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Ever wondered if walking poles are worth the investment? Why trekking poles are handy for more than just physical support? Or if running poles can make much of a difference to your race time?

Join Cathy and Wayne as they dive into the construction, adjustability, grip type and length of poles including top tips of how to fit and use them for the best performance. This podcast covers the physical and mental benefits of using poles and how to decide which style may be the best for you.

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Community Action Nepal

Buy Walking/Trekking Poles

Buy trail Running Poles

Buy pole spares

Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Episode 65: Kit List - Lake District Sky Trails

Episode 36: Kit List - Trekking In Nepal

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Get all the knowledge you need for a great nights sleep out under the stars as Cathy & Wayne chat about the ins and outs of sleeping mats.

Learn about different types of mat, insulation ratings, why shape is important, why thicker isn't always warmer and discover why a "schnozzel" is a very important piece of kit. Packed full of fun facts and plenty of fun and laughter, this podcast will have you sleeping like a baby.

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Community Action Nepal

Buy Sleeping mats

Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Episode 41: How To Keep Warm

Episode 4: Sleeping Bags

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Cathy chats about the Joe Brown 60th Anniversary Big Tick Summer Climbing Challenge with one of the UK's hardest climbers - Emma Twyford.

The first woman in the UK to climb E10 and Sport 9a, she boulders 7c+ and loves getting out on the crags of her adopted home of North Wales. Emma shares her favourite routes on the list, talks kit, long term climbing partnerships and shares her thoughts on climbing psychology.

Part route list and part kit list this chat wanders down memory lane and explores much more than just holds and belays.

Thank you to Scarpa for making this podcasts possible.

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Community Action Nepal

Get involved with the Joe Brown Big Tick

Buy climbing gear

Need an Instructor?

Episode 44: Helmets with Gemma Powell & Neil Gresham

Episode 37: Ropes with Edlerid

Episode 20: Carabiners with DMM

Episode 9: Rock boots

Episode 7: Trad Climbing Gear with BMG Libby Peter

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After an incredible Kendal Mountain Festival 2025 Cathy and Wayne chat through the incredible range of guests on another fantastic Kendal podcast season.

Kendal Mountain Festival delivered yet again on a packed programme spread over four days - with more than 200 live ticketed sessions including 300+ speakers on stage, 150+ films, 10+ parties, and 60+ activities attracting more than 25,000 visitors.

The festival kicks off a year of tours around the UK so you too can get involved in the incredible stories of people venturing into our stunning planet. You can link to the Kendal Mountain Player anytime to watch a wealth of collated films and talks from winners across the years.

Kendal Mountain Festival

Full KMF podcast season 2025

Full KMF podcast season 2024

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Recorded as part of our Kendal Mountain Festival season of "Hope", Wayne and Cathy chat with "Adversity Adventurer" Alex Staniforth.

Record-breaking adventurer, inspirational speaker, author and coach, Alex has already overcome more than many will in a lifetime. Before the age of 19, he survived the two most significant disasters in Mount Everest history in two consecutive years, whilst his biggest mountains have been even closer to home: epilepsy, bullying, mental ill health and a lifelong stammer. 

Founder of one of Kendal Charity partners: Mind Over Mountains, Alex chats about his most recent challenge  the first and fastest person to climb all 446 mountains in England & Wales by human power in just 45 days. Listen to the kit he used, the logistics he overcame and how the charity works to restore mental well-being through nature.

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to:
Mind Over Mountains

The Climbers Shop and Joe Brown Shops | Outdoor Clothing & Equipment UK
The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

More about Alex Staniforth

Kendal Mountain Festival

If you found this interesting then don't forget to download the full KMF 2025 season:

KMF Full season

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Recorded as part of our Kendal Mountain Festival season of "Hope", Cathy and Wayne chat with endurance runner and adventure athlete Sally Orange MBE.

Listen to learn why Sally holds the Guinness World Record for the first (and possibly only) person to run a marathon on every continent dressed as a piece of fruit, how she had to re-think her clothing while running the Everest Marathon with a cancer diagnosis and why running to her chemotherapy appointments was so important.

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Community Action Nepal


The Climbers Shop and Joe Brown Shops | Outdoor Clothing & Equipment UK
The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

More about Sally Orange

Everyones Everest

Kendal Mountain Festival

If you found this interesting then don't forget to download our earlier episodes:

Episode 71: Everest 50 - Mick Fowler

Episode 31: Adaptive Outdoor Kit with Paul Pritchard

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Recorded as part of our Kendal Mountain Festival season of "Hope", Cathy and Wayne chat with Professor Rachel Carr and Sonam Rinzin about their vital fieldwork helping protect people in the Bhutan Himalaya.

Rachel and Sonam specialize in the threat of Glacial Lake Collapse, an increasing issue due to climate change and spend weeks in remote, glacial regions on fieldwork. Listen to their descriptions of how they use their kit in the unique environments they work in and the broader positive impact of the work they do.

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Community Action Nepal


The Climbers Shop and Joe Brown Shops | Outdoor Clothing & Equipment UK
The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Mount Everest Foundation

Kendal Mountain Festival

If you found this interesting then don't forget to download our earlier episodes:

Episode 60: Deuter Athlete Tamara Lunger @KMF 2024

Episode 46: Kit Lists - New Routes in Greenland

Episode 41: How To Keep Warm With Dr Down

Episode 26: Kit List - Expeditions

Episode 22: Eye Protection

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Recorded live at Kendal Mountain Festival 2025, Cathy and Wayne catch up with global mountaineer and adventurer Nigel Vardy aka "Mr Frostbite" to chat about life after his fateful ascent of Mt McKinley/Denali in 1999.

While surviving -60 degree temperatures, Nigel lost his nose, toes and fingers aged just 30. His film "Frostbitten" tells the story of what was the highest and most daring helicopter rescue ever accomplished, his recovery and subsequent return to the mountain and his incredible team of rescuers 25 years later.

Warning: Dark humour from the outset!

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Community Action Nepal


The Climbers Shop and Joe Brown Shops | Outdoor Clothing & Equipment UK
The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Nigel Vardy

Kendal Mountain Festival

If you found this interesting then don't forget to download our earlier episodes:

Episode 76: Ed Jackson & Alice Sainsbury@KMF 2025

Episode 55: Berghaus Adapts @KMF 2024

Episode 41: How To Keep Warm with Dr Down

Episode 31: Adaptive Outdoor Equipment with Paul Pritchard

Get in touch!

Ever wondered how one of the hardest climbers in the UK chooses his rock boots?

Recorded live at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy & Wayne catch up with Scarpa Athlete, professional climber, coach, You Tuber and Speaker Robbie Phillips delving into key rock boot fitting tips for all types of climbing. Through his career, Robbie has moved from comp climbing for Team GB through all disciplines including bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, winter climbing, and big walling. His lust for adventure and travel has taken him across the globe where he has climbed pretty much every type of rock type in every style.

If you want rock boot advice from the modern master then this episode is for you!

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Community Action Nepal


The Climbers Shop and Joe Brown Shops | Outdoor Clothing & Equipment UK
The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

More about Robbie Phillips

Kendal Mountain Festival

If you found this interesting then don't forget to download our earlier episodes:

Episode 66: Kit Lists for Alpine Climbing with BMG Tom Ripley

Episode 44: Helmets with Neil Gresham and Emma Powell

Episode 37: Ropes with Edelrid

Episode 28: Mountain Boots with Scarpa

Episode 20: Carabiners with Chris Rowlands, DMM

Episode 9: Rock boots - Trust The Rubber

Episode 7: Choosing a Trad Climbing Rack with BMG Libby Peter

Get in touch!

Recorded live at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne chat with Scottish Climber, Mountaineer and Dry Tooler Caitlin Connor.

Sponsored by Rab, Caitlin describes the gear and training she uses in this niche sport to compete on the World stage. Starting out as an indoor competition climber Caitlin transitioned into the outdoor arena enjoying both summer trad climbing and winter mountaineering. Now, she's a member of the GB climbing team and has her eye firmly set on the 2030 Winter Olympics. If you want to learn what's involved in getting there - listen in and brace yourself!

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Community Action Nepal


The Climbers Shop and Joe Brown Shops | Outdoor Clothing & Equipment UK
The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

More about Caitlin Connor

Kendal Mountain Festival

If you found this interesting then don't forget to download our earlier episodes:

Episode 50: Balance with Rab @ KMF 2024

Episode 44: Helmets with Neil Gresham and Emma Powell

Episode 28: Mountain Boots with Scarpa

Episode 15: Ice Axes with BMG Adrian Nelhams