Outdoor Lives by Mike Raine
143 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago -A podcast for hillwalkers and climbers about the people we share the hills with. Get to know some of the other users, managers, and owners of our uplands. Meet characters and personalities who live Outdoor Lives. This podcast is aimed at informing mountain leaders, hill and moorland leaders and mountaineering instructors, but it's hoped anyone who climbs or walks in the hills of the UK and Ireland might be interested too.
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Episodes
Angela Charlon - Director of Ramblers Cymru
March 26, 2024 18:00 - 33 minutes - 76.6 MBAngela heads up the Ramblers in Wales. She leads a team campaign on behalf of footpaths and walkers. We chat about what the Ramblers are doing and how they are going about it. We touch on many topics, such as working with Welsh Government, volunteers and landowners.
Sarah Price, Lowland Leader at Walk Hay
March 19, 2024 18:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBSarah believes passionately in the importantance of walking for all. Her business is based in a lowland area and she thinks the Lowland Leader could be more valued. “There are such a high percentage of the population that, if you have ‘hill’, ‘mountain’, ‘challenge’ or ‘hike’ in the title of anything, they won’t even consider it.” Sarah Price.
Nathan Jones - Discover a Guide
March 12, 2024 18:00 - 30 minutes - 69.4 MBStaff Sergeant Nathan Jones is an Adventurous Training Instructor (ATI) in the Royal Army Physical Training Corps (RAPTC), Nathan is on a mission to transform people's lives through the power of the outdoors by connecting wannabe adventurers with professional guides and instructors through the Discover A Guide platform.
Rhys Wheldon-Roberts - Partnerships officer at Cwm Idwal.
March 05, 2024 18:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBRhys works for a combination of the National Trust, the Eryri National Park and Natural Resources Wales. He is the warden and public engagement officer for the National Nature Reserve that contains Cwm Idwal.
Rob Pugh - Chair of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors
February 27, 2024 18:00 - 43 minutes - 99.3 MBRob is the current Chair of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). He is a keen climber, freelance mountaineering instructor and technical advisor based in the South Lakes. He offers offer Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI), Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) and Climbing Wall Development Instructor(CWDI) courses. He can provide guiding, and a range of climbing courses.
David Elias – Author of Shaping the Wild
February 20, 2024 18:00 - 54 minutes - 124 MBDavid is a conservationist and naturalist, and this book is a story of nature, farming, conservation and reconciliation in the Welsh uplands. It is set on one particualr farm and we get to learn about that farm, the people who work there, their history and the story of their land. It's a great read. In this podcast we discuss some of the issues raised in the book and glance at the interaction between farming and conservation.
Shane Ohly – CEO of Ourea Events
February 13, 2024 16:39 - 49 minutes - 114 MBShane is the Chief Executive Officer of Ourea events. Ourea Events are well known as the organisers of challenging running events such as the Dragon’s Back Race and the Cape Wrath Trail Run. He is a seasoned elite runner and extreme climber himself; he currently holds the record for the fastest unsupported round of the Lake District Classic Rock Routes. Shane is also a member of the Kendal Mountain Rescue Team and has held senior roles within the team for the last ten years. Our conversatio...
Chris Forrest – Chief Instructor Joint Services Mountain Training,
February 06, 2024 18:00 - 43 minutes - 99.4 MBChris Forrest – Chief Instructor Joint Services Mountain Training, former Senior Instructor at Plas y Brenin and Instructor at Glenmore Lodge. UIAGM Guide, Kayak and Canoe Coach, Climber, skier, paddler and family man.
Alec Young - Plastic Free yr Wyddfa Officer
January 30, 2024 18:00 - 52 minutes - 120 MBAlec works for the Eryri National Park and is the project manager for the Yr Wyddfa Plastic Free project. The project is about much more than just plastic. Listed to Alec explain what is going on, why it's important, how it's making a difference and how you can help. Can Snowdon become the world’s first ‘plastic free’ mountain?
Rich Griffiths, Chair Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team
January 23, 2024 16:19 - 43 minutes - 99 MBRich is a climber, walker, biker and A&E Consultant. He heads up the medical team for Ourea Events and is an active member of, and doctor with, the busiest mountain rescue team in the country.
Rory Francis, Director of the Snowdonia Society
January 16, 2024 16:15 - 50 minutes - 115 MBThe Snowdonia Society is a member-based conservation charity that works with local communities, organisations, businesses and individuals to help look after Snowdonia. Since 1967 the Snowdonia Society has worked tirelessly to ensure that Snowdonia is well-protected, well-managed and enjoyed by all.
Helen Pye – Assistant Director, Head of Consultancy, of the National Trust in Wales
January 10, 2024 16:19 - 49 minutes - 114 MBMountain Leader, Nature Friendly Farmer, former Bannau Brycheiniog Ranger, former Yr Wyddfa Warden, Former Head Warden and Senior Manager at Eryri National Park; Helen Pye chats about her new role at the National Trust the land the Trust own, how it’s managed and a few other tangents besides.
Fiona and Rob Nicholson - Plas Coch Hotel, Llanberis
January 02, 2024 18:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBFormer headteachers Fiona and Rob Nicholson have been running Gwesty Plas Coch in Llanberis since 2019. Their vision was to develop Plas Coch as part of the outdoor community whilst themselves working hard to become part of their new home village community. Their knowledge of the Eryri mountains and lakes have helped them to establish themselves and drove their recent endeavours to become the first ‘Gold Level’ business under the Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa scheme.
Phill George
December 26, 2023 18:00 - 43 minutes - 99.2 MBPhill has been an active mountaineer for over 40 years. During that time he has completed the Winter Mountain Climbing Instructor (WMCI) qualification and the British Mountain Guides scheme (IFMGA) which qualifies him for all aspects of mountaineering activities world wide. Phill is a qualified teacher and has worked for private and local Education based centres throughout the country on an instructional basis and as a technical expert. Based in Snowdonia, he is now a very popular provider o...
Pete Edwards - Climbing Coach
December 19, 2023 18:00 - 46 minutes - 107 MBPete Edwards owns and runs his own business, Prowess Climbing Coaching; helping climbers of all abilities and ages to not only improve their climbing grade but also their enjoyment of their climbing by helping improve technical, tactical and psychological skills. Prowess also provides coach education courses, including the BMC FUNdamentals of Climbing workshops and other CPD workshops. Pete speaks intelligently about the relatively new world of climbing coaching.
Tom Carrick, BMC Wales Access and Conservation Officer
December 12, 2023 16:11 - 57 minutes - 131 MBIn a wide ranging conversation with Tom about his role and how he comes to be doing it we touch on all sorts of things, including the fact that it didn't freeze on Clogwyn Ddu (850m) at all last winter!
Mal Creasey - retired
December 05, 2023 10:00 - 47 minutes - 110 MBMal Creasey has influenced thousands of mountain leaders, instructors and guides in a climbing career spanning over 60 years. He worked as the Technical Officer for Mountain Training England, as a Guide in the Alps and as a member of staff at Plas y Brenin. He was involved in the first two MIA (now MCI) courses, he’s an author, writer and is still active walking and climbing every week.
Dewi Davies - revisited
November 28, 2023 09:56 - 54 minutes - 125 MBDewi Davies is the Project Manager for National Trust Cymru focussing on the Uwch Conwy catchment in the east of Eryri National Park. Dewi leads a team of people on the restoration of nature, predominantly peatland at the head of the river basin, but also working on rivers and their catchments to improve habitats by restoring natural processes and increasing tree cover. The project also supports farming tradition and heritage. They are working on access improvements, so that people living a...
Paule Poole of Paul Poole Mountaineering
November 21, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour - 155 MBPaul Poole runs a range of mountain based training courses in north Wales. He's a very popular provider of the Mountain Leader Courses and the Rock Climbing Instrucotor courses. Paul also runs trips to Scotland, Morocco and Nepal. Listen in to find out more about him and the way he does things.
Robbie Blackhall-Miles, Conservation Scientist
November 14, 2023 18:00 - 57 minutes - 131 MBMy guest today is Robbie Blackhall-Miles of Llanberis. He is, amongst other things, a conservation scientist, ethno-ecologist, ecology lecturer at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, writer, horticulturist, and the charity Plantlife’s Vascular Plant Officer for the National Heritage Lottery funded Natur am Byth project - a partnership project between Natural Resources Wales and 9 environmental charities.
Dan Lane, Operations Manager, RAW Adventures
November 07, 2023 18:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBDan Lane, Operations Manager at RAW Adventures is a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, Chemistry Graduate, keen climber and proud dog owner. Dan is also a trustee of the Tom Furey Trust. In Dan's role he employs many walking leaders and climbing instructors, he organises major events and manages to climb in between. He works on ML courses and has been central to the setting up of the Tom Fury Trust.
Outdoor First Aid Training
July 17, 2023 14:21 - 14 minutes - 5.21 MBJut a little chat about First Aid in the outdoors. To fill the mid-summer gap before Outdoor Lives returns in the Autumn.
James McHaffie - rock climber, mountaineering instructor, climate activist and author
June 30, 2023 16:30 - 39 minutes - 14.5 MBJames McHaffie is well known in climbing circles for his high-end ascents of some of the hardest sport and trad rook climbs in the world. He has climbed over 200 routes of E7 and above. He has soled 100 Extremes in a day in the Lake District, he has completed all the climbs in Ken Wilson’s Extreme Rock book and he’s the ‘King of the Pass’ having climbed Jerry’s Roof, Central Icefall Direct and Lord of the Flies all on the same day. But he’s more than a climber and today I wanted to ask him a...
The Mountain Leader - the pictures, Mike Raine.
May 04, 2023 16:14 - 31 minutes - 11.4 MBLet me tell you more about the pictures used in The Mountain Leader -a practical manual.
The Mountain Leader - a practical manual, Mike Raine
March 31, 2023 14:57 - 18 minutes - 6.66 MBThis is a bonus podcast where I simply talk about the book, The Mountain Leader - a practical manual. How the book came about, what it covers, who it's aimed at and much more. Just a bit of insight for you really.
Rhys Evans – Sustainability Lead for the Nature Friendly Farming Network Wales
March 07, 2023 18:00 - 49 minutes - 54.6 MBRhys is a local lad, brought up on a farm near Dolgellau, but he never wanted to be a farmer. As a teenager football, games and friends were his priority. He studied Geography at University and then found work in the conservation sector. We talk about how he came back to farming, farming life and most of all farming in a nature friendly way. This is an illuminating, information podcast. Rhys speak so well; he is very engaging. Join us to find away between the polarised rewilding verses food ...
Philip Sykes- Dales, Outdoor Educator and Head of Centre at the newly refurbished Towers Centre.
February 28, 2023 18:00 - 39 minutes - 14.5 MBPhilip Sykes Dale is a highly qualified outdoor education with many years of experience in a range of settings and locations. He climbs, walk, paddles, bikes and skis. Phil has just taken over as head of Centre and the impressively refurbished Towers Outdoor Centre in Capel Curig. The Towers is now under the ownership of Active Learning Centres. I wanted to find out more about the redeveloped of this crumbling former LEA Centre and the plans Active Learning Centres have for it. We talk wide...
Derek Ryden, the man who invented the Blizzard Bag.
February 21, 2023 18:00 - 38 minutes - 37.7 MBDerek Ryden, inventor of Reflexcell and founder of Blizzard Protection Systems Derek was born in Blackburn, Lancashire. He started hill-walking aged 12 and rock-climbing aged 15. Now been climbing for 51 years, but started inventing stuff aged 8! Worked variously as a teacher, property renovator, transport consultant and energy conservation researcher before realising that inventing things was what I did best. Founded Blizzard in 2000 to make a new design of emergency survival bags and blan...
Sabine Nouvet, project officer with the Celtic Rainforest Project.
February 14, 2023 18:00 - 42 minutes - 47.4 MBSabine Nouvet is a project officer with the Celtic Rainforest Project. This 7-year LIFE project is funded by the European Commission Nature and Biodiversity Fund and Welsh Government Green Infrastructure Grant. It focuses on protecting and restoring 5 designated temperate rainforests across 40,000ha of Wales. As an Ecologist, Sabine has been working with farmers and landowners across Eryri for more than 15 years with the mission to improve the environment in cooperation with people and thei...
Guy Wilson, Pure Outdoors
February 07, 2023 18:00 - 41 minutes - 44.4 MBGuy Wilson is the founder of Pure Outdoor, based in the Peak District. An award winning Outdoor Training Centre and B Corp. Guy has been working as a mountaineering instructor and in business development at Pure Outdoor for over 15 years and loves spending all of his spare time in the hills. Guy is another example of people who make things happen and makes them happen well. Lot's of inspirational advice in this one.
Podcast introduction
February 02, 2023 08:28 - 3 minutes - 1.14 MBIntroducing the Outdoor Lives podcast
Tasha Mark, Gecko Experience.
January 31, 2023 18:00 - 29 minutes - 29.6 MBGecko Experience is a West Midlands- based outdoor business, which is predominately a DofE-approved activity provider. Tasha started the business in 2014 after completing a degree in Outdoor Adventure Education in Plymouth, during which time I also completed my Mountain Leader training, and then my assessment in 2015. Prior to starting up Gecko Experience Tasha volunteered with local Duke of Ed groups, and really enjoyed working with young people, encouraging them make the most of the great...
Tasha Mark, Gheko Experience.
January 31, 2023 18:00 - 29 minutes - 29.6 MBGecko Experience is a West Midlands- based outdoor business, which is predominately a DofE-approved activity provider. Tasha started the business in 2014 after completing a degree in Outdoor Adventure Education in Plymouth, during which time I also completed my Mountain Leader training, and then my assessment in 2015. Prior to starting up Gecko Experience Tasha volunteered with local Duke of Ed groups, and really enjoyed working with young people, encouraging them make the most of the great...
Becky Parker and Sam Goodfellow - inspiring the next generation to engage with nature.
January 29, 2023 18:00 - 40 minutes - 44.1 MBIn this episode we talk to Becky Parker and Sam Goodfellow from Simon Langton Grammar School in Kent. Straight away you may spot that this is not our standard podcast, but the work Becky and Sam have been doing is very relevant to Mountain Leaders, Hill and Moorland Leaders, Lowland Leaders and Mountaineering Instructors. What they’ve been doing is not only connecting young people to nature, but proving it makes a difference. They are joined by two of their students, Charlotte and May who, I...
Dr. Nathan Chrismas, Mountain Leader, climber and Lichenologist
January 24, 2023 18:00 - 30 minutes - 33.6 MBDr. Nathan Chrismas, Mountain Leader, climber and Lichenologist. Nathan is a keen outdoor person with a passion for the natural world. He’s a key member of the British Lichenological Society’s education team. Nathan has joined in with one or two of my workshops and his enthusiasm and natural way of introducing the world of lichens has proven fascinating and inspiring to the group. Nathan will the be leading on a Nature of Snowdonia - Lichen Special Workshop in the Rhinogiau, look out for the...
Bryn Williams of Bryn Williams Mountaineering
January 17, 2023 18:00 - 48 minutes - 17.5 MBMy guest today is Bryn Williams of Bryn Williams Mountaineering. Bryn is a MIC (WMCI, IML). Bryn is a provider of Mountain Training courses, technical advisor, former MTC and MTUK executive officer, now MTC board director volunteer and a founder and trustee of the Tom Furey Memorial Trust. He’s a family man, skier, paraglider and climber. Bryn has been part of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue team for nearly 20 years. Bryn was born and bred in north Wales and is one of very few Welsh speaking i...
Kevin Walker, author, photographer, mountain leader and public speaker
January 10, 2023 18:00 - 44 minutes - 44.5 MBKevin Walker, author, photographer, mountain leader and public speaker, perhaps best known for his range of mountain and moorland navigation books and courses which he runs from Crickhowell, in the Brecon Beacons.
Ned Feesey, Nature Trust Ranger and Farmer.
January 03, 2023 18:00 - 46 minutes - 16.7 MBNed Feesey, Nature Trust Ranger and Farmer. Ned works for the National Trust in north Wales and he’s currently the Area Ranger for the Carneddau and Glyderau. Ned set up and led the National Trust’s footpath team from 2017 to this year. Ned, with his wife Teleri Fielden, runs a small nature friendly farm. The farm we visit on our Down on the Farm Workshop. We talk about managing the National Trust’s projects in the Carneddau, footpath work and running a small nature friendly farm.
Nick Livesey, photographer, mountain leader and commentator.
December 27, 2022 18:00 - 43 minutes - 40.4 MBFor this year's Christmas special I was very pleased to be joined by Nick Livesay, expect it all, with baubles on ! Nick Livesey lives and works in Snowdonia. He’s appeared on podcasts before and has an uplifting story. Many of you will know him from the cheery counter service he provided at the Moel Siabod Café, but what has he been doing since he left? We engage in conversation bout what Nick has been doing, though lockdowns and building the Secret Snowdonia brand. We share our passion for...
Paul Smith, Adventure Sports Coach and Author
December 20, 2022 18:00 - 33 minutes - 31.2 MBPaul Smith. Paul’s first taste of teaching Adventure Sports was via the University of Warwick climbing wall, little did he know at that point that this introduction would lead to over 25 years of engagement with the subject of Teaching and Learning. After more than a decade working in Secondary Education, Paul now works as a full time Adventure Sports Coach, Coach educator and technical advisor across a range of disciplines. He provides a wide spectrum of Mountain Training and British Canoe...
Thinking about doing your MCI assessment? Then you'd best listen in here.
December 16, 2022 17:00 - 22 minutes - 8.2 MBI spent ten years working on these courses. On occasion I was disappointed, don't you be disappointing, prepare properly and make sure you can climb! If you don't know what MCI (formerly MIA) is, then this podcast will be double dutch! Top tips abound, take note😉
Lucy Wallace, Mountain leader, trainer and assessor. President of the Scottish Ramblers.
December 13, 2022 18:00 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBLucy Wallace, Mountain Leader. Lucy is a Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader and International Mountain Leader living and working on Aran. She is also the President of the Scottish Ramblers. She is a member of the Aran Mountain Rescue team. Lucy leads wildlife walks on Aran and travels to work as a Mountain Leader including to train and assess other Mountain Leaders. We also talk about Lucy’s role as the Honorary President of the Scottish Ramblers, being a role model and our shared love ...
John Cousins, Chief Executive of Mountain Training UK and Ireland
December 06, 2022 00:00 - 40 minutes - 15.4 MBJohn Cousins is the Chief Executive of Mountain training UK and Ireland. Mountain Training UK & Ireland administers six qualifications and is also the coordinating body for all of the national Mountain Training organisations of the UK and Ireland. John is an experienced leader and instructor himself, being a qualified British Mountain Guide and Mountaineering Instructor. He’s been on many climbing expeditions and has done some particularly interesting and challenging family canoe adventure...
Mike's little in-between podcasts update.
December 04, 2022 18:00 - 5 minutes - 5.52 MBJust a few thoughts and a little update. Some of the thoughts behind why the podcast is weeky. A quick look back to old ones and news of a couple of new workshops coming in 2023.
John Harold, Director of the Snowdonia Society
November 29, 2022 00:00 - 37 minutes - 27.6 MBJohn Harold. John is the Director of the Snowdonia Society. The Snowdonia Society is a member-based conservation charity that works with volunteers, local communities, organisations, businesses and individuals to help look after Snowdonia. Since 1967 the Snowdonia Society has worked tirelessly to ensure that Snowdonia is well-protected, well-managed and enjoyed by all. John is a conservationist, fell runner and cyclist with a particular interest for the minutia of our upland ecosystems, inc...
Emily and Bronte, two novice hikers, with stories to tell.
November 27, 2022 18:00 - 43 minutes - 16.4 MBEmily and Bronte are from London, in their 30’s neither young nor old. They are on a journey; they have discovered a new pastime and they are buzzing. Listen in for top tips, laughs and some sage advice. Essential listening for anyone working with novices in the hills regardless of age. Emily and Brontë will bring a smile to your face, challenge some of your preconceptions and bring you right up to date with how people discover hillwalking, how they are treated and how they learn to make wis...
Tomo Thompson, CEO of The Friends of the Peak District and CPRE Peak and South Yorkshire.
November 22, 2022 18:00 - 58 minutes - 25.9 MBTomo Thompson, CEO of The Friends of the Peak District and CPRE for Peak District and South Yorkshire and Mountain Rescue volunteer. We discuss the background and the role of the Friends of the Peak District. During our conversation we touch on many important issues around working in the national parks. We talk about the big issues facing the Peak District National Park. We talk about how Mountain Leaders, Hill and Moorland Leaders and Rock Climbing Instructors can contribute to making a dif...
Rachael Crewesmith, Mountaineering Instructor, Mountain Bike Leader and Compere
November 15, 2022 18:00 - 26 minutes - 23.8 MBRachael Crewesmith, mountaineering instructor, mountain bike leader, former hockey international and compere. Rachael has been heavily involved in the Women’s Trad Fest and the Women in Mountain Training Conference. She will be hosting a stage at the Kendal Film Festival. We talk about getting to be an instuctor, leader and coach and the importance of role models.
Dom Ferris founder and director of Trash Free Trails.
November 08, 2022 18:00 - 55 minutes - 59.2 MBDom Ferris founder and director of Trash Free Trails. Dom began thinking about doing something different back in 2017 whilst still working for Surfers Against Sewage. He wanted to be for something not against. He knew there were litter problems in our society with many businesses producing materials for us to waste. Rather than see poor littering habits developed in urban and roadside areas spreading to our trails and footpaths he wanted to positively influence the way people behave in the ...
Belal Younis, Mountain Leader
March 15, 2022 18:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBMy guest in this episode is Belal Younis. Belal is a mountain leader from Scotland. His mother is from Egypt whilst his father is Libyan. Brought up in Edinburgh, Belal is a proud Scot who now resides in Birmingham. After working as a specialist immigration lawyer he now runs Adventure Peak UK and prides himself on getting more under-represented groups out into the hills. Much of his work is with BAME groups and Islamic Relief. He is also a key player in the Muslim Hikers groups. We talk abo...