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When it comes to the Outsider's view of Alaskans, there are many stereotypes and even more misconceptions. We all don't live in igloos, wear fur from head to toe, or drive dog sleds to work, but there is one image that does bear some truth and often comes to people's minds when they think of a typical Alaska male: many Alaskans do sport some type of facial hair.

"Beards are back!" said Jerem Feltman, of Nikiski, and a member of the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club, which aims to get those last few clean-shaven stragglers around the state to get something growing from their chin, cheeks or upper lip.

The club, founded in 2003, was established as an extension of the annual Mr. Fur Face competition that takes place at the Miner's and Trapper's Ball, as part of the larger Fur Rendezvous event's festivities.

"The Mr. Fur Face beard and moustache competition has been an annual event in Anchorage since 1950. The club was started as a way to extend the excitement and camaraderie of that event. We wanted to keep that excitement going year-round," Feltman said.

One of the ways the club keeps beards on the brain, in addition to on the chin, is through whisker-related contests and activities, of which the largest and most prestigious will soon be coming to the state.

The South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club -- along with the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau and local Lions Clubs -- will be hosting the World Beard and Moustache Championships being in Anchorage on May 23.

The World Beard and Moustache Championships are an international event that aims to bring owners and lovers of beards together in a unique venue to appreciate the beauty of facial hair. The event was first held in 1990, then not again until 1995, but it has been held every two years since then. In 2003, the World Championships were held on American soil for the first time, when competitors went chin to chin in Carson City, Nevada.

The contest draws several hundred competitors from all over the world, each sporting their own unique facial hair configuration. This year alone there are competitors entered from Australia, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Canada. And from the U.S., competitors will hail from California, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and, of course, Alaska.

In addition to competition, the World Championships also feature numerous facial hair-related festivities, such as this year's entertainment by the Australian band The Beards, who play "songs about beards, for people with beards."

Feltman said competing in the World Championships is one of the primary reasons he joined the SCAKBMC.

"I'd been following the World Championships, so when I heard they were coming to Alaska, I looked into it, heard about the club, and joined. I've always been interested in beards and had a good one going myself, so I thought, 'why not?'" he said.

As an Alaskan, Feltman said he also felt it was his duty to competitively represent the state's rich history of facial-haired folk.

"It's a celebration of Alaskan manliness. Bearded men have always been sort of symbolic of the wild Alaskan landscape and mentality. Beards were helpful in the winter and kept prospectors, hunters and explorers warmer by cutting down on the cool, and I think -- especially with the 50-year statehood celebration this year -- it's nice to remember when people like them needed beards," he said.

Some others, even outside of Alaska, agree that it is important to remember past generations of men who grew beards, such as -- to name just a few -- intellectuals like Sigmund Freud, artists such as Michelangelo, past presidents such Abe Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant -- even religious icons such as Jesus sported beards.

As such, the National Beard Registry was established in 2002 to, according to its Web site, "encourage men in all walks of life, and from every continent, to resist conformity, corporate culture and androgyny, by embracing the beautiful, unique and utterly personal habit of growing a full beard."

The site goes on to state that "Like a fingerprint, a year or more of full growth on a man's face produces a one-of-a-kind appearance that defies trend, pop culture and media driven conformity. It is a very natural and beautiful symbol of individualism, and honors the self-expressed essence within each man."

In a similar vein, at the World Championships, contestants are grouped into three broad categories based on their type of facial hair.

"The basic categories include Full Beard, Partial Beard, and Moustache," Feltman said. "However, there are also 18 different subcategories."

For example, under the Moustache category, contestants may display a Natural Moustache, an English Moustache -- which has long, thin hairs that are pulled to the sides, a Hungarian/Wild West Moustache -- which is big and bushy, but also pulled to the sides, a Dali Moustache -- which is slender, with long tips that arch straight up, an Imperial Moustache -- which is small, bushy and arches up, or the Freestyle Moustache -- which is one that does not match any other category.

"Some categories also allow aids," Feltman said, and these include only wax, hair spray, and other hair cosmetics. The use of hair extensions, false facial hair, or any form of hair pins is strictly prohibited.

As to which event Feltman will compete in, he said he is still undecided which category and subcategory he will enter.

"I'm still on the fence, but it's between two -- either the Garibaldi or the Alaskan Whaler," he said.

The Garibaldi is under the Full Beard category and is described as broad, full, round beard that the length of which does not exceed 8 inches. The Alaskan Whaler is more of a traditional seafarer's beard, and while wearer's of this facial hair style will have ample amounts on the lower lip, cheeks and chin, there is to be no hair grown on the upper lip.

All of this facial hair growing may sound like fun and games, but Feltman said for the serious competitor, it's actually a lot of work.

"You have to keep it groomed so you don't look like a compete caveman. I strictly use shampoos and conditioners formulated for beards. I also brush it daily, giving it a 100 strokes to keep the follicles active, and I occasionally trim it to keep it looking right," he said.

Feltman also takes supplements to increase his beard growth.

"I take all kinds of vitamins, minerals and oils -- a lot with fish oil or Omega-3s -- anything that supports hair growth," he said.

In addition to all the extra hygienic work and nutrients that must be consumed, Feltman said there are also a lot of negatives to competing at this level of the whisker wars.

"One of the cons is that my wife hasn't kissed me in six months. She enjoys my enthusiasm, but she definitely doesn't like the beard," he said.

Feltman said his employer is equally apprehensive about his facial hair.

"My boss is being patient, but he's not real excited about it. We kind of have this unspoken agreement it'll come off after this is over, but I don't know, I'd like to give it two more years and go for the Natural Full Beard category at the World's in Norway in 2011, so we'll have to see," he said.

Feltman said the beard also impedes his enjoyment of certain activities around the home and outdoors.

"You have to really watch it near any kind of machine work. It also can be tough while snow machining. My beard will freeze to either the inside of my helmet or my coat, and then get ripped when I take them off," he said.

Even eating can be a laborious chore for those with as much facial hair as Feltman, and he said some foods are best left alone all together.

"Eating is difficult. I can't really do ribs or wings because things will get pretty ugly. I can't really do soup either. My moustache is so long that it's a significant project trying to get a spoon through there," he said.

Feltman said all the work is worth it, as people -- sometimes complete strangers -- will let him know.

"I get comments on it everywhere I go, and many are compliments. Some people think it's horrible, but some people love it and ask me if they can rub it or touch it," he said.

All the growth will be worth it, too, if Feltman can walk away from the World Championships with a win, particularly since he will be a rookie competitor.

"All proceeds from the event go to Lions Club charities, and winners get trophies, but really, for me, it would just be the awesomeness of winning," he said.

For more information on the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club or the World Beard and Moustache Championships, visit the SCABMC Web site at www.akbeardclub.com. To register a beard, or learn more about registered beards, visit the National Beard Registry site at www.nationalbeardregistry.org.

Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.