Outdoor Explorer - Alaska Public Media

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 American cities is that nothing at Burning Man is bought or sold, traded or bartered; Black Rock City runs on a gift economy. Every resident is expected to participate, and to bring something to contribute for the common good. What you decide to contribute – that’s up to you. On this episode of Outdoor Explorer host Adam Varrier explores Burning Man. He speaks with Cherie Yanek. She’s the race director for the annual Burning Man Ultramarathon, which takes place in the middle of the week at 5 o’clock in the morning, to beat the mid-day desert heat. In the second half of the show, we hear from the artist Miguel Guzman about the art piece he created along with his partner, Iyvone Khoo, using recycled and biodegradable materials including Mycelium. The sculpture is presented in an area of Burning Man called “Deep Playa," which is open desert, some distance from the tent city that holds the occupants of Black Rock City. The art piece represents the Mayan Rain God, Chaac, and our conversation took place at around 3:00am under a full moon and the stars of the Milky Way galaxy stretching from horizon to horizon across the night sky. HOST: Adam Varrier GUESTS: Cherie Yanek, race director for the annual Burning Man Ultramarathon Miguel Guzman and Iyvone Khoo, artists LINKS: Burning Man website Burning Man Ultramarathon 50k Miguel Guzman's Instagram page Iyvone Khoo's website BROADCAST: Thursday, September 28th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, September 28th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

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. HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: Daryl Miller, retired Denali Mountaineering ranger Tucker Chenoweth, South District Ranger for Denali National Park LINKS: Leave No Trace.org: Plan Ahead and Prepare National Park Service: Climbing Denali REI: Food Planning The Hall of the Mountain King

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

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 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. HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: Will Taygan, Chugach Mountain Bike Riders Rene Dervaes, Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers LINKS: Chugach Mountain Bike Riders Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers Alaska Trails Single Track Advocates

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's geology, including Prince William Sound, and some of his many adventures with host Paul Twardock. HOST: Paul Twardock GUEST: Joe Kurtak LINKS: "Mine in the Sky : The History of California's Pine Creek Tungsten Mine and the People Who Were Part of It" "Of Rock and Ice: An Explorer's Guide to the Geology of Prince William Sound, Alaska" Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol

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 Nicole’s TikTok Petra and Nicole’s Website Sheldon Chalet Website BROADCAST: Thursday, August 10th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, August 10th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

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

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 Run4AllWomen The Running Industry Diversity Coalition Run Alaska Trails POC Trail Running and Adventure Retreat Skinny Raven Book Signing Out & Back with Alison Mariella Dèsir

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 Common Ground. She has also been on the board of Chugach Electric Association, the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Council, and the Anchorage Recycling Task Force to name a few. She has received numerous awards including being inducted into the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame. Along the way she explored much of Alaska. She joins host Paul Twardock to discuss her many contributions and adventures. HOST: Paul Twardock GUEST: Peg Tileston LINKS: Alaska Women's Hall of Fame Alaska Center Alaska Common Ground Alaska Conservation Foundation Trustees for Alaska BROADCAST: Thursday, July 20th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, July 20th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

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, Fireweed Board of Directors 1wheel1ders, unicycle team LINKS: Fireweed race website Facebook Instagram BROADCAST: Thursday, July 13th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, July 13th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

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 Photography Facebook Instagram BROADCAST: Thursday, June 1st, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, June 1st, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

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 BROADCAST: Thursday, May 25th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 25th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

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 Challenge and Chugach Trails.” Alaska Public Media Outdoor Explorer, October 25, 2019, “Imagine hiking all the tallest summits of the Chugach Front Range in one trip. These people did it this year.” Alaska Public Media Outdoor Explorer, March 10, 2020, “Sophia Tidler’s Winter Solstice Adventure.”

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, and the Alaska Incident Management Team. With host Paul Twardock they will discuss their roles, how search and rescue works in Alaska, how to volunteer, and most importantly how avoid needing a rescue. HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: Erin Boklage, Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs Mark Miraglia, Alaska Mountain Rescue Group Amy Holman, Alaska Incident Management Team Zach Liller, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol LINKS: Alaska Incident Management Team Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol Alaska Mountain Rescue Group Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs Alaska Search and Rescue Association BROADCAST: Thursday, May 11th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 11th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

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 and others, melded with science and advocacy continued after he left Fish and Game to work for Audubon Alaska. John is a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in field science, the Tongass temperate rainforest, and conservation. John joins host Paul Twardock to discuss his fascinating career and memoir titled "Tongass Odyssey: Seeing the Forest Ecosystem Through the Politics of Trees, A Biologist's Memoir." HOST: Paul Twardock GUEST: John Schoen, author, former Fish and Game field scientist LINKS: "Tongass Odyssey: Seeing the Forest Ecosystem Through the Politics of Trees: A Biologists Memoir" More information about John Schoen Southeast Alaska Conservation Council The Landmark Trees Project Audubon Alaska Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium BROADCAST: Thursday, May 4th, 2023. 10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. AKT REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, May 4th, 2023. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT

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

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

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

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,

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.