Cool Conversations with Kenton Cool – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, Kenton sits down to talk to Jay Whiting at Everest Base Camp. Jay is not a professional climber or a professional athlete - he is a full-time solicitor in London - yet when this episode was recorded, he was preparing to take on an enormous Himalayan challenge.

Jay talks to Kenton about his dreams of achieving the Everest Triple Crown this year - climbing Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse in one season. Only two people have ever done this to date - our host Kenton, and another professional mountaineer, Garrett Madison. Jay lives in Essex, which is not well-known for its mountainous terrain, and has spent hours and hours on a stair-master in training.

Listen now to find out how Jay got on and if you find his story inspiring, please consider donating to his chosen charity, LandAid. 

Donation link: www.gofund.m/2db7fee9

What Jay's Reading: Wisdom of Insecurity by Adam Watts

What Jay's Listening To: David Goggins playlist, and Oasis

In this special episode, Kenton interviews Karl Egloff at Everest Base Camp as they both prepare for their Everest expeditions.

Karl is an extreme mountaineer, mountain guide, runner and speed climber with a host of impressive Fastest Known Times (FKTs) to his name. Later this month, he is aiming to become the fastest person to move from Basecamp to the Summit and back to Basecamp with no oxygen. Not something for the faint-hearted!

There is no doubt that Karl has the experience to do this - he talks Kenton through a potted history with great energy and enthusiasm, which includes him mentioning in passing that he summited Kilimanjaro six times in one week! Tune in now to be entertained and inspired...

Karl's book choice: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Karl's music choice: "Soft" Latino music

It's the first episode of 2025 and we have a spectacular Tales from the Trails (TFTT) for you! Kenton recorded this whilst he was trekking to Everest Base Camp in November and it is the perfect way to brighten up a cold January day. 

Kenton shares colourful descriptions of the people, valleys, rivers, views, animals and landmarks that he passes as he treks from Namche Bazaar to Everest Base Camp with a small team of trekkers. From the evocative sounds of prayer wheels to the rushing of rivers and the breathlessness of hiking at altitude, you will get a real taste of life in the Khumbu Valley and we hope that it will set your tastebuds tingling for the adventures that lie ahead in 2025!

Jon is a high altitude expedition guide & UK mountaineering and climbing instructor; he has organised, climbed, guided and summited mountains on over 80+ major expeditions – including organising and leading the current world speed record for the 7-summits!

In this episode, Jon shares valuable learnings from the mountains and epic stories from his many years leading expeditions. Enjoy.

To say that @Kentoncool and Dave cover a variety of topics in this episode would be an understatement. From cool dudes and inspiring quotes to epic winter summits and falling in love with an Octopus(!), this episode has it all.

We hope you enjoy the conversation.

KC & DC

"Adults are just outdated children”

Back for 2021, in this week's episode of Cool Conversations, Kenton sits down with his daughter, Saffron.

As parents across the UK adjust to home-schooling again, Saffron turns the tables on KC and gives him a lesson on how and why children are going to change the world!

Quote by Dr Seuss.

With 2020 drawing to a close, @Kentoncool and Dave reflect on an unforgettable year and Kenton shares his learnings from a recent trip to Nepal.

The guys also talk ethical & sustainable businesses, big mountain summit attempts, new year's resolutions and much more. In short, this episode has it all!

Come with @kentoncool as he and his client attempt to climb Ama Dablam in Nepal. Good times, high winds and moments of reflection, this episode of Cool Conversations has it all.

The Charikot Panorama Resort is located 5 hrs from Kathmandu. At 2000 metres, the hotel offers breath-taking views and Swiss cuisine.

In this episode of Cool Conversations, @kentoncool sits down with the owner of the resort, Susie Thapa who shares her unique story and why she is always drawn back to the high hills in the Himalayas.

To learn more about The Charikot Panorama Resort, the resort is @charikotpanoramaresort on Instagram and Susie is @_susanna_banana.

Kenton sits down with doctor, and expedition leader, Dr Nima to talk about the country they love, Nepal.

In this episode of Cool Conversations, Dr Nima tells Kenton about the projects he's working on and his hopes for a prosperous post-pandemic Nepal.

Join the journey, follow @kentoncool on Instagram.