Dan Raven-Ellison describes himself as a guerrilla geographer and creative explorer. He is the Founder and CEO of Slow Ways, a groundbreaking initiative to create a national walking network that connects all of Britain’s towns, cities, and National Parks.
Check out Slow Ways and see how you can contribute: https://beta.slowways.org/. The movement needs support in reviewing mountain routes. Could you incorporate Slow Ways into the routes you plan? Sign up for emails and follow them on social media to stay updated.
In this conversation, we also talk about walking with a mind-reading device on your head, City National Parks, and safe roadside walking. It was a fascinating discussion that could have gone on much longer!
Tim Jepson is best known for working the Bangor University Outdoor Education PGCE. In that role he trained over 600 teachers of Outdoor Education and as such he holds a special affection in the outdoor world. He also worked at Plas y Brenin and more recently has been very involved with the BMC. We talk about how Tim got into the outdoors, the career he’s had and what he’s up to now. We finish with a conversation around sound advice for the developing outdoor leaders and some environmental considerations. This was a lovely, relaxed conversation with a master of the outdoors.
Mehemet Karatay is a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, Winter Mountain Leader and Orienteering coach based in the Cairngorms. He is part of the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) team and has a doctorate in Glaciology. Mehmet reveals the origins of his name, how he came to be a walker, climber and instructor in Scotland. We also talk about glaciology and forecasting for MWIS.
What do you really know about upland farming? Given the farming protests going on currently I think it's really important to talk to real farmers about the issues affecting them. Listen to this podcast with Celyn from 2021 then come and meet her in person on the farm in June to find out more... https://www.mikeraine.co.uk/event-details/up-on-the-farm
Dr Flitcroft is responsible for managing the BMC's relationship with the Government and other countryside and recreational organisations. She is often to be found lobbying hard for the rights of hill walkers, climbers and mountaineers. She leads the BMC on policy and legislation issues affecting the cliff and mountain environment and is responsible for replying to numerous consultation documents in England and Wales. She was once a champion athlete and has, by her own admission, spent far too much time in the wilderness. Her PhD is about peat bogs.
Esther does a lot of rock climbing work from beginners to coaching for progression. She works on Mountain training Courses, she is Director of the Women’s Climbing Symposium and, with a Post Graduate Qualification in Environmental Education, she works with the Field Studies Council too. We talk about but her pathway to success, the Women’s Climbing Symposium and some good advice for others progressing through the Mountain Training schemes
A big chat about land management, particularly in the uplands. And what changes to the way we support farmers could mean for the hills.
Lou runs Freedoms Outdoors based her in Eryri National Park. She, with her partner john, also run an accommodation base called Capel Tanrallt. In the podcast we find out how Lou got into the outdoors and the incredible range of pursuits in which she has, and does, take part. Lou has become known as one of the largest providers of ML training and assessment, running courses monthly through most of the year.
She recognises how lucky she has been in her career with supportive people around her and time to engage in a whole manner of outdoor activities. She is keen to help those who don’t have quite so much time. Lou is particularly supportive of those who might not live near the mountains and have other commitments to manage when gaining their skills and working towards qualifications.
Iago is managing upland peat restoration on the National Trust Ysbyty Ifan estate here in Eryri National Park. He helps to understand why peat and blanket bogs are incredibly important and how they are trying to enhance the status quo.
Gus Routledge is a Scottish ecologist with a particular interest in bryophytes, though he also puts a good case for grasses and sedges. He operates in the uplands, where he has found several very rare plants. In this podcast he discusses with Nathan what he does and the projects in which he is involved. Take a look at his inspiring posts on Instagram @pinkfootedgus
Darren Johnson is a Midlands based Mountain Leader who is currently the Chair of the BMC Midlands committee. Darren has a lifetime of diverse experience and a passion for bringing people together, he brings more to the outdoors than a love for adventure. Over the years, he’s built a multi-faceted career, spanning local government management, social services, and business ownership, which has given him a unique perspective on fostering resilience and connection. Darren runs a mental health charity which offers counselling and psychotherapy. Darren is keen to create spaces—whether in the wild or in conversation—where people feel understood and supported.
Lou, from Devon, is now living and working in the French Alps as a Mountain Guide. She talks through gaining her Mountain Training Qualifications and then becoming a Guide. She tells us what it's like to work as a Guide. She now lives in Chamonix with her Mountain Guide husband and they are expecting their first child, which is always a challenge for self-employed people. We do, of course, touch on the added challenges a female climber has living the life of an instructor and Guide.
Hello, this is a short introduction to the forthcoming series with special news of a new development.
This is a special, bonus summer edition of the podcast. I visited the Cymdeithas Eryri/Snowdonia Society weekend in Nant Gwynant to find out more about the Society and the event.
Cymdeithas Eryri's Make A Difference (MAD) weekend was funded by the UK Government, with funds administered by Gwynedd Council.
A full new series will start in November
Angela 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 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.
Staff 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 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.