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Peak Northwest: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Oregonian/OregonLive
Hosts Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna take you to some of the greatest destinations in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
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- Yesterday31 min
What I learned on my very first camping trip in Oregon
While many Oregonians practically grow up at campgrounds, there are plenty of adults who have never enjoyed a night sleeping under the stars. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, co-host Chiara Profenna recounts her very first camping trip, taken this spring on the Oregon coast. Profenna took her partner and dog out for one night at Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park near Florence. The bare-bones overnighter was nevertheless a huge learning experience for Profenna, who walked away with some worthwhile lessons and a new appreciation for sleeping outdoors. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How Profenna ended up taking her first camping trip as an adult. What to pack (and what not to pack) to go camping. Cooking over the fire vs. going out to eat. Overall lessons from a first time camping experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago29 min
Meet the sisters who launched a hiking group for BIPOC hikers
Outdoor recreation hasn’t always felt accessible or inviting to everyone. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we explore AmigxPNW, a group dedicated to creating spaces for Black, brown and Indigenous communities of color to connect through hiking, camping and outdoor exploration across the Pacific Northwest. Guests Maria Velador Gonzales and Diana Velador Gonzales, co-founders of AmigxPNW, share how the group got started, how people can join upcoming hikes and why representation and community matter in outdoor spaces. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How and why AmigxPNW was created. What first-time participants can expect from the group’s hikes and events. Why representation matters in outdoor recreation spaces. How community-building can help people feel more connected to nature and each other. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago34 min
Free foraging walks are teaching people to harvest invasive species
If you’ve ever been curious about foraging in the wild, or felt intimidated by where to start, this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast is for you. Foraging can seem like a daunting hobby to get into, but it doesn’t have to be. On this week’s episode, we explore Wildwood Folk School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching people how to forage for wild plants, understand local ecosystems and build community through outdoor education. Guest Shelby Lynn, foraging instructor for Wildwood Folk School, shares insights into their programs, how to get involved and why foraging is about more than just finding food. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: What exactly is a folk school. Wildwood Folk School’s free foraging plants walks and other programs. The essentials of foraging responsibly and targeting invasive species. How to use your bounty for cooking, crafting or medicinal purposes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago44 min
What you need to know before hiking Dog Mountain, the iconic wildflower destination
With spring now fully sprung, and the wildflowers out in full force, it’s time for the annual pilgrimage to Dog Mountain. On this episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into everything you need to know before tackling the iconic Columbia River Gorge adventure, known not only for its flower-strewn meadows, but for the very steep trail to get to them. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or new to the outdoors, you’ll likely need to do a little planning before taking on the tough little hike. With steep trails, unpredictable weather and loads of poison ivy, there’s a lot to consider. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: When is wildflower season on Dog Mountain? How hard is the hike, really? What to pack for your adventure. Some tips on doing a difficult hike like this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 4 weeks ago33 min
Morel season is here: How to forage for the delicious mushrooms in Oregon
Spring mushroom foragers in Oregon are already coming back from the forests with their bounty: baskets full of beautiful, delicious morels. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast we get back into tips for beginner foragers, this time highlighting the morel mushroom, one of the most popular foraged mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest. Jess Liotta, an independent mushroom forager and guest instructor for Trackers Earth, returns to the podcast to give a primer on how to properly identify morels, where to find them and how to cook them into a delicious meal. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: What is a morel and how can you identify it? A note of caution about so-called “false morels,” some of which are toxic. Where to find morels throughout the season. How to cook the delicious mushrooms, and few recipe ideas for foragers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Apr 30, 202626 min
Is this Columbia River Gorge park cursed?
Most recreation areas in the Columbia River Gorge are well-loved, seeing throngs of visitors every spring and summer to enjoy a beautiful day in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most scenic regions. So what’s the deal with the Eagle Creek Overlook? On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into the weird history behind the historic park at the mouth of Eagle Creek. Designed for the crowds that never came, and twice saved from ruin, the park remains one of the most enigmatic destinations in Oregon. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: A brief history of Eagle Creek, one of the most important recreation areas in Oregon. How dam watchers spurred the creation of the Overlook area. Why didn’t anybody show up? How two separate efforts finally made the park into what it is today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Apr 23, 202627 min
What it’s like to raft a reawakened river in southern Oregon
Mandy Yeahpau has done a lot of whitewater rafting in Oregon, but she never thought she’d get the chance to run the Klamath River. That changed in 2024, when the river’s dams were removed and the waterway ran free for the first time in generations, allowing not only the salmon to return but also boaters, many of whom jumped at the opportunity to explore the reawakened river. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, Yeahpau recounts her rafting trip on the Klamath River, which she said was both a great adventure and a deeply moving experience. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: A brief explainer on the 2024 dam removals. Why it’s important to take this trip with an outfitter. What Yeahpau saw on the river that stirred her spirit. How to plan your own rafting trip on the Klamath River. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Apr 16, 202627 min
Zen and the art of glass float hunting on the Oregon coast
Finders Keepers is one of Oregon’s greatest treasure hunts, hiding more than 3,000 glass floats every year on the beaches of Lincoln City. And while those might seem like good odds, finding a float requires more than just looking. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we take a stroll along the beaches of Lincoln City in search of hidden glass floats, discovering what it takes to actually find one. Co-host Jamie Hale recounts his recent float hunting journey, which took some unexpected twists and turns, and wound up with a surprising ending. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: What is Finders Keepers? Jamie’s plan to find a float in Lincoln City. Why the Lincoln City beaches are perfect for this kind of treasure hunt. Some of the best restaurants and attractions to see on your way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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