Charles Wohlforth

Chugach National Forest, and especially Prince William Sound, takes in some of the most extraordinary scenery and protected wilderness in Alaska. Charles Wohlforth shares what he learned when he attended a public meeting on changing management of the Sound, and you'll hear from people who think that’s both a good and a bad idea. LISTEN NOW

Alaskan’s like to do crazy things, and few are as crazy as the ultra-marathon races across the wilderness by bike, ski or foot that are happening over the next few weeks. We’ll be talking to organizers of the 1000-mile Iditarod Trail Invitational and the 100-mile Susitna 100, to races that pioneered this kind of adventure, and inspired the new technology of fat bikes. Join us for the next Outdoor Explorer and get inspired! KSKA: Thursday, Feb 11, at 2:00 and Thursday, Feb 18, at 8:00 p.m. LISTEN NOW!

In rural Alaska, you don’t usually see a lot of skiers, but that doesn’t really make sense, because snow is something the Arctic has plenty of. On the next Outdoor explorer, we’ll be talking to Lars Flora, a former olympian who has dedicated himself to spreading skiing across Alaska like a Nordic Johnny Appleseed, Elizabeth Rexford, who is one of his volunteers, and Jim Vordestrasse, who started skiing in Barrow in 1973. KSKA: Thursday, Feb 4, at 2:00 and Thursday, Feb 11, at 8:00 p.m. LISTEN NOW

The nightmare of anyone leading a backcountry trip is that someone becomes seriously hurt, falls in the water, or gets too cold. You can’t get the person to a doctor for many hours or even days. You don’t know what to do. On the next Outdoor Explore, we’re going to talk about that terrifying situation and how to solve it. We’re talking about wilderness medicine. KSKA: Thursday, Jan 28, at 2:00 and Thursday, Feb 4, at 8:00 p.m. LISTEN NOW

Tests are supposed to tell us how our kids are doing in school, but we've struggled nationally and in Alaska to figure out the right tests to use and even to define what we want the tests to tell us. On this edition of Hometown Alaska, we'll look at how Anchorage students are tested and ask if the system is working. What should young people get from our schools, and how should we measure their success? KSKA: Wednesday, Jan 27, at 2 and 8pm LISTEN NOW

Chuck Sassara first arrived in Alaska in a VW bus in 1955 with his wife Ann. They built a life that encompassed aviation, government and business and witnessed the beginnings of statehood and the growth of the Alaskan community. We'll talk with him about some of his adventures and about his book, “Chuck Sassara’s Alaska – Propellers, Politics and People,” on this weeks' next Outdoor Explorer. KSKA: Thurs., Jan. 21, at 2:00 p.m. and Thurs., Jan. 28, at 8:00 p.m. LISTEN HERE

This week we revisit a conversation from 2014. Alaska’s outdoors people may think they’re tough, but how about paddling 40 days in a dugout canoe in the rains of Southeast Alaska in October and November, dressed in wool, without modern gear? On the next Outdoor Explorer, join host Charles Wohlforth and guests to talk about historic expeditions. What these guys did will amaze you. KSKA: Thursday, Jan 14, at 2:00 and Thursday, Jan 21, at 8:00 p.m. LISTEN NOW

Alaska’s outdoors people may think they’re tough, but how about paddling 40 days in a dugout canoe in the rains of Southeast Alaska in October and November, dressed in wool, without modern gear? That’s what John Muir did, and his writings about the experience changed science and started the Alaska tourism industry. On the next Outdoor Explorer, join host Charles Wohlforth and guests to talk about Muir’s historic expedition and others. What these guys did will amaze you. KSKA: Thursday, January 14 at 2pm and Thursday, January 21 and 8pm

Over the last two weekends of January, the Anchorage Folk Festival presents an explosion of music and dance in many venues around town. It's a fun opportunity for families to get out of the house in the winter, hear music and dance. And if you play, there are few better times to carry your instrument around for the chance of an impromptu jam session. On this edition of Hometown Alaska, we'll try to capture the fun of the folk fest through conversation and live music from Cold Country in the studio. KSKA: Wednesday, January 13, at 2 and 8pm LISTEN HERE

Little ones love recreation with their parents, and love playing in the snow. But a baby can also be a burden on a winter outing, and keeping them safe and warm is any parent’s biggest concern. Join us for a talk on babies in the elements - we've got two parents in the studio who are experts on keeping kids safe and happy in the outdoors. KSKA: Thursday, Jan 7, at 2:00 and Thursday, Jan 14, at 8:00 p.m. Listen now:

What if you’re new to Alaska or you were born here but you were raised by skiing purists and you want to know what riding a snowmachine is all about? This week's show is for you. We’re going to talk about why snowmobiling is fun, where you can go in this vast state, and how you can get into the sport as a beginner. The new machines are reliable and easy to use--it's not just for motorheads. Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, 2:00 Download Audio

Alaskans are making winter gear here in Alaska that you can buy, tuned for local conditions, often made of Alaskan materials, and decorated with Alaskan artwork. We’ll meet outdoors people who have turned their passion for snow into businesses manufacturing products you can use. We’ll learn about their wares, and the inspiration and struggles of making snow gear locally. KSKA: Thus Dec 10pm at 2 and Thus Dec 17 at 8pm Download Audio

Bill Hess is a photographer who has immersed himself in the Native cultures of the Arctic for decades, and came back with extraordinary images and stories. His book “The Gift of the Whale” is a classic on the subject of Inupiaq hunting. And he’s also a humble and funny person to talk with. KSKA: Thurs., Dec. 3, at 2:00 p.m. and Thurs., Dec. 10, at 8:00 p.m. Download Audio

Frightening international events have Alaskans talking about refugees bound for the United States. On this edition, we'll discuss the implications of this issue in a city that is building its identity as a diverse and welcoming crossroads of the world. No Syrian refugees are scheduled to come here, but this discussion reflects on our values and our view of the world. KSKA: Wednesday, Dec 2, at 2 and 8 p.m. Download Audio

What’s more Alaskan than skiing? Shooting things, of course. So biathlon must be the most Alaskan sport of all--it's skiing fast and shooting accurately, combined. We’ll spend time at the range as young people and newcomers learn about the sport. And we’ll talk to an Olympian and a former World Cup competitor about the top of level of biathlon, where our community shines. KSKA: Thursday, Nov 19, at 2pm; Thursday, Dec 3, at 8pm Listen now:

Gratitude feels good to give as well as receive. For this Thanksgiving season, we're giving listeners the chance to thank whoever deserves it. We'll have experts to talk about the benefits of being thankful, psychologically and spiritually, and we'll welcome shout-outs to our community's volunteers. Please join us and our guests saying thank you. KSKA: Wednesday, Nov 18, at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. Download Audio:

On the next Outdoor Explorer, we’re revisiting one of our favorite shows on public use cabins. Now is the time to start planning your cabin trips for 2016. KSKA: Thurs., Nov. 12, at 2:00 p.m.; repeating Thurs., Nov. 19, at 8:00 p.m. Listen Now:

Nancy Lake Recreation Area is 23,000 acres of boreal forest and more than 100 lakes to explore less than 90 minutes from downtown Anchorage. On this edition of Outdoor Explorer, we’ll share two trips to the Nancy Lake system. We recorded the first half of the show in a canoe on an end-of-season overnight paddle. In the second half, we’ll talk about skating. You can’t do it every year, but when you can it is amazing. KSKA: Thursday, Nov. 5, at 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 12, at 8:00 p.m. Listen Now:

As Alaska looks forward to fiscal austerity due to low oil prices, our state park system is already burdened with a massive deferred maintenance problem. In some parks, facilities are wearing out and trails are growing over and returning to nature. This edition of Outdoor Explorer explores the funding of our state parks with a director and a former director to learn about the problem and the opportunities to keep our parks in good shape. KSKA: Thursday, Oct. 29, at 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 5, at 8:00 p.m. Listen Now:

Anchorage has the three most diverse high schools in the nation, and an extraordinary mix of cultures in our elementary schools, too. As part of our series on education, Hometown Alaska looks at the opportunities and challengers of diversity and integration. We'll find out about the make-up of our city's unique school population, and how educators work with the mix of backgrounds and languages. KSKA: Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Listen Now: