Professional climbing, new motherhood, and personal hardship. Colorado based Rab athlete Heather Weidner shares the journey and philosophy behind her elite level sport and trad climbing achievements, and the meaning behind the routes she climbs. A former ballet dancer and veterinary surgeon, Heather recently became a mother. In this podcast episode…

Balancing bikepacking expeditions to remote wilderness with corporate and family life. Rab ambassador Nat Williams shares the highs and lows of biking in remote regions, from traversing Iceland on two-wheels to the 1900KM Silk Road Mountain Race through Kyrgyzstan. What are the unique challenges of cycling at altitude? How do you prepare for the ru…

Managing the mindset for adventure after a life-changing climbing accident. Paralysed in a climbing accident as a young woman, Karen Darke explores the mindset needed to approach extreme adventure, and shares her mantra that ‘ability is a state of mind’. Karen’s curious and creative nature has led her to live a life full of thrills, from traversing…

After avoiding Patagonia for 20 years, blind adventurer, Erik Weihenmayer recounts his inaugural trip to El Valle de Silencio with his friend, Chilean climber and photographer, Felipe Tapia Nordenflycht. Although from Chile, Felipe has never had the opportunity to visit the climbers' paradise that sits in his home country. They discuss their aim to…

How do you seek out quality new routes? And, how to adapt your beta and approach to accommodate disability? Born with limb difference in one hand, Scottish new route pioneer Kev Shields discusses how a sense of community and trust in those around him help him achieve his climbing goals, as he embarks on a quest to send his first E8 trad route. In t…

After losing her lower leg in an avalanche in the Alps, Jo Newton shares her journey through trauma to the international paraclimbing competition stage. A story so powerful it compels you to listen, Jo’s responses to trauma pay testament to the best of the human spirit, courage, friendship and determination. A single mum and Engineering Director wo…

What does it take to become the youngest woman to cycle around the world? Setting out at just 19 years old, Rab athlete Vedangi Kulkarni became the youngest woman to cycle the 29,000km across 15 countries around the globe. Vedangi discovered her passion for bikes on a Brighton to London cycle during her university studies. In fact, she loved the ex…

Environmental education: it’s our responsibility. In this special edition of The Mountain People Podcast, Debbie Read, our Head of Corporate Communications and CSR, talks with Science Presenter Huw James about why industries should be leading the charge on environmental education and passing on their knowledge to consumers.…

Can high-performance outdoor gear ever be completely sustainable? In this special edition episode of The Mountain People Podcast, Science Presenter Huw James and Rab Design Director Tim Fish delve into the challenges and limitations we face when creating more sustainable gear.By Rab Equipment

How to source more sustainable outdoor gear: challenges and informed choices. In this special edition episode of The Mountain People Podcast, Science Presenter Huw James joins host Andy Cave to discuss the challenges of buying sustainable gear, understanding what makes it sustainable, and how we can help our customers make informed choices.…

Navigating identity, the importance of community, and new motherhood in the outdoors. Having recently become a new mother to twins, Rab athlete Hetty Kingston shares her journey of gravel biking throughout pregnancy. Hetty gives insight into her lived experiences of pregnancy in the outdoors, and debunks the myths and conflicting advice she encount…

Discover the transformative power of skill sharing at Climbing Life Kenya, in collaboration with the Global Climbing Initiative. In this episode, Rab athlete and coach Marcus Garcia, Liz Ndindi and Dani Dobrot join host Andy Cave as they reflect on their journey of growth, empowerment, safety and inclusivity as they guide an emerging climbing commu…

From the essential skills and mindset needed to stay safe whilst moving through the mountains, from winter walking, to tackling treacherous climbs on ice and mixed terrain, Glenmore Lodge Chief Instructor, Heather Morning, and Mountain Guide Stu McAleese, are unrivalled in their experience of Scottish winter. Situated in the Cairngorms National Par…

Sharp decision making, thorough preparation, and understanding conditions and risks. Born and raised beneath Monte Bianco, Rab and Lowe Alpine’s Head of Design, Jacopo Buffachi, discusses the mindset and preparation needed to stay safe and make the most of backcountry ski touring. What are common hazards early season versus later in the year? What …

Season after season, Rab athlete Greg Boswell and Guy Robertson push the boundaries of the possible, making bold first ascents, often ground up, with little prior knowledge of what lies ahead. We ask them about the secret to finding good conditions, falling off, and balancing a climbing obsession with a regular job and family life. And, what went i…

We chat to ski freeride legend Julian Carr about tackling huge cliff drops, his mental preparation and how to say ‘no’, even with a large film crew in tow. Having appeared in multiple Warren Miller ski movies, Julian is a true professional, savouring every moment of being a full-time skier.By Rab Equipment

In this episode, Chamonix-based mountain guide, Boris Langenstein discusses the challenges of high-altitude skiing, with a big pack and little chance of rescue. This is true exploration where partnership and acceptance of risk are essential. How do you make good decisions when tired at such altitudes? What happens when one person is not strong enou…

Meticulous planning, physical and mental strain, and strong emotions: Rab athlete Jon Gupta talks us through the make-up of high-altitude mountaineering expeditions in the Himalayas. So, what kit is needed? What’s the secret of getting people to bond? How integral are Sherpas to a team’s success? And, how much does a trip like this cost?…

Based out of Squamish, Canada, Rab athletes Bronwyn Hodgins and Jacob Cook are no strangers to ambitious journeys across vast landscapes in search of adventurous first ascents. Having recently completed a 65-day human powered expedition along the coast of Greenland, the duo share insight into how they plan these impressive missions, how they secure…

Hailing from a land with little culture of alpinism, Rab athlete Faiçal Bourkiba discusses his dreams of developing winter climbing possibilities in Morocco, and the challenges of sourcing equipment from local markets. Full of alpine aspiration, Faiçal teamed up with fellow Rab athlete Jeff Mercier to bring two different worlds together for a first…

From groundbreaking first descents, to gnarly backcountry touring missions, Rab athlete and extreme snowboarder, Krister Kopala finds inspiration in exploring the mountain ranges of Northern Norway. Krister talks of cutting edge descents (including his latest film 'The White Giant'), and his journey from the speed of freeride snowboard to more nuan…

Chamonix-based Dutch mountain guide, Roeland Van Oss, set out to climb all 4000m peaks in the Alps in a summer, without using any powered transport to travel between them. In a year where the effects of climate change were felt across Europe more than ever, Roeland wanted to set an example of how we can all do small things to impact change. Just a …

When Marie Uri first got in to climbing, there were very few women who looked like her, neither her size nor her colour. Marie has type 2 diabetes, is neurodiverse and describes herself as being ‘a generous body type person’. Raised in Guadeloupe before moving to the suburbs of Paris to finish her schooling, Marie’s passion for languages ultimately…

London-based, proud Mum Chelle Nevill has struggled with her mental health over the years. It wasn’t until she discovered climbing, when she really started to make lasting progress. Chelle was diagnosed with depression in 2009 and says, “I have always done my best to try and be strong and overcome my own obstacles, but it wasn't until I found climb…

Rachael Crewesmith works as an instructor, coach and mentor across a variety of mountain sports. Whether its winter climbing on Ben Nevis, mountain biking across Nepal or trad climbing on a sea cliff, Rachael loves it all and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and skill. She combines her technical knowledge with a strong background in coachi…

Angus has climbed hard free routes on El Capitan, he climbed the infamous E9 Indian face on Cloggy as a youth, and recently set his sights on climbing a 9a sport route in Spain. Suffice to say, Angus Kille knows a thing or two about ‘being bold’. He talks about setting ambitious goals and making them a reality. How he handles the pressure on the cl…

Jerry Moffatt is a living legend. He was one of the best climbers through the 1980s and 90s. Jerry excelled in all disciplines of rock climbing consistently pushing standards to new heights around the world - in bouldering, trad climbing, redpointing, flashing and on-sighting. But it wasn’t all plain sailing. Jerry battled with injuries and initial…

Rab athlete Bronwyn Hodgins shares her mental approach to preparing for Golden Gate 5:13a, a desperate 30 plus pitch free route on El Capitan, Yosemite. As a guide, mentor and elite rock climber based in Squamish BC Canada, Bronwyn shares insights into the workshops she runs to help people overcome the fear of falling. Bronwyn also regales stories …

A candid chat with Professor Lew Hardy, who trained as a British mountain guide but went on to help set up the Institute for the Psychology of Elite Performance at Bangor University. He worked on research projects with Royal Marines, England’s cricket team, Olympians and countless other groups. Lew shares insights into what drives high achievers an…

Rab athlete, Tom Randall, has travelled the world in search of the quirkiest crack climbs that nature has to offer. Faced with the prospect of a year without international travel, Tom and his climbing partner, Pete Whittaker, needed a project closer to home. And so ‘The Great Rift’ was born. In this exclusive interview, he explains how an almost 80…

Ryan Vachon is a climate scientist and videographer. When he’s not researching frozen bits of the world, digging up ice cores, or making films about how caribou survive Arctic winters, he likes to climb. Being based in Denver, Colorado, he’s got plenty on the doorstep. Ryan’s big passion is to inspire people to engage in informed decisions on how t…

The energy and enthusiasm of Tim Fish are infectious. He rarely sits still, but I made him! This is a rare opportunity to glimpse into the mind of an innovative product design leader. Tim Fish loves trad climbing andbouldering. Hislove of wild places began whilst visiting his gran in Snowdonia as a kid. At school he was always drawn to art, design …

Jacopo was born in Courmayeur beneath the giant Italian face of Mt Blanc. He was skiing well before he started school and dreamed of becoming a mountain guide. Jacopo shares the thrill of climbing his first 4000 metre peak with his father, about his work as a guide and his passion for supporting mountain guides in the countries of South America. He…

Neil McAdie is a man who loves a journey. If it involves climbing, particularly adventurous climbing, even better. He has climbed everywhere, literally; Gogarth, Ben Nevis, Bolivia, Mt Blanc, first ascents of giant Himalayan mountains - he has crammed in a lifetime of quests. Neil shares stories of the places and characters he’s encountered along t…

Rab athlete Tom Randall swapped life as a London city trader to become a cutting-edge rock climber. His visionary first ascents included the famous Century Crack, a project that he and his Wideboyz partner Pete Whittaker trained for in Tom’s legendary Sheffield cellar. Tom is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the global climbing performance Latt…

Dick Turnbull is the man behind a great British climbing institution, the Outside shop in Hathersage, Peak District. When it comes to climbing kit and clothing his knowledge is unparalleled. An accomplished mountaineer, through the 1980s and 90s Dick climbed many of the formidable Alpine north faces in winter. He talks about working with outdoor br…

Rab Carrington is a climbing legend. In 1981 he began making down sleeping bags in his house in Sheffield. Rab likes solving problems whether on a mountain or designing and making kit for people heading to the mountains. In this second episode Rab talks about a ground-breaking and committing alpine-style ascent of the Himalayan giant Jannu. Rab tal…

Rab Carrington is a climbing legend. In 1981 he began making down sleeping bags in his house in Sheffield. Rab likes solving problems whether on a mountain or designing and making kit for people heading to the mountains. In this first episode Rab talks about growing up in Glasgow and starting out climbing in the 1960s. Later Rab formed a formidable…

Hetty Key and Charlie Low wanted a climbing community. So, they built one for themselves. The Women’s Trad Fest has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2016. Connecting, inspiring, including and supporting women, as they transition from indoor climbing to outdoor trad in the Peak District, UK. In this episode we chat about their p…

Bronwyn Hodgins has boundless energy. And she’s been putting it to excellent use. For 35 days she journeyed by pack raft through the Auyuittuq National Park, on Baffin Island. With her husband, Jacob Cook, and two friends in tow, she climbed some of the world’s biggest and most remote walls. We catch up on this latest expedition and hear about wher…

Angus Kille has pushed himself in all the disciplines of rock climbing. From Shropshire sandstone, to the Indian Face on Cloggy, and big free climb adventures on El Capitan. We talk about life on a big wall, climbing partnerships and pushing yourself physically and mentally. Angus has done so much and he’s still young. Perhaps his secret is to stay…

Kev Shields is straight talking and funny. He understands adversity. He climbs rock and ice at a very high standard, with only one fully formed hand. Kev claims that discovering climbing changed his life and helped him deal with tough times. We chat about what drives him and whether he thinks attitudes to disabled people have really changed all tha…

Former kickboxing champion Nasim Eshqi is one of Iran’s rock strongest climbers. A pioneer of new routes, we hear about the obstacles she has had to overcome, in climbing and in life. She tells us what she learned on her travels outside of Iran and explains why the liberation and energy she gets from nature is one of the her main attractions to cli…

Julia Virat is one of a handful of French women to become a Chamonix High Mountain Guide. Here she shares how she broke through barriers into an elite male dominated world, recounting tales of adventures, on skis, in a yacht and on the world’s biggest rock walls. She relives the drama of getting lost on Yosemite’s 3,000 foot El Capitan. Solo. In th…