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What happens when a major regional newspaper decides the outdoors deserves its own seat at the table? Randolph sits down with Mark Baumgarten, outdoors editor at the Minnesota Star Tribune, Travis Tufte from business development, and Lauren Pahl from brand and events marketing to talk outdoor journalism, community building, and the return of Star Tribune Unbound on May 9th.

What we cover:

• How the Star Tribune reorganized its outdoor desk three years ago — pulling hunting and fishing, outdoor recreation, and conservation into one coordinated team
• The editorial/sales divide that makes an event like Unbound possible, and why that separation matters
• What drove the idea for Unbound, including the gap left by Midwest Mountaineering's event and inspiration from the Great Lakes Outdoor Summit
• The issues the outdoor desk is tracking right now: the federal mining ban near the Boundary Waters, water quality, and duck population concerns heading into hunting season

What to expect at Unbound on May 9th:

• Live podcast recordings, including an episode of The Dirtbag Diaries
• Camp cooking demos with Chef Gustavo Romero and Nate P of Shore Lunch with Nate P
• Fire starting, bike riding, canoe portaging, and other hands-on activations
• The possible Twin Cities debut of dead fish polo (yes, really — Sanborn Canoe is bringing it)
• Over 2,500 attendees expected at the Trailhead in Minneapolis

Breakout hits from year one: Birding walks were among the most popular activities — multiple attendees said it sparked a new hobby. Settlers of Catan also made a surprise appearance.

Star Tribune Unbound takes place May 9th at the Trailhead at Theodore Wirth. For more information, see HERE. 

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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This episode is for the wonks out there. Outdoor recreation is a massive economic powerhouse in MN. It eclipses a number of traditional industries and yet few people (except for those of us who are rec nerds) understand the scale of the impact. 

Every year the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis releases data quantifying the impact of the outdoor recreation industry. 

The 2025 release was published on March 5, 2026 (don't ask, long story). As always the report supplied us with a wealth of data to tell the story of the value of our outdoor recreation industry. 

In this episode we sit down with Chris Perkins, Vice President of Programs at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). Chris is an expert on outdoor recreation economic development. He is the perfect person to provide a clear picture of what exactly the latest data means for MN. 

If you're interested in the value of outdoor recreation, or just curious about why outdoor recreation is considered such a success story, now and into the future, this is an episode for you. 

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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What do New Mexico sand dunes, a snowmobile trail in International Falls, and single track in Cuyuna have in common? They're all part of the wild origin story of fat tire biking — and Minnesota is at the center of all of it.

In this episode we trace the fat tire bike from its scrappy beginnings as a 60-pound Franken-bike prototype to a legitimate winter sport that's reshaping communities across the state.

You'll hear from:

David Gabrys, Founder/Brand Director of 45 North at Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) — the largest bicycle parts distributor in North America — on how Surly's Pugsley brought fat biking to the masses, and how 45 North's pioneering studded tire technology opened up winter trails for good.

Stephen Regenold, founder of Gear Junkie and reportedly the first journalist in America to ride a Pugsley prototype — including a brutal Arrowhead 135 attempt in 2006, in the dark, at 20 below zero, on a bike that felt like a motorcycle.

Aaron Hautala, the "unofficial Mayor of Cuyuna Adventure Town" who helped grow the area from 25 miles of trail to 70, and who worked with the Minnesota DNR to launch one of the first groomed fat tire singletrack systems in the country — turning Cuyuna into a year-round outdoor recreation destination.

Topics covered include: the desert-to-snowbelt origin story of fat tire tech, how groomed singletrack changed everything, Cuyuna's model for building a winter economy, the e-bike frontier, climate change and shifting winter seasons, and tips for first-time buyers.

Key takeaway: Fat biking didn't just create a new sport. In communities like Cuyuna, it turned off-season into on-season — and empty main streets into something that looks like a mountain town out west.

Explore Minnesota More is produced by the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership (ORIP), a collaboration of the Minnesota DNR, DEED, Explore Minnesota Tourism, and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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Episode Overview

What separates a community that has outdoor recreation from one that is defined by it? That's the question at the heart of this special episode, recorded live at world famous Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference 2026.

Host Randolph Briley — Director of Minnesota's Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership (ORIP) — facilitates a conversation with three practitioners who have done the hard, on-the-ground work of turning outdoor assets into lasting community identity. The panel explores two case studies: the USA Cycling Gravel National Championships in La Crescent/La Crosse, and the transformation of Minnesota's Iron Range into one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the country.

Guests

A.J. Frels — Executive Director, Explore La Crosse; led the community bid process for the USA Cycling Gravel National Championships

James Longhurst — Professor of History, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; volunteer bike advocate and architect of the La Crescent/Driftless gravel route library

Pete Kero — Engineer and community champion behind the Iron Range's mountain bike trail system, including the Redhead, Tioga, and Giants Ridge parks

Key Takeaways

• Outdoor recreation gives people a reason to show up. Placemaking gives them a reason to return.
• Casual outdoor recreation participation has now surpassed core participation for the first time — and casual recreators gravitate toward strong placemaking.
• You don't build a destination by building a trail. You build it with intentionality, scale, and community buy-in.
• Find your "champagne of gravel" — the unique asset your community is sitting on — and leverage it.
• Community champions are your most valuable resource. They're usually working for free.

Full Video Want to see the slides? A link to the full session recording is available HERE.

About ORIP The Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership (ORIP) is a four-agency collaboration between the DNR, DEED, Explore Minnesota Tourism, and IRRR. Learn more at HERE.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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Episode Summary

What does it take to resurrect a ski hill that's been dormant for 15 years? In this episode, we sit down with the owner of Steeplechase Ski Area — a Rochester native who grew up racing snowmobiles on this very property, walked away from a career in roofing and real estate, and quietly turned an overgrown, animal-inhabited building on 172 acres into one of Southeast Minnesota's most talked-about winter destinations.

It's a story about patience, snowmaking, and what happens when a community finally gets its ski hill back.

In This Episode

• How Steeplechase started as a wedding venue and stumbled into snow tubing — and why that gamble paid off bigger than anyone expected
• Why holiday break is "the Super Bowl" for Midwest ski hills, and how missing it twice in a row was enough to sink the original operation
• The "Super Hill" — a tubing run so long it required custom-designed tubes and safety testing before the public could ride it
• What it actually takes to bring a chairlift back from the dead: miles of pipe, miles of electrical, and a whole lot of disassembly
• How the Rochester community is still discovering Steeplechase exists — even three seasons into its ski hill revival

Guest

Justin Steck, the owner of Steeplechase Ski Area, Rochester, MN. Born and raised in Rochester. Former professional snowmobile racer. Reformed roofer and real estate investor. Now: full-time ski hill operator.

Why This Matters

Steeplechase is more than a nostalgia project. It's a case study in what outdoor recreation access looks like for mid-size cities that aren't Minneapolis or Duluth. Rochester — home to Mayo Clinic and one of the fastest-growing metros in the state — had zero lift-served skiing within an hour's drive for over 15 years. Getting that back matters for families, schools, and the winter economy of Southeast Minnesota.

It also raises a broader question this podcast cares about: What does it mean for a community when outdoor recreation infrastructure disappears — and what does it take to bring it back?

Explore Minnesota More is produced by the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership (ORIP). New episodes explore the people, places, and ideas shaping outdoor recreation across the state.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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What happens when a group of underground ice climbers — who spent decades wondering if their next visit to an abandoned quarry might be their last — decide to stop waiting and start organizing? You get one of the most remarkable outdoor recreation comeback stories in Minnesota.

 In this episode, we head to Duluth to explore Quarry Park (also known as Casket Quarry), a former gravel mine turned beloved city park and world-class ice climbing destination. We’re joined by Dave Pagel, a Duluth-based writer and outdoor advocate who’s been climbing at the quarry since 1978, and Hansi Johnson, Engagement Director for the Minnesota Land Trust, who helped orchestrate the public-private partnership that made the park a reality.

Together, they trace the quarry’s journey from industrial eyesore to neighborhood hangout to legitimate, nationally recognized ice and mixed climbing venue — and share the near-miss moments that almost derailed it all.

 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The quarry’s fascinating history — From its origins as the Duluth Stone Company in the early 1900s, to decades as a neighborhood party spot, to an informal climbing destination discovered in the late 1970s — including how the “Casket Quarry” nickname came to be.
• How a ragtag climbing community became an organized coalition — The story of how the Duluth Climbers Coalition (DCC) formed as a 501(c)(3) in 2015, galvanized by the Saint Louis River Corridor Initiative and $18 million in state funding.
• The critical moments that almost ended it all — Hansi recounts four pivotal junctures where the project could have collapsed: getting DCC to formally organize, discovering the quarry was split between the county and a cemetery association (who didn’t even know they owned it), navigating years of liability concerns, and finding an obscure 19th-century pipe that was the only legal way to route water to the park.
• The ice farming innovation that’s changing the sport — Quarry Park’s smartphone-controlled ice farming system can be operational in three hours rather than the days it takes elsewhere — and as a bonus, actually gave the surrounding neighborhood better water pressure than it had ever had before.
• A park for everyone, not just climbers — How community input expanded the vision to include disc golf (drawing players from as far as Nebraska), hiking trail connections to the Duluth Traverse, dog walking, foraging, and more.

Key Organizations & Resources Mentioned

• Duluth Climbers Coalition (DCC) — The nonprofit partner that helped transform Quarry Park. Their signature annual event, the Duluth Ice and Mix Fest, draws climbers from across the region each February.
• Minnesota Land Trust — Hansi’s organization, which played a central role in the public-private partnership process.
• The Access Fund — The national climbing access organization that provided critical legal guidance throughout the liability negotiations.
• COGGS (Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores) — Duluth’s mountain bike trail-building organization, whose success inspired the city to invest in other outdoor recreation opportunities.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with someone who loves the outdoors. Until next time, we’ll see you outside.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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Winter in Minnesota isn’t something to survive—it’s something to explore. In this first-ever Listener Questions episode of Explore Minnesota More, host Randolph Briley, Deputy Director at Explore Minnesota, answers questions from listeners across the state who are curious about trying new winter activities for the first time.

From ice climbing and ice fishing to Nordic skiing, cold plunging, fat tire biking, and winter camping, this episode breaks down the basics—what gear you need, how to stay safe, and why Minnesota is one of the best places in the country to embrace winter recreation.

Whether you’re brand new to winter outdoor adventures or just looking for a little confidence boost, this episode is designed to make winter feel more approachable, more fun, and a lot less intimidating.

❄️ Topics Covered

• Ice Climbing: Where beginners can start, how safe it is, and why technique matters more than strength
• Ice Fishing: Minimum gear, ice safety basics, and why it’s about more than catching fish
• Nordic (Cross-Country) Skiing: Classic vs. skate skiing, beginner-friendly trails, and rental options
• Cold Plunge: Why people do it, how to stay safe, and what to wear
• Fat Tire Biking: Why Minnesota is the birthplace of fat biking and where to ride
• Winter Camping: How to ease into it, essential gear, and why it’s worth trying at least once

🧊 Key Takeaway

Minnesota winter opens the door to unforgettable experiences. With the right information—and the right mindset—anyone can find a winter activity that fits their comfort level and sense of adventure.

👉 Start planning your next winter outing at Explore Minnesota or the Minnesota DNR, where you’ll find trip ideas, events, trail info, and beginner resources.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, share it with a friend, and join us next time as we continue exploring the people, places, and experiences that make Minnesota special.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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In this episode, we sit down with the inspiring team behind She Ascends, a fast-growing women’s hiking and wellness community that started right here in Minnesota and has already expanded across the Upper Midwest. Founder Mindi Jenson and Central Region Lead Jamie Broll share the origin story of She Ascends, how a few solo hikes sparked a thriving movement, and why building community on the trail matters now more than ever.

From the first few meet-ups to glacier hikes in Iceland, She Ascends is proof that outdoor recreation creates connection, belonging, confidence, and joy. Mindi and Jamie talk about combating loneliness, creating judgment-free spaces for women, and the powerful friendships that form mile after mile. Whether you’re joining your first 1-mile county-park hike or traveling across the country on a “big adventure,” She Ascends offers a welcoming, supportive space for every woman at every skill level.

You’ll also hear how their weekend adventures, wellness retreats, and regional community hubs are transforming the way women show up for themselves — and for each other — through nature.

In This Episode:

• The personal journey that sparked the creation of She Ascends
• Why community, belonging, and judgment-free spaces matter
• How hiking becomes a gateway to confidence, wellness, and new experiences
• The beauty of Minnesota’s trails, parks, and unexpected hidden gems
• What it means to build a community of women through shared outdoor experiences
• How to join your first hike — and why your tennis shoes are good enough

If You Enjoyed This Episode:
🍃 Subscribe to Explore Minnesota More so you never miss a new story
🍃 Share this episode with someone who could use a welcoming outdoor community
🍃 Leave us a review — it helps more listeners discover the joy of Minnesota’s outdoors

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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In this episode of Explore Minnesota More we sit down with Brad Gausman and Julia Schrenkler from the Minnesota Conservation Federation to explore the Women in Conservation Leadership Program.

The initiative is designed to give women a welcoming entry point into hunting, outdoor recreation, and conservation leadership — combining classroom learning with hands-on field experiences, including an upcoming pheasant hunt in Renville County.

Through this conversation, you’ll hear how the program is:

• Breaking down barriers for women entering the outdoors
• Building confidence, mentorship, and lifelong community
• Connecting participants directly to Minnesota’s conservation legacy
• Showing how hunting, stewardship, and habitat protection are deeply intertwined

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsperson or brand new to the field, this episode is an inspiring look at how inclusive programs can strengthen both conservation and community in Minnesota.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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In this episode, we head to Lake City—where it all began—to explore the invention and evolution of waterskiing in Minnesota. Host Randolph Briley sits down with Betsy Anderson Gilman, competitive barefoot skier and board member of the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation, to discuss how one Minnesotan’s curiosity forever changed recreation on the water. From Ralph Samuelson’s first wooden skis on Lake Pepin to barefoot competitions in France, Betsy shares the sport’s remarkable journey and her own lifelong love affair with the water.

Key Topics:

• How Ralph Samuelson invented waterskiing on Lake Pepin in 1922
• The role of Minnesota’s lakes in shaping modern water sports
• The golden age of water-ski shows and innovation at Cypress Gardens
• The enduring joy of barefoot skiing and its global community
• Teaching the next generation to ski — and why it matters

Why Listen:
Whether you’re a lifelong boater or just someone who loves Minnesota’s lakes, this episode dives into one of the state’s proudest recreational inventions — and reminds us why getting out on the water never goes out of style.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake