Explore every episode of the podcast The Hiking Podcast

66: Hiking & Body Image, Hiking For Weightloss & Are Hikers Travelling Lighter?

65: Can You Hike Too Cautiously? The Cape Wrath Trail + Tom's Opinion On Festivals

64: Queueing On A Mountain Summit - Yes Or No? + Cold Water Exposure

63: How To Become A Multi-Day Hiker

62: Putting Your Waterproofs In The Tumble Dryer - OK or Not OK?

61: Does The Hiking Community Actually Care For The Outdoors?

Tom's guided hikes - https://trekkingtom.com/

Five FREE hiking workouts - https://www.thehikingcoach.co.uk/free-resources/5-free-hiking-workouts-ebook-pdf

Tom’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/trekking.tom.experiences/

Paul’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buzzardhikes/

The Hiking Coach Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the.hiking.coach/

Laurie’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lauriecrayston/

59: Kit vs Experience - What's More Important In The Mountains?

58: Burnout & Recovery - Hiking 9 Days Straight

57: How Do I Get My Friends To Enjoy Hiking? + How Do I Hold On To The Mountain Feeling Once I'm Back Home?

56: Wildfires, Idiots & The End Of The World

55: Weightloss On Multi-Day Hikes, National 4 Peaks Attempt & Tom's Renewed Love Of Wild Camping

54: Running 5km Won't Make You A Better Hiker, Tom's Final Wainwrights & 8 New Earned It Co Medals

53: Shoulder Pain From Your Backpack, Is The Hiking Industry Stuck In Outdated Ways, Tom's Arrogance & Paul's Shoe Cloths

52: Does Leave No Trace Apply If Nobody Is Watching? Speakers In The Mountains + More

51: Should We Be Allowed to Make Bad Decisions in the Mountains? Is Turning Someone Back The Right Call? + More

50: Why Do I Keep Getting Blisters? 4000 Meter Peaks & More

49: Hiking Poles: Yes or No?

48: Q&A - Tips for Beginners, Peak Bagging vs Taking It Slow & Our ream Hike Recommendations

In this episode the guys delve into risk vs reward in adventure and ask if social media is making us all push a little too far?

46: Erecting a Cross on Scafell Pike, Wainwright The Influencer, Ashes, Etiquette & More

45: Conversations on Hikes, Farmer's Fighting Back, Fly Camping & More

In this episode the guys discuss all manner of things as they return from their 6 week absence - apologies in advance.

43: Will Mountain Rescue Judge Me? How To Know If A Hike Is Boggy & IG Hikers Settling Scores In The Ring + More!

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

In this episode the guys discuss alpine divorce, a man who walked 450km to cool off after an argument and more.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys discuss the new work on Wainwrights C2C path, the implications it might have for the future as well as discussing hidden gems, influencers and answering how they deal with false summits.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys delve deeper into the great hiking boot debate.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

39: Tom's USA Road Trip, Lake District Bouncers, Navigating Clag & More

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

In the episode the guys discuss the do's and don'ts of wild camping, share some of their own stories and have an eerie encounter in the studio.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys discuss their hydration strategies, mistakes and more.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys talk about zone 2 hiking, recovery, stretching , nutrition and much, much more.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

In these episode the guys discuss how to get your body mountain ready, Paul's recent injury, walking technique and more.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys continue their discussion around mountain safety; covering why hiking is seen as easy, it's coolness, turning back and much more.

Plus a listener question: what's better, the journey to the summit or the summit itself?

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

Is checking the weather more important than checking the route, or vice versa? Perhaps both are necessary? The guys debate this in part one of a mini-series aimed at preventing worst case scenarios in the mountains. And Paul laughs at Laurie's recent mishap.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guy's discuss Tom's wedding, hiking in a recent storm - including tips on staying safe - and answer a listener question about whether hiking culture has changed.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

31: Is Hiking Hedonistic? Do Ridges Make You A Better Hiker? + Tom's Safety Briefing

In this episode the guys cover a variety of topics and answer listener questions:

Who would cry first in bad weather?

What's your weirdest mountain ecounter?

What's the worst piece of hiking gear you've bought?

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

Inspired by recent discussions and events, the guys weigh in on how to find safe group hikes, getting blocked by unqualified organisers and raise questions about the mountain leader qualification.

Plus: The Lakeland Buzzard delivers his second Interesting Fact of The Week.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

In this episode the guys answer two listener questions, discussing their own techniques when hiking long distances and whether or not social media has been a good/bad thing for hiking.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

In this episode the guys discuss decision making in potentially dangerous situations and relive stories of pushing on and/or turning back in a variety of situations. The mountains will always be there.

And, Tom drops an unusual fact.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys discuss the implications of introducing a visitor tax to the Lake District and, is Seathwaite the UK's answer to Zion National Park?

Listener Q&A: What would you call a new Lake District peak?

When will the new scrambling grading system be published?

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

In the episode the guys flow through a range of topics; beginning with conspiracies before moving onto keeping warm in winter, mountain rescue callouts and how preparation matters most.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

In this episode the guys discuss whether or not the growth in group hikes has had an impact on solo hiking as well as debating the pro's and cons of each. Includes practical advice for those looking to both join a group hike and hike solo.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys welcome Tamsin and her son Oscar (who'd finished the Wainwrights by the age of 8) and talk about all things hiking with kids; navigation, motivation, wind, distance, leading by example, normalising women outside and much, much more.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys discuss Everest and it's changing dynamic, who climbed it first and why it's not necessarily the tallest mountain on earth.

Listener Q&A:

How should I train if I have an imbalance in my legs?

What do you all think of the Munros?

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

20: Freya Hodson Part 2 - Hiking Influencers, Bad Publicity, Women's Hiking Fashion + More

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys debate what actually is the best footwear for the mountains and different conditions and Laurie talks about his interpretation of danger vs discomfort.

Listener Q&A - How do you know items on Vinted aren't fake?

The Lakeland Buzzard delivers his first fact.

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

The guys discuss the potential ramifications of a hikers recent conviction and speculate on the future.

Listener Q&A:

How can I protect my achilles from high volume hiking?

Who would survive the longest on a desert island?

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

18: With Dan G (Part 2) - Does Working in the Mountains Spoil The Enjoyment? Our First Community Hike & Giveaway + Much More!

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.

17: Dan Gawthorpe - Hiking vs Climbing, The Perfect Tinder Match, The Cuillin Ridge + More

Episode Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are based on personal experience and discussion and are intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, medical, or safety advice.

Hiking, mountaineering, and outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Conditions, terrain, fitness levels, experience, and equipment vary from person to person. Listeners are responsible for making their own informed decisions and assessing their own abilities before undertaking any activity discussed.

Any references to accidents, incidents, or real events are discussed for educational and conversational purposes, not to assign blame or provide definitive judgments.

Always follow local laws, guidance, and safety recommendations, and seek appropriate professional instruction where necessary.