Endangered Spaces: Ambler Road, AK
In October of 2025, the Trump administration green lit the Ambler Road in Alaska, a proposed mining access road that would cut through 211 miles of pristine Alaskan wilderness in the Brooks Range, crossing over 3,000 waterways and could forever change access to subsistence resources in Northwest Alaska. In collaboration with More Than Just Parks, the Dirtbag Diaries presents a two part story. Karmen Monigold and John Gaedeke each rely on the southern Brooks Range for their livelihood and have joined a grassroots effort to fight back against the Ambler Road. A pair of young conservationists, Robert Lester and Ben Kaden set out to walk the proposed Ambler Road and experience the wilderness first hand.
Protect the Kobuk and Defend Brooks Range are groups that oppose the Ambler Road.
Ambler Road Comment Period: Open through Nov 2, 2026
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Joya • Drexler • Jean Marc Yee • Evan Phillips • Brendan Burns • 1939 Ensemble • David Swenson • Brian Bombadil •
Tracks provided with permission from the artists or from Track Club
All Hands On Deck
When Somira Sao and James Burwick were expecting their first child, they made a vow not to stop traveling– and they took that promise to the extreme. In 2009, after two years of living in a van traveling around South America, they took their growing family and moved onto a 40′ monohull sailboat. Four years later, they had navigated a de-masting off the coast of Chile, sailed around the globe, added more kids to the mix, and created a unique philosophy on adventure parenting.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Carousel by Boxwood Orchestra • Across the River by PADELM • Summer is Here by Analog Colors • A Warm Ray of Sunlight by Jonathan Hull • Golden Lights by Tigers in the Sky •
Tracks provided with permission from the artists or from Track Club
The Shorts: Grizzlies and Rubber Bands
We never know where our life’s important lessons will come from. After years of chasing first ascents in the PNW Cascade mountain, Cam Fenton stumbles upon a new focus for his mountain exploits: grizzly bears. For Emma Brophy, collecting red rubber bands while on a 600 mile river trip down the Thelon River in Canada becomes a reminder of how far she’s traveled.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Swamp Dragon by SmokeM2D6 • RPG by Ghilie Dhu • Head Hunters by Camufingo • Corduroy by Soft Light • Auroras by John Berry • Until We Die by JT Ruff • Summer is Here by Analog Colours • A Warm Ray of Sunlight by Dreaming of Stars • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell
Tracks provided with permission from the artists or from Track Club
Shutter Speed
Drew Smith is one of the most highly respected outdoor adventure photographers in the game. His work has brought him to more than two dozen countries, and his skills in the mountains make him a top choice for professional athletes looking for a photographer who can keep up. In this episode, he takes us through four projects that have shaped his career as a creator, and we talk about the important lessons he’s learned along the way.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Whims by The Brow • Summer is Here by Analog Colours • Dream Maker by David Katz • Until We Die by JT Ruff • Midsummer Glow by Juha Pekka Linna • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell
Tracks provided with permission from the artists or from Track Club
Mark Kenyon
Mark Kenyon and Fitz Cahall may not appear to have much in common. Mark got his start in the outdoors at a family hunting cabin in the forest lands of Northern Michigan, and Fitz dirtbagged around the American West in the back of his Tacoma. Their passions in the outdoors might be different, but their resolve to protect Public Lands is just the same.
Join us and sign the petition.
Learn more about Save Public Lands Day
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Paris by Tigers In The Sky • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell
Tracks provided with permission from the artists or from Track Club
