upward website Facebook Instagram 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...
Mar 16, 2023•59 min
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
Mar 09, 2023•59 min
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...
Mar 07, 2023•59 min
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...
Feb 23, 2023•59 min
HOST: Lisa Keller GUEST: Beth Bragg , former sports editor at the Anchorage Daily News
Feb 16, 2023•59 min
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...
Feb 09, 2023•59 min
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
Feb 09, 2023•59 min
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...
Feb 02, 2023•59 min
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...
Jan 19, 2023•59 min
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.
Jan 13, 2023•59 min
