Wild Horizons Podcast: Coniston - The old man and his dog

In this one we sit down with Steph Wetherell, co-founder of Every Body Outdoors, a group campaigning for better representation, clothing and gear for larger and plus-sized bodies in the UK outdoors. We talk about sizest attitudes, why seeing plus size people represented by brands and media is so important, and how clothes and kit can be more inclusive. And the unexpected joy of finding your ‘tribe’. We also chat with Head of Product at Berghaus.

Eifionydd is an area in North-West Wales stretching from the East of the Llŷn Peninsula all the way to Porthmadog (and maybe a smidge beyond, depends who you ask). The Afon Erch forms its Western border. Moel Hebog, Moel y Gest, Moel Lefn, and Moel yr Ogof, are just a few of the exceptional peaks that are well worth a visit here.

Anyone who has travelled to the western highlands of Scotland will know the joy of Glencoe. After the long and beautiful bogginess of Rannoch Moor, the A82 enters this wild cauldron of mountains, announced by the pointed majesty of Buachaille Etive Mòr.

In this instalment of Wild Horizons podcast, we travel to Northumberland in the company of John Dalrymple to visit his favourite local upland, the Simonside Hills. The Simonsides are an open expanse of upland just south of the town of Rothbury. Think heather-clad rolling hills, small sandstone outcrops and big skies and you won’t go far wrong.

The black cauldron of Cwm Idwal hangs high above the Ogwen Valley. A wild place of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) lilies and, some say, steam rising from the Devil’s kitchen. At its base sits a lake where, others say, no bird dare fly over. What is this place of heavy magic? Rachael Crewesmith takes Niall Grimes on a journey to Cwm Idwal in the first episode of Wild Horizons podcast.

The hundred miles of National Trail, from Winchester to Eastbourne, crosses many thousands of years of history, sometimes just a few inches below your feet. BMC Hillwalking Rep, Fabrizio Scaglione, looks down, looks sideways and looks far ahead as he takes us along on some of its most special sections

Moorland magic. Bog lover Chris Dean shares his love of the wild wide open above the Calderdale Valley. He turns his gaze upwards to the skies and down to under your feet. He looks back to prehistory and forward to our planetary future.

Skye's Cuillin mountains are a place of pilgrimage for any mountain lover and its famous ridge is a lifetime dream for many. Local guide Mike Lates (www.skyeguides.co.uk) takes us to these mountains and breathes in their majesty.

Nature photographer and explorer John Beatty talks about the Carneddau mountains in Snowdonia, and why he goes there in search of connection and space.

It’s the third highest peak in the Lake District, but it has a special appeal that makes it England’s most-loved mountain. But it is a place of big weather. Every day in the winter months, the Lake District National Park sends its fell top assessment team to the summit to compile weather data to improve the safety and enjoyment of park visitors. Niall Grimes sits down with one of this team, Zac Poulton, and asks him, What’s it like today?

The Kinder Plateau may sit on the doorstep of Manchester and Sheffield, but step onto it and you can find yourself experiencing a true wilderness in winter, a desert in summer and a soul-lifting day out at any time of the year. Peter Judd takes us there.

For many mountaineers and non-mountaineers alike, the lofty pyramid of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) exerts a strong romantic attraction. The highest peak in Wales and England. Every year many thousands of visitors make their way to the summit. For some it could be their first 3,000 foot mountain. Snowdonia based guide Kate Worthington gives us the benefit of her great experience and talks to host, Niall Grimes, about the many ways up the mountain, what to look out for and much more knowledge along the way. If you are thinking about a visit, this podcast is essential listening.

Based in the North York Moors, Rob Mitchell is a mountain leader for Outdoor Lads, a UK-wide community who run a range of sociable outdoor activities for gay, bi and trans guys. In this episode, Rob, a gay man, talks about discrimination linked to homophobia. He also talks about the importance of a supportive community to help individuals deal with stress and life challenges.

An outdoor youth and community worker based in Greater Manchester, Rehna discovered a passion for outdoor activities in her teens through the Lindley Educational Trust. She now helps other young people find their own passion for the ‘great outdoors’ as the leader of the Ashton Youth Club. 

Cherelle is the founder of Steppers UK, a community group based in the Midlands, focused on encouraging more people from under-represented backgrounds into outdoor activities including walking. She says that they’re all about #GoodViewsGoodVibes.

Stu Skinner is an experienced expedition leader, mental health first aid provider, and the founder of the charity Changing Horizons. He wants us to normalise conversations about mental health, and is passionate about the mental health benefits of outdoor activity.

Legendary adventure climber Leo Houlding and adaptive adventurer Ed Jackson – both Berghaus ambassadors – are unlikely mountaineering partners. They first met after Ed, a former professional rugby player who broke his neck diving into a swimming pool, said he wanted to climb Mont Blanc. We talk to them both about wild places and wild people, rebuilding your life after spinal cord injury and why new friends and big mountains are a recipe for growth

In this episode of Wild Horizons, Rose Gare Simmons tells us all about Blencathra, one of the northernmost fells in the Lake District, majestically overlooking the A66.

Marie Uri and Yasmin Lazarus are climbers and two of the directors of United We Climb, an organization that champions underrepresented and underserved climbers by creating experiences and events that are accessible and inclusive, as well as working with businesses like climbing walls to help the industry identify and break down barriers and become more welcoming.