The Outdoors Station

Down insulation is a touchy subject as more and more consumers become aware of the poor ethics some manufacturers have been accused of in recent times. Hydrophobic down is also a hot topic, offering new benefits where before it would have failed to insulate when damp. Ben Mainwaring from Rab UK joins us to discuss the practicalities of harvesting 'down', new developments and the long term effects of bird flu from 2012. Plus news of the BPL outdoor show coming in Spring 2014.

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A round up explaining some of the behind the scenes news relating to the new 2013 TGO Challenge videos which are now live and interviews at the UK trade show with Care Plus and their Tick Test Kit, ASI relating to forthcoming cool packs from Boreas Gear and the ultimate cooking machine, the Aquaforno. Enjoy :)

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A visit to the UK trade show in September this year, allowed me to catch up with Sarah at Cicerone and follow the progress of this small UK publishing company and the books and guides they produce for outdoors people everywhere. In particular the new Alan Hinkes release. The extensive tent display took up acres, but there was one new brand everyone was talking about set to get hearts racing. Nigor and the WickiUp teepee series.

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The concluding part of the interview with Jill and Peter Callaghan and their 500 mile walk across Northern Spain on this ancient pilgrimage trial. Some of the characters they met on route, dealing with some 'very' close sleeping arrangements in the hostels and the emotion and elation on arriving at their final destination.

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We're back! After an enforced break due to various commitments (explained in the podcast) we are please to get back into the saddle with the first of a 2 part interview with Jill and Peter Callaghan who have just completed the Camino De Santiago 500 mile walk in northern Spain. They literally returned a few days ago and are looking refreshed from their adventure. Back to our audio podcast roots, its all about normal people doing interesting things. Enjoy!

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The West Highland Way is a 96 mile established hiking trail in Scotland which takes walkers from the outskirts of Glasgow to the foot of Ben Nevis past the beautiful Loch Lomond and through the Trossachs National Park. It is a trail which many first time long distance hikers cut their teeth on, as although it is remote in places providing that desirable experience of solitude, it is still within reach of civilisation should you need to terminate your trip due to weather or other circumstances. It is also well serviced by campsites, B&Bs and luggage courier services, for those who want to complete the walk without carrying all their gear. Rose being a true backpacker, undertook this walk taking everything she needed with her, in mid April 2013 and this podcast covers her experience, discussing the route, the terrain and if she felt, as a lone female hiker, vulnerable at a stage of the experience. Pictures and more information can be found on www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk

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A podcast full of snippets of information about The Outdoors Station and why we have been a bit tardy these last few months in producing a more regular stream of information. There's also some information about our recent investment in video production software and how we hope to use Virtual Studios to make the reviews, interviews or presentations of outdoor gear more enjoyable. Please email us with your thoughts on what you would like to see us make videos of. We have access to a wide range of distributors and their equipment, as well as PR agencies. Would you like to see more videos about product detail, more stories about people doing activities or more 'how to' content, explaining hints and tips to make outdoor life easier? Andy Howell also reviews several books to while away these cold nights before we get out on the hills and stretch our legs.

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In this podcast Andy Howell meets up with Phil Sorrell for a geeky afternoon discussing social media, and how many outdoors users are becoming involved with his Social Hiking website www.shareyouradventure.com which is specifically designed to allow users to share their outdoor experiences, using photos, tweets, routes and so on. Hear more behind is history and how Phil has integrated all the current digital networks into a total interactive information resource allowing you track others, or your friends and family to follow you and your adventures anywhere in the world.

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The is the final interview in the five part series where I've been discussing the future of ultralight gear with three of the main contributors to the arena in the last 10 years. Ron Moak, Henry Shires and Glen Van Peski. Glen explains more about how a hobby became a cottage business and along the way it becomes clear that it isn't an easy option if you prefer to be out hiking, rather inside designing. As with Ron and Henry, Glen's relationship with customers forms the biggest part of this enterprise. Both from an end users input into design, as much as ensuring the products perform how they should. As did Ron and Henry, he also opens his pack for us and allows us a glimpse into the contents, before I do my best to conclude the similarities between my three guests and the subject in hand.

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Part 4 of the 5 part series discussing the future of Ultralight Gear with some of the key makers and shakers in the US cottage industry who have been there from the very start. Ron Moak, Henry Shires and in these last 2 interviews Glen Van Peski of Gossamer Gear. There's more to starting a small manufacturing base than you might realise and Glen very honestly talks about some of the key life decisions he has had to make along the way.

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