Peak Northwest

By The Oregonian/OregonLiveSociety & Culture Sports Places & Travel Wilderness

Peak Northwest episodes

January 09, 2025Why Astoria is the fish and chips capital of the Oregon coast
If you’re looking for good fish and chips, you’d do well to stop in Astoria.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we stop by a few of Astoria’s best fish and chip shops, while discussing what it is that makes this place so good for fried fish and French fries. A trio of dedicated destinations show what makes this food scene shine.
Just make sure you don’t listen to this episode before lunch.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Why Ship Out is a standout on the edge of town.
Bowpicker is everybody’s favorite, but does it live up to the hype?
Fishmongers holds down the scene in Warrenton.
A ton of other options are spread out across town.

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
28 min
January 02, 202510 perfect Pacific Northwest adventures for 2025
The new year is here, which means it’s once again time to start dreaming and scheming up some fresh Pacific Northwest travels.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest we dip our toes into the 2025 Northwest Travel Guide, pulling out a few of the best places to visit and things to do around the region, from outdoor adventures to road trips and more.
It’s also time for our annual reminder: Book your travel now, before it’s too late!
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Is Long Beach, Washington having a moment?
Introducing Oregon’s newest scenic bikeway.
Why nighttime light-up kayaking on Wallowa Lake should be on your bucket list.
The Frenchglen Hotel offers an escape into the middle of nowhere.

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
47 min
December 26, 2024Diving into Northwest forests with Ross Reid, aka Nerdy About Nature
What is it about a Pacific Northwest forest?
From the smell to the air to the feeling you get among the trees, we talk all about our love of Northwest forests on this week’s episode of Peak Northwest.
Special guest Ross Reid, who’s known on social media as Nerdy About Nature, discusses the joy of educating people about forest ecology, and touches on the issues our regional forests face.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
How Reid became a social media personality.
So what is it about Pacific Northwest forests?
Forests currently face a host of issues, from logging to climate change.
A few of Reid’s favorite forests to visit.

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
39 min
December 19, 2024Oregon’s best soaking pools to warm you up this winter
There’s nothing like a hot spring soak in the coldest, darkest days of the year.
Oregon, famously gray and/or chilly for a significant portion of the year, is thankfully home to a wealth of places to go soaking, spread out across scenic landscapes throughout the state.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore some of Oregon’s best and most beautiful places to soak, from the wellness spas in Portland to the rustic pools found way out in the high desert. Wherever you are in Oregon, there’s bound to be hot water nearby.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What’s the best place to soak in Portland?
Oregon’s forested hot springs have mixed reviews.
Why the high desert might be the best place to soak in Oregon.
You can always try a McMenamins.

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
44 min
December 12, 2024Portland fire captain is a global adventurer and an inspiration
For some people, one huge adventure is enough to hang your hat on. For Erica Nelson, it’s only the beginning.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we hear from the Portland fire captain who balances her time with an incredible array of global adventures, from ice climbing to bikepacking and international motorcycle excursions.
For Nelson, the adventuring hasn’t been an escape, exactly, but a practice that helps inform her work as a firefighter, offering confidence to help fight against the doubts that have popped up throughout her career.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Firefighting hasn’t been an easy career for Nelson, who has faced physical and emotional challenges.
As a female fire captain in Portland, Nelson is in rare company.
Nelson’s list of personal adventures is full of incredible accomplishments.
What is she doing after retirement? Adventuring, of course.

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
36 min
December 05, 2024Where to eat, shop and hang out at the newly renovated PDX
Holiday travelers at the Portland International Airport will see a lot of changes, both in the way that it looks and the things you can do while you’re there.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss all the new places to eat, shop and hang out at the newly renovated PDX.
While travelers might be tempted to rush through the airport on their way to a flight, the new restaurants, shops and spaces at PDX make a great case for taking your time. And with some great dining and shopping options pre-security, the airport might be a good place to spend time even if you’re not leaving town.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
Pizza, donuts, pasta and the other new dining options.
PDX is full of local shops that are great stops for those leaving or arriving.
What’s in store for the next phase of development at the airport?
Is the airport a decent dating spot?

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
38 min
November 28, 2024How to see Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge, two world-class destinations
Oregonians are no doubt familiar with Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, two of the state’s most popular places to hike, swim, ski and explore, but the two spots are now getting more attention as one world-class destination.
Global travel guide Lonely Planet recently named Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge as one of the best regions to visit for 2025, ranked alongside spots in Switzerland and Nepal. While interconnected and easy to navigate, the two areas feature an overwhelming number of things to do, places to see, and spots to eat and drink.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we highlight some of the best of the best attractions on the mountain and by the river, creating a rough itinerary for anyone visiting the area or planning a trip for out-of-towners.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What’s the best way to navigate the mountain and gorge?
The two best places to stay the night.
How to choose among all the Columbia Gorge waterfalls.
What you do on Mount Hood depends on the season you go.
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
23 min
November 21, 2024A little trip to a tiny house off the slopes of Mount Hood
Have you ever wanted to try out tiny house living? Or go glamping in something other than a canvas tent?
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we get it all on a little camping trip to a tiny house off the slopes of Oregon’s tallest mountain.
Our two-night excursion to the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village included a walk along the Salmon River, a cozy afternoon inside Timberline Lodge and a night by the fire under the stars. It was a very different kind of camping trip in a beautiful part of Oregon.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What is it like inside one of the tiny houses?
The joys and trials of traveling with a baby for the first time.
Why Timberline is a great stop in the cold season – and how it could be even better.
Why we struggled to find a good place to eat on the mountain.

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
31 min
November 14, 2024Women of color come together with Trail Mixed outdoor excursions
Across the Pacific Northwest, Trail Mixed is bringing people together.
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to two leaders of the Portland chapter of the West coast collective, which creates space for women of color to learn, teach and recreate together outside.
Vivian Tang and Jenny Bryan talk about what it’s been like to participate and become leaders in the organization, which organizes runs, hikes, climbs and other excursions centered around outdoor recreation. These gatherings have grown a community that is now thriving in Portland and beyond.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
What exactly is Trail Mixed and how did it begin?
How the organization creates space for people to thrive in the outdoors.
The Portland chapter has been growing over the years, as more people discover Trail Mixed.
What it means for people to find this kind of community.

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
25 min
November 07, 2024The weird, wild stories behind the names of Oregon’s landmarks
What’s in a name? Or, in this case, what’s in an Oregon place name?
On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we’re looking into the history behind the names of some of Oregon’s most beloved landmarks, pulling out some truly weird and wild stories from the Southern Oregon to the Columbia River Gorge.
Forget everything you think you know about where our natural landmarks got their names.
Here are some highlights from this week’s show:
How Mount Hood and the Columbia River both trace their names back to boats.
A pair of Columbia Gorge landmarks with surprising histories.
Vickie regrets asking about Dog Mountain.
Rooster Rock once had a more, uh, colorful name.

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
31 min