Peak Northwest

Hosts Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor take you to some of the greatest destinations in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

Society & Culture
Places & Travel
Sports
176
Staying active during the dreary days of a Nort...
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...
24 min
177
Hiking the Tillamook Burn, 70 years after the w...
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 th...
24 min
178
What will Oregon’s ski season look like during ...
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 podc...
31 min
179
Hiking around Camas, a surprising suburban escape
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....
25 min
180
Oregon’s spookiest travel destinations
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 podcas...
26 min
181
Getting hooked on fly fishing
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...
29 min
182
Meet the Oregon runner who made record time on ...
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 ...
33 min
183
The best things to do in Astoria (even now)
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...
33 min
184
6 places to see Oregon's finest fall color
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...
29 min
185
Meet the Portland runner who set the fastest ti...
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...
32 min
186
A message from Jamie and Jim
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 the...
10 min
187
4 day trips to 4 different Oregon landscapes
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 variou...
36 min
188
Climbing 3 mountains on an Oregon Cascades road...
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.c...
35 min
189
Washington's volcanoes: What to do at Mount Ada...
Mount Hood towers over Portland, but these other volcanic peaks aren't all that far, and they have a lot to offer.
35 min
190
Backpacking Mount Hood's Timberline Trail
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...
25 min
191
Find a lake to beat the heat
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/peakn...
37 min
192
Backpacking 101
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 back...
40 min
193
How to take better pictures in nature
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 do...
38 min
194
Camping 101
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 subs...
30 min
195
Get back in hiking shape after a spring inside
After months of sticking close to home, hikers in the Pacific Northwest are finally getting back out on the trail. But for those of us who have become a little out shape during the pandemic, as well as those who may be getting into hiking shape for the...
34 min
196
Where to escape the crowds at popular outdoor a...
It can be hard to escape crowds in a normal year, let alone a time when more people than ever are sticking close to home and in search of an escape into nature. One way to beat the crowds is to skip the popular areas and head to some lesser-known hikin...
41 min
197
How to spice up your camp cooking
It’s high time to dial in your camp cooking setup. We aren’t exactly experts in this department. So we enlisted the help of Samantha Bakall, a freelance food, diversity and travel writer who’s long honed the art of whipping up a delicious camp meal....
27 min
198
Headed back outside? Our recommendations for wh...
Summer is only days away, and many outdoor spaces have reopened amid the coronavirus crisis.But the question remains: Where should I go? This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we offer some recommendations for people looking to get their nature fix....
24 min
199
How to plan a day trip during the coronavirus o...
Many outdoor areas throughout the region have reopened after being closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. But just because your favorite outdoor area is open doesn’t mean you should expect business as usual when you arrive — or that you should tra...
26 min
200
Tips for hitting the trail during the coronavir...
As the coronavirus crisis continues, closures and restrictions remain in place for many outdoor areas across the region. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we continue to dig into the complicated issues around recreating outside duri...
26 min