Go Mountain Goats artwork

Go Mountain Goats

33 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago -

Scottish hill runner and mountaineer Finlay Wild has some questions for the mountain community...

www.gomountaingoats.com

Wilderness Sports
Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Episode 33 - Dark Bob Graham with Finlay Wild interviewed by Rob Greenwood

February 15, 2024 22:09 - 1 hour - 61.6 MB

Rob Greenwood, UKC Guru (probably not his actual job title!), interviews Finlay Wild about his recent “Dark Bob” - a Bob Graham Round run between sunset and sunrise, solo and unsupported in Jan 2024. Rob is no stranger to long rounds, having racked up an impressive CV including the UK “Big Three”, Rigby Round and Spine Challenger. Developing the idea of midwinter rounds, Finlay maximised the darkness and committed to attempting whatever the weather on the longest night (Winter Solstice 21-...

Episode 32 - Winter Trilogy and The Cuillin with James Gibson

November 21, 2023 21:48 - 1 hour - 55.4 MB

Cumbria-based James Gibson has had an incredible past few years picking off a host of big ticket endurance running records. In a 10 week period from December 2022 he became the first person to complete all three UK Big Rounds in one winter season, solo and unsupported (Bob Graham Round, Paddy Buckley Round and Charlie Ramsay Round). Completing this 'Winter Trilogy' took 6 attempts and James talks about the experience he gained from the 'failed' rounds early in the winter. While most people ...

Episode 31 - Solo on Lakes Classic Rock Round with Shane Ohly

October 11, 2023 19:24 - 1 hour - 58.9 MB

Shane Ohly tells me about his incredible record on the Lake District Classic Rock Round, a 50 kilometre route linking 15 classic climbs from the 1978 book 'Classic Rock' by Ken Wilson. In 2020, Will Birkett and Tom Randall battled as they each brought the record down. Shane watched from the sidelines nursing an injury but knowing that he possessed the unique skill set to bring this down even further. Shane left school obsessed with climbing and went on to become a sponsored pro, establishi...

Episode 30 - Ring of Stirling with Natalie Hawkrigg

August 24, 2023 14:03 - 1 hour - 68.3 MB

I talk to Natalie Hawkrigg about a number of Swim - Run challenges she has completed. Based in the North Lakes, Natalie is the female record holder for the Frog Graham Round, a 40 mile run with four lake swims around the Lake District. She was also the first female to complete the Frog Graham in winter, and went on to do the Welsh Puddle Buckley challenge as well. In May 2023, Natalie became the second ever finisher of The Ring of Stirling, a 35 mile round starting and finishing in Shielda...

Episode 29 - Scottish Islands Peaks Race with Joe Symonds

June 05, 2023 20:34 - 1 hour - 79.7 MB

I recorded this episode with Joe Symonds while racing on the boat Opportune in the 2023 Scottish Islands Peaks Race. Joe is a veteran of this race, having competed 12 times, and previously setting the records for the running legs on Mull and Arran. Joe is a Paediatric Neurologist living near Glasgow and has ranked highly in diverse running styles - from a 2:20 marathon to 4th in the World Mountain Running Champs; from British Champ to Yorkshire 3 peaks winner (twice). The Scottish Islands P...

Episode 28 - Elite OMM Winners with Victoria Thompson and Janie Oates

May 11, 2023 19:18 - 1 hour - 65.1 MB

In October 2022 Victoria Thompson and Janie Oates came First in the Female category of the Elite OMM, and were the only female team to finish in this category since 2016. The OMM (Original Mountain Marathon) is a 2 day test of navigation and mountain craft held in late October each year, typically in harsh weather conditions. It was first held in 1968 and occurs in a different geographic area each year, with competitors having to carry all food and equipment such as tent and stove, navigatin...

Episode 27 - Cape Wrath Trail Record Unsupported with Pawel Cymbalista

April 21, 2023 08:17 - 1 hour - 72.4 MB

Pawel Cymbalista tells the story of his recent epic run, which he also used to raise money for Lochaber Hope (a mental health support charity) in memory of his father. Setting out solo and unsupported from Fort William on 5th April he completed the fastest known Cape Wrath Trail in a little over 3.5 days - taking 8 hours off the previous (supported) record. Initial bad weather finally relented after 1.5 days but then he experienced a series of vivid hallucinations, many linked to the history ...

Episode 26 - Speedy Tours with Ben Bardsley and Jon Morgan

March 24, 2023 21:30 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MB

On Day 5 of the sixth year of our week-a-year ski traverse of the Grand Alpine Arc (Mediterranean to Vienna) we found ourselves stopping a bit earlier than planned, at the almost full Warnsdorfer hütte winter room. I took the opportunity to sit down with Ben Bardsley and Jon Morgan to discuss our ‘Speedy Tours’ project. Started in 2016 at Menton on the Med coast, the three of us plus fourth member Es Tresidder set out on our journey. The project has been incredibly engaging, taking us through...

Episode 25 - Martin Moran Round with Robin Downie

February 02, 2023 16:37 - 1 hour - 57.1 MB

In this episode I sit down with Robin Downie to talk about his inaugural completion of the Martin Moran Round in Torridon. Devised by Robin - himself a local of Lochcarron - he completed the 86km round in August 2022 and named it in memory of mountaineering legend Martin Moran, the local guide who sadly perished in the Indian Himalayas in 2019. Robin had been inspired since his youth by Martin's many achievements, which include the first continuous traverse of the Alpine 4000m peaks (Alps 400...

Episode 24 - Winter Running Thoughts with Ben Gibson

November 29, 2022 14:52 - 1 hour - 76.7 MB

With winter upon us myself and Ben Gibson, Mountain Safety Advisor for Mountaineering Scotland, sit down and have a good chin wag about the issues facing runners in Scotland's winter mountains. We get our teeth into some winter specifics including winter navigation, snow and ice, avalanche hazards, weather, equipment choice and group dynamics. In my opinion an incremental approach is essential when developing the skills required for moving safely in winter mountains - hence "walk before you r...

Episode 23 - North West Climbing with Murdoch Jamieson

October 28, 2022 10:37 - 1 hour - 66.5 MB

I caught up with Dingwall-based climber Murdoch Jamieson to hear about everything North West climbing. A true allrounder, Murdoch has made first ascents and repeats of hard routes on some of the most inspiring cliffs in the region. From Carnmore to Beinn Eighe, Beinn Bhan and An Teallach we hear about why these big, remote and imposing mountains have and continue to inspire him.  We delve into a bit more detail on some specific climbs such as: 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', Carnmore Crag...

Episode 22 - Pacific Crest Trail with Olly Stephenson

October 09, 2022 13:08 - 1 hour - 88.3 MB

I talk to Olly Stephenson in Edinburgh about hiking the 2650 mile Pacific Crest Trail which he did in an incredible 88 days this summer. In Olly's words "the trail traces a line up the mountains of west coast USA, traversing five major regions: Desert, High Sierra, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington", linking Mexico to Canada. Olly is no stranger to long distance adventures, with the UK Big Three, the 220 mile John Muir Trail and the Petite Trotte a Lyon  (300km) being a few previou...

Episode 21 - Tranter's Round Record with Jack Kuenzle

July 30, 2022 19:38 - 1 hour - 78.9 MB

I talk to visiting American Jack Kuenzle who has been over in Scotland gearing up for some big mountain rounds. On 28th July he set out hard on Lochaber's uber-classic Tranter's Round and came in with a new record of 8h38m23s, shaving almost 15 minutes off my best time of 8h52m53s set the day before (more on that in the conversation!). The previous record to that was 9h0m5sec set by me in 2020. It's brilliant to see this aesthetic 60km round of the Mamores, Grey Corries, Aonachs and Ben Nevis...

Episode 20 - From the Jura Hotel with Jasmin Paris

June 02, 2022 07:40 - 1 hour - 61.5 MB

I finally caught up with Jasmin Paris on the Isle of Jura the day before the eponymous race to chat about some of her more recent achievements. We start off with the iconic Isle of Jura Fell Race and what it means to her, before moving on to talk about The Green Runners. This is a new group set up with the aim of connecting runners concerned about the Climate Crisis, and helping to give them a united voice to try and foster change within running culture (in terms of reducing personal footpri...

Episode 19 - Paddy Buckley Round Record, Finlay Wild interviewed by Keri Wallace

May 08, 2022 12:35 - 1 hour - 58.5 MB

I talk to Keri Wallace of Girls on Hills about my recent new record on the Paddy Buckley Round in Snowdonia. I ran solo and unsupported, starting in Llanberis at 5am on 26/4/22 and completed the rugged 105km round in 15h14m45s - improving on Kim Collison's 2021 record of 16h20m. Keri's website: www.girlsonhills.com

Episode 18 - Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route Female Record with Hillary Gerardi

March 11, 2022 22:40 - 1 hour - 54.4 MB

In this episode I talk to Hillary Gerardi in Servoz, Chamonix, about the record she established with Valentine Fabre in April 2021 on the iconic Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route. The duo completed the tough 110km (with 8100m elevation gain) route in 26h21m using race skis and tactics and with a small support team. The journey is documented in the film ‘The Traverse’ by Ben Tibbetts and Jake Holland, which has been shown on the mountain festival circuit. The trailer is here: https://youtu.be/UR...

Episode 17 - Highland Stalwart with Alec Keith

December 23, 2021 08:55 - 1 hour - 66.4 MB

I caught up with Inverness-based Alec Keith who has been a prominent figure in Scottish hill running over the past 30 years. One-time holder of records for the Cairngorm 4000s, Cairngorm Big Six and Mullardoch Round, Alec revels in good long days out in the mountains, often alone, and he was quietly doing what he loves in the hills long before most of us were eating hot dinners! Over the years Alec has made the top few places in rough, rugged races such as Glamaig, Glenshee 9 and Jura Fell Ra...

Episode 16 - Sub 13hr Bob Graham Round, Finlay Wild interviewed by Martin Stone

September 13, 2021 16:30 - 1 hour - 72 MB

On 28th August I completed the second fastest Bob Graham Round ever, touching the steps of the Moot Hall in Keswick in just under 13 hours - less than 7 minutes slower than record holder and all round megastar Kilian Jornet's time. I had an incredible support team who helped me to push myself further than ever before, forging memories that will last a lifetime. I'm delighted that endurance running godfather Martin Stone offered to interview me about my run.

Episode 15 - 24hr Munro Record with Kim Collison

August 25, 2021 17:12 - 1 hour - 73.9 MB

The Lake District's Kim Collison chats about his 24hr Munro Record set in July this year. Kim is no stranger to long distance running records - he holds records for the Paddy Buckley Round, Winter Bob Graham Round and Lakeland 24-hr Peaks. The 24hr Munro Round is simple on paper: how many different Munros can you tag in 24hrs, starting and finishing at the same point? In practice of course it is a gruelling physical, mental and logistical challenge. Kim's round took in 33 Munros in the Cairng...

Episode 14 - Lakes Classic Rock Round with Josh Jardine

June 17, 2021 19:26 - 1 hour - 58.9 MB

I saw from Strava that Lakes-based runner Josh Jardine was up in Scotland on a climbing trip. He came round for a cuppa and four hours later still wouldn't accept a second! We chatted about his running and climbing projects, in particular hearing about the Lakes Classic Rock Round which he completed in September 2019 with fellow Helm Hill runner Pete Rigby in a then pairs record of 18hrs 59mins. The route involves climbing the 15 Lake District routes from Ken Wilson's revered book Classic Roc...

Episode 13 - Cuillin Ridge Traverse Female Record with Kelli Roberts

May 09, 2021 08:23 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MB

In this conversation I'm delighted to chat to previous British Fell Running Champion Kelli Roberts of Ambleside about her experiences on the Cuillin Ridge of Skye. In August 2020 she improved the female record for the 12km ridge traverse to 5h56m46s from Anna Wells' 6h34m set in 2016. The record is timed from end to end summits, starting at Gars-bheinn and finishing on Sgurr nan Gillean. Kelli and partner Pete Rigby first traversed the ridge in 2018, and returned last year to learn the rout...

Episode 12 - Munro Round Record with Donnie Campbell and Stephen Pyke

March 14, 2021 11:43 - 1 hour - 65.2 MB

On 2nd September 2020 Donnie Campbell completed his human-powered Munro Round in a record time of 31 days, 23 hours and 2 minutes. He completed all 282 Munros by running, biking and kayaking between them, starting on Ben More on Mull and finishing atop Ben Hope in the Far North. This improved on Stephen Pyke's 2010 record of 39 days, 9 hours and 6 minutes which itself knocked a significant chunk off the previous record before it. I talk to Donnie and Stephen (Spyke) about all things Munro R...

Episode 11 - Scottish Haute Route with Roger Wild

February 21, 2021 08:30 - 1 hour - 87.7 MB

In this episode I speak to Roger Wild - my father - about (some of) the history of ski touring in Scotland before moving on to describe our 2010 'Scottish Haute Route'. This 7 day journey from Ben Nevis to Gairnshiel near Ballater was around 155km in length with 10,000m of ascent. We pre-placed food caches, stayed in bothies, and skied on Nordic free-heel skis carrying our overnight gear with us. The route linked up the high ground through Lochaber to the Cairngorms, ascending numerous Munro...

Episode 10 - Solo Unsupported Midwinter Bob Graham Round 1987 with Martin Stone

January 03, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 71.3 MB

In January 1987 pioneering long distance fell runner Martin Stone completed his goal of a solo, unsupported midwinter Bob Graham Round in classic full winter conditions (in 23h41). This had taken 4 attempts over 6 years and was not repeated in similar style until just recently in December 2020 by Shane Ohly. The journey was such an indelible personal experience that Martin recorded his thoughts on the round in detail the next day. Over 30yrs later he has unearthed the tape and agreed for it ...

Episode 9 - Faster and Further with Robbie Simpson

November 29, 2020 12:09 - 1 hour - 82.5 MB

I talk to Robbie Simpson about his progression from junior hill runner through some European highlights such as Sierre-Zinal and Jungfrau Marathon, to road marathon and his 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medal. We talk about having season goals and specific training, as well as his entry onto the ultra racing scene in recent years. Bringing it back to the Scottish mountains, we touch on the Lairig Ghru race (which  he won in 2020) and Cairngorms running. Robbie is sponsored by Adidas Terrex

Episode 8 - Glencoe Skyline with Georgia Tindley

November 10, 2020 13:51 - 1 hour - 84 MB

Georgia Tindley kindly made time while passing Fort William to stop for a chat about the brilliant Glencoe Skyline race which she won in 2019. We also talk about the World Skyrunning circuit which she blasted onto in 2019 with some top performances. Georgia is an English teacher who has moved progressively further north in Scotland to access the mountains since she left her childhood home in London. We also talk about books and the pressures of tourism on remote communities.  I mention The ...

Episode 7 - Winter Greater Cuillin Traverse with Will Rowland

October 27, 2020 17:58 - 1 hour - 87.3 MB

Last winter Will Rowland pulled off an incredible traverse of the Black and Red Cuillin in a two day journey starting and finishing at Sligachan. Based on a summer linkup his father Clive Rowland pioneered almost 40yrs ago, we believe this is the first winter completion. It was a pleasure to chat to Will about his experience, as well as talking generally about the Cuillin and the history of the various traverses and 'records'.  I apologise for the mic 'buzz' - I couldn't fix it for this epis...

Episode 6 - Ramsay's Round with Finlay Wild, interviewed by Es Tresidder

September 13, 2020 17:56 - 1 hour - 72.8 MB

On 31st August I ran Charlie Ramsay's Round in 14hrs 42mins to break Es Tresidder's 2019 record.  This run was the culmination of my 2020 season and has been a goal for many years. I ran solo and unsupported and enjoyed a tough but incredibly memorable mountain experience. Es interviews me about the process of breaking the record - from my buildup through shorter distance records earlier this year, through planning and prep, to conditions and tactics on the day. 

Episode 5 - Arran Mountain Time with Kirstie Smith

August 30, 2020 12:44 - 1 hour - 57.5 MB

In this 'On the Road' episode we are on Arran and I talk to Kirstie Smith about island life and her fantastic local hills. We chat about running and scrambling routes, mountain rescue, bivvies and even astrophotography. Kirstie Smith is @kirstiesarran on Instagram and Twitter and her photography is @afocusforadventure on Instagram. Her photography website is www.afocusforadventure.co.uk (you can email her via website to buy photos or her book) We refer to: Goatfell race (See Scottish Hil...

Episode 4 - Running the Mamores with Sarah MacDonald

August 08, 2020 11:22 - 1 hour - 65.7 MB

I talk to Sarah MacDonald of Lochaber Athletic Club and Glencoe about her recent FKT on the Mamores Round. She ran the 35km (+/-) loop in just under 8hrs - a strong run, especially considering the overall record stood at over 7hrs until 2017. We talk about the freedom of long solo hill runs, overcoming the barriers to 'just doing it', and generally enjoy an appreciation of the high ridges. SHR Long Distance Records - go here and click on the dropdown tab 'Tour of the Mamores' for details and...

Episode 3 - Cairngorm Classic Rock Link-up with Ali Rose and Mark Chambers

July 25, 2020 15:34 - 1 hour - 83.3 MB

Ali Rose and Mark Chambers chat to me about their epic day out linking up all 6 classic rock climbs in the Cairngorms from the book 'Classic Rock'. This stacks up as a 62km day out with (normally) 28 pitches of climbing taking them from Lochnagar through some spectacular terrain to their finish at Cairngorm ski car park 17hrs and 28mins later. Ali's write-up: www.mountainstotheseaphotography.com/category/cairngorms/ The book Classic Rock: www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/baton-wicks/classic-roc...

Episode 2 - Six Ridges of the Buachaille with Keri Wallace

July 11, 2020 12:28 - 1 hour - 62 MB

I talk to Keri Wallace of Girls on Hills Trail Running about the Glencoe scene in general and her new climbing linkup with husband Ben of the 'Six Ridges of the Buachaille'.  We also chat about her journey from PHD to climbing instructor to running guide and some of her most memorable mountain days.  Find more details at: www.girlsonhills.com, www.facebook.com/GirlsOnHills/ or www.instagram.com/girlsonhillsuk/ Six Ridges of Buachaille Etive Mor: Stats: 5hrs 30mins. 1642m of ascent over 15...

Episode 1 - Skimo Ramsay Round attempt with Es Tresidder

June 28, 2020 16:25 - 1 hour - 79.5 MB

In March 2020 - just before the COVID-19 UK lockdown - Es Tresidder and I took advantage of good weather and snow conditions to attempt a ski mountaineering challenge which we've long dreamt of, namely the Ramsay Round. This 92km running route has never been done on skis, and the current winter record (running) sits at 22hrs 23mins (Jim Mann, 2017).   I interview Es about our experience - logistics, kit, strategy, and the actual attempt.  Correction: Es’s first attempt at a Skimo Ramsay Ro...