ALASKA'S NEWSPAPER

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Outdoors hot line

ASTRONOMY

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Learn about Venus

WHEN: 7-10 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Scott Girard presents a one-hour program about the 2004 Venus transit expedition to Barrow. If skies are clear, the program includes viewing the night sky. Bring your own binoculars or telescope. Children can earn junior astronomer certificate by attending six programs and completing "star notes." Ask for a punch card at the front desk.

COST: Free, $5 parking for nonmembers.

CONTACT: 694-2108; www.ernc.org

BIKING

Winter bike commuting clinic

WHEN: 7 p.m. Oct. 22

WHERE: REI, 1200 Northern Lights Blvd.

DETAILS: Learn tricks and tips for winner commuting. Gear and good routes will be covered.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 272-4565

FLORA AND FAUNA

Lean about Alaska's wolves

WHEN: 2-4 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center at the end of Eagle River Road.

DETAILS: Ed Wollert, Wolf Song of Alaska volunteer educator, leads an all-ages indoor program about wolves.

COST: Free, parking is $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108 www.ernc.org

GEAR

Fix it yourself

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: REI, 1200 Northern Lights Blvd.

DETAILS: Clinic on gear repair, including what to fix at home and what you can do in the field.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 272-4565

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Hiking Rippy Trail

WHEN: 10 a.m. today

WHERE: Trail head east of Jim Lake. Take Old Glenn Highway towards the Butte area, turning left at Maud Road. Follow the paved part of Maud Road to the end, where it turns into a gravel road. Remain on it past Mud Lake until you reach the end of the "improved" road near Jim Lake. Park at the end of the road; a rough road continues to the lakeshore -- don't go there.

DETAILS: Rippy Trail is a moderate woodland trail offering views of the Jim-Swan swamp and lakes. It involves crossing a mountain stream (bring a spare set of footwear). Goal is the upper chain lakes area, a narrow rugged area between the swamp and alpine. A little scrambling is required but nothing difficult. About 6 miles round trip, the hike takes up to five hours. Any child old enough to enjoy this is welcome. Moose, sheep, swans and other birds may be seen. Dress for rain and bring food and a camera.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Jo Clark at 376-9576

Weekly Anchorage hikes

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday

WHERE: Bicentennial Park, Abbott Loop Community Park entrance on Monday; Glen Alps trail head on Thursday

DETAILS: Alaska Outdoors weekly hikes. Monday is an easier trail, suitable for kids. Thursday is a mountain trail.

COST: $1

CONTACT: 770-0440; www.alaska-outdoors.org

Family friendly 2.5-mile hike

WHEN: 2-4 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center at the end of Eagle River Road.

DETAILS: Volunteer Liza Sanden leads a leisurely 2.5-mile hike to a cabin. This hike is perfect for families with children or anyone who appreciates a slower pace. Marshmallows will be roasted at the cabin. Space is limited, call to register.

COST: Free, $5 parking for nonmembers.

CONTACT: 694-2108 www.ernc.org

Nordic walking group

WHEN: 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Meet at Sixth Avenue and I Street

DETAILS: Enjoy mid-week, low-impact workouts with others over moderate and longer courses with varied terrain, 6:15-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays or 6:15-8:15 p.m. Thursdays throughout the year. Ages 12 and up.

COST: $5/day or pre-paid with pass or punch card

CONTACT: 343-4260

Repairing Kepler-Bradley single-track trail

WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Kepler Bradley State Park upper trail head; entrance just north of Glenn Highway

WHAT: Trail maintenance and a short re-route of single-track trails near Long Lake. Bring lunch, water, gloves, appropriate clothing and good boots. McLeods and Pulaskis will be provided; bring bow saws, leaf rakes and long handled loppers if you have them.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Mark Gronewald, 745-2453

Guided hike to The Perch

WHEN: 1-5 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Join volunteers Bob and Ann Fisher for an eight-mile round-trip hike to The Perch. The trail is fairly level with an elevation gain of 600 feet. Bring snacks and water. Call for trail conditions. Well-behaved dogs welcome.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 694-2108 www.ernc.org

KIDS

Ton's of fun for tots

WHEN: 10:30 a.m.-noon Wednesday

WHERE: Lidia Selkregg Chalet, Russian Jack Springs Park

DETAILS: Crafts and outdoor play. For ages 3-5.

COST: $4 a day

CONTACT: 343-4258; www.muni.org/parks

Junior naturalist fossil program

WHEN: 11 a.m.-noon Friday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Ages 6-12, accompanied by an adult. Participate in hands-on fun with rocks and make some "fossils" to take home. Pre-registration and a $10 refundable deposit are required.

COST: Parking, $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108 www.ernc.org

Name new Alyeska quad

WHEN: Through Nov. 10

WHERE: Alyeska Resort

DETAILS: To celebrate its new Chair 3, Alyeska Resort is offering a contest to all Alaska School District students to name the new quad chair. The winner will receive a 10-time powder pass, an overnight stay at the hotel, and be honored as the first passenger at the Nov. 24 ribbon cutting. Only one entry per student.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Fax entries to 754-2296, mail them to P.O. Box 249 Girdwood, AK 99587 (attn: Name the Lift) or e-mail them to amy@alyeskaresort.com, attaching a form found at www.alyeskaresort.com.

MEETINGS, TALKS

Mountaineering club meeting

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: First United Methodist Church, 725 W. Ninth Ave.

DETAILS: Hikes, skis, climbs and training classes are sponsored by the club. Visitors welcome. Election of officers and board members plus voting for 2009 club calendar photos will take place.

CONTACT: Sean Bolender, 830-5102

Historic Iditarod Trail presentation

WHEN: 2 p.m. Oct. 19

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Kevin Keeler, federal coordinator for the Iditarod National Historic Trail, will talk about the historic routes in the Anchorage area and describe recreation opportunities.

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

MOVIE

Alpine climber Haley offers show

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Bear Tooth Theatrepub

DETAILS: Washington alpine climber Colin Haley, 23, will present a 90-minute multimedia climbing show on his exploits. Presented by Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking, Black Diamond and the American Alpine Club, proceeds will benefit the American Alpine Club. Haley climbed difficult routes on Cerro Torre, Huntington, Robson, Denali and more last year. In June, he ascended the rarely climbed Denali Diamond (3,500 feet granite wall left of the Cassin Ridge, which continues up an additional 4,500 feet of steep snow terrain to the upper Cassin Ridge) on Mount McKinley with Mark Westman.

COST: $8, $10 reserved.

CONTACT: 276-4200; www.beartooththeatre.net/

SKIING

Nordic preseason training

WHEN: 6:45-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 1-3 p.m. Saturday; Oct. 21-Nov. 25

WHERE: Chugiak and Eagle River trails weekdays; Independence Mine on Saturdays. Register at Chugiak High pool entrance Oct. 21.

DETAILS: Dryland training weekdays; classical and skate technique Saturdays. Registration form at: www.alaskanordicracing.org and www.ernsc.org/.

COST: $75 all sessions; $50 either the Tuesday/Thursday or the Saturday sessions.

CONTACT: Daryl Farrens, 376-2169, farrens@mtaonline.net.

SPEEDSKATING

Learn to speedskate

WHEN: 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, 8:45 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Harry McDonald Ice Arena

DETAILS: Alaska Speedskating Club offers lessons. First session is free.

COST: $15

CONTACT: 345-6888

TRIATHLON

Triathlon training camp

WHEN: 10:45 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Body Transformations, 1205 Josselin Lane, Palmer

DETAILS: Train for Palmer's Colony Christmas Triathlon, which includes a 10-K bike, 5-K run and 500-yard swim. Personal trainers/triathletes Carla Goldberg and Cathy Endes help participants develop training plans and lead group training sessions.

COST: $110

CONTACT: (907) 355-1837; www.Carlas BodyTransformations.com


Site of the week

511.alaska.gov:

The road over Hatcher Pass is closed. Denali Park Road from park headquarters Mile 3 to Teklanika Rest Stop is closed because of snow. Get all the lastest winter closures here.

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