Is the outdoors any riskier than our day to day lives? How does our risk tolerance affect our decision making? What variables influence our level of risk tolerance? On this Outdoor Explorer host Paul Twardock discusses these questions and more with Deb Ajango and Luc Mehl. Deb teaches risk management and wilderness first aid and Luc is an Alaska-born adventurer who teaches water safety and avalanche classes. The concept of risk is as old as humanity, influencing us consciously and unconsciously. As we plan and undertake trips with friends and family, or go on a class or guided outing, understa ..read more

What goes into making a new trail? After four years of work this summer the new Curry to K'esugi Ridge Connector trail opened. The 15 mile trail connects the Curry Ridge trails that start at Ken K'esugi camp ground and the K'esugi Ridge trails to the north, all in Denali State Park. A partnership between State Parks, Mat/Su Trails and Parks Foundation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Interior Trails worked together to procure funding, design and build the trail. The trail was made possible by a grant from the Federal Government's Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project, aka Pittman ..read more

The Alaska State Fair in Palmer draws thousands of people each year to the Matanuska-Susina Valley for food, rides, craft booths and – of course – the farm exhibits. It’s also a top spot for community connection. But can the State Fair also be a place for Alaskans to connect with outdoor recreation? In this episode hear host Amy Bushatz explore that question while on location at the fair as she attends events ranging from the annual directors’ reception to the great pumpkin weigh-off, with special guest appearances by fair historians, outdoor enthusiasts, pumpkin growers and cabbage fairies ..read more

This episode of features Jordan Iverson and Shannon Titzel. In June, Jordan completed the Triple Crown of Swimming, a challenge that includes three iconic swims: the English Channel, the Catalina Channel and the Swim around Manhattan. Only 333 people in the world have completed the Triple Crown, and Jordan did all three swims in a year, becoming the second Alaskan to finish the challenge. Meanwhile, her friend Shannon had been eying a swim across Cook Inlet, from Point MacKenzie to the Anchorage Small Boat Harbor. The distance straight across is three miles, but due to currents, the route is s ..read more

As Autumn descends upon Alaska, Outdoor Explorer is taking a moment to look back at the year so far. This week we’ll be taking a listen to some favorite segments of interviews conducted by our wonderful hosts, including chats with a champion cyclist from Homer, Alaska avalanche forecasters, and an elite outdoor runner. We also hear about the benefits of outdoor activities on mental health and how it can help heal from trauma.]]> ..read more

The songs and calls of birds on the lakes and waterways of southcentral are a familiar and comforting soundtrack to summer, including the familiar loon. Just how well these species are fairing is said to be an excellent indicator of the air and water quality and nearby open space. And that’s exactly why Maxine Franklin, a longtime parks employee, volunteer and loon enthusiast got little worried when she noticed over the summer of 2023 that she hadn’t seen many loon chicks at Nancy Lake State Recreation Area where she was working. She flagged her concern to Tamara Zeller, a U.S. Fish and Wildl ..read more

The Annual Lost Lake Run is an iconic Alaska mountain race traversing the Lost Lake trail in the Kenai Mountains north of Seward. Started in 1992 to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis by Marsha Vincent, the original race had 55 participants and has grown to over 700 participants and many volunteers. The registration for the event fills in minutes. The event has raised over $2 million dollars for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, contributing to research that resulted in life saving medications. Host Paul Twardock interviews race director Pat Simpson and board member Sabrina Walker. They discuss ..read more

Skinny Raven turns 30 this year! They are planning an anniversary block party on Saturday, August 17, that will coincide with the Anchorage Mile, one of the competitive events that are part of the Anchorage RunFest weekend. Daniel Greenhalgh and Tasha Heikkila-Adam are co-owners of Skinny Raven Sports and have been with the iconic store from the beginning, in one capacity or another. There have been ups and downs throughout the years, including a point at which the original owner almost liquidated the store and Daniel and Tasha stepped up and bought the business. Skinny then survived COVID, pi ..read more

The Matanuska-Susitna Valley is home to a wide variety of parks and recreation lands managed by the state or Mat-Su Borough. From Hatcher Pass down to Jim Creek Recreation Area and out to Denali State Park, there’s plenty happening all year long to make space for a wide variety of motorized and nonmotorized sports enthusiasts, protect the wild spaces many users love, and welcome in both locals and tourists. So what’s new in Mat-Su and what are you missing by not exploring the Valley more? In this episode we hear from Stuart Leidner, superintendent of the Mat-Su’s state parks, and Hugh Leslie ..read more

Anchorage's plethora of bike trails provide many possibilities for cycling enthusiasts. Over many decades, individuals and organizations have worked hard to preserve and expand bike trails and routes. This Outdoor Explorer features two events that highlight those efforts. The first half of the show features Bike to Work Day, an event organized by Bike Anchorage. The event consists of around 80 treat stations and 4,000 riders along the bike trails and bike commuter routes in Anchorage in the morning and afternoon commuter hours of May 17, 2024. Stations had food and drinks, swag and information ..read more