Planning an expedition to Greenland?Cathy and Wayne are joined by Olly Sanders to chat about how to prepare, what kit to pack, why climbing style may be dictated by your kayak, the effect of comms and tech on expeditions and why wellies are always on his kit list.There are top tips on how to travel with minimal impact, information and funding advice for those planning their own adventures all interspersed with how to pack your boat, where to strap your gun and the very real discovery that Pol...

Ever wondered what's involved in starting a new outdoor clothing brand?Cathy and Wayne are joined by Artilect Co-Founder Trent Bush to chat about the incredible amount of passion, science, skill and global logistics involved in getting a product from concept to shelf.Based in Boulder Colorado, Artilect offer men's and women's ethically produced base layer, insulation and waterproof clothing packed full of innovative technologies and centered around the outdoor user. This is a fasc...

This week Cathy and Wayne talk about head protection with Petzl sponsored athletes and climbing giants: Emma Powell and Neil Gresham.Whether you are trad, sport, winter climbing or dry tooling we delve into why you might choose to wear a helmet when you climb, different construction types, testing, safety, how to check your helmet, how to tell when your helmet should be retired and why recycling them is so difficult. Packed full of technical geekery, anecdotes and possibly a little too much i...

Cathy and Wayne talk about the NEW Mountain Goat Circuit/ Cylchdaith Yr Afr Fynydd, a spectacular 50km loop in Snowdonia along the skyline from the Joe Brown's Capel Curig shop to Llanberis and back.Joined by Rab Global Sales Operations Manager Chris Vanderhoven, they discuss how the idea came about, the route, the terrain and there are lots of tips on what kit you'll need depending if you run, fastpack or backpack what is sure to become an iconic round of it's own right. The odds are good yo...

Cathy and Wayne are joined live from Colombia by Ben Davies and Felix Sullivan from the El Rio Hostel in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains.This very special episode talks not just about the kit needed for the nearby trek to the Lost City but also the unique relationship between The Climbers Shop and the El Rio Foundation. Listen to how buying great kit from us helps fund vital work with children in post conflict Colombia - and how you can help kids learn simply by vi...

Join Cathy and Wayne with Dr Matt Fuller, for a fascinating insight into down and it's amazing ability to keep us warm!Matt has a PhD in Feather and Down Structure and is Product Engineer at Mountain Equipment.This episode is a real journey, explaining how ethically sourced down ends up in your jacket, sleeping bag, or suit from source. Learn how down is almost structurally perfect, how it works, it's longevity, why insulated legwear and skirts rock, what "clumping" is and what to do if...

Cathy and Wayne are joined by outdoor cook and all round smashing bloke Harrison Ward to talk about getting out in the fells to cook.Perhaps better known by his Instagram handle @Fellfoodie, Harrison shares his own version of haute cuisine among his native Lakeland Fells alongside his personal recovery from alcoholism and poor mental health.Harrison openly describes how combining his newly found passion for hillwalking with cooking tasty nutritious food has lead him into a new realm of positi...

Cathy and Wayne are joined by Voom Brand Manager and Team GB Triathalete Beau Smith to seriously geek out on nutrition for endurance sports.Listen and learn what energy bar ingredients mean, the difference between caffiene and guarana, what are the key causes of stomach issues (and potential solutions), why hydration is so critical alongside energy foods, how electrolyte drinks work, why B vitamins are so important, discover that Recovery Fudge is a "thing" and how plant protein is increasing...

Cathy and Wayne are joined once again by the brilliant Stuart Smith to discuss undergarments.You'll hear all about why a baselayer should be close fitting to work effectively in our climate, how they work, why some niff more than others, how to make a stinky baselayer smell better (and last longer), the difference between natural and man made fibres and what is good merino vs bad merino. There are tales a-plenty (including vanishing underwear) but beware - you may never be able to eat a...

Are you baffled by the number of different ropes available? Cathy and Wayne talk with Edelrid UK Representative Alex Smurthwaite and discover how not all ropes are equal......Learn the difference between single/half/twin and triple ropes, why there are so many diameters, how a dry treatment keeps out more than just water, why colour is important, how to wash your rope, what the Bluesign logo means and why a "glorified angle grinder" is part of the Edelrid testing process!Listen ,learn, laugh ...