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
--------
57:15
--------
57:15
The Alaska Glacier Dictionary | Outdoor Explorer
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
--------
58:58
--------
58:58
"No Place Like Nome" with author Michael Engelhard | Outdoor Explorer
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
--------
57:18
--------
57:18
Stories from Alaska field biologists | 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
--------
57:15
--------
57:15
Tips and tricks for family adventures in Alaska | Outdoor Explorer
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
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.