Outdoor Explorer - Alaska Public Media

Hatcher Pass is a favorite area for many—from skiing and hiking to berry-picking and snowmachining—it’s a gem that is nestled in the center of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The Bomber Traverse is a hut to hut adventure that connect passes, glacier and mountain valleys to wind its way through this incredible backcountry area—even passing by the wreckage of a World War II bomber. Today I will speak with the Huts Manager of the Mountaineering Club of Alaska about their work to maintain this route—and two hikers about their experiences. This episode of Outdoor Explorer is supported by a grant from Mat-Su Health Foundation.

Alaskans love to take their dogs outdoors. Whether it's a walk in the local park, a run in the mountains, a ski or an outing on the water, dogs seem to be everywhere. Dogs provide companionship and a different set of eyes, ears and noses to their owner's outdoor experience. Most of the time the outings go well and everyone comes back happy, especially when the owners take care of their pets. However, sometimes dogs, and their owners, get into trouble. They get lost, encounter a porcupine, chase animals or get injured. Other times dogs help their owners out by finding a trail back to the parking lot in a whiteout or provide a morale boost when the weather is bad. On this Outdoor Explorer we hear from a veterinarian on how to take care of your dog and some hints on dog first aid, a story on how listening to your dog sometimes is a good idea, helpful hints for biking and hiking with your dog, and a story of finding a lost dog.

Alaska has a long history of producing competitive cross-country skiers. While the spotlight of the Olympics and the medals won there take the spotlight every four years, Nordic skiers compete in the World Cup each year in Europe – a grueling months-long competition that spans many countries and requires a steadfast dedication to the sport and the training requires. Today I will speak to two athletes, Rosie Brennan and Gus Schumacher, to hear about their experiences, their careers and what they have planned next for their skiing journeys.

Early fall is whale-watching season for Cook Inlet beluga enthusiasts, and a perfect time for the whale-curious to catch a peek at these giant white mammals as they hunt and eat in the waters just outside Anchorage. With only about 300 of this endangered species out there right now, a group of scientists and their citizen volunteers keep tabs on their health and movements. So what do you need to know about the Cook Inlet beluga, and how can you help keep watch, too? Join Outdoor Explorer host Amy Bushatz for a conversation with beluga monitor and environmental chemist Regan Davey as we talk all things beluga, then head out on a whale-watching excursion in Anchorage to experience a day in the field.

In early August, hiker Brad Bartels set down his pack, propped up his camera for a selfie, took a picture in front of a monument in Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, and became the first known person to ever complete the Alaska Long Trail thru-hike. Brad started his hike in Seward in late June and pieced together a route for the Long Trail, envisioned as a nearly 500-mile-long network of trails that is still very much under development. So how did he make his way from Seward to Fairbanks? And what did he see and learn along the way? In this episode of Outdoor Explorer, Brad joins host Amy Bushatz on her back porch in Palmer for a conversation about the trail, his route, and what he experienced.

Meg Inokuma is a quiet and determined woman who has set course records in ultra-distance events such as the Susitna 100 winter running race, the Resurrection Pass 100 and the White Mountain 100. She also won the Equinox Marathon in 2022 at the age of 42. Her story is one of a late bloomer becoming one of Alaska's best endurance athletes. She joins host Paul Twardock to discuss her path to Alaska, fighting and overcoming health issues and running some of the hardest, coldest races anywhere. They talk about her training, nutrition, balancing work and her running passion, her love of Alaska's mountains and what inspires her.

While mountain biking has been around for decades, its popularity in Alaska has taken off in recent years as more riders join the sport and more trails are added to the growing list of singletrack trails in the state. Host Steve Cleary speaks with trail advocates and cyclists from Alaska's three largest cities to find out about the growth and changes of mountain biking in Alaska.

What’s it like to ditch work for a year and bike pack more than 16,000 miles across two continents? And what challenges—physical, mental and animal—do you encounter along the way? On this episode of Outdoor Explorer we hear from Anchorage residents and endurance athletes Ryan Fox and Katie Seybert about their year off of work cycling from Edmonton, Canada to the southern tip of Argentina with a side quest down the East Coast of the Lower 48. Katie and Ryan share what it’s like to take on a big adventure, how to afford it, and the challenges of coming home.

The Alaska Fellows Program matches young people with professional positions in Alaska, helping attract and keep their energy and expertise in Alaska. Many of the fellows focus on outdoor related fields such as tourism, outdoor education, and conservation. On this Outdoor Explorer host Paul Twardock is joined by Alaska Fellows Executive Director Tina Buxbaum, fellow Amelia Lamotte and fellow Kamryn You Mak. Join us as we learn about the program and the adventures they experienced this past year.

What's it like to commercial fish in Alaska? How does one get started in commercial fishing? What are the risks and rewards? Robert Atkinson commercial fished Cook Inlet and Bristol Bay for over 30 years starting with set netting and then working the hectic Bristol Bay Sockeye fishery. He and his crew, including his son, experienced seasons of abundance and summers where nothing went right. He started off pushing the limits of what his boat, the ocean, and the law allowed, then became more conservative with his operation as time went by. On this episode of Outdoor Explorer Robert joins host Paul Twardock to share his stories of 30 years of fishing in Alaska.

The summer fun is heating up in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, where parks and trails spread across an area the size of West Virginia offer plenty of space for recreation. So what’s exciting in Mat-Su for 2026, what should you know before you head out, and what new trails and recreation spots should you try? On this episode of Outdoor Explorer, we’ll dive into the summer ahead on parks and trails in Mat-Su as we catch up with leaders at the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation,, recreation officials with the Matanuska Susitna Borough and officials up at Skeetawk, an area usually known for its winter skiing but also home to some fun and growing summer options Host: Amy Bushatz Guests: Taylor Rafftery, Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation Allan McClain, Matanuska-Susitna Borough trails specialist Hugh Leslie, Matanuska-Susitna Borough outdoor recreation manager Menga Justus, Skeetawk General Manager

Mike and Kelly Bender operated Lazy Otter Charters in Whittier, Alaska, for over 30 years. Decades ago, a random trip Mike took to Whittier on the Alaska Railroad led to him buying a boat and getting into the water taxi business. He then met Kelly and they slowly grew the business as Whittier became more accessible after a road was added to the Whittier tunnel in 2000. They added boats, a coffee shop, and a fudge store in Whittier all while raising their family. Recently they sold the business to sisters Michelle, Jen, and Tammy Lang, passing their legacy to a younger generation. On this Outdoor Explorer Mike and Kelly share their stories of starting and running a family owned business in a small town, including the rewards and challenges they experienced and the changes they have seen in the sound. Jen and Michelle also talk about how they fell in love with Prince William Sound, started working for Mike and Kelly, came to purchase the business, and their vision for the future of Lazy Otter Charters.

On this episode of Outdoor Explorer, we're catching up with author and wildlife biologist Caroline Van Hemert — whose new book has grown from years of watching the natural world change and a conviction that nature still has surprising and hopeful possibilities to offer if we know where to look.

David Hart is one of many Alaskans with impressive mountaineering resumes that few people know about. Dave's early formative years were spent in his back yard of the Chugach Mountains. He left the state and discovered rock climbing, technical mountaineering and peak bagging in Colorado. Dave eventually moved back to Alaska for his professional career, and a full life in the mountains. He has climbed over 1550 peaks worldwide including over 550 in Alaska. This includes the 13 highest peaks in Alaska and the 13 highest in Canada. He joins host Paul Twardock to discuss his approach to mountaineering and related risks, what he looks for in a good climbing partner, the importance of groups such as the Alaska Mountaineering Club and his latest passion: peak bagging.

Search and rescue in Alaska is complex and difficult. Even close to Anchorage, a city of around 289,000 people, search operations are challenged by steep mountains, thick brush, bears, avalanches, bad weather and cold rivers. Search and rescue organizations, both volunteer and professional, work together under the coordination of the State Troopers to conduct numerous missions every year. In December of 2025 host Paul Twardock attended an event organized by the Anchorage Nordic Ski patrol featuring a panel discussion on search and rescue in Alaska. The panelists were Amanda Del Frate with Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs (ASARD), Amy Holman with Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol (ANSP), Jonathan Bryan with Alaska Mountain Rescue Group (AMRG) and Manch Garhart with Alaska Incident Management Team (AIMT). The event was moderated by Abby Elbow and Esther Kennedy, both with the Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol. Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs helps train and deploy dog teams to help search for missing and lost people. The…

Eagle River residents and military veterans Justin and Wella Jay know what it’s like to spend weeks on a trail hiking and exploring together after tackling a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, an adventure they shared on an episode of Outdoor Explorer in 2018. But late last year, Justin headed out solo to take on his own solo long hike, tackling the Continental Divide Trail and learning a host of lessons about life, kindness and what you find along the journey. In this episode, Justin and Wella join Outdoor Explorer again to share some of those insights in a moving conversation about the magic of the trail and supporting someone you love as they take on a big adventure.

Alaska shapes you in particular ways. It teaches you to read weather, to know your exits, to pay attention to what's underneath the surface. For Kelsey Kroon, it also taught her to pick up the trash, follow the salmon, and find a story worth telling. On this Outdoor Explorer, we hear from wildlife filmmaker and artist, Kelsey Kroon, a 3rd generation Alaskan whose work has taken her from the Kenai River to Antarctica, the Marshall Islands, and beyond. We talk about her film, "Silver Rush," and what it's like to show Alaskan salmon stories to audiences who've never heard of subsistence fishing, and how trash collected from the Aleutians can become fine art. It's a conversation about attention, where we direct it, and what happens when someone points a camera at the things we've stopped noticing.

Alaska isn't always the first place that comes to mind when you think of sailing, but sailing clubs have a long history in Alaska. On the this Outdoor explorer, guest host Steve Cleary asks his guests to give us the background on their clubs, the activities they have, and how you can learn to sail in the north.

Photographer Jeff Schultz has built a career in Alaska capturing stirring images of the state’s wildlife, outdoor spaces, and the people, drama and dogs of the Last Great Race, the Iditarod.How does a California transplant who started his time in Alaska slinging steaks at a now shuttered Sizzler restaurant shift into one of the state’s most recognized landscape and wildlife photographers? In this episode of Outdoor Explorer, Jeff talks about his career, what he’s learned photographing all things Iditarod -- including portraits of the dogs -- how he explores Alaska from behind the lens, and how you can, too. Host: Amy BushatzGuest: Jeff Schultz

What do Chickadees, Polar bears, Kudzu and Alaska have in common? On this Outdoor Explorer Paul Twardock is joined by author Marybeth Holeman, artist Kristen Link and writer Brad Meiklejohn to discuss their latest projects, including Marybeth's novel "Bloom Again" and Brad's writing about the Gray - headed Chickadee. On the first half of the show, Marybeth and Kristin discuss how art and literature, specifically Marybeth's novel "Bloom Again," and Kristin's artwork featuring a polar bear and kudzu, can help communicate science. On the second half, Brad talks about his article on the Gray-headed Chickadee, a rare bird in Alaska's arctic. He is one of the last people to see the bird in Alaska.

For mushers, dog racing is not just how they explore Alaska—it’s an all-consuming lifestyle. But just what goes into this sport? In this episode, we hear from AddieAnn Randall, a teenage musher and future Iditarod hopeful whose family runs the Rock on Racing kennel in Caswell. Randall tells us about the basics of mushing, how she trains and what she sees and experiences out on the trail. She’s got big plans for the future—including becoming the youngest-ever Iditarod racer in 2027 when the race starts the day after her 18th birthday.

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 Alaska Running Free Alaska https://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…

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 Twardock GUESTS: Gino Graziano Jess Graziano Fiora Graziano Nico Graziano LINKS: Chugach National Forest Family Campgrounds near Anchorage Leave No Trace Prince William Sound State Marine Parks Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation Fiora Denali Sings on Instagram Nico 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 Bushatz GUESTS: Erin Kirkland Megan and Ryan Ingram Wendy Sailors Amanda and Piper Manville Megan Militello LINKS: Erin Kirkland Instagram Erin Kirkland: Lonely Planet Alaska 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 Bushatz GUEST: Debbie S. Miller, author LINKS: Debbie Miller website Facebook

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 Twardock GUEST: Matt Keller, Blue Ice Aviation

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 Twardock GUESTS: Stuart Leidner, Superintendent of the Mat-Su/Copper River Basin Region of Alaska State Parks Wendy Sailors, Community Engagement Manager for Alaska State Parks LINKS: Alaska State Parks Leave No Trace

On this Outdoor Explorer, we hear from Harlow Robinson, the executive director of Healthy Futures and the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. On June 5, the Hall will induct the class of 2025. Harlow tells us about the people and the moments that comprise this year’s class, as well as the annual Director’s Awards and the popular 100 Miles in May. HOST: Lisa Keller GUEST: Harlow Robinson LINKS: Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Healthy Futures 100 Miles in May

Public use cabins are very popular in Alaska, with demand exceeding supply. Various organizations are working on new huts and on this Outdoor Explorer we highlight two: Arctic Valley Ski Area and Alaska Huts. Arctic Valley has two huts available for the general public and is building more. General Manager John Robinson and architect Allana Blough describe the challenges of building cabins in Artic Valley's alpine environment. On the second half of the show Alaska Huts' Executive Director Philip Swiny updates us on their new hut at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: John Robinson, General Manager, Arctic Valley Allana Blough, architect Philip Swiny, Executive Director, Alaska Huts LINKS: Alaska Huts Arctic Valley Ski Area Public Use Cabins Chugach National Forest Public Use Cabins

Since 1976, Jeff Lowenfels has been observing the climate and giving gardening and yardening advice in his weekly Anchorage Daily News column, the longest running gardening column in the United States. Hear about the weird winter, the potential Mount Spurr eruption and the effect this strange year will have on your yard and garden. We also hear about Lowenfels' past as the happy boy on Happy Boy Margarine packages and other great anecdotes from his and Anchorage's history. HOST: Lisa Keller GUEST: Jeff Lownfels, Anchorage Daily News gardening columnist LINKS: Jeff Lowenfels’ website "He Wrote a Gardening Column. He Ended Up Documenting Climate Change" - New York Times Magazine

Seward’s hometown Mount Marathon Race holds legendary status among professional and novice runners alike as the world’s toughest 5K. Each year, more than 1,000 runners enter a lottery for a chance to sprint through town and climb more than 3,000 vertical feet before descending the grueling course. So, what makes this annual Fourth of July event so special? Join co-hosts Amy Bushatz and Adam Verrier as Adam shares what it’s like to be a Mount Marathon Race announcer. They also check in with race official Matias Saari and Mount Marathon enthusiasts Denali Foldager Strabel and Steve Mayer to learn more about this uniquely Alaskan outdoor experience. Hosts: Adam Verrier Amy Bushatz Guests: Matias Saari Steve Mayer Denali Foldager-Strabel

Every year thousands of hawks and other raptors migrate into Southcentral Alaska by Gunsight Mountain on the Glen Highway. Redtail Hawks, Rough Legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Golden Eagles, Sharp Shinned Hawks, Merlins and Peregrine Falcons are some of the many species of birds that traverse the zone. Anchorage Audubon and the Mat-Su Birders host the annual Hawk Watch tailgate every mid April with talks about how to identify the birds as they zoom over head. Bob Dittrick and Ted Swem join host Paul Twardock to share the history of Hawk Watch and why the Gunsight Mountain location is a magnet for hawk migration. On the second half of the show Paul visits with professional birders working for Hawk Watch International to talk about their work counting birds. HOST: Paul Twardock GUESTS: Bob Dittrick and Ted Swem Sam Darmstadt, Hawk Watch International LINKS: Mat-Su Birders Anchorage Audubon Hawk Watch International Gunsight Mountain Bird Count Hawk Watch International