Humans Outside

Erin Kirkland's work as an Alaska travel wizard is centered not on outsides, but on Alaskans themselves. But she doesn't stop there. She's got an extra focus on the state's future stewards: kids. As the founder and author of AK On the Go, she's also worked on guide books focused on traveling the state with kids.

In this episode Erin weighs in on how playing outside makes us better as people and families, plus advice on traveling the state for residents and visitors.

Things mentioned in the show:

AK On the Go

Kesugi Ken Campground

Denali National Park

Glen Alps near Anchorage

Teenagers who don't wear enough clothes in the winter

Alaska State Parks

Alaska Families to Parks Days

Beluga Cabin, Bird Creek Campground

Turnagain Arm

4-H

Finger Lake Campground, Alaska

Toolbox of camping gear

Outdoor Families Magazine and print-offs

UnCruise

Kids to Parks Day

Becoming an Outdoor Woman

Fairbanks, Alaska

Denali Highway

Kachemak Bay

Juneau, Alaska

Alaska State Capitol

Glacier Bay, Alaska

Lupin (alpine flower)

Erin's favorite outdoor gear:

A rain jacket -- variety depends on the conditions.

Erin's most essential outdoor gear:

Teton Sports backpack: https://amzn.to/2wnkwEJ

Find Erin's website social media

AK On the Go: www.AKontheGO.com

AK on the Go Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akonthego

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akonthego/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/akonthego

Books: www.AKontheGO.com/book

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Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/

Don't forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/ Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.

Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/

How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call ‪(360) 362-5317‬.

Time in the outdoors is supposed to be full of adventure and new experiences, right? Well, sometimes.

But other times, we do the same thing over and over. When this happens, it's important to take the time to be intentional and really notice what is going on around us. Find out how Amy did this last week!

What are you doing outside?

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Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/

Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.

Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/

Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/

How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call ‪(360) 362-5317‬.

Spending time outdoors can help us heal, but what if we could use it to help others heal, too?

Elizabeth Carr has used the outdoors to help her heal from her own trauma. She also works with Back on My Feet, an organization that uses running to help the homeless, well, get back on their feet. Elizabeth tells us all about her personal journey to running and how it clears her head.

We also hear about her claim to fame: she's in the Guinness Book of World Records...but not for running.

Things mentioned in the show:

Runner's World: https://www.runnersworld.com/

Back on My Feet: https://www.backonmyfeet.org/

Elizabeth's favorite piece of outdoor gear:

Craft Hybrid weather Gloves: https://amzn.to/2uCfB1W

Elizabeth's most essential outdoor gear:

Backpack (notes from Elizabeth in quotes): "Actually a cycling bag but I use it for running because of the lumbar cushion, chest strap and waist strap and the fact that it is 100 percent waterproof made of dry bag material!"

https://www.provizsports.com/en-us/reflect360-waterproof-dry-bag-1694.html

Follow Back on My Feet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backonmyfeet/

Affiliate links included above.

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Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/

Don't forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/ Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.

Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/

How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call ‪(360) 362-5317‬.

How does Amy celebrate? By getting outside, of course! This week's adventures included a lot of little pockets of the outdoors between life, as well as hitting the slopes with the family, and a mountain run. Yes, a mountain.

Mentioned in this week's episode:

Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System: https://www.rei.com/product/890608/kahtoola-microspikes-traction-system

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Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/

Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.

Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/

Connect with us on Facebook: https://humansoutside.com/

How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call ‪(360) 362-5317‬.

One moment she was riding high off taking gold in nordic skiing at the olympics, a first for the U.S., and the next she was receiving a breast cancer diagnosis.

But Kikkan Randall doesn't take life's challenges lying down. Not only did she fight cancer, she did so while staying active, proving that spending time outside and moving your body isn't just possible no matter what, it's necessary.

Kikkan joined us on The Humans Outside Podcast to talk nature therapy, kid raising, fighting cancer, body image and even a sneak peak on what's next for her.

Things mentioned in the show:

Happy Socks, designed by Kikkan during her cancer fight and made by Darn Tough: https://shop.kikkan.com/

Kikkan's favorite piece of outdoor gear:

Her cross country skis (surprise!), Fischer Speedmax 3D Skate Plus: https://www.fischersports.com/ca_en/speedmax-3d-skate-plus-1172?c=4925

Kikkan's most essential outdoor gear:

LL Bean Neoshell Jacket (designed with her help!): https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/91143?page=womens-beans-neoshell-jacket-color-block-misses

Bonus! Kikkan's LL Bean page: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/517974?page=kikkan-randall&nav=C4t517974-517973

Follow Kikkan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kikkanimal/

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Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/

Don't forget to follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/ Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/

How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call ‪(360) 362-5317‬.

It's easy to stick to the easy when the weather is already hard. This week outdoor time included something a little different: a snowshoe race.

Mentioned in the show:Snowshoe racing: http://www.snowshoeracing.com/

These are Amy's snowshoes (but an older model): https://www.rei.com/product/107172/atlas-run-snowshoes

This week's Real Outdoor Hero is the Solomon Spikecross 5 GTX running shoe (only comes in mens): https://amzn.to/36YaztU

Affiliate links above.

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Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/

Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/ Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/

How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call ‪(360) 362-5317‬.

A cruise isn't exactly the most ideal way to spend time in nature, but it IS warm. People always ask how we deal with the darkness in Alaska. Finding some sun is key.

But a cruise isn't all we did during our thaw-out trip to Florida. Listen to hear it all.

Mentioned in this week's episode:

Canaveral National Seashore: https://www.nps.gov/cana/index.htm

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Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/

Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/ Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/

How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call ‪(360) 362-5317‬.

It's no secret that spending time outside can help people process traumatic experiences. But about literally walking off a war? And what about doing it with your husband or wife?Wella and Justin Jay, Army veterans who now call Alaska home, did exactly that in 2017 with the help of the organization Warrior Expeditions. In today's episode, the couple reflects on how journeying through the wilderness not only helped them work through the experiences of service overseas, but also brought them closer as a couple and back to "normal" society.

Things mentioned in the show:

"Barefoot Sisters:" https://amzn.to/2SVbtUB

"A Walk in the Woods" https://amzn.to/37zVeQQ

Warrior Expeditions: https://warriorexpeditions.org/

Justin and Wella's favorite piece of outdoor gear:

Big Agnus Fly Creek HV UL two-person backpacking tent

https://amzn.to/37DUmuz

Their most essential outdoor gear:

Justin: Chocolate (listen to the show to find out why)

Wella: Biodegradable baby wipes https://amzn.to/37yp9Jg

Affiliate links included above.

How are we spending time outside?

Outdoor time this week wasn't exactly, well, ideal. It was really cold and it included my first-ever marathon DNF -- did not finish. So what's THAT like? Listen for more.

Mentioned in this week's episode:

Anchorage's Frosty Bottom Marathon: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=72494

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Register for our newsletter for a chance to win a free Humans Outside decal: https://humansoutside.com/contact-us/

Follow @HumansOutside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansoutside/ Share your own outdoor life with the hashtag #humansoutside365.

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumansOutside/

How are you spending your outdoor time? Leave us a message and we might feature you on our weekly Outdoor Diary episode. Call ‪(360) 362-5317‬.