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Are you mushroom foraging curious? Maybe you’ve been out a few times, but haven’t known what to look for? Worry not, the world of chanterelles is close at hand.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we get an education from Jess Liotta, an independent mushroom forager and guest instructor for Trackers Earth, a local organization that teaches outdoor skills.

Liotta dives into the basics of mushroom foraging, discusses how to get over our fears and, crucially, tells us what to do with all those tasty chanterelles. While many foragers jealously guard their knowledge, Liotta is happy to share.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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King tide season is almost here.

The exceptionally high tides, which in 2025 will occur in November, December and January, according to the Oregon King Tide Project, are an opportunity for excitement on the Oregon coast, but come with a heavy dose of caution for anyone hoping to see them.

Before you pull on your rain gear and head out into the elements, here is everything you need to know about the king tides this year.

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found freedom, confidence and community.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, host Chiara Profenna talks with Purry, a blind surfer from Oregon who was recently named to Team USA Para Surfing. At 40, Purry discovered adaptive surfing and has since become an advocate for accessibility and inclusion in outdoor sports.

From navigating Oregon’s cold, wild coastline to preparing for her upcoming debut at the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships in Oceanside, California, Purry shares how she trains, connects with other adaptive athletes and embraces the ocean on her own terms.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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For many Oregonians, the outdoors is a place of adventure, but it can also be a space for community and belonging.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, host Chiara Profenna talks with Dr. Shirley A. Jackson, volunteer leader for Outdoor Afro Oregon and west regional leader for the national organization reconnecting Black people to land, water and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation and conservation.

From local hikes and bird watching to cosmic tubing and jump roping, Jackson shared some of the ways she cultivates community by increasing access to Oregon’s natural spaces.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Is Mount Hood the best autumn getaway in Oregon?

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore all there is to do on Mount Hood in the fall, from apple picking to mushroom foraging, beautiful hikes to early-season skiing.

Fall is a great time of year on Oregon’s tallest mountain, situated between the summer backpacking season and the winter ski season, offering an abundance of activities for people of all persuasions. Whether you want a laid-back road trip or a big adventure, you’ll find something great to do on Mount Hood.

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There’s a lot to love about the southeast corner of Oregon – if you’re willing to drive.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we follow Vickie Connor, a visual journalist for The Oregonian/OregonLive, as she explores this far-flung region of the state.

While her trip was short, Connor discovered a ton of southeast Oregon’s greatest treasures, from a towering fire lookout to hidden desert hot springs, and even spied some of the region’s famously reclusive wildlife. It’s hard to get enough of this part of Oregon, where dark skies give access to some seriously starry nights, and natural beauty seems to pop up out of nowhere.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Boat tours on Crater Lake are among the top bucket list experiences in Oregon, but after this past summer, it will be a few years before they head back out on the water.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, features reporter Janet Eastman recounts her ride on one of the last Crater Lake boat tours until 2029, which took her and a group of tourists around the blue-hued lake and to the famed Wizard Island.

With the season now over and the trail that leads down to the boats about to close for a major renovation project, the boat tours will need to be pushed back to bucket lists in the future. But as Eastman’s experience shows, it will be well worth the wait.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Oregon is perfect in the fall. From the crisp, bright days of September to the gray, mossy days of December, the Pacific Northwest has so much to offer this time of year.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss eight of the most essential fall activities in Oregon, helping you make the most of the season.

Are you an outdoors enthusiast? You have to try your hand at mushroom foraging or hiking to a mountain hot spring. Love the autumn harvest? There’s no better place than Sauvie Island or the Fruit Loop. From road trippers to city people, there’s bound to be something here for you.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Oregon is not known as a particular hot spot for whale watching – at least not compared to places like the Puget Sound or Hawaii – but at least one spot has enough action that it’s been dubbed the “whale watching capital of Oregon.”

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a trip to Depoe Bay, the whale watching destination on the central Oregon coast, where we look for gray whales, eat good seafood and explore all the other attractions around town.

While most gray whales swim right past Depoe Bay on their annual migration, a small population likes to stick around. These “summer residents” have earned a following and helped establish a whale watching industry in town. As the whales gather in the shallows offshore, the people gather on the shores to watch.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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