Strap Yer Boots

In this final episode of Season 1, April and Laura take their boots off and reflect on everything the year has held — the grit, the growth, the quiet wins, and the moments that changed us. We talk through the journey of Strap Yer Boots , celebrate April’s achievements on the hills and her incredible Ironman accomplishment, and relive one of the most unforgettable moments of the year: Laura’s engag...

Today’s guest is a mountaineer driven by life above sea level. From Mont Blanc and Island Peak to 4,000-metre Alpine giants like Gran Paradiso, Castor, Pollux, and the Breithorn, his journey spans the Alps to the Himalayas. A defining 2024 expedition on Ama Dablam shaped a mindset of resilience, proving that progress isn’t just about summits—it’s about showing up and pushing on. From Errigal and C...

Born in a small village in Annascaul, Co. Kerry, Tom Crean never sought fame — yet he became one of the greatest explorers Ireland has ever produced. In this episode of Strap Yer Boots , we tell the full story of a man whose courage was tested at the coldest edges of the world. From leaving home as a teenager to joining the Royal Navy, to surviving some of the most dangerous Antarctic expeditions...

In moments of extreme isolation and life-or-death danger, some people report something impossible: a third presence —a calm, guiding companion that appears when survival seems out of reach. Explorers lost in Antarctic whiteouts, climbers trapped on frozen peaks, survivors drifting at sea… all describe the same phenomenon. This episode dives into the Third Man Factor —the mysterious experience of f...

At the end of a quiet valley in central Norway, a river disappears into the earth. Beneath the surface lies Plura — a vast, icy cave system of breathtaking beauty and deadly depth. In 2014, two experienced cave divers lost their lives more than 100 metres below the surface. Authorities deemed the conditions too dangerous for recovery. The cave was sealed. The story, they said, was over. But for fo...

This week on Strap Yer Boots , we sit down with University of Limerick lecturer and adventurer Andy Nolan — a man who insists he’s “not a mountaineer,” yet somehow finds himself standing on the edge of completing the Seven Summits Challenge . With six peaks already behind him, Andy is now gearing up for the big one : Mount Everest , spring 2026. Andy takes us on a climb-by-climb journey through th...

Bundle up and brace yourself—we’re heading out for winter hikes in Ireland, where the landscapes are stunning and the weather is… character-building. We swap stories about slippery trails, essential gear we inevitably forget, and the joy of pretending we’re “totally fine” in sideways hail. And of course, we can’t talk Irish winter without mentioning the Cailleach —the legendary winter hag who scul...

On a remote peninsula in northern Greece lies one of the most mysterious places in Europe — Mount Athos, a self-governed monastic state where time, tradition, and devotion rule above all else. But there’s one thing that sets this mountain apart from every other pilgrimage site on Earth: for over a thousand years, women have been completely forbidden from entering . In this episode, we dive into th...

In 2020 Jacob Velarde set out on an adventurous hike to Indian Maiden Falls—an isolated canyon trail known for its narrow ledges and sweeping views. But a single slip turned his journey into a battle for survival. In this gripping episode, we follow Jacob’s trek, his unexpected fall into the canyon, and the determination that kept him fighting through the harsh terrain. A story of wilderness, cour...

They begin as whispers over tropical seas — small spirals of wind that, given heat and time, grow into monsters. In this episode, we track the world’s deadliest hurricanes: the storms that reshaped coastlines, changed nations, and tested what it means to survive. From the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900 to the Bhola Cyclone of 1970 , from Katrina’s drowned city to the unthinkable fury of Typhoon...

In 1994, ultramarathon runner Mauro Prosperi vanished during the Marathon des Sables — lost in the vast Sahara for nine days. This is the harrowing true story of endurance, desperation, and the will to survive when the desert closes in. Instagram @strapyerboots Website strapyerboots.com Contact info@strapyerboots.com

At just 24 years old, Walter Bonatti was left stranded at 8,100 metres on K2 — a single night of survival that would become one of the greatest controversies in mountaineering history. Frozen, oxygen-starved, and betrayed by his own team, Bonatti endured the unendurable. But that was only the beginning of a career defined by integrity and impossible courage. In this episode of Strap Yer Boots , we...

In Part Two of our Kilimanjaro recap we are answering your questions on everything from gear to our best and worst memories of the trip. We hear some more reflections from our fellow climbers & we share the all important boot recommendations for taking on the roof of Africa. If you're planning a hike of this iconic mountain we've got you covered so that you can pack snacks - not regr...

Fresh off the slopes of Africa’s highest peak, we’re back at sea level and ready to unpack it all. In this episode, we relive our Kilimanjaro adventure — from the toughest climbs and funniest moments to the quiet reflections that hit us above the clouds. We’re also bringing in stories and voice clips from others who made the journey with us, sharing their highs, lows, and everything in between.  W...

This week we have a small teaser on our Kilimanjaro episode which will be available next week 15th October. Spoiler alert we both made it in one piece! Instagram @strapyerboots Website strapyerboots.com Contact info@strapyerboots.com

Discovered in the Alps in 1991, Ötzi the Iceman is a 5,300-year-old mummy whose body has revealed astonishing details about Copper Age life—his clothes, tools, tattoos, even his last meal. But Ötzi also carries evidence of violent injuries, leaving scientists to ask: was he a victim of murder, survival gone wrong, or something else entirely? In this episode, we uncover the mysteries of Europe’s ol...

In December 1943, a brand-new USAAF C-47 Skytrain on a ferry flight to England veered off course and struck the slopes of Cnoc na Péiste in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. All five crewmen were killed, their story buried in confusion over dates, wartime secrecy, and the remoteness of the Kerry mountains.  In this episode of Strap Yer Boots , we retrace the doomed flight, the recovery, and the enduring...

In this episode of Strap Yer Boots , we sit down with John O’Brien— Irish military leader turned outdoor adventurer. With over 26 years of service, John’s career took him from managing complex investigations to leading multinational teams in challenging environments.  In 2019, he founded Little Big Adventures Ireland , where he now shares his passion for the outdoors as a qualified Mountain Leader...

On Christmas Eve 1971, 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke boarded a flight over the Peruvian rainforest with her mother. What was supposed to be a routine journey turned into a nightmare when lightning struck the plane, causing it to disintegrate mid-air. Juliane fell over two miles— without a parachute —and miraculously survived. In this episode, we delve into one of the most extraordinary survival stor...

Rising high in the remote ranges of Tibet, Mount Kailash has inspired awe, devotion, and mystery for thousands of years. Unlike other famous peaks, it has never been climbed—nor should it be, according to the spiritual traditions that revere it. In this episode, we journey into the legends and beliefs that surround this extraordinary mountain. From its significance in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism,...

Join us as we lace up and take on Carrauntoohil , Ireland’s highest peak and the crown jewel of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. In this episode, we break down the trail details step by step — from the approaches to the Devil’s Ladder and alternative routes — giving you a clear picture of what to expect on the climb. Along the way, we dive into the rich folklore and legends that surround the mountain, w...

In 1959, nine hikers vanished in Russia's Ural Mountains. Their tent was found slashed open from the inside...their bodies scattered, some half-dressed in the snow, others with injuries no one could explain. Was it nature, secrecy, or something beyond? Strap Yer Boots and step into the cold as we uncover the haunting mystery of the Dyatlov Pass. Instagram @strapyerboots Website strapyerboots....

In this episode of Strap Yer Boots , we head to the rugged hills of Ireland’s south-east to meet two members of the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) — Liz Browne and Pat Holland. From midnight callouts to life-saving rescues in wild weather, they share what it’s really like to be part of a volunteer team that drops everything to answer the call. We talk about the skills, teamwork,...

In this episode, we’re joined by the incredibly inspiring Ian O’Brien—husband, father, adventurer, and advocate—who was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease at just 38 years old. Rather than letting the diagnosis define him, Ian chose to take action—literally. In June 2023, he embarked on the Eur-Up-Ian Challenge : climbing the highest peak in all 27 EU countries and the UK in just 28 da...

Grab the lead, Strap Yer Boots, and pack a few treats—this week, we’re talking all things dog-friendly trails across Ireland!  From breezy coastal strolls to forest adventures and mountain scrambles that’ll tire out even the most energetic pups, we’re sharing routes that both humans and hounds will love. We chat about trail etiquette, must-have gear (yes, even for dogs), and our own four-legged co...