The Mountain People Podcast

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, she discusses the challenges and joys of climbing throughout pregnancy, and her approach to getting back on the wall after birth.

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 rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions? What are Natt’s top tips for planning journeys through some of the world’s most challenging cycling terrain? And, how do you balance all of this with ‘a proper grown-up job in London’ and a young family?

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 Greenland on skis, climbing El Cap, Himalayan hand biking, and even competing in two Paralympic Games. Studious and inquisitive, Karen continues to inspire others and challenge the status quo through her books, talks, and workshops.

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 make Erik the first blind person to stand atop Torre Norte, and to fulfill a lifelong dream of Felipe's.

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 this episode, Kev shares how he has learnt to work with the unique challenges of his disability in climbing and training, and explores the positive impact of climbing on his mental health, self-respect, and sense of purpose.