Indigenous Peoples have lived in Alaska for thousands of years. They have stories and names for many of the places that we recreate and live — stories that are interesting and tell something about the place that anyone can learn from. For instance, caribou once populated the Chugach Mountains and upper Ship Creek. Did you know that a battle between the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq and Dena'ina peoples happened in Kincaid Park in Anchorage? The Indigenous Place Name Project honors the names and stories by erecting monuments that highlight over 30 locations in South Central Alaska.

Hatcher Pass is a favorite area for many—from skiing and hiking to berry-picking and snowmachining—it’s a gem that is nestled in the center of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The Bomber Traverse is a hut to hut adventure that connect passes, glacier and mountain valleys to wind its way through this incredible backcountry area—even passing by the wreckage of a World War II bomber. Today I will speak with the Huts Manager of the Mountaineering Club of Alaska about their work to maintain this route—and two hikers about their experiences.

Alaskans love to take their dogs outdoors. Whether it's a walk in the local park, a run in the mountains, a ski or an outing on the water, dogs seem to be everywhere. Dogs provide companionship and a different set of eyes, ears and noses to their owner's outdoor experience. Most of the time the outings go well and everyone comes back happy, especially when the owners take care of their pets.

However, sometimes dogs, and their owners, get into trouble. They get lost, encounter a porcupine, chase animals or get injured. Other times dogs help their owners out by finding a trail back to the parking lot in a whiteout or provide a morale boost when the weather is bad.

On this Outdoor Explorer we hear from a veterinarian on how to take care of your dog and some hints on dog first aid, a story on how listening to your dog sometimes is a good idea, helpful hints for biking and hiking with your dog, and a story of finding a lost dog.