Culture
40: From Instagram to Alaska - Building Queer Outdoor Community
In this episode of LGBTQ Outdoors, hosts Justin Yoder, Patrick Thompson, and Justin Dicley share their experiences from a transformative trip to Alaska, where they explored the beauty of the outdoors ...
40: From Instagram to Alaska - Building Queer Outdoor Community
Culture •
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Interactive Transcript
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Then once we got out on the water, we were told that we needed practice falling out.
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You're like what?
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I just started with that.
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We're doing some purposes.
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What do you do when you come out as LGBTQ and love the outdoors?
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What do you do when you see outdoor spaces ruled by older white cis men in desire a diverse
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community of outdoor lovers?
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Accept it. Change it. Create it.
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I am Justin Yoder and this is LGBTQ Outdoors.
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Welcome to the LGBTQ Outdoors Podcast. I am Justin Yoder and I am here with Patrick Thompson.
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Hey everybody. And Justin Dicley.
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Hi yo.
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This is a really special episode and unusual episode.
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If you're listening, wherever you're listening and not actually seeing the video,
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we're in beautiful Alaska right now.
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Just finished up our Alaska adventure trip.
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We are fighting all flies.
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If you're watching on YouTube and you see a swanning, that's why.
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But the team is busy packing up and we wanted to chat a little bit about the trip.
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I like everybody know about it.
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What did you all thought, Patrick?
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Okay. So you all went on or you all had this trip sort of proof of concept last year and I had major, major FOMO.
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You know, you're sending me like picture look at us on the river and the mountains.
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Like holy crap.
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So when this came up again, I knew I had to come and never been to Alaska before.
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And so getting to see just all of Alaska and the mountains and the snow caps in July and like the 60 degree weather in July coming from Texas.
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Yeah.
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But is Zillions of new experiences getting to meet the rest of the team, most of whom I hadn't met before.
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She has like what an incredible experience.
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And like I already want to come back.
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Awesome.
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Yeah.
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Justin, you live here.
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I do.
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You're an ambassador.
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You are our partnership coordinator.
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Tell everybody where we're at for those that are listening or even what does they're watching right now.
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Where are we right now?
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Yeah, we're at the Alaska Huts Manitoba Yurts.
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This is the Manitoba cabin right next to us.
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They were nice enough to give us a huge discount to make this trip more affordable for people and make it more accessible.
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And that's been really cool.
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We've got some sweet yurts that people are able to crash in and get comfortable.
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They've got wood burning stows and all that stuff.
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And we've got a kitchen in here.
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And this creek that we can hear in the background.
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Everybody's been doing cold plungers and stuff and hanging out in the sauna.
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It really doesn't get much better when it comes to spending time outside and alasding.
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No kidding.
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And it's just like the views.
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Like looking all around, we got mountains surrounding us too.
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It's just absolutely gorgeous.
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Can we talk about cold plunger a quick?
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It's cold and cold doesn't quite describe it in the hurts.
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Yeah, it's so cold that hurts.
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But also like, and we had like camping showers set up.
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But like you're hiking your pack rafting your moving stuff around camp.
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Like you get a little bit funky and so I was like, I'm going to do the cold plunger bath.
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And just to see I did it.
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And who I was making noises that I've never made.
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It was intense.
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But like still cool experience getting down there.
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And you have like the rapids like pretty strong rapids maybe like 20 feet away to where I'm jumping in.
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But most everybody was doing that.
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I don't know if you know you didn't.
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I did not.
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I helped fill up some water out of the river the first day.
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And my hand hurt after being about in the water for 15 seconds.
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I'm like, I don't want my whole body in this.
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So I did not.
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You and I did most of the planning for this trip.
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Yeah.
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Talk a little bit about about that.
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And like what people experience.
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Because we had 18 people come together from all across the US.
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Yeah.
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Which was insane.
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Because we had what six last year.
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So it was amazing.
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Huge jump.
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This year last year was just pack rafting.
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This year we did pack rafting and hiking.
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So share a little bit about the planning of the trip.
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Why we did it that way.
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And then we also want to explain what pack rafting is.
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Because I think a lot of people probably don't even know.
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Yeah.
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So I think splitting it up was a huge.
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I think that was a great idea in a lot of ways.
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Giving people the opportunity to explore Alaska in different avenues.
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It is a wonderful way to make it more accessible to people.
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And yeah.
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I mean, it made it possible to bring as many people as we did.
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It would have been a lot smaller group before trying to keep a small enough number to keep everybody on the river.
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And manage all of that in one spot.
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Pack rafting.
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Just kind of major access tool.
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Like it gets us out into the backcountry on rivers that we wouldn't otherwise be able to.
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So throwing all of our stuff, our boat, the packs down like this big inflatable whitewater kayak kind of thing.
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How much for those that are listening, how much do those way when they're all packed down?
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Yeah.
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So for like a two or three overnight, my backpack is usually around 50, 55 pounds with all my pack wrapped in all that stuff in it.
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The alpaca rafts generally are somewhere between five and 11 pounds for the raft itself.
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And that's the big benefit between like an inflatable kayak or something like that.
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Oh, for sure.
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Yeah.
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It's not like that.
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So much smaller and fit in your backpack with everything else.
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And then yeah, on top of it, it's just super light.
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And like being that like weight makes it sound like, you know, a little inflatable toy that you would get from Walmart.
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But these are like high quality like I don't even know what the material is, but like a rubberized PVC of some sort that's.
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I mean, it could take a beating.
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Yeah.
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So it was very, very like high tech and collapsible.
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Very portable, super cool.
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Yeah, they're sweet.
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They've got like zippers in the back like these airtight zippers so you can put all of your stuff like you backpack out and then put your tent in your sleeping bag and your backpack inside the tubes like where the air compartment is and then zip it up and then inflate it then.
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So none of your stuff's getting wet while you're paddling down and I thought kind of confined.
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It even makes the boat more stable, just like having that weight in there.
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And so yeah, they create a really cool opportunity.
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Yeah.
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And one thing that I appreciated that I don't want to gloss over is the fact like your instructor for like the pack crafting in Alaska, part of the last pack craft school.
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So we had to highly qualified instructors and trainers with the team on the river.
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So we're not just like getting the gear and hopping on it.
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This is done very safely with all of our floatation devices and we had helmets and.
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Did a day of training.
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Yeah, yeah, just.
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You know what practice falling out of the boat and you know getting back in and so it's all done very, very safely.
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And like I respect that because like water in general can be scary moving water can be scared cold moving water.
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It can be like, you know, big problem.
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Yeah, if you're not going into it prepared, but we don't we had a good team watching over us and guiding us and teaching us so everybody made it.
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Yeah, on harm.
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Yeah, I think setting everybody up to be able to support each other with wet re entries and getting back in our boats when we're on the lake that day.
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That was really cool to watch.
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Like I love seeing other people learn to support each other on the river so that it's not like me and peeps the other instructor.
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You know, we're popping around like having to make sure that everybody's able to get back like personally but giving other people the tools to support each other.
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It's a really cool aspect of pack rafting.
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That's sort of enhanced sort of like the community vibe.
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Yeah, while we're here is that, you know, we take ownership of the group experience and and.
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Like I'm in the boat by myself, but also to a degree like this is a team sport.
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Yeah, there's no like I want to watch out for my neighbors. I know my neighbors are watching off.
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So yeah, it's definitely another thing that we do want to buy ourselves.
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Yeah.
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What was your favorite aspect of the trip, anything?
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I think making some really cool connections with folks was awesome.
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Yeah.
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I liked hanging out with folks during the cold plunges and stuff.
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It's like this like introductory point of adversity right that we like decide that we're going to face the cold blood.
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Yeah.
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Like hang out in the water for a little bit like control or breathing.
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For me, Pat, like not pack rafting the cold plunges and stuff.
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Five years ago when I stopped drinking like doing a cold plunge every morning,
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control it like to the point where I like had complete control of my breath and being able to manage that physiological stress
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and minimize that or completely like calm my body in that physiological like.
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I don't stressor like really cold water was incredibly empowering.
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And I think facing that adversity and then working through it and figuring out a way to respond to it
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was incredibly helpful for me in facing big other big adversities and stressors in my life.
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So I think sharing that with people and like breaking down those initial barriers of some point of adversity, right?
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That's what adventures are for.
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It is getting people into uncomfortable scenarios that help them grow and become a better person.
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Yeah.
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But that involves doing more than one cold plunge and it does.
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Four times.
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But yeah.
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One of the things that like I think kind of shocked all of us about this trip was how fast it sold out to.
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Yeah.
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We had 18 spots and what was like a month and a half it was full.
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Yeah.
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It was so quick.
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So I love that and we definitely want to plan more Alaska trips.
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So anybody that's listening as soon as you see it Alaska trip hit our website.
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You want to go even a snag it quick like yeah, this is crazy.
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Yeah, that was really awesome.
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It was really cool to see my diversity of folks that came down.
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Yeah, I feel like the entire LGBTQ community was represented by someone.
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Yeah, definitely.
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Definitely.
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Yeah, which is amazing.
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Yeah.
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We want to have a couple of our participants jump on and share their experiences too.
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But before we do that, do you want to give a shout out to some of our sponsors for this trip that.
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Yeah, make it.
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We've got through Dr. Kampucho always supporting us.
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Yeah.
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El Paco Rraft was awesome and provided us some money to make the trip more accessible for folks.
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And the Army to Where's the Adventure Fund was a scholarship program that gave two folks the opportunity to come to Alaska
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and join this trip that otherwise would have probably never come to Alaska.
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They sure that's awesome.
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The Alaska Hut Association who provided us Manitoba Yerts for the whole trip is awesome.
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They've been super cool the entire time making it more and more accessible for us to get into the outdoors with cool folks.
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Send bars with a bunch of send bars.
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Yeah, it's like listing off so many people.
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Yeah.
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And then life's drop provided water filters for us, which are awesome.
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Just kind of keeping water flowing.
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It's kind of an important thing out there.
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That's no small feat.
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Like we've got three bags, but that's got to water 18 people.
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Yeah.
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You know, who are out hiking and like being exerting energy, getting to get that water to rehydrate.
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Why is it?
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Yeah, because we're so far back in right now.
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We're not hauling water for 18 people all the way back in here.
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Yeah.
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We just go down to the river.
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It's so clean already and then just run it through the filters.
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It's like perfect.
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Yeah.
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And then jewel in the Alaska Packagraph School helped make it a possible too.
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Yeah.
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Yeah.
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Awesome.
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Always support.
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Thank you.
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Thank you to everybody.
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Yeah.
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We have our Monteneggig Gold Snacks.
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They're just a great partner for LGBT outdoors.
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LGBTQ outdoors in general.
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And we brought some of their beers and just the team has some as well.
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So that's fun.
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But thank you for helping make this trip possible.
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Yeah.
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Leading and instructing all the dedication.
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A lot of work for a few days ago.
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Bye pretty fast.
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Yeah.
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A lot of fun.
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We're going to take a quick break from and here from one of our sponsors.
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And when we come back, we're going to check with one of our participants from the trip.
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At LGBT outdoors, we're thrilled to have Montucky Gold Snacks back in our mission.
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Montucky supports our passion for making the outdoors a welcoming space for everyone.
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And they've been supporting nonprofits across our country since 2012.
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After an epic day on the trail, nothing beats a cold, snackable Montucky beer.
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So get outside, enjoy the adventure, do some good, and raise a Montucky to inclusivity and the great outdoors.
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Their designs foster connection, bringing people together to create spaces and shared growth and understanding.
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And here's a deal just for you.
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Locust Yoga. Because yoga is more than a practice, it's a connection.
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All right, we are back and we have one of our participants for the trip who is also ambassador for New York, Tony.
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Tell us a little bit about who you are.
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Yeah, I'm Tony. I live in New York City. I'm one of the New York ambassadors since February.
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It's been almost six months. I've done a couple of events.
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I decided to sign up for this trip because I've never been to Alaska.
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It seemed like a great opportunity to hang out with some fellow queer trans people and just chill and enjoy this beautiful nature.
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Yeah, and I chose the hiking. I chose the hiking path, I guess, or choice because I like to hike.
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The path graph thing sounded cool, but I just wasn't sure I was ready for it.
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I just wanted to get my steps in, I guess.
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But I do like, yeah, maybe in the future I'll try path graph thing. I like kayaking, so probably a good fit.
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It's been good. I mean, my legs are definitely feeling it.
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I think I put like 30 miles on like three days or three days.
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My legs are ready for chilling at home.
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Yeah, but it's been good. We did like one day we did a 14 mileer, a thousand tens.
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Saw some lake views, some metal views.
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Yes, there was a glacier, so it's been cool.
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Yeah, definitely don't have glaciers back home.
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Definitely.
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Where are we at right now? This is our base camp, which were last days.
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We got people running around packing up and everything.
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But tell people about this place, because if when we come back, it's highly like we stay here again,
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because they're a great partner with us. It was great rates.
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And there's some things that are very creature comfort here, and there's some things that aren't.
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I guess the biggest creature comfort would be there's a sauna.
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Yeah, the sauna. Yeah, it's cool because it's right next to the creek, which is like on believeable creek.
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I tried like showering in it, but it definitely was too cold, but it is cool to dip your feet in.
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But it is cool as sauna. You know, it's like you get that outdoors experience.
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You have to hike in. The yirts were cool.
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Like it was, I had like an awesome year and we all got along.
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So we played some pranks on each other.
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But it's awesome. It has like the main cabin, the yirts, the sauna.
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We set up the showers and stuff.
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So yeah, it's been, it's definitely not what I'm used in terms of the comfort, because it's not my apartment,
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but it's a step above tent camping. So it's like a little happy medium.
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A little happy medium, yeah, exactly.
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Yeah, definitely. Is it anything like when you thought it was going to be like?
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Yeah, I guess I knew I was like sleeping in a sleeping bag.
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So that was like to be expected that, you know, it's not like, you know, like everything you have back home.
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But yeah, I think so. I think so. I think like the, yeah, I think the 14-mileer, I was kind of like,
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oh man, I did not train for this, but everything else was like to be expected, you know.
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But I'm glad I pushed through all the hiking.
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Yeah.
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Like we all went hiking sort of like as a grape yesterday.
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Yeah. There were really kind of like three options versus basically like, like very, very easy.
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You get to get, you know, like little walk, great view, or like a medium walk and a great view.
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Or like, did you go to the top yesterday?
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No, no, I went to the middle.
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Okay, yeah, yeah. That was good.
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Yeah.
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And even that like for me, like kicked my butt. It was challenging.
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Like 1500 or so feet elevation over like mile and a half or so.
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Yeah.
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You have to protect.
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That was steep climb.
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Especially when you live in places like Texas, where so flat or in New York is flat.
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New York is sea level.
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Yeah. Yeah.
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So, yeah.
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But I, there were options, I guess.
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I know yesterday for me, I get it was definitely a challenge.
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But this is also after like, you know, two full days of pack rafting.
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Right.
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A day at resurrection.
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Coal, I think is what it's called.
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Yes.
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Well, go already worn out.
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But, you know, push myself.
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And I think that's kind of what we're getting at.
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Like stretches me as a person and pushes my limits.
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That's fine.
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Within a community where I feel safe to do that.
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Like there's no shaming.
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Is somebody needed to take a break or turn around and like what we were all there.
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Exactly.
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You know, rooting each other on.
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Yeah.
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Which is good because I needed that.
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I needed that in current.
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Yeah.
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I hear that.
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What do you think some of the biggest benefits talking about support and that being in a group setting like this?
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What do you think some of the biggest benefits are?
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I think it's definitely different than like I think when you're hiking and you're you're staying in like, you know, you're sending your part of this community.
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You feel comfortable and safe and like you can tell people you're coming out store.
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You can come out and it's like nobody blinks an eye and everyone's very supportive.
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So I think that's very different than when you're like I've been on like group trips with sister.
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And I feel like it's a little more ego based and this is a little more like, you know, soulful.
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I guess yeah, it's um and like yeah, it just makes you feel like if you need to slow down or if you need like a moment to yourself.
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People are there, you know, they listen.
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Maybe there's more like listening that goes on.
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Yeah.
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Yeah.
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You know, I love just like that aspect of people coming together from all over the country.
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And part of the queer community for this wild adventure that they might be nervous about coming on.
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Yeah.
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But then they start making these connections.
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You know, the first night like Zach who is cooking for us.
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Yeah.
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Hold it a pizza oven back here and made everybody their own personalized pizza.
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Yeah, that was incredible.
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And I'm just watching people, you know, waiting for the pizza and eating and talking.
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I mean, I just like so cool just out here in remote Alaska having homemade pizza connected with people that are part of the community.
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It might be so different from you at the same time.
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Sure, sure.
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Yeah, but pizza tonight was funny because as each pizza comes out, there's so much pizza envy.
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Yeah, that looks really good.
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That looks really good.
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Why did you get them?
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Yeah, like yeah, I want to try that.
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And Justin and Rod had their dog Willow who was very food oriented.
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Yeah.
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And she was like just checking out the pizza oven just like waiting for it to fall on the ground so that she can have it.
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That's funny.
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Yeah.
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But also shout out to Zach.
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Yeah.
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For the pizza and cooking.
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Or guys like all the food and the cooking and the pizza and just really keep in keeping tabs on all that because that's no easy task for now.
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18 people off the grid.
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You know, where we had to bring everything in like about half mile track.
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No, like just that they know where any water.
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Yeah.
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And he was able to pull off these.
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Yeah.
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That's incredible.
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So yeah, exactly.
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What was your favorite part of the trip?
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I think just like cracking jokes and just like, I don't know like the argument like playing like playing some each other.
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That was fun.
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Yeah.
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Just like getting like making new friends, I would say would be one of your.
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I like the nature too, but I had been Alaska like a week before.
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So I like got kind of used to it.
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But I think like making new friends for sure.
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Yeah.
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I love that.
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Yeah.
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Oh, hang on.
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Um, talking about Alaska.
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Yeah.
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Coming from Texas.
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One thing that like I was expecting, but I still have a trouble wrapping my head around it.
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Mm hmm.
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It's like up through like 1045, 11 p.m.
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It's bright.
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Right.
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Right as day out.
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Yeah.
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Yeah.
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That is chirpy actually.
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It's so surreal.
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Yeah.
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It gets dark for.
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Your body like wants to stay out.
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Yeah.
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It's like, I'm sick.
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I'm just like, what's even going on right now?
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Right.
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I don't know.
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That was pretty chirpy, I would say.
spk_0
For sure.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
But I think that that allows for, you know, a lot more activity.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
In just a theory, but like all the flowers here are like so freaking bright.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
And like I wonder if that's just they have more sun.
spk_0
I don't know what it is, but it's.
spk_0
It is really.
spk_0
It is very green for sure.
spk_0
Um, I love for you to touch a little bit about.
spk_0
Um, you being an ambassador.
spk_0
What does that looks like?
spk_0
Uh-huh.
spk_0
Give your New York chapter a shout out.
spk_0
And see anybody that's listening wants to get involved.
spk_0
They can.
spk_0
But yeah.
spk_0
What is it like being an ambassador?
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Yeah.
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So I'm one of the New York ambassadors.
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I think I'm like one of four or five in our big state of New York.
spk_0
So I run the New York City chapter.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
So it can be a struggle sometimes to get like city people involved.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Uh-huh.
spk_0
And wanting to get outdoors.
spk_0
But I try.
spk_0
Um, so yeah, it's cool.
spk_0
It's just organizing events, partnering with other ambassadors and so and so and events,
spk_0
partnering with other outdoors, you know, organizations in the area.
spk_0
So that's cool.
spk_0
I think like me and two of the other New York ambassadors are trying to do like a,
spk_0
like a cat skills like camping, like some kind of camping thing up state in October,
spk_0
maybe or September.
spk_0
So it's cool.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
It's cool.
spk_0
I just started like, I don't know, like six months ago.
spk_0
So I'm still getting the hang of it, but it's been fun so far.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
That's awesome.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
And there's a New York state, uh, Facebook group that people can join, uh,
spk_0
if anybody is listening and wants to get involved, or you can also go to the website and find out what events are coming up in New York as well.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
And we have our big LGBTQ outdoor fest.
spk_0
Oh, yeah.
spk_0
It's gonna be in New York this year too.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Yeah.
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Yeah.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
spk_0
The calendar was 11 to the 14 to the 14.
spk_0
Yeah.
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I'll be there.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
I think we're having over.
spk_0
I'm thinking we're going to have over 100 people that are coming in for that.
spk_0
So if anybody's listening to you like, we're going to have amazing workshops outdoor workshops, outdoor activities, just an incredible time of community and making new friends.
spk_0
Um, so be sure, uh, if you're listening and you're interested, check out the website.
spk_0
I'll do VTK here outdoors calm and get registered before the price goes up for later.
spk_0
Registration.
spk_0
Oh, thank you.
spk_0
Is there anything else you want to share about the trip before we wrap up?
spk_0
No, it's been awesome.
spk_0
Uh, Alaska's, I mean, beyond incredible.
spk_0
spk_0
And if you ever get the chance to explore Alaska, definitely do it.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
That's amazing.
spk_0
Thank you for coming with us.
spk_0
We love having you on the trip.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
We're going to take another quick break and get a word in from our sponsor.
spk_0
And then we're going to be back with Mallory, one of our board members.
spk_0
Awesome.
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Winnebago Industries is a leading U.S. manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products.
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Their goal is to help their customer from clamping enthusiasts to off road explorers embrace the outdoors through one of their recreational vehicles, powerboats or pontons.
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Winnebago Industries is proud to partner with leading industry and outdoor oriented organizations such as us, LGBT outdoors, who share in their desire to enable extraordinary mobile experiences for everyone.
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Visit spaciousguyscampgrounds.com for more information and easy online booking.
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We welcome and invite all campers to camp on the spacious guys campgrounds.
spk_0
All right, we are back with our last participant that we're going to be chatting with.
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Mallory, who has also been a dedicated born member for LGBTQ outdoors.
spk_0
Share a little bit more about who you are.
spk_0
Well, hi guys.
spk_0
Hi.
spk_0
spk_0
I'm Mallory. I'm very happy to be here right now.
spk_0
This has been incredible.
spk_0
So setting the scene for this podcast. I'm sure you guys have already done this, but like we're sitting here with this like rapid river going by us with mountains of the background.
spk_0
So it's absolutely incredible.
spk_0
I just packed rafting.
spk_0
I've never done that before. It was really cool.
spk_0
I think my initial experience with that of putting on the suit was a lot more extensive than I imagined.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Um, and that thing sucked you in and did not let you get wet at all, which was really cool because that water was ice cold.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Um, then once we got out on the water, we were told, okay, we need to practice falling out.
spk_0
Like what?
spk_0
I was sorry.
spk_0
I was sorry.
spk_0
We're doing this on purpose.
spk_0
Which was great because then we learned, um, I particularly learned that I cannot get back on to the raft for the first time.
spk_0
Um, and then once we got out there, I learned what an Eddie was, which is basically what happens after you have a big rock and a water swooshes back into it, which can also propel you forward.
spk_0
Um, which was super cool.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
You do a little spin.
spk_0
Uh, I think that I kind of mastered an Eddie, but excited to try it again.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
spk_0
You're killing it for sure.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
And explain a little bit of the suit for those that are listening.
spk_0
These are dry suits, not wet suits because the water is so cold.
spk_0
Like the water is so cold up here.
spk_0
And I mentioned it one when we were talking somebody earlier, probably Justin.
spk_0
Um, like I put my hand in the water for like 15 seconds and it hurt.
spk_0
Like it was that cool.
spk_0
So you don't want to get wet.
spk_0
So these dry suits have gaskets that go around your wrist and your neck, um, to keep water out.
spk_0
And they're tight.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
They're tight.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
To be choked a little bit.
spk_0
This is the true view.
spk_0
Uh, but it was great.
spk_0
There's a lot of gear that goes to it, but Justin Bickley did an awesome job at making sure that everybody felt safe and knew what we were doing before we actually got onto moving water.
spk_0
Yes.
spk_0
First time we got on the moving water.
spk_0
What was that like for you?
spk_0
Awesome.
spk_0
It was so cool.
spk_0
Um, I found myself a little nervous at first.
spk_0
Whenever the water went a little faster, there were obstacles like rocks or whatnot.
spk_0
Um, but quickly learned that those were the most fun parts.
spk_0
Yep.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Towards the end, I wanted it to go faster and I wanted to have to scoot around rocks or, um, get stuck in a little bit of, you know, it go in the wrong way.
spk_0
There's a power in it.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
I forgot it lost my paddle.
spk_0
Did that almost fell out lost my paddle after that got sucked in by a current away from the groove.
spk_0
So I did everything you're not supposed to do.
spk_0
And survived.
spk_0
Yes.
spk_0
Yes.
spk_0
spk_0
I love that.
spk_0
Like on after our training day, what we went on, um, now that's the kid I river and that had like more speed.
spk_0
I got a few more obstacles, um, quote unquote, rapids.
spk_0
Um, but it was raining.
spk_0
It rained like all day long.
spk_0
Um, but with the dry suits, just being on the river, I genuinely did not care.
spk_0
Um, like I was having such a good time.
spk_0
Um, you know, aside from the water hitting my face, like I wouldn't have known, um, that it was raining and just such a blast.
spk_0
And I think that's more of a cultural thing up in Alaska.
spk_0
It's like, this raining, this snowing, like we're going to do the thing.
spk_0
Like, there's not going to stop us.
spk_0
Uh, fortunately, what we've really looked out since we've been here.
spk_0
We've had like one day of rain, but every other day it's been very, very pleasant.
spk_0
Uh, if not sunny.
spk_0
Um, yeah, and we still fight the flies.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Apparently, it was fly season.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Apparently so.
spk_0
Um, those that are watching on YouTube are having a great time watching us fly.
spk_0
I'm full on lights.
spk_0
Other like boxing match.
spk_0
I don't really see anything on you.
spk_0
There's one.
spk_0
And I feel like there's like,
spk_0
you're stinkier.
spk_0
Right.
spk_0
And that's why you get a star on this night.
spk_0
Oh, yeah.
spk_0
What do you think?
spk_0
One of your favorite parts of the whole trip has been.
spk_0
So yesterday's hike to what is it called again?
spk_0
Marmot, Meta.
spk_0
Marmot, Meta.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
That key nine fioran national park.
spk_0
Yes.
spk_0
Um, I have never done a hike that challenging before.
spk_0
It was up, you know, basically rock stairs.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
The entire time of what over a thousand.
spk_0
1500 feet.
spk_0
A lot of Asian.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
So that kicked my butt.
spk_0
My calves are barking today for sure.
spk_0
Um, but I was really happy that I made it up there and got to see the glacier.
spk_0
So worth it.
spk_0
And there's something cool about like pushing yourself and then getting up there and being proud of yourself and getting to see these gorgeous views.
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And celebrating like together.
spk_0
You know, like what we collectively just accomplished.
spk_0
You know, with like high five, like you give me a high five.
spk_0
Like yeah.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
I like taking the group photo in front of like, and uh, not iceberg.
spk_0
Glacier.
spk_0
Glacier.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Uh, it's just like such a cool experience.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Really, really neat.
spk_0
What was it like for you?
spk_0
Um, seeing big group.
spk_0
18 of us.
spk_0
What was it like seeing people come together from all across the country?
spk_0
Um, which most we didn't know each other.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Um, I feel like it happened so quick.
spk_0
Everybody is so inviting and kind and helpful and uh, the group dynamic has just been laughing and fun and encouraging and, um, sad to see people go exchanging numbers, making friends.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
spk_0
And you know, I know Mary's going to come to Dallas soon.
spk_0
And we've already planned a fun.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Get together.
spk_0
So, uh, very excited for the people that I got to meet here.
spk_0
And I made some good friends.
spk_0
Well, it's such a huge part of this.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Like it is fun to go do an adventure on your own, but also a lot of people don't feel comfortable doing something on their own.
spk_0
I don't know how to and and whatnot.
spk_0
And to be able to be a part of a team like this where.
spk_0
You have guys that are going to help with the pack, graphing and supply all the gear and a guy that's doing the hikes and knows where to go in the wildlife and everything.
spk_0
And not to have to worry about that.
spk_0
You just are just here and.
spk_0
And Joey.
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Tell me where to go and what to do.
spk_0
Right.
spk_0
Yeah, which is incredible.
spk_0
But there's also like a safe place to go and screw up what like, you know,
spk_0
I don't know what that is.
spk_0
spk_0
Or like, we had somebody who, um, we use the term went swimming.
spk_0
Uh, and pack, grafting instead of like falling out of their boat.
spk_0
Um, but that that happened to somebody and like, what we got in bag.
spk_0
We got had all of his gear.
spk_0
Um, and everybody was like cheering him on.
spk_0
Like, yeah.
spk_0
That's one of the things that I love most about LGBTQ outdoors is that.
spk_0
And in the group setting, it's safe to screw up.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
And like somebody's going to have your bag.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
And that's just something that you can't really find too often.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
So like I never felt bad saying I need a break.
spk_0
Never on the hike.
spk_0
It was like, okay, cool.
spk_0
Hey, guys, we're taking a break and it was never nobody was ever annoyed.
spk_0
It was just like, okay, cool.
spk_0
I kind of want to.
spk_0
I mean, you could dass on that hike.
spk_0
I didn't realize that was the hardest like you've done and like, you did great.
spk_0
Thanks.
spk_0
It was awesome.
spk_0
Thanks.
spk_0
Um, yeah.
spk_0
You know, this, this adventure trip is our second time to Alaska.
spk_0
We have Glacier coming out the next month that sold out.
spk_0
Um, and then it probably by the time it comes out, it's going to probably be in August when it's happening anyways.
spk_0
But we do have great smoking mountains coming up in October.
spk_0
So if anybody is listening and you want to get in on an adventure trip this year, um, check it out.
spk_0
It's on our website.
spk_0
Um, but we are going to be launching.
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2026, um, letting people know what those are very soon.
spk_0
So the best way to know what those are is probably signing up for our news that our website.
spk_0
So people will know because this one sold out in like a month and a half.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
So that's crazy.
spk_0
The other thing about, um, and some of the others have sold out super fast too.
spk_0
Um, final thoughts as we wrap up the podcast and the trip and all the things because like, it's getting quiet around here because people are starting to believe we're going to be taking a bunch of people to the airport here, which we kind of got it.
spk_0
We're wrapped up because we got to get them.
spk_0
We're going.
spk_0
Um, but yeah, we're just, you know, we're kind of part of, uh, uh,
spk_0
um, uh, three have been a part of this since the beginning.
spk_0
And we had this little Instagram that turned into something that turned into something bigger that turned into something bigger.
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And now we're doing these amazing and venture trips and here we are in Alaska.
spk_0
I, I love that.
spk_0
I mean, my time as a board members coming to an end at the end of this year.
spk_0
So what a really cool way to go out with a bang.
spk_0
I'm getting to do this Alaska trip.
spk_0
I don't want to go home.
spk_0
I mean, I want to see my, my puppies and my lady.
spk_0
But other than that, just like, I'm not ready to let go of these mountains and the screenery and that sound of that river.
spk_0
Yeah, I'm going to miss it.
spk_0
Yeah, definitely are.
spk_0
Like these adventure trips, or even, um, like local events or our door fest for me, it's always so much more than just pack or just hiking.
spk_0
Um, there's this, um, community depth that just happens that is so like life giving and encouraging and it allows you to feel safe to be emboldened to like be authentic.
spk_0
Um, and I get that is so incredibly powerful for me.
spk_0
And it's even more so when you have like a snow cap.
spk_0
Right.
spk_0
Right there.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
Like, uh, we've got something really really special going on and I'm immensely grateful for it.
spk_0
I'm grateful for it.
spk_0
Um, so if anybody's listening and has been on the fence, like, uh, like who are these people?
spk_0
Like, what are they doing?
spk_0
Um, give it a shot.
spk_0
Like sign up, go out to an event and not work fast.
spk_0
Um, and, um, I just come see for yourself.
spk_0
Yeah.
spk_0
All right.
spk_0
Well, I think that that not only wraps up the podcast, it wraps up the 2025 Alaska adventure trip.
spk_0
So I'm glad that we were able to do this little podcast and share it with all you listeners.
spk_0
Um, I hope that you got something out of it.
spk_0
Um, really cool thing.
spk_0
Um, we are doing a mini doc from this trip, uh, be pretty short, but it'll be a great way that you can also kind of experience this trip.
spk_0
So again, probably newsletter signing up for that is the best way to know when that comes out and as available for people to check out as well.
spk_0
Um, but we also got to figure out all the logistics of all that with film festivals and stuff like that.
spk_0
We'll put it in because queer people like the outdoors too.
spk_0
Yes, we do.
spk_0
All right.
spk_0
It's been a joy to get to do this with both of you and everybody here and, um, tell them next time.
spk_0
Get out there.
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Thanks for listening to the LGBTQ Outdoors podcast.
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Catch past episodes on your favorite streaming platforms and connect with us on Instagram or Facebook by searching LGBTQ Outdoors.
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Support our mission by joining the Trailblazer Society at LGBTQOutdoors.com slash Trailblazers.
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To learn more about our local chapters, LGBTQ Outdoor Fest, Adventure Trips or to sign up for our newsletter, visit LGBTQOutdoors.com.
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If you enjoy the show, be sure to follow, rate, and review. It helps keep our mission going.
Topics Covered
LGBTQ Outdoors
Alaska adventure trip
pack rafting
outdoor community
cold plunge experience
diverse outdoor lovers
Alaska Huts Manitoba Yurts
outdoor accessibility
camping in Alaska
community connections
adventure planning
LGBTQ representation
outdoor experiences
physiological stress management
team support in outdoor activities