A goodbye to co-host Jim Ryan

Before it was a podcast — or had a name at all — Peak Northwest was Jim Ryan’s offbeat brainchild. Jim, at the time a breaking news reporter, pitched Oregonian/OregonLive editors a video series about how to set out on signature Oregon adventures. The concept stuck — kind of. The news organization launched the Peak Northwest video series, then the podcast, in fall 2019. Video shoots have since taken Jim to the top of Oregon’s tallest mountain, into the waters of the Pacific Ocean and along all 30.2 miles of Portland’s Wildwood Trail. The podcast has given him a chance to talk with an array of passionate guests and share some of our region’s many wonders. But this is Jim’s last episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, as he started a new job Monday as an editor for The Seattle Times. Fear not, Peak Northwest is continuing on with a new co-host and more adventures. In his final episode, Jim shares some of his favorite Oregon places, along with memories from his time in Portland and sentiments about Peak Northwest. Some highlights: Jim tells a story about the formative experience of climbing Mount St. Helens for the first time. He discusses some of his favorite places in Oregon: Mount Hood and Smith Rock State Park among them. Jim details the magic of northwest Oregon’s forested trails, shouting out two of his favorites: the Eagle Creek and Wildwood trails. He describes his appreciation for Portland as a “generalist’s paradise” and shares details about his new job. Jamie Hale provides a primer about the future of Peak Northwest as videographer Vickie Connor joins the podcast as co-host. Jamie and Andrew Theen, podcasts editor, surprise Jim with a montage of funny soundbites. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices