Alaska News

Outdoors hotline (2/7/12)

ONGOING

Denali winter hiking: 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Murie Science and Learning Center, Mile 1.3 Parks Road, Denali National Park and Preserve. Park rangers invite the public to join them in exploring the park on weekend hikes this winter. The hikes will be on snowshoes when snow conditions are favorable. A limited number of snowshoes are available but it's best to bring your own. The hikes will last 2-3 hours. Bring lunch or snacks. Hikes will not take place if temperatures are colder than 10 below. $10 per person, good for seven days. Ages 15 or younger are free. (www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/winter-activities.htm, 907-683-9532)

2012 Yukon River Quest: Registration is now being accepted for the Yukon River Quest, to be held June 27-July 1. The 438-mile wilderness adventure paddling race is held on the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City in Canada's Yukon Territory. Entry forms are available at YukonRiverQuest.com. The entry fee is $850 for tandem canoes and kayaks, $475 for solo canoes and kayaks and $250 per person for voyageur canoe teams of six or more paddlers. Entry deadline is May 15. Teams are encouraged to register early. Limit of 100 canoe and kayak teams, including a limit of 30 solo teams.

Ski chariots available for loan: The Mat-Su Ski Club has four cross-country ski chariots to loan out to Mat-Su Valley parents with small children so families can go skiing together. The club has two single-passenger chariots and two, two-passenger chariots. The chariots have skis, seat belts, a pole system and waistband for the parent to hook into. Made possible through a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. (745-4190, glynn@mtaonline.net)

Cross-country ski training: Alaska Nordic Racing offers lessons for all abilities. Programs range from middle and high school to adult master ski programs, taking place at the Beach Lake Trails in Eagle River and Kincaid and Service in Anchorage. Sessions also include waxing, technique, training and equipment selection. (376-2169, AlaskaNordicRacing.org)

MOA cross-country ski lessons: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Kincaid Outdoor Center, 9401 Raspberry Road. Learn to cross-country ski in a group lesson. Lessons are offered in both skate and classic techniques for children and adults. Lessons are held at Kincaid Park and Russian Jack Springs Park on a weekly basis. Pre-registration is required. (343-4217, muni.org/parks)

WEDNESDAY

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Wildlife Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., Alaska Zoo Gateway Building, 4731 O'Malley Road. Dominique Watts, biologist with the Alaska Peninsula and Becharof National Wildlife Refuges, will discuss the ecology of wolves in southwest Alaska. Free. (346-2858, www.alaskazoo.org/lectures-and-talks-0)

THURSDAY

Backcountry Film Festival, 6:30 p.m., APU Grant Hall Theater, 4101 University Drive. The show will present nine different films with an intermission. Check out the silent auction, raffle and free swag. All proceeds benefit the Alaska Avalanche School. $15, $10 for students with ID. (345-0878, www.alaskaavalanche.com)

Alaska outdoors weekly hiking, 6:30 p.m., Kincaid Outdoor Center, 9401 Raspberry Road. Join other outdoor enthusiasts for a challenging hike. Meeting location changes each week. $1 for non-members. (770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org)

"Adventures For the Cure: The Doc," 8 p.m., Bear Tooth Theatre Pub, 1230 W. 27th Ave. This film won the People's Choice award at the Beloit International Film Festival and is narrated by three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond. There will be prizes and incentives for Tour de Cure. $3.50. (adventuresforthecure.com/movie/movie.html)

FRIDAY

Tying salmon flies, 6-9 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Fireweed Lane and Arctic Blvd. A 9-hour fly tying class where participants will learn to tie a variety of flies for salmon fishing. Basic fly tying skills are required. This is not a class for beginners. All equipment and materials are provided. $125. (274-7113, www.womensflyfishing.net)

SATURDAY

Wilderness first responder, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m., Alaska Pacific University, 4101 University Drive. This intense 9-day class will help participants be more prepared to deal with medical emergencies in Alaska's backcountry. Course includes lectures, case studies, labs, and field scenarios. $600, includes all books, lab fees, and certification. (696-3490, debajango@att.net; www.safetyed.net)

Speed skating, 8:45 -10:15 a.m., McDonald Center, 13701 Harry McDonald Road. A fast, fun, family activity. Great cross-training for hockey players, cross-country skiers and bikers. All ages and abilities welcome. First time free. $15 thereafter. (522-2838, alaskaspeedskating.com)

Alaska Sports Car Lions Club Ice Racing Championship 2011-2012, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., ASCLC Ice Racing Track, Big Lake South State Recreation Site. Any street legal car can enter the race. $60. (www.aksportscarclub.org)

ADFG Basic Reloading for Centerfire Rifle Clinic, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 11, Rabbit Creek Shooting Park, 15222 Seward Highway. Learn how to safely reload centerfire cartridges. All materials are included in the course fee. Pre registration is required. $20. (267-2534, 267-2187; www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntered.hitcalendar)

Ski 4 Kids, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Kincaid Park, Raspberry Road. Bring your kids for a fun day of nordic skiing and fitness. Also try snowshoeing, sitskiing, skijoring, and participate in fun events for all ages. Parks and Recreation and REI will have equipment for youths to borrow. Register online or at the Kincaid Chalet that morning. Donation will support youth skiing. (www.anchoragenordicski.com/)

Exxon Mobil Open Sled Dog Races, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Tozier Track, 3400 E. Tudor Road. A family friendly event. Free to the public. Leave the family pet at home. Saturdays race will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Watch representatives from the 6 branches of the service race for glory. There will be tents with food and beverages (562-2235, www.asdra.org)

Golf on Ice tournaments, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Palmer Elks Lodge No. 1842, 2600 N. Barrys Resort Drive. A nine-hole course with a shotgun start on Finger Lake. There are two tournaments. One is daytime golf on ice and the other is neon golf at night. $25 for one event or $40 for both. Food and beverages will be served. (242-1865, www.palmerelks.org)

Yearning for Yurts guided hike, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. A 5.8-mile round trip guided hike to tour the center's yurts, including a new site on the Crow Pass trail. Hot dogs and chips provided. The hike is good for all hikers. Bring a daypack with snacks, water and warm layers. Snowshoes ar ice cleats may be needed. Must be 18 years or older. Call to register. Free, $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

Westchester Lagoon family skate, 1-3 p.m., Westchester Lagoon, U Street and W. 15th Avenue. Strap on your skates and join the Sweetheart Skate. Free hot chocolate, music and games. Free. (343-4495, www.muni.org/Departments/parks/Pages/WestchesterLagoonFamilySkate.aspx)

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SUNDAY

AMH Kincaid Classic Skijor Race & Tour, noon registration, Kincaid Park on the Green, 9401 Raspberry Road. One- and two-dog class 10-K race start at 1:30 p.m. One-dog. 5-K Le Mans Mass at 3 p.m. followed by a tour of the course and banquet. $20 race, $10 tour, $17 banquet. (349-9663, www.skijoring.org)

Guided Family Friendly Sunset Hike, 4 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. A leisurely afternoon hike of about two miles, with hot chocolate afterward. Limited to the first 16 people who call to register. Sleds OK. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

MONDAY

Alaska outdoors weekly hiking, 6:30 p.m., Selkregg Chalet/Russian Jack Springs Park, 1600 Lidia Selkregg Lane. Monday outings are for beginners and families. Meeting location changes each week. $1 for non-members. (770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org)

COMING UP

Ice Fest Comp & Clinics, 2-10 p.m., Alaska Rock Gym, 4840 Fairbanks St. The annual Alaska Ice Climbing Festival will be partly held at Alaska Rock Gym on Feb. 17, with ice climbing mini-skill-builders, gear demos and a dry-tool comps. Spectators free. Outdoor climbing clinics will be held Feb. 18. Space fills quickly at this popular event. $80. ((907) 783-0505, www.akicefest.com)

Alaska Outdoor Council Banquet & Auction, 4:30 p.m. Feb. 18, Egan Center, 555 W. Fifth Ave. Fundraising dinner with live and silent auctions, "wall of guns" raffles, dessert auction, general raffles, ladies "fur rose" raffle, and door prizes. $65. (229-4710, www.alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org)

To submit an event, go to events.adn.com and click on "add to our listings." To view a full listing of all available events, go to events.adn.com.

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