Peak Northwest

Crowded trailheads. Packed campgrounds. Busy beaches, rivers and lakes. Oregon outdoor recreation areas saw a huge flood of visitors in 2020, many of whom were new to outdoor recreation. We discuss the crowds and offer some advice for people who don’t have a lot of outdoor recreation experience. (Don’t miss our previous episodes on Camping 101, Backpacking 101 and relieving yourself responsibly wh...

Many outdoor enthusiasts have dreamed of building their ultimate adventure vehicles— the type of rigs you can use to get where you’re going and sleep comfortably along the way. For this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we caught up with Brooke Weeber, a Portland-based artist and adventurer who built out her own adventure van in 2020. You can support this podcast and our local journali...

Traveling with friends and family is fun, but there’s something special about enjoying the Pacific Northwest on your own. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into both the joys and difficulties of solo travel – from day hikes to road trips – getting some advice from Kim Waara, an avid solo traveler based in Portland. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscr...

A mysterious monolith placed in — and later removed from — the Utah desert captivated the country this fall. And while we were following the twists and turns of the story, our minds wandered back to another high-profile case that raised questions about art and vandalism in nature, this on in southeast Oregon. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive....

Why pay top dollar for a perfect Christmas tree when you can pay a nominal fee, tromp off into the woods and cut down your own? While you might not walk away with the prettiest fir in the world, harvesting your Christmas tree from the national forest is a Pacific Northwest pastime – and a great excuse to get outside this time of year. On this week’s episode, we get some advice from Heather Ibsen,...

Back before the COVID-19 pandemic set in here in Oregon, Peak Northwest co-host Jim Ryan schemed up a mission: try to see as many Columbia River Gorge waterfalls as possible — from sunrise to sundown. He recruited co-host Jamie Hale and video producer Brooke Herbert, and they headed out to the gorge. By sundown, they’d seen 16 waterfalls — and captured each of them on camera. This week on the Peak...

As the Northwest weather turns dreary, we're looking for ways to stay active through the winter — especially this year, when we're staying close to home. We'll also take a look back at lessons learned from Oregon's first coronavirus shutdown. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you. See acast.com/privacy fo...

As the smoke clears on yet another devastating wildfire season in Oregon, questions naturally begin to arise: How bad is it? When can we go back? How long will it take for the forests to grow back? Answers don’t always come quickly or easily, but to the question of “how long,” we can at least turn to some of the forests in Oregon that have been devastated by other major fires – most notably the Ti...

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we speak with Dave Tragethon from Mt. Hood Meadows about what precautions the ski resort has made amid the coronavirus pandemic, and what skiing will look like this season. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and op...

This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we make the case for spending that time hiking in Camas — the small suburban town in southwest Washington. And to help us out, we brought on Camas resident Sally Hale, who just happens to be Jamie's mother. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you. See acast.com/priva...

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’re highlighting some of the spookiest travel destinations in Oregon, whether you’re planning a Halloween vacation or are in search of a spooky day hike for the season. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-...

Oregon’s rivers and lakes hold endless appeal, beckoning enthusiasts of all kinds to their chilly waters. There are the swimmers and boaters, the kayakers and the stand-up paddleboarders. And then, of course, there are the anglers: those casting out in search of their latest catch. Peak Northwest podcast hosts Jim Ryan and Jamie Hale are fishing novices. But on this week’s show, colleague and avid...

Seven days, 19 hours, 23 minutes. That’s how long it took Eugene resident Emily Halnon to run the length of Oregon, from south to north, on the famed Pacific Crest Trail this summer. Halnon set a new record time on the Oregon section of the PCT, which totals over 450 miles, and raised more than $33,000 for rare cancer research in the process. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, Halnon discuss...

Head to the mouth of the Columbia River, where the mightiest river in the American West meets the biggest ocean on the planet, and you’ll find one of the greatest little cities in Oregon. Astoria has always had a lot to offer visitors, and that remains true amid the coronavirus pandemic – though it understandably changed the tourism experience. On this week’s Peak Northwest podcast, we talk about...

Oregon is an evergreen state, known for its iconic Douglas-firs and their coniferous brethren. But come autumn, the state’s deciduous trees can also put on quite the show — bursting with fall color and making some of our beloved outdoor areas even more beautiful. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you. See...

The Wonderland Trail circles Mount Rainier, rising and falling through jaw-dropping, arduous terrain over the course of roughly 90 miles. For most, the trip is measured in days. But for a select few, it takes only hours. Portland ultrarunner and middle school teacher Tyler Green recently became the fastest person to circle Mount Rainier via the Wonderland Trail — claiming the fastest known time, o...

With wildfires still burning across the Northwest, we're putting some of the episodes we'd already recorded on the shelf. Instead, we talked a little this week about the fires, their effects on people across the region and, of course, how they’ve affected some of the outdoor spaces we treasure. We'll be back with more episodes soon. Meanwhile, please stay safe and healthy. See acast.com/privacy fo...

On a recent week of vacation, Jamie took four day trips to four different ecosystems within three hours of Portland, finding a safe way to visit several stunning landscapes in a short period of time. On this week’s episode, Jamie talks about his various excursions, from the slopes of Mount St. Helens to the Oregon coast, and from lush forests to the arid high desert. You can support this podcast a...

This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, Jim gives us the lowdown on his adventure climbing three of Oregon’s beautiful mountains in three days. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mount Hood towers over Portland, but these other volcanic peaks aren't all that far, and they have a lot to offer. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Timberline Trail is one of Oregon’s most iconic footpaths. It circumnavigates Mount Hood over roughly 40 miles, traveling through forests, across rivers and through gorgeous meadows — providing backpackers with spectacular views at every turn. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we connected with Portland hiker Kyla Skerry, who recently solo-hiked the trail. You can support this podcast a...

Hot summer weather has a way of convincing you to ditch your worldly obligations with a single destination in mind: one of Oregon’s stunning lakes. Our previous episode on Oregon hot springs, referenced in this episode: https://play.acast.com/s/peaknorthwest/oregonhotsprings You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Th...

While the rewards of backpacking abound, it can be difficult to get started — and plan your first trips. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we cover some backpacking basics and provide recommendations for hikers seeking a night or two in the backcountry. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you. See ac...

The Pacific Northwest is home to plenty of awesome scenes of natural beauty, but capturing that moment in an awesome photo requires a little more effort. Here are some tips, tricks and tools of the trade to help you take better pictures outside. You don't need anything more than your phone. Check out Jim’s great photo from a recent climb up Three Fingered Jack. You can support this podcast and our...

This episode of the Peak Northwest podcast is all about planning and packing for your next overnight outdoor excursion. We've got tips for beginners and experienced campers alike. You can support this podcast and our local journalism with a subscription to OregonLive. Go to oregonlive.com/podsupport. Thank you. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad cho...