Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues

Latest Episodes:

The glory of Oregon's golden chanterelle: How to find, harvest and eat the state mushroom Sep 19, 2022

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In this episode, Zach and outdoors intern Skyla Patton prepare for the peak season for finding Oregon's delicious and beautiful state mushroom: the Pacific Golden Chanterelle. Skyla breaks down where and when to find chanterelles, how to eat it, how to get permits to harvest them and trickier questions including whether you can over-harvest the beloved mushroom. The two discuss everything from the science of why chanterelles grow across Western Oregon to best recipes to proper what the evidence suggests about cutting them or pulling them from the ground.

'East winds' are fueling wildfire havoc in Oregon. But why and how? Sep 13, 2022

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In this episode, Zach talks to wildfire meteorologist Eric Wise about a weather pattern known simply as "east winds," which fueled the 2020 Labor Day Fires and last weekend's widespread power shutdowns and wildfires that brought evacuations to Salem, Estacada and Oakridge. Wise explains where the east winds come from, why they make Oregon wildfires so explosive and whether climate change is making them more powerful or frequent. In other words, are scary east wind events a "new normal?" The second half of the podcast features Zach making an appearance on Oregon Public Broadcasting show Think Out Loud. The show's host, Dave Miller, interviews Zach about a recent story about the slow pace of final investigation reports about the causes of the 2020 Labor Day Fires.

12 best backpacking trips with kids, plus tips to make it happen Sep 07, 2022

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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach welcomes a trio of fun guests to talk about about going backpacking with kids and the best places to visit. Zach is joined by Bonnie Henderson, his co-author of the guidebook "Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon," along with 11-year-old backpackers Nate and Mary Evans, who share their thoughts from a kids' prospective. The group picks 12 great backpacking trips that land on the easy side and are good fits for younger backpackers (or just someone looking for an easier trip). Nate and Mary talk about everything from what treats to bring on backpacking trips to how to keep kids engaged, while Zach and Bonnie share tips from a parent's prospective.

Talking all things mushroom hunting with mycoeducator Rachel Zoller Sep 01, 2022

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In this episode, outdoor intern and fungus enthusiast Skyla Patton talks all things mushroom hunting with pro forager and mycoeducator Rachel Zoller, better known as Yellow Elanor.

Want to catch 100 fish in a single day? Head to this magic river Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Zach talks to fish biologist Stephan Charette about one of the best places to catch fish in Oregon — smallmouth bass on the John Day River. He talks about why the fishing is so good, where and how to land them and the upside and downside of so many fish.

Jefferson Park reopens, permit loopholes and whether to visit Waldo Lake Aug 18, 2022

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In this shorter episode, Zach talks about the reopening of Jefferson Park, perhaps the most beautiful alpine destination in Oregon, and how to get there in the wildfire-burned landscape. Then he gets into the "extra-effort permit loophole" that should help you reach beautiful places in Jefferson, Sisters and Washington wilderness areas. Finally, they travel to Waldo Lake to talk about whether it makes sense to visit Oregon's famously clear lake with a large wildfire burning nearby.

Illinois Valley: Sleep in a treehouse, explore caves, swim emerald pools and eat some 'sweet cron' Aug 16, 2022

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In this episode, Zach and Skyla head down Highway 199 to visit southwest Oregon's rugged and beautiful Illinois Valley. It's a place where you can sleep in a treehouse resort, go off trail at the Oregon Caves National Monument, visit art galleries featuring crystal artwork and reach mountain swimming holes, alpine lakes and big summits with a short drive. Zach and Skyla also talk about the controversial "sweet cron" sign along Highway 199 and some tasty eats in towns such as Cave Junction.

Big stories of Oregon summer: Wildfires, Opal Creek, coastal camping, best backpacking trips Aug 07, 2022

Show notes

In this episode Zach hits on the biggest stories of Oregon's summer. He touches on: 3:20: Wildfires and closures in place in Oregon at Waldo Lake, Diamond Peak. 7:20: The McKinny Fire on the Oregon-California border and what's at risk in that magic part of the world. 19:40: The reopening of 180,000 acres of pubic land including Opal Creek, Breitenbush, Jeff Wilderness. 24:50: New permits to climb Mount Hood. 27:20: Crowded campgrounds and how to score a few sites on the Coast. 38:00: Best backpacking trips in S. Oregon and N. California.

10 glorious swimming holes; Zach OPB interview; burned forest to reopens Jul 25, 2022

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This episode is all about Oregon's heat wave. To start, Zach is interviewed on Oregon Public Broadcasting about ways to stay safe and get outdoors amid 100 degree temps. Then, Zach talks about the latest on plans to reopen iconic forest burned in the Labor Day Fires around Mount Jefferson, Detroit and Opal Creek. Finally, Zach and Statesman Journal outdoors intern Skyla Patton pick 10 of Oregon's best swimming spots.

The Clack: Whitewater thrills, lazy tube floats on Portland's backyard river Jul 20, 2022

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In this episode, dive into the Clackamas River, notorious for giving Portland its whitewater bug. Zach interviews Pete Giordano, owner of Blue Sky Rafting, as they look at how the river has changed after the Riverside Fire, which kept the stream closed last summer, and how it hasn't. Pete details the best sections of the river for big rapids, the best places for a lazy float and good areas to camp, swim, SUP and fish on this wild tributary of the Willamette. They also touch on the history of early hydroelectric power and about camping at Milo McCarver State Park.

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