LGBTQ Outdoors Podcast
Episode 40: From Instagram to Alaska – Building Queer Outdoor Community
Date: September 8, 2025
Host: Justin Yoder (LGBTQ Outdoors)
Location: Manitoba Yurts, Alaska Huts, Alaska
Episode Overview
This episode is a dynamic roundtable discussion recorded at the tail end of LGBTQ Outdoors' Alaska Adventure Trip. With 18 participants from across the U.S., the trip's explosive growth and community impact are at the heart of the conversation. Host Justin Yoder is joined by Justin Bickley (Partnership Coordinator and Alaska trip leader), Patrick Thompson, participants Tony (NYC Ambassador), and Mallory (Board Member), among others. Together, they share candid insights about queer camaraderie in the wilderness, the logistics and meaning of adventurous travel, and how these outdoors experiences are reshaping what safe, inclusive adventure can mean for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Alaska Adventure Trip: Origins and Highlights
- Proof of Concept to Sold-Out Event: Last year's inaugural trip had 6 participants; this year, it sold out to 18 in under two months—a testament to pent-up demand.
- Location: The trip was held at Manitoba Yurts (Alaska Huts), chosen for accessibility, comfort, and its stunning creek-side and mountain-surrounded setting.
- Experience Variety: This year, the event split between packrafting and hiking routes, increasing accessibility and allowing more people to join.
"Last year was just pack rafting. This year we did pack rafting and hiking... Giving people the opportunity to explore Alaska in different avenues is a wonderful way to make it more accessible to people."
— Justin Bickley (05:13)
2. Packrafting 101: Safety, Gear, and Empowerment
- Instructors & Training: Participants learned from certified instructors and practiced recovery skills in a safe environment.
- Gear: Packrafts—durable, lightweight, high-tech inflatable boats—enabled multi-day river journeys.
- Cold Water: All were equipped with dry suits due to near-freezing water temperatures; testing adversity and self-regulation.
“We had two highly qualified instructors and trainers... so we’re not just like getting the gear and hopping on. This is done very safely... everybody made it unharmed.”
— Patrick Thompson (07:27)
“You put all of your stuff...inside the tubes...So none of your stuff's getting wet while you're paddling down... even makes the boat more stable.”
— Justin Bickley (07:01)
3. Building a Queer Outdoor Community
- Safe Space: The group dynamic was welcoming, supportive, and non-judgmental, allowing everyone to be their authentic selves.
- Facing Adversity Together: Shared challenges, like cold plunges and steep hikes, fostered camaraderie and personal growth.
- Support Network: Encouragement and help were freely given, whether during strenuous hikes, packraft mishaps, or communal tasks like group cooking.
"You're part of this community, you feel comfortable and safe... It’s very different than when you're like – I've been on, like, group trips with cis folks. It's a different vibe. This is a little more soulful."
— Tony (20:08)
“That’s one of the things I love most about LGBTQ Outdoors... in a group setting, it’s safe to screw up. And somebody’s going to have your back.”
— Patrick Thompson (35:26)
4. Personal Experiences & Growth
- Participant Testimonials: Tony (NYC Ambassador) and Mallory (Board Member) shared firsthand accounts of hiking, trying new experiences, overcoming fears, and forming connections.
- Highlights:
- Cold plunges as a metaphor for facing life’s challenges.
- Hiking to Marmot Meadows – 1500 ft elevation gain, sore legs, and the exhilaration of achievement.
- Group pizza night with a pizza oven transported into the Alaskan wilderness—a quirky, bonding moment.
“Five years ago, when I stopped drinking, doing a cold plunge every morning...really empowered me. I think facing that adversity and working through it...was incredibly helpful for me and facing other big adversities in my life.”
— Justin Bickley (10:00)
"Yesterday's hike to Marmot Meadows...I've never done a hike that challenging before...Something cool about pushing yourself and then...being proud of yourself and getting to see these gorgeous views."
— Mallory (32:27)
5. Diversity, Representation & Next Steps
- Diverse Participation: The trip reflected the entire LGBTQ community, with folks from across the spectrum.
- Scholarships and Sponsorships: Special shout-outs to Brew Doctor Kombucha, Alpaka Raft, Army to Huerta Adventure Fund, Alaska Huts, Send Bars, and LifeStraw for making the trip accessible.
“I feel like the entire LGBTQ community was represented by someone.”
— Justin Bickley (11:33)
- Local Chapters and Events: Ambassadors like Tony encourage regional involvement—with events from hiking in NYC to the upcoming LGBTQ Outdoor Fest.
“If anybody’s listening and wants to get involved...there’s a New York state Facebook group...or you can also go to the website.”
— Justin Yoder (25:05)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Rapid Group Connection:
“Everybody is so inviting and kind and helpful...the group dynamic has just been laughing and fun and encouraging. Sad to see people go—exchanging numbers, making friends.”
— Mallory (33:51)
- On Facing Adversity:
“That’s what adventures are for, is getting people into uncomfortable scenarios that help them grow and become a better person.”
— Justin Bickley (10:44)
- On Alaska’s Surreal Landscape and Light:
“Up through like 10:45, 11:00pm it’s bright as day outside...My body wants to stay up. Circadian rhythm is just like, what?”
— Patrick Thompson & Tony (23:13)
- On the Trip’s Growth and Mission:
“Here we are in Alaska...we had this little Instagram that turned into something...Now we’re doing these amazing adventure trips.”
— Justin Yoder (37:37)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment/Topic | |----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:52 | Setting the Scene: In Alaska, post-trip reflections | | 01:29 | Patrick shares trip highlights and FOMO from last year | | 02:40 | Description of Manitoba Yurts, accessibility, and group comforts | | 05:13 | Trip planning, splitting into hiking and packrafting | | 06:03 | Packrafting gear, safety, and logistics | | 07:27 | Emphasis on safety and trained instruction | | 09:00 | Community support and learning to help each other | | 10:43 | Cold plunges as empowering adversity | | 11:06 | Trip demand and diversity | | 15:09 | Tony’s perspective: choosing hiking, NYC ambassador role | | 17:56 | Basecamp creature comforts and challenges (yurts, sauna, creek) | | 18:55 | Hiking options and elevation, shared encouragement | | 20:08 | Importance of queer-safe group dynamics | | 21:05 | Pizza night: bonding over food, humor, and teamwork | | 23:13 | 24-hour Alaska daylight and adjustment | | 24:16 | Being an ambassador, NYC queer outdoor community organizing | | 25:24 | Upcoming LGBTQ Outdoor Fest in New York | | 27:47 | Mallory: Board member reflection and first-time packrafting | | 30:10 | Braving packrafting, learning from mistakes, finding joy | | 32:27 | Marmot Meadows hike: personal growth and breathtaking views | | 33:51 | The speed and depth of new friendships | | 35:26 | Safety in LGBTQ group settings | | 36:07 | Final trip reflections, 2026 adventures preview | | 37:37 | Evolution of LGBTQ Outdoors, from Instagram to national trips | | 38:04 | The unique power of queer community in the outdoors | | 39:15 | Call to action: try an LGBTQ Outdoors event | | 39:59 | Mini-documentary preview and wrap-up |
Closing Thoughts
The episode captures far more than just an outdoor adventure—it’s a testament to how queer community-building, when set in wild spaces, can be transformative. Through teamwork, shared vulnerability, laughter, and challenge, the Alaska trip highlights everything that LGBTQ Outdoors aims to foster: safe, affirming, adventurous spaces for queer people nationwide. The call is clear: the outdoors belong to everyone, and these trips are changing who—and how—gets to enjoy them.
“Because queer people like the outdoors too.” — Mallory (39:59)
For anyone considering joining a future event, local chapter, or the next festival:
Check out the website: lgbtqoutdoors.com and sign up for the newsletter for trip alerts and the forthcoming Alaska trip mini-documentary.