Outdoor Explorer

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:Arctic Orienteering ClubScott Patterson's bioFogrunner by Jen Jolliff]]>

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:Arctic Orienteering ClubScott Patterson’s bioFogrunner by Jen Jolliff]]>

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 worldwideChugach State Park 120 Peak List (official Mountaineering Club list)Mountaineering Club of Alaska]]>

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 HoskinsThe 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 KellerSEGMENTS:Segment 1: Alli Harvey, traveling artistLINKS:Alli Harvey Art websiteAlli Harvey Art

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 TwardockGUESTS:Annie Dubois, Brant Hylinski, Kaytherine Pugh, EnzioRangel

Jody Potts-JosephJody Potts-Joseph, Arctic WildAlaska 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 TwardockGUESTS:Jody Potts-Joseph, founder of Native Youth OutdoorsLINKS:Arctic WildAlaska Wilderness LeagueData for Indigenous JusticeNorth Face Explorer FundTeton Gravity: Indigenous Outdoor OrganizationsBROADCAST: Thursday, June 2nd, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKTREPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, June 2nd, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Walter Harper, photo courtesy NPSThe view from the spotting scope of a busy day on the headwall, photo courtesy of NPS Photo, Chris EricksonTucker Chenowith ice climbing, photo courtesy NPS Photo, Kakiko Ramos-LeonView of tents at the 14,200-foot camp looking at Mount Foraker, photo courtesy of Menno Boermans.Denali, by Emily Mesner photo courtesy of NPSDenali National Park and Preserve, website cover image courtesy of NPSDenali 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 KellerSEGMENTS:Segment 1: Sharon Stiteler, Public Affairs Officer for Denali National Park and

iking Resurection Pass by John Wolfe.Skiing to the Skookum Glacier, byJohnWolfeRebecca Wolfe, credit Gretchen Nelson.John Wolfe, credit Anne Raup.Becca Wolfe and Helen Nienhueser, by John WolfeAlaska Adventure 55 Ways Cover50 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 TwardockGUESTS:Helen Nienhueser, John Wolfe, and Rebecca

Dave Johnson and family camping on Curry Ridge, Denali State Park. Photo courtesy of Pete Robinson.Adventure Journal ArtDave 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 TwardockGUESTS:–Dave Johnston, Cari Sayre, and Galen JohnstonLINKS:Denali Climbing HistoryProject Jutebox: Dave Johnson Bio and InterviewBook: Minus 148Alaska Hall of Fame accountAdventure JournalState Park HistoryBROADCAST: Thursday, May 12th, 2022. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKTREPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 12th, 2022. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKTSUBSCRIBE: Recei

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 FameThe 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, executiv

A bar-tailed godwit. Photo courtesy of Steve Maslowski.Dan RuthrauffBird 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 TwardockGUESTS:-Dan Ruthrauff, a USGS wildlife biologist with the Alaska Science Center-Melanie Dufour, a coordinator with the Kachemak Bay Shorebird FestivalLINKS:Dan Ruthrauff, USGSKachemak Bay Shorebird FestivalCopper River Delta Shorebird FestivalYakutat Tern FestivalAudubon AlaskaAlaska Fish and Ga

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 th

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 KellerSEGMENTS:Segment 1: Millet KellerLINKS:Talk of Alaska: Remembering Don Young“Hickel Comeback Bid Angers Republicans”Heli-Skiing in the Cariboo MountainsBROADCAST: Thursday, April

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 KellerSEGMENTS:Segment 1: Millet KellerLINKS:1964 Alaska EarthquakeBiography Lord John BrowneBROADCAST: Thursday, March 31st, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. AK

Amy Bushatz, photo courtesy Amy Bushatz.Heather Helzer, photo by Andre Horton.The Humans Outside medal, photo courtesy of Amy BushatzTurnagain Training kids’ duathlon start, photo courtesy Heather Helzer.Virtual Race Across Alaska Winter Challenge, image courtesy Heather HelzerOn 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 KellerSEGMENTS:Segment 1: Heather Helzer, founder of the Virtual Race Across Alaska Winter ChallengeSegment 2: Amy Bushatz, host of the podcast “Humans Outside”LINKS:Turnagain TrainingVirtual Race Across Alaska Winter Challenge Facebook pageHumans Outside podcastHumans Outside ChallengeHumans Outside InstagramHumans Outside FacebookBROADCAST: Thursday, March 2

Karina Movement Class Photo: Paul TwardockYukon Classroom by Paul TwardockSnow Science by Paul TwardockSea Kayaking by Paul TwardockMap 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 TwardockGUESTS:Eeva Latosuo: Alaska Pacific UniversityBenjamin Rush: Prince William Sound CollegeTJ Miller: University of Alaska AnchoragePeggy Keiper: University of

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

March is prime time for winter sports in Alaska. The light is back, the snow is good, andAlaskans are ready to enjoy it all. Dog mushing has been part of Alaska as long as people havebeen in Alaska. In March the sport has its best-known event the Iditarod, along with Anchorage’sFur Rondy Open World Championship Sled Dog Race. On this show, we visit Ineka Kennels andthe Forto family to learn a little about mushing life. Besides mushing, nordic skiing is one ofthe oldest winter sports and a popular one in Alaska. Ms. Uff Da was an advice columnist in theNordic Ski Association of Anchorage’s newsletter in the ’90s and ’00s. Alice and Gunnar Knapprecently 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 crowdedtrails.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Robert and Nicole Forto, mushers with Ineka KennelsAlice Knapp who put together a new book titled “The Wit and Wisdom of Ms. Uff Da.”Darcy Dugan with Ski for Wom