Charles Wohlforth

Outdoor Alaska is a place to learn -- learning skills like skiing or paddling; learning to hunt and survive; or learning about the environment for science. On this edition of Outdoor Explorer, we’ll talk to people who are sharing these kinds of knowledge in new ways -- scientists learning from from Alaska Natives, and elders eager to tell about radical changes they see in the environment where they live.' KSKA: Thursday, Oct. 22, at 2:00 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 8:00 p.m. Listen Now:

Climate change has the potential to affect weather, water temperature and salmon numbers in Cook Inlet, as well as the biology of the lands of our region. On this edition of Hometown Alaska, experts explain the changes that have already happened in the Inlet at our front door, and make educated predictions about what the future might hold. KSKA: Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Download Audio:

Hatcher Pass is in our backyard, an easy day trip from Anchorage, but it’s also a really special place that attracts visitors from all over the world who come to see that gorgeous alpine country, and the historic Independence Mine. We have several guests to cover the many aspects of Hatcher Pass: outdoor activities, winter and summer, history, and as a place to spend a weekend. KSKA: Thursday, Oct. 15, at 2:00 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 22, at 8:00 p.m. Listen Now:

Alaskan geologists, biologists, archaeologists and lots of other kinds of -ologists cover the wilderness in their work, in search of knowledge but avoiding something many outdoor folks are looking for: adventure. On this show, we’ll hear from field scientists about their challenges studying Alaska, and how they keep safe and work effectively in places where other people go to test themselves against the elements. KSKA: Thursday, Oct. 8, at 2:00 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 15, at 8:00 p.m. Listen now:

Russian Jack. Lyn Ary. Joe Spenard. These were real people. On today's show, we'll learn their stories. And we'll examine the myths that we Alaskans tell ourselves about history. We'll be joined by historians who know the stories, and who also know how to look underneath what we believe to the reality of Alaska's past. Join us with your stories and questions. KSKA: Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Listen Now:

We Alaskans have a unique way to get into the backcountry, on our state-owned railroad or ferry system — two of the most fun forms of transportation around. On the next Outdoor Explorer, we’ll celebrate how the train and ferries can get families out to adventures hiking, skiing, paddling, floating and exploring in some truly exotic places. We’ll learn about the opportunities, and how you can do it with your family. KSKA: Thursday, Oct. 1, at 2:00 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 8, at 8:00 p.m. Download Audio:

We’re talking about bears on Outdoor Explorer. Our region of Alaska happens to be the best place in the world for ordinary people to get out in the woods and see lots of gigantic bears. The coastal brown bear can grow to enormous size, but while they are gorging on the salmon that make them so large, they don’t pay attention to anything else. Visitors to certain key streams can get very, very close. We’ll talk about that experience, and the life of the bears. KSKA: Thursday, Sept. 24, at 2:00 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 1, at 8 :00pm Listen Now:

Alaska’s immense herds of caribou are one of the natural wonders of the world. Imagine seeing and hearing tens of thousands of animals migrating across the tundra. This edition of Outdoor Explorer is about these magnificent animals. We’ll learn about the science and ecology of the herds, viewing them, and hunting. Caribou are a critical part of northern ecosystems, and an important source of meat for rural Alaskans and urban hunters. KSKA: Thursday, Sept 17, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, Sept 24, and 8 p.m. Listen now:

Why do you stay in Anchorage? It's a question that could tell us a lot about our city, and probably will. On today's show, we'll hear results of a survey of residents by the Live. Work. Play. program at the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation. The survey was designed to find out what's good and bad about our city, and how we can reach the goal of being the best in America by 2025. KSKA: Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Listen Now:

The dream of getting your own piece of Alaska is as old as the North, the idea of staking land, proving up, and ending up with a big homestead that is your own estate. The state of Alaska still has programs for residents to get inexpensive land, including the opportunity to pick your own site and stake the corners. We’ll talk about how you can buy a remote piece of Alaska, too, and hear the story of a real Alaskan pioneer who lived alone in the wilderness years ago. KSKA: Thursday, Sept 10, at 2:00 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 17, at 8:00 p.m. Listen Now:

Rivers are the highways of the North. That’s been true since human beings first arrived in North America, and it is still true across a vast expanse of Alaska and Canada that is practical to cross in the summer by no other means. On the next Outdoor Explorer, we’re talking about floating these long, remote rivers and the journeys you can make into solitude and into your own mind, as the banks slide quietly by. KSKA: Thursday, Sept. 3, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Listen Now:

With the price of oil hovering around $40, Alaska's state government faces a catastrophic loss of revenue that could cause loss of critical services and an economic crash. The day we've talked about for years is coming closer rapidly. Are there real solutions available? And what will Alaska look like without the free services we've become accustomed to for a generation? KSKA: Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Listen Now:

The Resurrection Pass Trail is a gem. Running from Hope to Cooper Landing, this 38 mile route is probably Alaska’s best backpacking trail, but it’s also great for mountain biking, snowmachining, skiing, snowshoeing and running. On our show, we’ll talk about a week-long hike with kids and a running event that does the whole thing in a single day. Along the way, we'll provide the information you need to do the Resurrection yourself. KSKA: Thursday, August 27, at 2 and 8 p.m. Listen Now:

Today's show will inspire you with a sailing adventure, then help you learn about how to become a sailor with your family here in our part of Alaska. We’ll hear about an amazing adventure an Anchorage couple took halfway around the world, sailing from Seward, Alaska to New Zealand and back in two years. Then a sailing instructor here in our region, talking about how to become a sailor and make sailing a part of your life on Alaskan lakes. KSKA: Thursday, August 20, 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. Listen now:

On Outdoor Explorer, we get to interview some of the heartiest and most driven athletes in the world, people who test themselves against Alaska and win. On this week's show, we meet athletes who fit that description, but do it while dealing with a disability. They prove that Alaska's outdoors are accessible for skiing, boating, hunting, hand-cycle racing, and just about anything else you want to try. Download Audio: KSKA: Thursday, August 13, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

This edition of Outdoor Explorer comes to you from the backcountry of Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Earlier in the summer, Charles flew with friends to a mountain pass in the massive, incredibly spectacular Wrangell mountains where they spent an extended weekend on dayhikes in the alpine environment, near the Russell Glacier. We'll learn about the park, the trip, and how you can do a backcountry adventure in this amazing park. KSKA: Thursday, August 6, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Listen now:

The dream of personal flight is pretty basic. Paragliding makes soaring up in the sky into a regular weekend activity. On the next Outdoor Explorer, we’re going to learn about what paragliding feels like, how you do it safely, and ways to gain entry into the sport. KSKA: Thursday, July 23, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Listen Now:

Fly fishing is not the easiest way to catch a fish, by a long shot, and most fly fishermen let the fish go after they catch it, anyway. Does that make sense? On the next Outdoor Explorer, we’ll find out. KSKA: Thursday, July 9, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Listen Now:

On the next Outdoor Explorer we explore a different kind of lifestyle - one in which families orient their lives to their outdoor interests rather than to school and community. We’ll talk to folks who have made that leap, and weigh the pros and cons of a radical family investment in your outdoor passions. KSKA: Thursday, June 25, at 2:00 and 9:00 p.m. Listen now: