Outdoor Explorer

On “Outdoor Explorer” we invite you 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 back country or on the bike trails.

We’ll hear from the people who know the land best – outdoor guides, park rangers, coaches, authors, lodge owners, bush pilots, educators and you, the explorer. Listen Thursdays at 2:00 & 8:00 pm on KSKA FM, streaming live at alaskapublic.org.

We’re looking for your show ideas! Please send your thoughts for upcoming shows to: bork@alaskapublic.org

Exploring your own backyard

On the next Outdoor Explorer, we’ll stay close to home and explore our own backyards. Jeff Lowenfels, author of a series of books on organic gardening and long-time Anchorage Daily News garden columnist, will talk about the changing gardening climate, sustainable yardening, and the amazing role bacteria plays in growing your plants.

Changing Seasons: Using fall to prepare for winter

On this show, our guests are Sarah Histand and Heather Caldwell. We talk about easing the transition of both your brain and your body from summer into winter. We cover some important areas of strength and fitness to focus on as you think about winter sports as well as how a less frantic summer can lead to a less abrupt change in energy with the season change. We take a deeper dive into using a connection to nature to ease our seasonal transitions as well as preparing our minds and bodies for the arrival of winter.
Aaron Leggett

The First People in what is now Chugach State Park

In this Outdoor Explorer, we will learn about the First People in what is now Chugach State Park. My guest will be Aaron Leggett, Senior Curator of Alaska History & Indigenous Culture at the Anchorage Museum and President of the Tribal Council of the Native Village of Eklutna.
economic impact

Talking about the economic impact of outdoor activities with Lee Hart of the Alaska Outdoor Alliance

On this Outdoor Explorer, our guest will be Lee Hart, Executive Director of Alaska Outdoor Alliance, an organization that advances the political and economic power of outdoor recreation in Alaska. The outdoor economy is an under- recognized economic driver in our state with the average Alaskan spending almost $5000 per year on outdoor gear and services.
skating

Talking about speedskating with some experts

It’s been said that Alaska’s a land of ten million lakes but in the winter time when all that water turns to ice I can’t think of anything better than going out speed skating. This week on Outdoor Explorer we’ll be speaking with Carl Oswald and Paxson Woelber about speed skating in all its forms.
Crow Pass trail

Catching up with artist Max Romey

On this Outdoor Explorer, our guest will be Max Romey. Max is a watercolor artist and outdoor filmmaker from Anchorage whose creative films have gained international recognition. His most recent film, “If You Give a Beach a Bottle,” is a finalist at this year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival at the end of this month.
red barn

NOLS: 50 Years in Alaska

The National Outdoor Leadership School, or NOLS, has been operating in Alaska since 1971 This week's Outdoor Explorer highlights the many influences NOLS has had on Alaska and the outdoor industry. We'll be joined by John Gans, former NOLS President, and Ashely Wise, current NOLS Alaska Operations Manager.

Outdoor Explorer: Catching up with Kikkan Randall and the year ahead for Anchorage’s nordic ski club

On this week's Outdoor Explorer, our guest is Olympic gold medalist Kikkan Randall. When Randall was young, she participated in Junior Nordic, a popular Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage program. Now Kikkan has returned to her roots as the new executive director of the organization.
Luc Mehl

Trip planning and risk analysis in Alaska with Luc Mehl

Trip planning and risk analysis are key to safe and successful outings. Luc Mehl joins host Paul Twardock to share his insights gleaned from his life time of adventures in Alaska.
Red coronaviruses float around

Returning to activity after a Covid infection

On this Outdoor Explorer, the journey back to activity after a Covid infection. Our guests will include the team physician for the University of Washington football team who has been researching the impacts of Covid on athletes, a physical therapist who treats post-Covid breathing issues, and an Ironman athlete who has had his season turned upside down.
Mask by Joe Senungetuk

Nature and indigenous Alaskan art with Joe and Martha Senungetuk

Alaska Natives have been creating art influenced by nature and culture for thousands of years. The clothing, tools, kayaks, weapons, baskets and other items of everyday life and ceremony were, and are, functional and artistic. Joe and Martha Senungehtuck join host Paul Twardock to talk about their long lives of adventure and art in Alaska.
A tree at the Solstice Tree Tour

Solstice trees and holiday wishes from Anchorage

As the year of 2021 comes to a close we feature two traditions in Anchorage: The Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage's Solstice Tree Tour at Kincaid Park and the Alaska Botanical Garden's Holiday Lights. This week's Outdoor Explorer features these winter festivities, plus some holiday wishes with co-host Lisa Keller and others.
Exercised book jacket

An evolutionary look at exercise

On this Outdoor Explorer, our guest is Daniel Lieberman, author of “Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do is Healthy and Rewarding.” Dr. Lieberman is a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University. If you are familiar with the book “Born to Run,” you’ll recognize his name as one of the foundational researchers on humans and running.
map

The 50th Anniversary of the Hillside ski trails in Anchorage

The first five-kilometer ski loop was cut by Service High School families and coaches in 1971.

Seth Kantner: Living with caribou in Alaska

This week's Outdoor Explorer features Seth Kantner, Author of Ordinary Wolves and his latest book A Thousand Trails Home. Host Paul Twardock and Seth discuss his life and insights of growing up and living on the Kobuk River.

Trail building and Olympic skiing with John Morton

The Winter Olympics begin soon in Beijing, China. On this Outdoor Explorer, will be speaking with bi-athlete and former Alaskan John Morton, who's participated in 10 Olympics, as an athlete, a coach, a team leader, and as a spectator. He's got plenty of stories to tell from 50 years worth of Olympic experiences and his time stationed at Fort Richardson in the 1960s and 70s in the Army biathlon program.
Peter Steel as doctor for 1971 International Everest Expedition

Peter Steele: A doctor on Everest

On this Outdoor Explorer, we’ll go to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, to visit with doctor, mountaineer, and author Peter Steele. He was the team doctor for the 1971 International Everest Expedition. We’ll discuss Peter’s adventures as a mountaineer, a husband, and a father, his friendship with Eric Shipton, and his observations about large Himalayan mountaineering expeditions.
“Hiking Anchorage”

Alli Harvey, outdoor writer, and artist in Anchorage

On this next Outdoor Explorer, our guest is Alli Harvey, outdoor columnist for the Anchorage Daily News. Her columns often explore the connection between happiness and outdoor adventure. Alli is also a landscape artist and is about to start her next adventure in her new mobile art studio and gallery, an Airstream trailer that she will take on the road to the places she wants to paint.

Dog mushing in Alaska 101 + Ms. Uff Da

March is prime time for winter sports in Alaska. The light is back, the snow is good, and Alaskan's are ready to enjoy it all. This show will introduce us to dog mushing and discuss trail etiquette with skier Alice Knapp.

Regenerative Tourism

On this Outdoor Explorer, we’ll have a conversation about regenerative tourism. It’s a concept that has been around for a while but is gaining traction around the world, driven by indigenous communities and other protectors of our wild spaces. Our guests, Mary Goddard, Lee Hart, Sarah Leonard are out to make Alaska the world leader in regenerative tourism.