Outdoor Gear Chat

Get in touch!

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

Get in touch!

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

Get in touch!

Recorded as part of our Kendal Mountain Festival season of "Hope", Cathy and Wayne chat with Climber Jesse Dufton who offers a fascinating insight into rock climbing without sight.

The first blind person to climb the Old Man of Hoy, Montane sponsored athlete Jesse describes how his wife describes the rock in front of him which he then interprets with his fingers to place gear and build belays. Listen to how their unique relationship has lead to new routes and climbing all over the world.

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 Jesse Dufton

Kendal Mountain Festival

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

Episode 44: Helmets with Neil Gresham and Emma Powell

Episode 37: Ropes with Alex Smurthwaite, Edelrid

Episode 31: Adaptive Outdoor Kit with Paul Pritchard

Episode 20: Carabiners with Chris Rowlands, DMM

Episode 9: Rock boots - Trust The Rubber

Episode 7: Trad Climbing Gear with BMG Libby Peter

Get in touch!

Going through a rough time? Find a mate and take yourselves off to climb a 4000m peak in Tajikistan! That's exactly what Hannah Mitchell and Sam Jagger did earlier this year and they tell Cathy & Wayne all about it in this laughter packed episode.

Recorded live at Kendal Mountain Festival as part of this years theme of "Hope", Hannah and Sam chat about their un-supported trek into the remote Fann mountains before tackling their mountain and share how their rucksacks went with them every step of the way through joy, tears and friendship.

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

Kendal Mountain Festival

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

Episode 71: Remote expeditions with Mick Fowler

Episode 60: Deuter Athlete Tamara Lunger

Episode 26: Kit Lists for Expeditions with Andy Cave

Episode 10: Rucksacks - What's in Your Pack?

Get in touch!

Recorded live at Kendal Mountain Festival 2025, Cathy and Wayne chat with Climber and Mountaineer Dave Evans about gearing up for Scottish winter mountaineering adventures.

Head of Climbing and Mountaineering at Plas Y Brenin, the National Outdoor Centre; Dave knows a thing or two about how to prepare for vertical fun in some of the worlds foulest weather and talks through how the National Centre's long term relationship with one of the countries most established outdoor manufacturer's; Mountain Equipment, creates clothing and equipment offering consistent protection in all conditions. 

If you are hoping to gear up your adventures and head out in the Scottish Winter hills this 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

Plas Y Brenin - Book A Course

Kendal Mountain Festival

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

Episode 52: Gloves with Mountain Equipment @KMF 2024

Episode 50: Everest Fast & Light with Tom Livingstone

Episode 48: New Waterproof Fabrics - What You Need To Know Part 2

Episode 41: How To Keep Warm with Dr Down Matt Fuller

Get in touch!

Recorded as part of our Kendal Mountain Festival season of "Hope", Cathy and Wayne chat with new Women's World Record holder Sarah Perry about her incredible run at the Backyard Ultra in Tenessee.

Listen to the worlds toughest Maths teacher describe how she kept running every hour, on the hour for 4 days non-stop and how she uses her Suunto Vertical 2 to help her compete, train and rest.

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 Sarah's world record breaking run

Kendal Mountain Festival

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

Episode 68: Time For Tech with Suunto

Episode 33: Nice Lugs - Trail Running shoes with Chris Worton

Get in touch!

Cathy and Wayne catch up with Berghaus Athlete Ed Jackson to chat about his success as the first disabled person to complete a first ascent of a Himalayan mountain.

Ed is joined by Alice Sainsbury to share their experience of the Berghaus Adapts program creating bespoke clothing to help everyone of all abilities access the outdoors and how the charity Millimeters 2 Mountains, which Ed runs with his wife Lois, is using the power of community to help individuals re-define their limitations.

Listen ,learn and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Millimeters 2 Mountains


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

Joe Brown Outdoor Academy

Ed Jackson

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

Episode 71: Everest 50 - Remote Expeditions With Mick Fowler

Episode 55: Berghaus Adapts @KMF 2024

Episode 31: Adaptive Outdoor Kit with Paul Pritchard

You can listen to Ed's podcast series here:

It's Good To Walk

Get in touch!

Recorded as part of our Kendal Mountain Festival season of hope, Cathy catches up with the legend that is Sir Chris Bonington to chat about his incredible year celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Everest The Hard Way, what it has meant to him and the team members and how the legacy of that 1975 expedition is positively impacting the people of Nepal.

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

Kendal Mountain Festival

Buy: Everest The Hard Way - the story of the 1975 SW Face Expedition

Buy: More books by Chris Bonington

Buy: Mountain Guru, The Life of Doug Scott by Catherine Moorehead

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

Episode 73: Everest 50 - Commercial Expeditions with Di Gilbert

Episode 72: Everest 50 - Fast & Light with Tom Livingston

Episode 71: Everest 50 - Remote Expeditions With Mick Fowler

Episode 70: Everest 50 - Gear Innovation with Mike Parsons

Episode 69: Everest 50 - 1975 SW Face Expedition with Sir Chris Bonington and Paul 'Tut' Braithwaite

Episode 67: Joe Brown and Kangchenjunga 1955 

Episode 62: Community Action Nepal @KMF24

Episode 13: Joe Browns and The Climbers Shop Big History