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

In this reposted episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with Leo Rosen-Fischer, an expert of recreational tree climbing in the Pacific Northwest and owner Tree Climbing at Silver Falls. They talk about what recreational tree climbing is — using ropes, a harness and other equipment to ascend high up old-growth trees — before detailing the types of giant trees you can climb in the backcountry of Silver Falls State Park. They talk about how tree climbing works for younger kids and older adults, how you can actually camp at the top of a nearly 300-foot tree and how Rosen-Fischer and state parks officials ensure the activity is not harming the trees or displacing animals.

In this episode, intern Makenzie Stamets talks with climbing historian Jeff Thomas about how sport climbing was born and developed at Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon. Thomas has been climbing at Smith since the 70s and has written two of the state's influential guidebooks. The two talk about how this all came together and the controversy that came with it.

In this episode, host Zach Urness and intern Riley Ellis talk about surfing at Short Sand Beach, Oregon's most popular surfing destination. Short Sand, located in Oswald West State Park, garners 1.3 million visitors a year and features a beautiful half-mile hike to the ocean. Many of those visitors go to Short Sands Beach to catch waves. Riley Ellis, who grew up surfing in Lincoln City, sought to find out if Shorty's is overhyped or deserving of its reputation as a surfer's paradise.

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with state climatologist Larry O'Neill about what a historically powerful El Niño will mean for Oregon this fall and winter. The two talk about the difference between El Niño and La Niña and why it matters for global weather. Then, they look at why this coming winter is expected to see the strongest El Niño ever recorded. O'Neill explains what the unusual weather pattern could mean for Oregon's rainfall and snowfall, flooding and drought.

In this episode, host Zach Urness and intern Makenzie Stamets talk about the Eagle Creek Trail's wild history along with how to backpack the pathway — and find great swimming. Eagle Creek Trail is one of the oldest recreation sites in Oregon and was also the birthplace of the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire — one of the state's most infamous fires. They also discuss the site's iconic ... bathroom.