In this first episode of the UK Six Peaks series, we step behind the scenes into the part of adventure no one ever talks about — the months of planning, modelling, ferry meltdowns, and logistical choreography that turn a wild idea into something real. Recorded in January from Reno, this is the blueprint for a challenge that spans six countries, three islands, and a 72‑hour clock.

We break down the origins of the Six Peaks, why this version is different, and how the route takes shape when ferries, flights, weather windows, and geography all fight for control. From Cork to Carrauntoohil, from Glasgow to Ben Nevis, from Manchester to the Isle of Man, this episode reveals the architecture of an adventure that is equal parts mountain and movement.

We also explore the deeper purpose behind the attempt — raising money for Beating Breast Cancer with Success through Sarah’s Story — and how giving a challenge meaning changes the way you prepare for it.

If you’ve ever wondered how to design a big adventure, or you’re dreaming up a Pop of your own, this episode shows you how the story really begins: long before the first summit, in the quiet, obsessive, beautiful work of preparation.

www.blisterpopadventures.com

Off you pop.

Support the show

A journey along the edge of the world. In this episode of Off You Pop, we walk the legendary Kalalau Trail on Kauaʻi’s Nā Pali Coast — an 11‑mile coastal pilgrimage carved into volcanic cliffs above the Pacific. You’ll move through rainforest, red‑dirt ridgelines, ancient valleys, and finally arrive at Kalalau Beach, a place that feels mythic the moment you see it.

This episode blends cinematic storytelling with practical guidance: permits, pacing, heat strategy, river crossings, and how to move through the exposed cliff sections with clarity instead of fear. Along the way, we explore the cultural history of the coast, the psychology of presence, and why this route has become one of the most transformative one‑day adventures in the US21.

If you’re the kind of person who chooses meaning over ease, who wants a story worth telling, and who feels the pull of wild coastline and big landscapes — the Hawaii Pop is waiting.

US14. The Kalalau Trail. A journey along the edge of the world.

www.blisterpopadventures.com

Off you pop.

Support the show

In this Story Pop episode, Philip shares the unfiltered truth of his failed attempt at the Death Valley Pop — the brutal ascent from Shorty’s Well to Telescope Peak. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a story about heat, navigation mistakes, fitness mismatch, and the moment a big dream meets a bigger mountain.

You’ll hear how the day began below sea level in the dark, how the route unraveled in the braided washes of Hanaupah Canyon, and how every wrong decision compounded the grade, the heat, and the effort. Philip breaks down the exact moment he realized he wasn’t going to make the summit — and what it felt like to turn around, descend in silence, and sit with the truth of the day.

This episode explores the deeper psychology of failure: how small errors cascade into big consequences, how confidence erodes when the terrain stops making sense, and how ambition sometimes outpaces preparation. .

If you’ve ever had a day go sideways in the mountains, or if you’re preparing for your own US21 journey, this episode is a reminder that failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s part of the path.

Learn more about the US21 and the Death Valley Pop at:
www.blisterpopadventures.com

Story Pop: How I Failed Shorty’s Well to Telescope Peak.
Off you pop.

Support the show

Step into one of the most cinematic loops in the Pacific Northwest. The Olympic Pop — a full-day journey through rainforest, meadows, and the sweeping High Divide — is a route built on contrast: mist and sunlight, moss and granite, stillness and scale. In this episode, we guide you through the entire 18‑mile High Divide / Seven Lakes Basin Loop with the signature Blisterpop blend of warm authority, mythic storytelling, and practical clarity.

You’ll move from the moss-draped quiet of the Sol Duc Valley to the wide-open ridge above Seven Lakes Basin, where Mount Olympus and the Blue Glacier rise across the valley like a world apart. Along the way, we break down logistics, risks, pacing, weather windows, and the emotional architecture of the day — giving you the confidence to take on one of the most beautiful and balanced routes in the US21.

If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning, chooses effort over ease, and wants a story worth telling, the Olympic Pop is waiting. Off you pop.

www.blisterpopadventures.com

Support the show

Step into one of the most mythic alpine traverses in North America.  
The Cascades Pop — the Enchantments Through‑Hike — is a full‑day passage through granite, lakes, and legend. From the quiet forest at Stuart Lake to the turquoise Core Zone beneath Dragontail Peak, this episode walks you through every emotional beat of the journey: the first glimpse of Colchuck, the steep ascent of Aasgard Pass, the white‑granite basins of the Upper Enchantments, and the long, sun‑soaked descent toward Snow Lakes.

This is not just a hike. It’s a story you step into.

In this episode, we explore:
• Why the Enchantments matter — and why they stay with you  
• The landscape you’re entering: granite walls, alpine lakes, golden larches  
• The logistics and risks of a point‑to‑point wilderness traverse  
• A immersive walkthrough of the route  
• The deeper theme of US12: Wonder  

If you’re listening, you’re already the kind of person who seeks meaning, effort, and a story worth telling.  
When you’re ready to rise into the high country and cross Aasgard Pass…  
Off you pop.

www.blisterpopadventures.com

Support the show

Mt. St. Helens isn’t just a climb — it’s a walk into the story of a living volcano. In this episode of Off You Pop, we take you from the quiet forest of Climber’s Bivouac to the boulder fields, ash slopes, and the jagged crater rim of US11: the Helens Pop.

You’ll learn why this route is a Blisterpop classic, how the 1980 eruption reshaped the landscape, and what it means to climb through a place defined by destruction and renewal. We break down the full route — forest warmup, hands‑on boulder scrambling, the loose pumice grind, and the final push to the steaming crater rim — with the pacing, psychology, and clarity you need for a safe, meaningful ascent.

If you’ve ever wanted to stand on the edge of creation, this is your guide.  
US11. Mt. St. Helens. A climb into the mouth of a volcano.

Plan your Pop at blisterpopadventures.com.

Support the show

A loop through granite cathedrals and glacial lakes — the Teton Pop is one of the most complete alpine days in North America. In this episode, we walk the full Paintbrush–Cascade Canyon Loop: the quiet shoreline of String Lake, the waterfalls and wildflowers of Paintbrush Canyon, the turquoise bowl of Holly Lake, the steep climb to Paintbrush Divide, the descent into the amphitheater of Lake Solitude, and the long, flowing return through Cascade Canyon.

You’ll learn why this route matters, how to stage your day from Jackson, what risks to respect (snow, weather, wildlife), and how to move through the high country with confidence. We break down the full narrative arc of the loop — from the first steps in the forest to the moment the entire Teton Range opens beneath you on the Divide.

If you’re looking for a single‑day adventure that blends alpine drama with accessible beauty, this is your Pop. A journey through granite, glaciers, and one of the most iconic mountain basins in the country.

Explore more Pops at blisterpopadventures.com.

Support the show

The Glacier Pop takes you onto one of the most iconic traverses in North America: the Highline Trail. This episode walks you through the full narrative arc of the day — from stepping onto the cliffside ledge at Logan Pass to moving along the Garden Wall, resting at Granite Park Chalet, and descending to The Loop with the Continental Divide at your back.

You’ll learn why the Highline is more than a hike: it’s a psychological journey through exposure, beauty, and perspective. We break down the landscape, the logistics, the weather patterns, and the risks that shape this route, giving you the clarity you need for a confident, meaningful day in Glacier National Park.

If you’re drawn to big views, big feelings, and the quiet courage of moving through wild places, this Pop delivers. When you’re ready to walk the spine of the continent… off you pop.

Support the show

Longs Peak isn’t just a mountain — it’s a rite of passage.  
In this Off You Pop episode, we take you step‑by‑step through the Keyhole Route: a climb that begins in quiet forest, rises into alpine tundra, crosses the jagged Keyhole, and weaves through the Ledges, the Trough, the Narrows, and the Homestretch before topping out at 14,259 feet.

You’ll learn why this route matters, how to stage your day from Estes Park, what risks define the climb, and how to move through each section with clarity and confidence.  
This episode blends cinematic storytelling with practical, field‑ready guidance — plus the psychological architecture that helps you imagine your future self standing on the summit.

If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over ease, who wants a story worth telling, and who’s ready to step through the gates of the mountain… the Rocky Mountain Pop is waiting.

US8.  
Longs Peak.  
A climb through the gates of the mountain.

When you’re ready… off you pop.

Support the show

The Tahoe Five Peaks Challenge — the T5 — is one of the hardest one‑day peak challenges in America. Five summits. Fifty miles. More than thirteen thousand feet of climbing. And a tour of the Tahoe Basin in a single push.

In this episode, we walk the entire challenge together: the peaks, the strategy, the logistics, the landscape, and the psychology behind why the T5 exists. You’ll learn the four official versions of the challenge — the T5 Trail Run 24, the T5 24‑Hour Hike, the T5 Weekender, and the T5 One‑a‑Day — and how to choose the one that fits your style.

We break down each summit in order: Mt Rose in the dark, Granite Chief at dawn, Tallac as the emotional midpoint, Freel as the highest and hardest, and Genoa Peak as the final push under the stars. You’ll hear how to pace the day, how to manage transitions, how to fuel, and how to keep your head in the game when fatigue sets in.

The T5 isn’t just a physical challenge — it’s a tour of the entire Tahoe Basin, a pilgrimage through volcanic ridges, granite spires, alpine lakes, and high‑desert escarpments. It’s a test of planning, grit, humility, and heart. And when you finish, you understand something about yourself that you didn’t know at Mt Rose.

If you’re ready to take on the Tahoe Five Peaks Challenge — in one day, two days, or five — this episode gives you the full blueprint. Five summits. One day. One basin. Off you pop.

Learn more or register your attempt at: www.tahoe5peaks.com

Support the show