Podcasts about Alaska Peninsula

Dr. Matt Haney is the Scientist-in-Charge at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, where he leads the charge to monitor and communicate the activity of Alaska's volcanoes — some of the most closely watched in the world. He explains that there are several ways to count Alaska's volcanoes, but one of the most striking is this: 54 of them have erupted in the last 300 years. That's more than any other U.S. state. Most of these volcanoes are found along the Aleutian Arc, a seismically active chain that stretches from Mount Spurr — just 80 miles west of Anchorage — through Cook Inlet and out across the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands. A few outliers, like Mount Edgecumbe in Southeast and Mount Wrangell near Glennallen, add even more complexity to tracking volcanic activity across Alaska. As a volcanologist, Matt is part of a network that assesses volcanic risk using the National Volcano Early Warning System, which ranks volcanoes by threat level. In Alaska, five volcanoes are classified as “Very High Threat” — including Mount Spurr, Mount Redoubt and Mount Augustine — not just because they're active, but because they're near population centers and critical infrastructure. Mount Spurr is currently under close observation due to signs of volcanic unrest, making it one of the most closely watched in the state. When Spurr last erupted in 1992, it launched ash clouds up to 60,000 feet into the sky and shut down Anchorage's airport for nearly a full day. Ash fall can disrupt air travel, damage engines and electronics, clog air filters, and cause respiratory problems. Today, with Anchorage serving as the second busiest cargo hub in the U.S. — and the fourth busiest in the world — the stakes of an eruption are even higher.

Dr. Matt Haney is the Scientist-in-Charge at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, where he leads the charge to monitor and communicate the activity of Alaska's volcanoes — some of the most closely watched in the world. He explains that there are several ways to count Alaska's volcanoes, but one of the most striking is this: 54 of them have erupted in the last 300 years. That's more than any other U.S. state. Most of these volcanoes are found along the Aleutian Arc, a seismically active chain that stretches from Mount Spurr — just 80 miles west of Anchorage — through Cook Inlet and out across the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands. A few outliers, like Mount Edgecumbe in Southeast and Mount Wrangell near Glennallen, add even more complexity to tracking volcanic activity across Alaska. As a volcanologist, Matt is part of a network that assesses volcanic risk using the National Volcano Early Warning System, which ranks volcanoes by threat level. In Alaska, five volcanoes are classified as “Very High Threat” — including Mount Spurr, Mount Redoubt and Mount Augustine — not just because they're active, but because they're near population centers and critical infrastructure. Mount Spurr is currently under close observation due to signs of volcanic unrest, making it one of the most closely watched in the state. When Spurr last erupted in 1992, it launched ash clouds up to 60,000 feet into the sky and shut down Anchorage's airport for nearly a full day. Ash fall can disrupt air travel, damage engines and electronics, clog air filters, and cause respiratory problems. Today, with Anchorage serving as the second busiest cargo hub in the U.S. — and the fourth busiest in the world — the stakes of an eruption are even higher.

Mt. Iliamna is an active cone-shaped volcano located one hundred and forty miles (225 km) southwest of Anchorage and seventy miles (113 km) northwest of Homer. It is part of the Chigmit Mountains and rises from its base near Cook Inlet to 10,016 feet (3052.9 m), one of the highest peaks in the volcanically active area of the Alaska Peninsula. Ten glaciers radiate from the volcano's slopes. Iliamna last erupted in 1867, and observers have occasionally seen smoke wafting from the summit since then. However, it is the weather surrounding the mountain, not the volcanic activity, that makes Iliamna dangerous. Clouds frequently cloak the mountain's peak, and turbulent winds buffet this mountainous region, creating some of the most hazardous weather on the planet. Coastal fog and rain often create restricted visibility and a low ceiling. For aviators, flying in this area of the state can be challenging, dangerous, and sometimes deadly. Between 1958 and 1977, four mid-sized planes either crashed into Mt. Iliamna or were destroyed by the turbulence near the mountain, killing a total of seventy-nine people. Sources: Abbott, Jeanne. “No survivors found at site of plane crash.” September 9, 1977. Anchorage Daily News. “Clouds, rain hinder search.” February 14, 1977. Anchorage Daily News. “Ground party will investigate wreck of C-54 at Iliamna.” December 27, 1958. Anchorage Daily News. “Halt attempted to recover airmen on Mt. Iliamna.” December 29, 1958. Anchorage Daily News. Liefer, Gregory P. Aviation Mysteries of the North. “Cleared as Filed.” 2011. Anchorage, AK. Publication Consultants. Liefer, Gregory P. Broken Wings. “Turbulence Over Pedro Bay.” 2014. Anchorage, AK. Publication Consultants. Liefer, Gregory P. Broken Wings. “An Accumulation of Errors.” 2014. Anchorage, AK. Publication Consultants. “Mt. Iliamna crash hearing to open today.” November 9, 1977. Anchorage Daily News. “Mt. Iliamna – Where 15 Alaska airmen died.” December 27, 1958. Anchorage Daily News. “Pilots, AAI blamed for crash.” May 5, 1978. Anchorage Daily News. “Plane wreckage is identified as missing C-54.” December 26, 1958. Anchorage Daily News. Porterfield, Bob. “AAI crash probe opens.” November 10, 1977. Anchorage Daily News. Porterfield, Bob. “Federal findings show AAI plane's violation.” October 22, 1977. Anchorage Daily News. Porterfield, Bob. “Iliamna crash – why?” October 1, 1977. Anchorage Daily News. “Rescuers held off crash site.” September 8, 1977. Anchorage Daily News. Weller, Robert. “Controller at fault in air crash?” February 15, 1977. Anchorage Daily News. _______________________________________________ Join the Last Frontier Club's Free Tier ___________________________________________________________   The Crime is More Horrible Than You Can Imagine! _________________________________________________________________________ IF YOU ENJOY LISTENING TO YOUR NOVELS, CHECK OUT THE AUDIOBOOK VERSION OF MASSACRE AT BEAR CREEK LODGE ________________________________ Robin Barefield lives in the wilderness on Kodiak Island, where she and her husband own a remote lodge. She has a master's degree in fish and wildlife biology and is a wildlife-viewing and fishing guide. Robin has published six novels: Big Game, Murder Over Kodiak, The Fisherman's Daughter, Karluk Bones, Massacre at Bear Creek Lodge, and The Ultimate Hunt. She has also published two non-fiction books: Kodiak Island Wildlife and Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. She draws on her love and appreciation of the Alaska wilderness as well as her scientific background when writing. Robin invites you to join her at her website: https://robinbarefield.com, and while you are there, sign up for her free monthly newsletter about true crime in Alaska. Robin also narrates a podcast, Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. You can find it at: https://murder-in-the-last-frontier.blubrry.net Subscribe to Robin's free,

https://sportaircraftseats.com https://www.godscountryaviation.com In this episode, we sit down with game warden and bush pilot Curt Beddingfield, who shares some thrilling stories from his experiences flying in the Alaskan wilderness. From navigating high winds on the Alaska Peninsula to miraculous escapes on rugged landing strips, Curt opens up about the risks, mistakes, and important lessons that have shaped his career. Hear about flying backwards in high winds, saving a heart attack victim in 50mph gusts, and the terrifying moment Curt realized he was heading straight for a mountain. Plus, Curt reflects on the humility and life lessons learned from flying in some of the most unforgiving terrain on Earth. Curt also discusses the differences between various bush planes, from the classic Super Cubs to the powerful Maule M7s he and his family fly. He reveals how the Maule, with its custom mods, outperforms many traditional bush planes in terms of load capacity, takeoff distance, and speed—making it ideal for hauling heavy loads like moose out of tight spots. Whether you're a seasoned aviator or just fascinated by the world of bush flying, Curt's expertise and stories are sure to keep you captivated. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coffeeinahangar/support

From bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls to the volcanic Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" Podcast is all about Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. At 3.4 million acres, Katmai National Park is a vast wilderness on the Alaska Peninsula, stretching from the Bristol Bay lowlands to the volcanic center of the Aleutian Range and to the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Known for its plentiful wildlife, dramatic geological features, and remoteness, the park is a land of spectacular scenic beauty. Read Debbie's story about her adventures in Katmai NP, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/bears-and-volcanoes-of-katmai-national-park/ 

Mike Livingston specializes in the cultural heritage of the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands. His background makes him uniquely qualified for this position. He grew up in Cold Bay, Alaska, located on the Aleutians, and his family homesteaded where Trout Creek flows into Cold Bay. He says they didn't have much money, so they lived a subsistence lifestyle and built their home using remnants left on the island from World War II.   At 21, he moved to Unalaska and worked as a police officer for three years, then he moved to Anchorage and was an officer for the Anchorage Police Department for 20 years. In that time, he worked in a number of different departments: burglary, theft, felony assaults, the crimes against children unit, and the major crimes unit. His work in law enforcement and his research into the Unangax̂ region — in addition to a local murder he remembers from when he was 16 — eventually led him to his work with Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons. More recently, Mike's been focused on ways to integrate ancient sod housing design into the construction of modern houses. Traditional sod houses were used in the Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula for at least 10,000 years. They were so energy efficient that their carbon footprint was virtually non-existent.  He's also been working on correcting historical inaccuracies of Benny Benson, the boy who designed the Alaska flag in 1927. The research he's involved in found that Benny was not of Alutiiq heritage, like it's been believed for decades, but of Unangax̂ heritage.

Mike Livingston specializes in the cultural heritage of the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands. His background makes him uniquely qualified for this position. He grew up in Cold Bay, Alaska, located on the Aleutians, and his family homesteaded where Trout Creek flows into Cold Bay. He says they didn't have much money, so they lived a subsistence lifestyle and built their home using remnants left on the island from World War II.   At 21, he moved to Unalaska and worked as a police officer for three years, then he moved to Anchorage and was an officer for the Anchorage Police Department for 20 years. In that time, he worked in a number of different departments: burglary, theft, felony assaults, the crimes against children unit, and the major crimes unit. His work in law enforcement and his research into the Unangax̂ region — in addition to a local murder he remembers from when he was 16 — eventually led him to his work with Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons. More recently, Mike's been focused on ways to integrate ancient sod housing design into the construction of modern houses. Traditional sod houses were used in the Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula for at least 10,000 years. They were so energy efficient that their carbon footprint was virtually non-existent.  He's also been working on correcting historical inaccuracies of Benny Benson, the boy who designed the Alaska flag in 1927. The research he's involved in found that Benny was not of Alutiiq heritage, like it's been believed for decades, but of Unangax̂ heritage.

Guy gets all gussied up in his best brown trout ensemble (again) for some banter with Katrina about how these fish made their way to the to the USA and how they are perceived. Maria Dosal joins from her Agdaagux homelands on the Alaska Peninsula to talk about fish regalia and respecting the whole fish.

King Cove is worried about the future after its seafood processor announced earlier this month that it will cease operations. The plant is the economic engine of the community on the Alaska Peninsula.

Today, Jacob is joined by an Alaskan and a Texan: Moon McCarley, Principal at Nondalton School and District Testing Coordinator for The Lake and Peninsula School District, located on the Alaska Peninsula; and Ashley Cruz, State Professional Learning Consultant at NWEA. They discuss how NWEA partners with districts across Alaska to create high-impact professional learning opportunities to expand assessment literacy. Along the way, Moon shares her experience as a Certified Facilitator and talks about how it helped her grow as a leader.

In this newscast: A Juneau man has been missing for nearly a week after going kayaking on Mendenhall Lake; A long-awaited senior living facility is now open in Juneau; A mysterious flaming object crossed the sky of the northern Lynn Canal earlier this month, and it could have been an old satellite reentering the atmosphere; A magnitude 7.2 earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island late Saturday night

HOUR 1 Kremlin paused its participation in an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export its grain by sea despite a wartime blockade, a deal seen as essential to keeping global food prices stable / (NYT) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/world/europe/ukraine-russia-grain-deal.html? and https://www.npr.org/2023/07/17/1188048725/ukraine-russia-grain-deal-putin (NPR) https://www.npr.org/2023/07/17/1188048725/ukraine-russia-grain-deal-putinTom and Tom discuss media bias against DeSantis Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis led the 2024 Republican field in fundraising from April to June / (CBS News) https://www.cbsnews.com/video/trump-desantis-lead-gop-presidential-field-in-donations/Tom is reading former AG Bill Barr's "One Damn Thing After Another: Memoirs of an Attorney General."Former Attorney General Bill Barr says failing to prosecute Trump would be unjust / (NPR) https://www.npr.org/2023/07/14/1187646142/former-attorney-general-bill-barr-assesses-the-federal-charges-against-trumpFor the second time in less than a year, explosives have damaged the bridge that links Russia and Crimea, the southern Ukrainian peninsula that Moscow illegally annexed in 2014 / (NYT) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/world/europe/crimea-bridge-attack-russia-ukraine.html?Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer  had a cache of more than 200 guns at his Massapequa home, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told Fox News in an interview Monday / (FOX News) https://www.foxnews.com/us/gilgo-beach-serial-killer-suspect-arsenal-weapons-top-cop-saysHOUR 2 Tom and Tom talk grocery costs and prices / (ANS) https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2023/07/14/cooling-inflation-lower-48-relieving-grocery-prices-when-will-they-drop-alaska/A 7.2 magnitude earthquake off the Alaska Peninsula triggered a brief tsunami advisory at 10:47 PM last Saturday / (ADN) https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2023/07/16/72-earthquake-off-alaska-peninsula-triggers-brief-tsunami-warning-sending-some-residents-to-higher-ground/Tom S discusses dip-netting and the process and rules / https://alaskaoutdoorssupersite.com/dipnetting-introTom & Tom discuss Nick Begich Jr.'s entrance into the congressional race against Rep. Peltola and the lackluster media relations / (ADN) https://www.ktoo.org/2023/07/13/begich-announces-hell-challenge-peltola-for-alaskas-u-s-house-seat/

In this newscast: Alaska Native language experts shared their personal stories at the State Capitol Friday; An Alaska Senate bill aims to temporarily close Area M, a fishery off the Alaska Peninsula and Eastern Aleutian islands; The spring election in Anchorage was the lowest voter turnout since the city moved to by-mail voting, but it's still higher than in the years before the change

Mark Korpi is the co-owner of the Becharof Lodge On The Egegik River. This is a fly in only fishing lodge, which focuses primarily on coho salmon. They also specialize in brown bear viewing and remote flyout fishing adventures. Check out their website at https://becharoflodgefishing.com/. Note: I called it the Kenai Peninsula, it is actually located on the Alaska Peninsula. The town of Egegik is set on Bristol Bay roughly 25 miles downriver from the fishing lodge.

After weeks of debate, the Anchorage Assembly approves a process to remove the mayor. Subsistence users ask for greater restrictions on commercial fishing along the Alaska Peninsula. And the Alaska National Guard and the Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs honors the heroic rescue of a downed Navy air crew nearly 70 years ago.

This episode we're joined by Shane Porter, Gunwerks' No. 1 dealer and owner of Porter's Pawn in Arkansas. Shane shares what makes his business tick, why he loves and specializes in high-end backcountry hunting rifles, and what drives his own passion for hunting remote areas. Plus of course we swap hunting stories, and Shane tells about his spring 2022 brown bear hunt on the Alaska Peninsula with Alaskan gunsmith and guide Steve Hallenbeck of Double Broomed Mountain Rifles. And how about a three-day trek from base camp in pursuit of a 43-inch dall sheep!  Be sure and check out this link for the complete listing of fine high-end backcountry hunting rifles currently in inventory at Porter's Firearms. ENJOY!    FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!  Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:  www.browning.com www.leupold.com www.silencercentral.com www.timneytriggers.com https://www.portersfirearms.com/ www.siembidacustomknives.com https://javelinbipod.com

Abortion Pills Are Used For Most U.S. Abortions. What Are They? The draft Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade means abortion access is once again in jeopardy. Nearly half of U.S. states will immediately ban abortion upon a Roe v. Wade overturn. Medication abortion, or abortion by pill, is currently the most common method of abortion in the United States. In 2020, 54% of abortions in the United States were medication abortions, according to research from the Guttmacher Institute. If the Supreme Court decision is overturned, it's expected that the ease and convenience of an abortion pill may make medication abortion an even larger share of all abortions nationwide. Ira talks with Ushma Upadhyay, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health at UC San Francisco. Upadhyay explains how medication abortion works, how its regulated, and its role in a possible post Roe v. Wade era.   One Alaskan Island's Fight For A Rodent-Free Future For millions of years, birds lived nearly predator free in the Aleutian Islands. The volcanic archipelago stretches westward for 1,200 miles from the Alaska Peninsula, dotting a border between the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. Hundreds of bird species thrived here. But then came the rats. When a Japanese boat sank in the Western Aleutians around 1780, stowaway rats jumped ship and made it to one of the islands, wreaking havoc on the ecosystem. The rodents proliferated during World War II, when American Navy ships traveled along the chain, expanding the rats' domain. “The rats are like an oil spill that keeps on spilling, year after year,” said Steve Delehanty, the refuge manager for the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. “We would never allow an oil spill to go on for decades or centuries, nor should we allow rats to be a forever-presence on these islands.” Read the rest at sciencefriday.com. Campsites At National Parks ‘Harder Than Getting Beyonce Tickets' Access to the outdoors has long had an equity problem. Whether it's the expense of equipment or hostility from fellow hikers, marginalized groups have had more barriers to enjoying recreation in nature. Now, new research in the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration has data on one tool that was supposed to improve access for more people: the online system of reserving campgrounds at national parks. Compared to people camping at first-come first-serve campsites in the same parks, the people who successfully use the reservation systems are wealthier, better-educated, and more likely to be white. Ira talks to research co-author Will Rice about the factors that make reservations harder to access, how wealthier people succeed in working the system to their advantage, and how publicly-funded campgrounds like the national parks could more fairly manage rising demand.   How Restaurant Menus Mirror Our Warming Ocean Before the 1980's, you probably wouldn't have found Humboldt squid on a restaurant menu in Vancouver. But now, the warm water-loving critter has expanded towards the poles as ocean temperatures rise, and you can see that change on restaurant menus. In a new study in the journal Environmental Biology of Fishes, researchers from the University of British Columbia looked at more than 360 menus, dating back to 1880. They found a connection between climate change and which seafood types rose to fame on restaurant menus over the years… and which ones flopped off. Ira speaks with study co-author Dr. William Cheung about how our menus mirror what's happening to our oceans. Plus, a conversation with Chef Ned Bell about why it's important that our plates adapt to changes in our local ecosystems.   Transcripts for each segment will be available the week after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.

Heliostar Metals Ltd. is a Canada-based exploration and development company, which is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company has a portfolio of gold projects in Alaska and Mexico. Its projects include Unga, La Lola, Cumaro, and Oso Negro. The Unga gold-silver project covers approximately 250 square kilometers of neighboring Unga and Popof Islands, near the Alaska Peninsula and approximately 900 kilometers southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The La Lola project comprises of 5,400-hectare land package that is prospective for low-sulphidation epithermal systems. The Cumaro Project is a five square kilometer claim lying within the El Picacho district and hosts the extensions of the El Picacho, Dos Amigos, and Basaitegui Veins. The Oso Negro project is an early-stage intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system prospect within a 1,275-hectare concession.

In this episode we welcome back wildlife artist Carl Ramm. As many listeners remember, Carl is part of a team that manages bears—Alaska Peninsula brown bears, to be exact—at Brooks Camp in Alaska's Katmai National Park. As part of a team of bear techs, he helps track the bears' movement and, as much as possible, guides them away from the camp's many visitors and toward a place that's safer for bears and humans alike. In this episode we hear all about Fat Bear Week from Explore.org. Visit the website soon – voting begins September 29 and ends on October 3. The episode begins with the conversation in progress – they got excited – and features Carl Ramm, David Ramm and Maureen Leif.

Tribal lawsuit claims Montana schools not meeting Native history requirements Fisherman says this week's earthquake off Alaska Peninsula was particularly violent Lummi carvers make final stop to deliver totem pole to Biden administration

Tribal lawsuit claims Montana schools not meeting Native history requirements Fisherman says this week's earthquake off Alaska Peninsula was particularly violent Lummi carvers make final stop to deliver totem pole to Biden administration

SHOW NOTES Topic: The importance of having the right pack Case-in-point example: A brown bear hunt on the Alaska Peninsula, and the pack that nearly broke me.  Guest: Mark Huelsing of EXO MTN GEAR Genesis of EXO MTN GEAR Inspiration behind EXO's packs Design and adaptability Colors and camo Frame material: The advantages of Titanium Bag sizes, materials, and purposes Versatility with one pack system Meat hauling, cargo nets, and game bags Dry bags and pack covers A spot of (hunter orange) color Where and how to purchase a pack WRAP: Your pack can make or break your hunt. Get the right one.  EXO MTN GEAR K3 Frame  EXO MTN GEAR K3 4800 Pack system EXO MTN GEAR K3 6400 Pack system   FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!  Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry Contribute via PayPal using joseph@backcountrypodcast.com Contribute via VENMO: @Joseph-vonBenedikt VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:  www.browning.com www.silencercentral.com www.timneytriggers.com www.siembidacustomknives.com  

During much of my life, the environment has become increasingly important to people. We've learned about the dangers of industrial pollution to our air and water. Our government has invested millions, probably billions, into cleaning up toxic waste dumps. Regulations have been passed to protect the environment. People have also organized into clubs to protect and enjoy nature. Volunteers will pick up trash on the highway or along streams. We have learned the value of purifying the environment. Years ago, I lived in Homer, Alaska. A friend of mine who lived there loved to stop at the scenic overlook on the highway west of Homer. Perched in his car high above Kachemak Bay, he could sit and soak in the beauty of creation. On a clear day, you could see the mountains across the bay, the waters of Cook Inlet, and the mountains on the Alaska Peninsula to the west. It was an absolutely beautiful scene. The view was so inspiring because it was largely unblemished. Most of what you saw was wilderness or the sea. My friend could relax in a way that helped restore his soul. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think about things that are pure. This is much like my friend in Alaska. When we find things that are innocent and unblemished, it allows us to sit and soak in good things. I hope you find the time today to enjoy something pure. Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

From mid-June to mid-October, Dan Binde of Minnesota hiked from Yakutat, in the northern reaches of Alaska's Inside Passage, across the Alaska Peninsula, to Unimak, the largest and easternmost of the Aleutian Islands.

In this episode we have a conversation with the brother of our own David Ramm, the wildlife artist Carl Ramm. Among other things, Carl is part of a team that manages bears—Alaska Peninsula brown bears, to be exact—at Brooks Camp in Alaska's Katmai National Park. As part of a team of bear techs, he helps track the bears' movement and, as much as possible, guides them away from the camp's many visitors and toward a place that's safer for bears and humans alike. We believe there is some link here to management, leadership, living in harmony with nature... but mostly is a really interesting conversation about bears.

The National Weather Service announced a tsunami warning for residents in South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula soon after the jolt, but said the risk level is still being evaluated for “other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America.” No injuries or structural damage have yet been reported. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/etn/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/etn/support

After visiting battlefield monuments and memorials, Jason Cochran saw how American history has been written and re-written. He tells us how the Civil War still factors into how his native South views itself. We'll also look at the ultimate summer adventure in social distancing on the Alaska Peninsula and hear how a group of high-school buddies road-tripped to every Major League Baseball stadium. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

I peak inside the mail bag and respond to a listener and then I give you all the details on my recent journey to the Aleutian Island of Unalaska which after some contemplation got me thinking about what makes YOU excited about the images you create so we’ll have some listener feedback on that as well. I reference this map in the episode briefly, basically, it's intended to give you an understanding of the different locations we photographed. Sponsor for this episode Golden Hour by Polar Pro Filters: https://www.polarprofilters.com/pages/golden-hour Image Gallery for the commentary: http://www.latitudephotographypodcast.com/galleries/unalaska-island/ Palouse Shoot-n-Print Workshop direct link: https://latitudephotographyschool.com/workshops/palouse-shoot-n-print-workshop/ Use this link AND the code "latitude15" the next time you need to rent gear. I'll get a small percentage and you'll get 15% off. Lensrentals.com affiliate link: https://www.gopjn.com/t/SENJRktJT01DR09OS0lLQ0dLT0tGTg Need to carry your gear in style? Treat yourself to a ThinkTank Photo bag with this link and get a free gift at checkout: http://bit.ly/2IMRhOT Sign up to be the first notified when the new Latitude Photography School is available and open for business: https://latitudephotographyschool.com Main Topics Today I’m talking about: What’s in the mail bag My time in Alaska Contemplating on the idea of what makes us get excited in our photography. The mail bag Listener message from Terrell What an informative podcast on sensor size. I really didn't understand as completely as I thought I had. I was wondering would you think a show on lens resolution would also be just as informative. Being a gearhead it gives me a reason to buy stuff if there's a logic behind the purchase.  With these new bodies now seeming to start at 30+ MP I keep reading and hearing that such and such lens (older) can't resolve these newer big files. Is this just a sharpness issue or more? Do I need to buy new lenses? And the last thing: I've played around with that new RF 70-200 for Canon and no issues I had but what I would like to know is the external focusing a result of physics or cost? Just curious. Answer: Yes, I do think an episode on lens resolution would be good. I’ll look into that. As for your question, I’ll look into it a bit more before tomorrow’s episode is out, but with the RF70-200 I think it’s a dual issue for that lens design. Physics so they can decrease the size of the lens when stored and I’m sure it’s probably cheaper to build as well, though Lensrentals did a teardown of that lens and found it to be one of the best built lenses ever, so Canon didn’t skimp on build quality. They had to though given all the extra moving parts and not being able to protect everything inside the barrel like the older lens designs. Why Unalaska? Jeana, a long time listener, asked me how Unalaska came to be on my radar in the first place. I’ve been dreaming of the Aleutian Islands for some time now. This was my first experience in Alaska. I’ve wanted to go for so long but the size and multitude of opportunities the state offers makes it a daunting task to figure out what you’re going to do. I chose Unalaska for a few reasons.  First, it’s rather remote so most folks don’t go there. I like to get to the fringe of the earth as it were. If it’s less known I’m more interested in it and if I do go to a really well traveled place you’ll find me searching for other images that aren’t so known about the region, like when I went to Hong Kong and spent most of my time on the small islands and not in the heart of the city. I had Alaska Airlines miles, and it was cheap to get to. Cash outlay was $12 for the airfare, plus air miles of course. And finally, being such a small island with limited access to trails and the like, I knew a majority of the time would be spent hiking, exploring and shooting and not trying to get to the place to shoot. I love a compact area that has loads of opportunities for photography and Unalaska is overloaded with photographic goodness. There’s so much there, even with a week we were barely able to get beyond the surface, as it were. So initially, it was just the allure of the wild Aleutian Islands, Adak being my initial draw since Alaska Airlines actually does fly there, but I Ultimately chose Unalaska because it was better suited to be my first experience on one of the Islands. I was expecting terrible weather, and we got it. High wind, you betcha. Rugged landscape, absolutely. Amazing photographic opportunities around every corner? Yes! The journey up there It took all day to get there. Waking at 2:30 a.m. a bit earlier than needed for my 5:00 a.m. flight out of Walla Walla, I started out on the wrong foot, literally. In my slightly sleep deprived daze I put on my shoes, one of one type and the other a mismatch. They’re both Keen, so they felt very similar, but when I landed in Seattle at about 6:15 am and got off the plane I felt a difference in my feet. And I’d seen what I’d done. I was kinda ticked, but figured I should just laugh it off. But as I waited for the next flight I’m sitting there watching all these people walk by with matching shoes, I was jealous for their feet, feeling the same and not sticking out like mine were. But I had two pair of boots packed so I knew I was going to be OK once I got there. Just before we boarded for Anchorage I met Randy Gemar, my companion for this trip. A few months ago I put out a request for someone to join me and to split costs. We chatted on the phone and figured to go ahead with it. My friends and parents are all asking me in hushed tones, “are you sure this is a good idea?” Let me tell you, Randy is the best photo buddy anyone could have along with them. Everything was just perfect plus, I had the added security of someone else with me. When you’re 800 miles from the nearest hospital and the only way off the island is a medivac flight in dire situations, you want someone with you who can help should the worst happen. And Unalaska has tons of cliffs over 800 ft high and several other potentially dangerous hazards that can cause problems. The lay of the land Unalaska is the first island in the Aleutian chain of islands with a major settlement. The Alaska Peninsula stretches about 350+ miles from Katmai National Park and Preserve out towards the little town of Cold Bay. Then you have Unimak Island, a few much smaller islands, and then Unalaska. The port is called Dutch Harbor and it’s the nation’s top fishing port. In 2015 they brought in 787 million pounds of fish totaling about $218M. All other Aleutian Island Ports combined brought in 467 million pounds totalling $111M. This is also where they film the show “The Deadliest Catch.” However, in the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas the town is so quiet and calm. Whenever we drove about we were pretty much the only vehicle on the road. I’ll publish a map to the facebook group and here in the show notes. This is a custom drawn map that shows the different places we went to for shooting. I’ve also color coded the locations by the day we were there as well.   The tundra is definitely one big sponge to walk on. Many times that sponge is sopping wet and you get the sense of it like this. (play the sound of walking on the tundra) Other times it’s dryer yet it’s so soft your foot is completely swallowed by it as you step across it. If you go off trail you can’t even see your tracks until the tundra is frozen and the ice causes it to keep its form a bit from your stepping upon it.  The wet sopping type of tundra is more grassy, or field grasses, and the type that swallows your foot is a plant that’s rather like a bush, but it is very low lying and very cushy. They are often interchanged on the same trail over and over again. The temp hovered around 40º the whole time we were there, this is at sea level though. The snow level was at about 1,000 ft, depending on the day. We had a storm roll through on Wednesday which brought the snow level down quite a bit. First day of shooting We decided to head up Mt. Ballyhoo. The previous evening we drove about getting our bearings and I’m so glad we did. We were able to find the trailhead for this hike and then that made it a whole bunch easier in the darkness of the morning. The sun didn’t rise until about 10:30 and we started hiking at about 8:00 a.m. The hike starts at about 250 ft. elevation and quickly ascends to 1,600 when you’re on top. We made it to about 1,500 ft. The entire trail is about a mile long, so that’s about 1,250 elevation gain in roughly a mile. It was rather a tough hike but very much worth it. I’ll go through the images shot that day which are on the website in a special gallery. The link is in the show notes.  (Specific commentary on images) I left my bag at about 900-1,000 ft elevation and only took the Sony a6400 and the 18–135 lens on up to the top. I was just so tired of carrying all that weight and the Sony did a fantastic job. We spent longer than we originally planned up there. Bit it was so worth it. The light was amazing and there was so much to shoot. On the way down, as it was so steep and snow covered for half of it, we both slid and slipped a bit. You just have to stay clear of the cliffs and other really steep edges and you’ll be fine. We picked up our bags and continued on the rest of the way down. We finished up at about 3:30 or so and with the sun setting in two hours we didn’t want to spend too much time getting to the next spot, but we did take a brief break at the apartment before heading out again.  For sunset we went up Bunker Hill. There’s a road that takes you up to the top but it was gated off and I didn’t care for that. I was beat from the morning hike. But I did it anyway. And it was also just gorgeous up there. The hill is on the southern part of town so I got a nice overview of the town, but you can also look directly into Captains Bay. The clouds really moved in so we didn’t get any dynamic light, but I still got one good image of the bay and the mountains surrounding it. Day Two I didn’t get hardly any shots that were keepers today. First off, I was so beat from the two hikes on Sunday that I simply CRASHED when I got back to the room. I didn’t eat supper and I was just so wasted. I needed to rest. So that’s what I did. I think it made Randy a little nervous but that’s also one of the primary reasons I really wanted a photo buddy along for the trip, safety is a huge concern as I have five other people depending on me at home. I’m the sole bread winner so I need to take certain precautions to make sure all is safe and I get back home in one piece, and that I’m functional when I return as well :) So Randy went out in the morning but the rain was just really coming down hard. I didn’t get out of bed until about noon and after a massive breakfast we headed out at about 1:30 or so. We did a few errands such as buying a SIM card for my phone so I could finally communicate with the family and a few other things. I did make a few images of a small waterfall but they are already deleted. They weren’t any good. We drove around some more to get our bearings on the Overland Drive and I did get a few images of the snow line, but the sun was already down and it was quite dark. One image I did get that isn’t in the online gallery is a complete abstract. It’s literally a shot of the fog that is completely out of focus and almost feels like a mistake. But I kept it because I just loved the mystery is conveys and how moody it is. We were unable to make it over the pass due to the snow on the road so we turned around and went back to the apartment the way we came. Third Day This was Tuesday, December 17, 2019. We decided to go to Ugadaga Bay. The trail starts at about 800 ft elevation and descends to sea level. There’s a few waterfalls along the way but as we started once again at about 8:00 a.m. on the trailhead we didn’t shoot until we got down to the bay. It’s a large bay that is part of the larger Beaver Inlet so it’s well protected from the Pacific Ocean currents and the storms and other energy that comes from the Bearing Sea. So that meant the tiny waves coming on to the rocky shore were very small and peaceful. Very calm. Like this: (play sound of lapping water) (Go through images and describe them from the gallery) Again, we spent longer than we originally anticipated we would. We started hiking out at about 1:30 and were back at the car by about 4:30. We hiked a total of 6.7 miles and as we were heading out the rain came on once again. It got stronger and stronger as we got closer to the car so we skipped a few spots that we really wanted to shoot. But with the decreasing energy and the increasing rain, mixed with decreasing light, we decided to see if we could come back. We didn’t, but I’m OK with that as we got some other excellent shots. We got back to the apartment and just took it easy with a massive supper and time to dry off. I didn’t want a repeat of what happened Sunday evening either, but I was feeling much more in tune with all the hiking. Lesson learned: I need to get out more so I’m in better shape. Fourth Day For Wednesday we planned to hike the Peace of Mind Trail. In looking at the elevation gain and reading about the trail we knew it would be such a bugger of a hike. It started at about 750 ft. elevation, gained to about 850 then had a sheer drop of about 500+ feet in less than a half mile. That drop was about 1.5 miles in as well, and it was another two miles to the bay. So we looked at the map I bought on Monday and decided to try out the first mile or so, until that big drop. Maybe we’d see some waterfalls there. But we didn’t. I got one shot just to prove I was there. It’s not pretty but I decided to keep it purely for story telling purposes. We then got back to the car and drove up the Overland Drive again trying to see if we could get over the pass this time. And we did! And we decided to shoot up there as we  had about 360º views of awesome mountains transitioning from snow covered to not at about the 1,000 ft level. And the pass is roughly at about 1,000 ft. But, the wind was blowing at about a sustained 45mph. It was tough shooting. My battery died and I had left the bag in the car, so I left it to got get another battery. and after doing so I decided I’d better spread the legs out further. I had the camera on a ledge, if it had blown over it wouldn’t be destroyed, but it’d have to go down a small hill to retrieve it. As I returned I slid the last 15 ft to the tripod trying to stop since it was downhill and the wind was just blowing me so much, and the tripod was only on two legs. So I’m glad I went back as I’m sure it’d have gone over if I’d let it be. I spread the legs out further and then ran up the hill against the wind to get another battery. We then drove around a bit after a brief lunch. We headed up north to Constantine Bay.  (Discuss the images as seen on the gallery)

Emma and Claire grew up on a homestead in Alaska’s remote Aleutian Islands. If you walked South on the Alaska Peninsula until you reached the end of the land and your toes hit the water, you are probably on their front porch. Their family makes their livelihood harvesting wild seafood from Alaska’s pristine and bountiful waters. Since they were young, Emma and Claire have worked on commercial fishing boats and continue to fish each summer while running Salmon Sisters from land and sea.

Can duct tape really fix every little thing? ELT tests the limits — and gets to the bottom of a duct tape story that’ll blow your socks off. Plus, your most ingenious MacGyver stories. Guests: Daniel Munson, Senior Product Development Specialist at 3M; Gary LaRose, lodge owner and hunting guide on the Alaska Peninsula; Luke Miller, Anchorage-based pilot and guide. Thanks to callers Ian, Hunter, David, Whitney, Leanne, Stacie, Elena, Diana, Ashley, Lauren, Lucy —  and to all the listeners who shared their MacGyver stories. Got a burning question of your own? Call 833-RING-ELT.

What’s up everyone! On today’s episode we are catching up with Dallas Hemeyer. Join us as we talk to Dallas about his past five months of hunting and filming around the world. Trust me when I say you do not want to miss this episode, Dallas has some amazing stories to share with us! We … Continue reading EP 40: Dallas Hemeyer; Hunting New Zealand, Utah, the Alaska Peninsula & New Zealand Again All In Five Months →

Bretwood “Hig” Higman has a PhD in Geology and his partner Erin McKittrick has a Masters Degree in Molecular Biology.  Together Hig and Erin are known for trekking long distances in Alaska by foot and packraft, including a one-year trek from Seattle, Washington to the end of the Alaska Peninsula, approximately 4,000 miles.  In 2013, Hig and Erin journeyed approximately 800 miles around the Cook Inlet with their two children, Katmai (4) and Lituya (2).  Katmai walked every step of the journey. Erin has authored four books about their adventures including Mud Flats And Fish Camps.  Together they run the non-profit, Ground Truth Trekking.  They can be found at www.groundtruthtrekking.org If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering on the the trail building crew this summer in Alaska with Hig and Erin, you can contact Hig at hig314@gmail.com.   NOTE: I'm currently behind on podcast episodes (SURPRISE) due to living an awesome life in Alaska far away from computers and WIFI!   As a result, I'm going to be streamlining my podcast release process which, unfortunately, means that I will be including less information in the show notes.  Please let me know if you miss the show notes terribly.  Otherwise the next several episode descriptions will look very similar to this one. I hope that you continue to enjoy my conversations with the interesting and awesome folks who I am fortunate to meet in my journeys. Cheers, Abe.

Meeting Roman Dial, Thor’s 700 mile trek across Alaska, The birth of Alpaca Raft, The contrast of hunting and other outdoor sports, The most generous game warden in the world, Black sands of the southern coast of the Alaska Peninsula, Caribou packraft hunting in Alaska, The perfect solo packraft for Alaskan hunting, and the crazy sport of Zorbing.   Links: Backcountry Hunters & Anglers https://www.backcountryhunters.org/ Bretwood Higman and Erin McKittrick - Mud Flats and Fish Camps http://www.groundtruthtrekking.org/ Bjorn Olsen videographer, bike packing and packrafting caribou trip http://www.mjolnirofbjorn.com/ Roman Dial http://packrafting.blogspot.com/ Ritt Kellog Memorial Fund - Grant at Colorado College https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/rittkelloggfund/ Sevylor Raft https://www.coleman.com/sevylor/ One Man’s Wilderness - Richard Proeneke https://www.amazon.com/One-Mans-Wilderness-Alaskan-Odyssey/dp/0882405136 New Zealand Hunter Magazine - Greg Duley http://www.nzhunter.co.nz/ Alpaca Raft https://www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/ Zorbing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zorbing Alpacka Raft Alpacka series https://www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/product/alpacka-series/ Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid Paddle https://www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/product/aqua-bound-manta-ray-hybrid/ Astral V-Eight https://www.alpackaraft.com/rafting/product/astral-v-eight-pfd-2018/ Luc Mehl’s Logan Traverse https://thingstolucat.com/logan-traverse/ Luc Mehl’s Stickers for Conservation https://thingstolucat.com/art-sticker-conservation-campaign/    

Dr. Margaret “Margie” Winslow is a pioneering female geologist who explores the topography of South America and the shifting landscape of women in the sciences. Her misadventures in Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and Patagonia are recounted in her travel memoir Over My Head: Journeys in Leaky Boats from the Strait of Magellan to Cape Horn and Beyond, and in The Cusp of Dreadfulness. She also wrote Smart Ass, a memoir about her donkey. margiewinslow.com Brad Borkan is the co-author of When Your Life Depends On It: Extreme Decision Making Lessons from the Antarctic, an adventure-based self-help book that chronicles the life-and-death decisions made by early Antarctic explorers Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen and Mawson during the Heroic Era 1901–1917. What lessons can we apply to our lives? extreme-decisions.com Roger Seiler grew up on the Alaska Peninsula, where he learned to fly at 17 and guided sport fishermen seeking king salmon. A UCLA Honors graduate in film, Roger made 20+ nonfiction films and was an award-winning filmmaker for IBM. His historical novel Master of Alaska is based on letters and reports by Alaska’s first Russian governor, Aleksandr Baranov, and people who knew him. masterofalaska.com

Roger Seiler grew up on the Alaska Peninsula, the son of a bush pilot. He learned to fly at age 17 and his teen summers were spent on wilderness adventures, guiding sport fishermen for king salmon, and as a commercial fisherman on Bristol Bay. He attended Deep Springs College and UCLA, where he was an Honors graduate in film. Roger has made 20+ nonfiction films and was an award-winning filmmaker for IBM. His The Inner Eye of Alexander Rutsch film was screened at NY's Museum of Modern Art and won the CINE Golden Eagle Award. Roger's new historical novel, Master of Alaska – based on letters and reports by Alaska’s first Russian governor, Aleksandr Baranov, and people who knew him – earned Amazon’s top reader rating. Roger will discuss: How to solve problems the Gov. Baranov way. How to solve conflicts with empathy. Baranov's leadership secret. Info: www.masterofalaska.com Brad Borkan, who holds a graduate degree in Decision Sciences from the University of Pennsylvania, is the co-author of When Your Life Depends On It: Extreme Decision Making Lessons from the Antarctic. This adventure-based self-help book is based on the harrowing life and death decisions made by early Antarctic explorers during the Heroic Era of exploration between 1901 – 1917. While not all of the decisions made by the early Antarctic explorers were good during the most trying circumstances imaginable, very few men died. Why was this? What lessons can we apply from their decision-making to our lives? Brad and co-author David Hirzel examine unforgettable, epic stories from the days when explorers Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen and Mawson battled the most isolated environment on earth. How might you have responded in their life-and-death situations? www.extreme-decisions.com

Roger Seiler grew up on the Alaska Peninsula, the son of a bush pilot. His teen summers were spent on wilderness adventures, guiding sport fishermen for king salmon, and commercial fishing on Bristol Bay. He attended unique Deep Springs College and was an Honors graduate in film at UCLA. Roger has made 20+ nonfiction films and was an award-winning filmmaker for IBM. His film “The Inner Eye of Alexander Rutsch” won the CINE Golden Eagle Award, as did three of his other films. Roger's historical novel, Master of Alaska – based on letters and reports by Alaska’s first Russian governor, Aleksandr Baranov, and people who knew him – earned Amazon’s top reader rating. Topics *** Solve problems the Gov. Baranov way *** Solve conflicts with empathy *** Baranov's leadership secret. www.masterofalaska.com Now-96-year-old Victoria D. Schmidt wrote Victoria's 95 Secrets in response to friends' and colleagues' requests for tips for living a long, healthy, sexy life. Victoria Schmidt née Dabrowski has lived a full life. Her career path included working summers at a B&B (10 cents @hour at age 13); live-in mother’s helper ($4@7-day week); courthouse typist ($5@44-hr week); college dining room captain (meals free); bank trust accounts clerk ($15@month); model in NYC; Teen Fashion Director for Bamberger’s ($75 @week); Fashion Editor for Women’s Day Magazine ($100@week); PR Director for Owens Corning Fiberglass; PR Director for an international PR firm ($200@week); founder of her own PR firm; NJ Travel and Tourism Director responsible for "New Jersey and You: Perfect Together" campaign. Topics: Get over yourself. You can be happy if you try. *** Break the rules. Age your own way. victoriadschmidt.com

A lesson in Alutiiq language and culture about people from the Alaska Peninsula, with information about the Breath of Life workshop and the new season 18.