Outdoor Explorer

Meet Skeetawk manager, Megan Justus, and find out what's in store for the growing ski operation.

Alyeska decided to end their volunteer ski patrol last fall. To celebrate the patrol's history, folks gathered to tell stories and reminisce.

Host Paul Twardock visited the Anchorage Solstice Festival at the Cuddy Family Midtown Park interviewing organizers, politicians and the events and ice rink founders.

The Yukon is a land of vast wilderness. Sometimes you need a little guidance in a wild landscape.

With record amounts of snow comes lots of interest in recreating in the mountains. Hear from avalanche experts about staying safe outside.

Zoë Rom is an elite ultra runner and author. She discusses climate activism and running, the importance of community and how to stay active.

Graham Zimmerman, professional climber and author, talks about his epic climbs, facing danger and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Get stoked on winter with these stories about avalanches, skiing and mountaineering.

The Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation and Mission Blue have teamed up to designate PWS an Ocean Blue "Hope Spot."

Along with placing winter single track trails, Aurora Hablett uses geographic data to create maps in shapes with GPS visualization.

Eric Parsons started designing bags that fit on bike frames to enable his epic trips. Eventually he quit his day job and made it a business.

There is a rich history of public cabins in Alaska. Hear how two organizations are working to make more huts and cabins available to the public.

Authors of "The Land We Share" discuss their holistic approach hunting and their relationship to the natural world.

Jen Loofbourrow started Alpine Fit to produce base layers for Alaskans. She discusses her path to building a thriving business.

On this episode of Outdoor Explorer we're joined by Haley Johnston, the co-chair of the Chugach Park Fund’s Citizens Advisory Board. The Chugach Park Fund was established in 2016 under the umbrella of The Alaska Community Foundation and since that time has been a critical part of improving trails, signs and facilities in Chugach State Park. Haley fills us in on past, present and future projects.

Our guest on this episode of Outdoor Explorer is Kikkan Randall, executive director of the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage. The conversation is wide-ranging, from the programs and events NSAA has planned for the upcoming ski season to impacts of climate change and NSAA's upcming 60th anniversary.

Every year at the end of August in the Black Rock Desert of northwest Nevada, Black Rock City is built. 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. On this episode of Outdoor Explorer, host Adam Verrier speaks with the race director of the annual Burning Man Ultramarathon and two artists who used recycled and biodegradable materials to create and art piece.

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 made some of their expeditions succeed despite life-threatening weather and what they've learned advising and observing expeditions on Denali.

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.

On this Outdoor Explorer host Paul Twardock welcomes Will Taygan with the Chugach Mountain Bike Riders and Rene Dervaes with the Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers to discuss what is happening in Mat-Su Valley and Chugiak/Eagle River and the upcoming Alaska Mountain Bike Summit.