On Step Alaska

Abby and I were able to go on our first overnight alpine hunting trip in two years. (Thanks Mimi and Papa) We recap the hike up, the hectic stalk at last light, and hiking back to camp in the dark. We're tired, we're thirsty, but we're amped in this on-location episode. 



 

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors:
Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.)
Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.)
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers 



Lou Tamposi and I walk through a practical, no-nonsense guide to processing deer—from head to hindquarter. We discuss cuts (tenderloin, backstrap, neck, shanks, ribs), cooking methods (braises, steaks, sausages, bacon), tools (knives, grinders, vacuum sealers), and using bones for stock.

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.

Thanks to the sponsors:
Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.)
Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.)
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

 

 

In this episode, Melis Coady explains the proposed Susitna‑Watana hydroelectric dam. We discuss its scale, potential impacts on salmon and local communities, and seismic risk. We also talk about the project’s history, funding pressures from public and private investors, and the renewable strategies like distributed wind, solar, and small hydro.

Photo by Sarah Ann Loreth

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.

Thanks to the sponsors:
Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.)
Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.)
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

 

 

I get asked about heavy equipment and tools even though this cabin build is a remote build so in this episode I go through the tools and boat gear for the cabin build. Then I get into the longevity of my hunting and fishing gear. 

 

 

I recorded this episode while I was making a run out to the cabin build site with the last of the tongue and groove decking for the roof, the fascia and the bargeboards. I recap the frustrations of the build, some of the good stuff, and go into details about what came in the "kit." 

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.

Thanks to the sponsors:
Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.)
Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.)
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

 

It's time for the monthly check-in with writer and hunter Lou Tamposi. In this episode we chat about hunter image, the start of the the deer season, and how he's handling summer in Massachusetts. 

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.

Thanks to the sponsors:
Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.)
Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.)
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

 

Ryan "Cal" Callaghan (Meateater, First Lite) discusses balancing new fatherhood with leading Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. He explains why there is really no such thing as isolated conservation issues, the newest threats to public land and why informed advocacy, and responsible storytelling (including social media) can mobilize communities to protect habitat, stay engaged with policy, and have a meaningful seat at the table. 

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.

Thanks to the sponsors:
Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.)
Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.)
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

 

In this episode Margaret Stern tells about her experience building a remote cabin in Interior Alaska—buying land sight unseen, living in a teepee, sourcing and milling local timber, and improvising foundations and finishes in extreme conditions.

She also discusses a new lakeside property, plans for a timber-frame sauna as phase one, tool recommendations, community support in Talkeetna, and practical considerations like water, foundations, and wildlife.

This is a repost from last year since cabin building is taking up most of my headspace and people have been asking about builds around the state.