Talking NorCal

On this episode of the Talking NorCal Podcast, Zach and Bob discuss the news of the week including a shark attacking a kayaker along the Humboldt coast, Lassen Volcanic National Park's reopening, the draining of Lower Bucks Lake, the dwindling Sierra snowpack and a brand new adventure company called Ooowee Adventures (7:22). Finally, they sit down with Matt Doyle to discuss all things Shasta Lake including a recap of Memorial Day weekend, the current state and future of Lake Shasta Caverns, raising Shasta Dam and the giant sturgeon that live in the lake (27:17).

On this episode of the Talking NorCal Podcast, Zach and Bob discuss all the outdoor destinations that are currently open in Northern California (3:35). Then they go through the news of the week including a monster sturgeon caught on Shasta Lake, Union Pacific pledging support for Mossbrae Falls trail, a bald-eagle dying from secondary-poisoning in Redding, white circles in Dolores Park, the mysterious donut-shaped rock in Termo and a NorCal mountain lion video that went viral (15:20). Finally, they are joined by geologist and author Forrest Hopson to discuss the anniversary of the Lassen Peak eruption (40:00).

You can purchase Hopson's book, Geology of Lassen Country, here.

In the first official meeting of the Northern California Book Club, Zach and Bob are joined by Chip O'Brien to discuss Beyond the Pale: The Story of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. written by the brewery's founder Ken Grossman. The crew dives deep into what makes Grossman tick, looking at the success of the world-famous brewery and the craft beer revolution starting right in NorCal.

On another Happy Hour episode of Talking NorCal, Zach and Bob are joined by Mike Wagner, Mike Pursell and Kasey Rawitzer to rank their favorite beers brewed in Northern California.

Vote for your favorite NorCal six pack to determine who wins the Happy Hour prize here.

In this episode of Talking NorCal, Zach and Bob long for the days of summer by going through the 10 Northern California adventures they hope to accomplish while the sun is shining in 2020. 

On this episode of the Talking NorCal Podcast, Zach and Bob discuss the news of the week including the state of fishing in California during Covid-19, bear sightings quadrupling in Yosemite, multiple lawsuits against Vail, cleaning up an illegal marijuana grow in the Ishi Wilderness and a rare mammal discovered in Yosemite (3:05). Then they are joined by the owner of Kayak Trinidad Jason Self to discuss his life as an outdoor enthusiast, living in Humboldt and his adventures kayaking on Trinidad Bay (23:53). Then, the guys reminisce about their hike to Mt. Shasta's Heart Lake (103:35).

On this episode of the Talking NorCal Podcast, Zach and Bob begin by discussing the California Fish and Game Commission's emergency fishing meeting, which ended in complete chaos. Then they sit down with freestyle cliff jumper Nick Coulter to discuss life as an online sensation, his adventures in Northern California and traveling the world with his cliff jumping crew.

On this episode of Talking NorCal, Zach and Bob review the first three weeks of their quarantine and how they're coping while stuck at home (2:50). Then they get into the news of the week including South Lake Tahoe's "no-travel order," this week's Super Pink Moon, illegal marijuana grows stealing water off public lands, the Monterey Bay Aquarium live streaming its exhibits, and a drive-in movie theater reopening in Sacramento (7:00). Then, they speak with Lance Banks from Denny Bar Co. to talk about life in Etna, distilling craft spirits and making hand sanitizer during the Coronavirus outbreak (28:20). Finally, they relive their trip to Butte County's Phantom Falls (44:10).

Here's the scenario: you're stuck on a deserted island with the choice of bringing only five of your favorite Northern California restaurants. On the first ever Happy Hour episode, Zach and Bob are joined by Mike Wagner and Mike Pursell to draft our favorite NorCal restaurants to bring on a deserted island. Which restaurants would you bring?

The walls are closing in during the third week of quarantine, and Zach and Bob discuss the news of the week including State and National Park closures, coyotes in San Francisco, the dwindling Sierra snowpack, Lake Tahoe's water clarity rebounding, AP's article on the Klamath River Dams and the third annual Active NorCal April Fool's Day Extravaganza (3:10). Then, they get on the phone with Active NorCal's adventure consultant Ryan "Backcountry" Craig to talk the current state of San Francisco, snowboarding around the world, his days in Tahoe, riding Mount Shasta and some of his favorite food spots in Northern California (35:10).