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On “Outdoor Explorer” you're invited 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 backcountry or on the bike trails.
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Dr. Margaret Merritt arrived in Alaska in 1977 to visit a friend for two weeks, and instead got a job at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.The first-ever woman to tackle a wide variety of exciting and sometimes challenging biology jobs in the state, Margaret, who also goes by Peggy, spent a career steeped in exploration and adventure throughout Alaska.That’s a journey she details in her book "Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist" and shares in this episode of Outdoor Explorer.
The Mat-Su Borough is home to some of the toughest running races in the state. including the Mat Peak Challenge each August and the Susitna 100 in the frigid winter. Now one runner-turned-race director is working to expand the region’s running events into new options, including ultra-distance and trail races designed to be newcomer-friendlyIn this episode, we talk to race director Heidi Quinn about her newly launched company Black Wolf Endurance, expanding the sport to more individuals across our state and what is so special about runners and racing in Mat-Su.HOST: Amy BushatzGUEST: Heidi Quinn
The Alaska Rock Gym was founded in 1995 by local climbers wanting a place to train, socialize and expand the sport. For 30 years and at two different locations, the business has provided a facility and programs that help introduce newbies to the sport, allow climbers to train, hold climbing and fitness classes and organize climbing competitions. Hear the general manager and original founders discuss the history of the gym, including the building of the original and current facilities, the programs and competitions they offer, the role of indoor climbing and where indoor climbing is heading.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Nicole Jolyn, general manager of Alaska Rock GymSiri Moss, former general manager, original founder of Alaska Rock GymBruce Adams, builder, climber, original founder of Alaska Rock GymLINKS:Alaska Rock Gym websiteAlaska Rock Gym events
Alaska is a land of snow and ice, and southcentral Alaska has lots of great places to go ice skating. This week on Outdoor Explorer, we search for early-season skateable ice in the Susitna Valley, and we find out about all the places we can go skating right here in Anchorage.HOST: Adam VerrierGUESTS:Paxson WoelberDana KerrBrad Cooke, Anchorage Parks & RecreationJohn Monroe, Head coach and program director for the Anchorage Skate ClubLINKS:Anchorage Parks & Rec Winter Ice MaintenanceAnchorage Skate ClubAlaska Speedskating ClubWild Ice Skating Club of Alaska
Snow is on the mountains and that means it's time to think about recreating safely in avalanche terrain. There are many avenues to learn about avalanches and what causes them, how to assess slopes for stability, how to travel through avalanche terrain and how to perform rescues. One recent addition is guide and educator Joe Stock's book "The Avalanche Factor." Last spring, host Paul Twardock sat down with Joe and discussed his book, including topics like decision making in a group, science and uncertainty, the roles risk and fear play in decision making, how to develop knowledge and judgement while staying safe and more.HOST: Paul TwardockGUEST: Joe Stock, guide, educator, author of "The Avalanche Factor"LINKS:The Avalanche Factor WebsiteAlaska Avalanche SchoolChugach National Forest Avalanche CenterHatcher Pass Avalanche Center
"Arctic Alchemy" is a new documentary featuring Roman Dial and his life spent in the outdoors, including his work studying rusting rivers in the Arctic.Roman started in Alaska as a youth visiting his uncle in Healy, and barely looked back. He became a world class alpine mountaineer then helped popularize mountain biking with his "Hell Biking" expeditions. He then started packrafting as part of the Alaska Wilderness Classic races, eventually writing one of the first "how to books" on the sport. He did all that while helping raise two children with his wife Peggy, teaching at Alaska Pacific University and doing applied research ranging from the tropics to the arctic.He joins host Paul Twardock to discuss the film and his new work studying the mystery of Alaska's rusting rivers.HOST: Paul TwardockGUEST: Roman DialLINKS:LA Times Short DocsRoman Dial - Alaska Pacific UniversityAnchorage Museum Outdoor Adventure SeriesRoman Dial books on Amazon
Every year outdoor gear and clothing manufacturers introduce new items for backcountry enthusiasts. As Alaskans gear up for winter this episode discusses what's new in winter gear and clothing with Rick Roth of Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking and Tony Lombardo with Summit Ski Co. They join host Paul Twardock and share tips for preparing and taking care of your winter gear and clothing. We hear about a wide assortment of gear from backcountry and Nordic skis to snow shoes and jackets.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Rick Roth, Alaska Mountaineering and HikingTony Lombardo, Summit Ski Co.LINKS:AMHSummit Ski CompanyREIWild Ice Skating
Can you imagine hiking the Cross Pass trail, all 24 miles of it, when you are over 80 years old? How about losing your beloved dog off the side of a mountain and then having a "Lassie" story? Or having a bear encounter while hiking with your family? This episode of Outdoor Explorer features these stories and more from Alaska Trails' "Trail Tales" event held in April, 2025 at the Anchorage Museum. Betty and Hans Arnette share their story of repeated attempts to complete the Crow Pass crossing starting when Betty was in her 70's. Pete Panarese tells about a bear encounter near Eagle River Visitor Center and what he learned. Kneely Taylor thought he had lost his dog off the North side of O'Malley Peak, and ended up being surprised, and finally Mike Bruce tells a story of an exciting run where he was caught between and moose and a bear.HOST: Paul TwardockLINKS:Alaska TrailsChugach State Park
Our guests this week include Miles Brodski, a Combat Rescue Officer with the 212th Rescue Squadron, Chris Robertson, a recently retired Pararescue Jumper with the 212th Rescue Squadron, and Chelsea Aspelund, Chief of Public Affairs for the 176th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard.
This week on Outdoor Explorer we sit down with Lisa Keller as she says goodbye to the show. We talk about her roots in Anchorage, how she’s inspired athletes of all levels, and the impact of bringing running into a women’s correctional facility. She also reflects on her time as an Outdoor Explorer host and what it has meant to share stories of people (and pets) in the outdoors.LINKS:Multisport Training of AlaskaRunning Free Alaskahttps://www.windingpathalaska.com/
Have you ever wanted to make your own outdoor gear? On this episode of Outdoor Explorer host Paul Twardock interviews two professional gear designers to help answers questions covering concept to finished product. Jaime Hirano is a textile artist teaching clothing design, fabrication and repair at the Anchorage Museum. John Peterka is the owner and operator of Sagebrush Dry, designing and making drybags and other outdoor gear in Kake, Alaska. Both have years of experience designing and producing outdoor gear. They share their knowledge and experience including suggestions for anyone thinking of starting their own gear design business.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Jaime Hirano, textile artistsJohn Peterka, owner, Sagebrush DryLINKS:Sagebrush DryAnchorage Museum Seed LabFashion IncubatorSeattle Fabrics
Of the thousands of glaciers spread across Alaska, only about 700 have names. These ever-evolving features have lacked a centralized source for information about their status, names or interesting facts. Until now.Author and journalist Naomi Klouda’s new book, "The Alaska Glacier Dictionary," began as a project to satisfy her own curiosity about glaciers but grew into something much more. In this episode, she joins host Amy Bushatz to take listeners on a journey across the state’s named glaciers, sharing fun facts and insights about this fascinating part of Alaska.HOST: Amy BushatzGUEST: Naomi Klouda, author/journalist
On this episode we sit down with writer and wilderness guide Michael Engelhard, who brings the history of Nome alive with a rare mix of lived experience and cultural insight in his new book "No Place Like Nome." Hear about Nome as a crossroads of Indigenous history, gold-rush mayhem and Arctic survival — and Michael’s own adventures, from caribou hunts to months trekking across the Arctic, shape the way he tells these stories. It’s a journey through history, across landscapes and into the human spirit.HOST: Martha Rosenstein GUEST: Michael Engelhard, author, adventurer, anthropologistLINKS:Michael's website"No Place Like Nome"Arctic Traverse: A Brooks Range Journey | Outdoor Explorer
Many federal workers are retiring or moving on from their jobs studying the natural world. This episode features two field biologists with years of experience studying birds in Alaska. They share their stories, what they studied and what they learned over 40 years of working in Prince William Sound, Denali, the Pribilof Islands and the Arctic Ocean.Dr. Kathy Kuletz studied sea birds starting on Naked Island in Prince William Sound starting in the late 1970's and continued her work to become one of the world leading experts on the Auk, or Alcidea family of birds that include murrelets, pigeon guillemots and puffins.Steve Matsuoka studied passerines, or song birds like warblers and thrushes in Denali and the Pribilofs.Their stories and advice help inform and inspire the next generation of field scientists.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS: Dr. Kathy Kuletz, field biologistSteve Matsuoka, field biologistLINKS:Audubon AlaskaKathy Kuletz on Gulf Watch AlaskaAlaska Pacifc Seabird GroupSteve MatsuokaSteve Matsuoka Research Publications
How does a family that camps together stay together? The Graziano family camps, hunts, paddles and skis year-round with each other and still enjoy exploring Alaska together. Starting when their daughter Fiora was a year old and continuing when their son Nico was born, Gino and Jess included them on many of their trips, including moose hunting, canoeing, backpacking and sea kayaking. Even with Fiora and Nico in their teenage years, they still enjoy their outdoor time together. While on a kayaking trip in Prince William Sound with host Paul Twardock, they shared their story and what they have done to ensure safe and fun family adventures.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Gino GrazianoJess GrazianoFiora GrazianoNico GrazianoLINKS:Chugach National ForestFamily Campgrounds near AnchorageLeave No TracePrince William Sound State Marine ParksPrince William Sound Stewardship FoundationFiora Denali Sings on InstagramNico Graziano on Instagram
Ready to get outside as a family and explore everything Alaska has to offer? If you’re new to the state, have very young kids or are trying to get your family outside together for the first time, the idea might be daunting. On this episode of Outdoor Explorer, we learn from families outside expert and author Erin Kirkland, then head up to the Alaska State Parks Families to Parks day at Independence Mine State Historical Park in Hatcher Pass outside Palmer to learn more and talk to a few families who are getting out there.HOST: Amy BushatzGUESTS:Erin KirklandMegan and Ryan IngramWendy SailorsAmanda and Piper ManvilleMegan MilitelloLINKS:Erin Kirkland InstagramErin Kirkland: Lonely PlanetAlaska Department of Natural Resources: 2025 Families to the Parks Independence Mine State Historical Park
Prolific author and longtime Alaskan Debbie Miller writes books that dive into nature and help both children and adult readers explore and understand the outdoors in the state. In this episode we hear about her adventures in writing about, visiting and living near the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, sharing that and many other outdoor experiences with others – including former President Jimmy Carter – ways the refuge has changed over time or stayed the same, and why she believes it's still vitally important to protect today.HOST: Amy BushatzGUEST: Debbie S. Miller, authorLINKS:Debbie Miller websiteFacebook
As the summer speeds by, Alaskans are making the most of the long days playing and working outside. This episode features one young Alaskan family who make their livelihood mostly in the summer operating a flying service and remote cabin: Blue Ice Aviation. Matt Keller and his wife Samantha both grew up in Alaska with parents who were pilots. They started Blue Ice Aviation and recently added a remote cabin that the public can rent.HOST: Paul TwardockGUEST: Matt Keller, Blue Ice Aviation
What does it mean to live a life shaped by wild places? This week on Outdoor Explorer, we talk with author and adventurer Jon Waterman. From rescuing climbers on Denali to crossing the Arctic alone, Jon shares what he’s learned, including powerful lessons from Indigenous communities he’s met along the way.
It's spring and time to prepare to visit Alaska's lakes, mountains, oceans and rivers to enjoy the outdoors. Many of us head to our state parks and increasing use can lead to impacts on vegetation, water quality and wildlife. However, it doesn't have to. On this episode, we hear about how we can enjoy the parks and take care of them at the same time. Host Paul Twardock interviews Stuart Leidner, Superintendent of the Mat-Su/Copper River Basin Region of Alaska State Parks and Wendy Sailors, Community Engagement Manager for Alaska State Parks, to discuss what challenges come with the increasing use of state parks and what individual users and park management can do to minimize user impacts.HOST: Paul TwardockGUESTS:Stuart Leidner, Superintendent of the Mat-Su/Copper River Basin Region of Alaska State ParksWendy Sailors, Community Engagement Manager for Alaska State ParksLINKS:Alaska State ParksLeave No Trace
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