The Last Frontier Podcast

Kayak guides still need to keep their legs in shape and Alaska has plenty of hiking trails to occupy us in our off time. On today's episode, we highlight the Johnson Pass trail by discussing its origin story as part of the first road to Seward and its current iteration as a trail used for recreational purposes. How many days were men required to help build the Alaska road system? What is the best way to hitchhike a through hike with one car? And how does Andrew judge his ambers?! It's the episode you'll want to listen to the very end for!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Otter Bay Amber by Grace Ridge Brewing Company  [https://www.graceridgebrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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Alaska is big country and hiking it can provide memories that will last a life time. On today's episode, your professional sea kayak guiding podcast hosts trade in their paddles for some trekking poles and dish out their top tips for hiking in the Last Frontier. Learn about Leave No Trace (LNT) principles along the way and get a few recommendations of our favorite hikes. What is the origin of the word vista? How is bear spray different from bug spray? And why would you keep your poop in a bag?! It's the episode freedom rings for!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Black Ice Black IPA by Magnetic North Brewing Company  [https://magneticnorthbrewingco.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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This is a tribute episode to an incredible dog that recently passed away. Danny said goodbye to his 14 year old Siberian Husky several months ago and so your favorite Alaskan Bald Eagles decided to dedicated a podcast episode on the famous dogs of Alaska to Zoe in her memory. We discuss some of the dog breeds that Alaska is known for and highlight a couple of iconic individual dogs who have been immortalized for their heroic actions. What's the difference between a Siberian and Alaskan Husky? How did an Alaskan dog breed help win both World Wars? And do Alaskan dogs make good baby sitters?! It's the episode we might have cried a bit through while recording. We miss you Zoe!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Husky IPA by Alaskan Brewing Company  [https://www.alaskanbeer.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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Shark month continues here at The Last Frontier Podcast as we finish up our two part shark month mini-series with a deeper dive into the salmon shark. Expert sharkologist Emma Campbell rejoins the podcast to share her insights into yet another shark species that likes to call Alaska home. How are these sharks similar to mammals? How do these animals regulate their body temperature? And do salmon sharks actually eat salmon?! It's the episode you'll want to take a bite out of!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Day Drinker by Alpenglow Brewery  [https://www.alpenglowbrewery.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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While the rest of the world may be celebrating shark week later this month, we do things bigger and better in Alaska and so today kicks off our July two episode Shark Month mini-series! Yes, we do have sharks up here in the Last Frontier and we invite our favorite sharkologist Emma Campbell on the program today to discuss one of the more mysterious species we have swimming in our waters...the sleeper shark. What ridiculous age can sleeper sharks live up to? What range of animals have sleeper sharks been found to have predated upon? And why can you probably see better than a sleeper shark?! It's the episode that will have you wanting to get a bigger boat!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Little Odyssey India Pale Ale by Valdez Brewing  [https://valdezbrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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Today's episode continues our look into the cruise ship industry by focusing on the expedition style of cruising one can embark on in Alaskan waters. Friend of the pod Jared Fink joins us today as he works as part of the expedition crew for one of the companies that runs expedition style cruises in Alaska. He shares his insights on the more untraditional side of the cruise ship scene up here in the Last Frontier. Why are expedition cruises more common in colder climates? Is it really possible to live on board a cruise ship? And do people from the Pixar WALL-E universe already exist?! It's the episode you might turn posh after!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Honey Porter by Grace Ridge Brewing  [https://www.graceridgebrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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Over half of tourists that visit Alaska do so via the cruise ship industry. There are many types of ships that cruise the Alaskan waters including your traditional large style cruise ships and your untraditional smaller expedition style cruise ships. With today's episode, we embark on a two episode mini-series highlighting both styles of Alaskan cruises starting today by interviewing Kat Sorensen, executive director of the Seward, Alaska Chamber of Commerce, about her experience sailing through the inside passage from Seward to Vancouver on the Norwegian Jewel. What makes the Alaska cruise scene so unique? How do you win best couple on a cruise? And how close was Kat to being the first person to poop in Danny's new nest?! It's the episode you'll double down on at your cruise ship's blackjack table!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Piña Colada by Turnagain Brewing  [https://www.turnagainbrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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The road less traveled up to Alaska is umm well, the road. Most visitors to the Last Frontier State come by cruise ship or plane, but few make the journey through Canada via the ALCAN...or the Alaska Canada Highway. What started as an idea to discuss top travel on a budget tips to Alaska via the road systems essentially turned into an anecdotal story time of the road trips we've ventured on using this incredibly beautiful way to see some of the most remote parts of Alaska and Canada. Friend of the pod Jared is fresh off his return trip on the ALCAN to add his insights as well to maybe, just maybe entice you to road trip up the next time you visit. How many miles is the ALCAN? Can a Buick make the trek? And how might poutine add some time to your travels? It's the episode you'll blast on your next road trip!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Brute by Valdez Brewing  [http://valdezbrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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Ladies and gentlemen...the moment you all have been waiting for! We traditionally kick off each episode with an Alaskan beer review, but we have often joked about reviewing an authentic Alaskan wine and well, today is that day! We have a jam packed program to celebrate recording our 75th podcast episode. We kick off the pod with a winter recap, jump into a beer review gifted to us by our friends of the michiana Beer Reviewers and then say hello to Stephanie Millane who joins us for our first ever Alaskan wine review before she shares her annual update of the ongoings of our main sponsor of this podcast, Sunny Cove Kayaking. What licenses did your podcast hosts receive this winter? What's new in the world of Sunny Cove Kayaking? And does wine come in more than just a box?! It's the episode you'll cork a bottle of wine for!

Alaskan Wine of the Week: Red Raspberry by Glacier Bear Winery [https://www.bearcreekwinery.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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We bit off more than we could chew last episode which is great news for you the listener as you get a Part 2 of our Alaska terminology episode! Continue on with us as we further our deep dive into terms unique to the Last Frontier state of Alaska. What is the correct pronunciation of snow mobile? What is the best stuff to wipe with in the Alaskan wilderness? And how do you win an award named after the bone of a walrus penis?! It's the episode you should listen to while snacking on some Muktuk!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Blue and Bronze by St. Elias Brewing Company [https://www.steliasbrewingco.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

Support the show