Peak Northwest

Earlier this summer, The Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Austin De Dios spent time with Oregon Wheelchair Hiking, a Portland-area group that brings wheelchair users and other hikers together for regular outdoor adventures. Franklin Ouchida, leader of Oregon Wheelchair Hiking, joins Peak Northwest to talk about how the group got started, what it takes to make a trail accessible and why having a community to explore with can make such a difference.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Goat Rocks Wilderness is best known as one of the most stunning stretches of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Pacific Northwest, but there’s much more to this rugged corner of the Washington Cascades than a single iconic ridgeline.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’re heading north into the mountains for a conversation about backpacking in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, where alpine meadows, glacial lakes and volcanic peaks come together in one of the region’s most breathtaking backcountry destinations.

Host Chiara Profenna is joined by her coworker Heather Bowers, senior sales coordinator for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who recently completed a backpacking trip through Goat Rocks. The two talk through everything she experienced — from the planning stages all the way to breaking down camp and heading home.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Ashland is best known as home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, but there’s much more to the Southern Oregon town than Shakespeare.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’re heading south for a few days in Ashland, where we explored the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, wandered through downtown, tried some unusual food and found a few unexpected ways to experience the city.

I’m joined by two of my coworkers, retail reporter Veronica Nocera and visual journalist Allison Barr. The three of us recently took a newsroom road trip from Portland to Ashland, making a few stops along the way and spending several days exploring the area.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Fall is one of the best times to head into Oregon’s forests, and for mushroom hunters, it also marks the start of matsutake season. These fragrant, highly prized mushrooms can be found in forests across the state, but finding them takes some knowledge, patience and plenty of walking.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’re heading into the forest to learn more about one of Oregon’s most sought-after wild mushrooms.

Joining me is Jess Liotta, an independent mushroom forager and guest instructor for Trackers Earth, a local organization that teaches outdoor skills. We’ve talked about chanterelles and morels on the podcast before, but this time we’re diving into matsutakes, from where they grow to how to identify them and what to do with them once you get home.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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You don’t need to wait for the leaves to change to start getting excited about fall in Oregon. But with cooler weather, cozy weekends and some of the best events of the year just around the corner, we’re more than ready for the season.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’re talking all things fall, from the best reasons to love the season to some of our favorite ways to enjoy it around Oregon.

We’re getting into the cozy side of fall, including soup season, warm baked goods and hot tea, as well as some of the state’s best fall traditions and destinations.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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You don’t need to hike the Oregon Film Trail to know that there are a lot of great movies made in Oregon. But how do some of the classics hold up?

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we take a fresh look at three filmed-in-Oregon classics that are celebrating milestones this year.

From a famous 100-year-old silent film to a 15-year-old western, this trio of movies represents a century of filmmaking in Oregon. They highlight some of the state’s most beautiful places, including roaring rivers and arid high desert plains.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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The temperatures are falling and clouds are on the horizon — summer is nearly at a close.

If you’re still itching for a last-minute summer excursion, you would do well to get yourself out to a body of water, ideally for a picnic. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we have a few ideas of places you can go.

From riverside beaches to lakeside parks, there is undoubtedly a great late-summer picnic spot near your home. At this time of year — with summer vacations in the rearview mirror and school back in session — these should be no-hassle adventures.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Summer camp can be a special experience for anyone, but there’s something extra special about Camp Cleawox.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Lizzy Acker, features reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who recently wrote about her deep relationship with the Oregon coast Girl Scout camp.

Acker, who started going to the camp when she was 8 years old, followed in her mother’s footsteps, learning all about the magic of the camp. Now Acker’s 6-year-old daughter is finding that magic and continuing the tradition for another generation.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Anyone who has struggled with a camp-cooked meal knows the stress of making meals in the great outdoors. Rashad Frazier is here to tell you that it doesn’t need to be so hard.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we get some practical advice — and some great food ideas — from Frazier, author of the camp cookbook “Cook Out” and cofounder of Portland-based outdoor hospitality brand Camp Yoshi.

Frazier’s secret? Make things simple. While fresh-caught crab boil with foraged ingredients can be nice, that level of effort isn’t necessary. There are many easier, perfectly delicious meals you can make that won’t bring unneeded stress to the campsite.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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When the Pacific Northwest heats up, there’s no better way to cool off than drifting down a river on an inner tube, kayak or raft.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, hosts Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna dive into the region’s best river floats, from the wildly popular Clackamas River to scenic stretches of the Sandy, Willamette and Deschutes rivers.

Along the way, they share what makes for a great float, offer essential safety tips and talk about some of Oregon’s favorite summertime waterways.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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