In this episode I talk to Hillary Gerardi in Servoz, Chamonix, about the record she established with Valentine Fabre in April 2021 on the iconic Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route. The duo completed the tough 110km (with 8100m elevation gain) route in 26h21m using race skis and tactics and with a small support team. The journey is documented in the film ‘The Traverse’ by Ben Tibbetts and Jake Holland, which has been shown on the mountain festival circuit. The trailer is here:...

I caught up with Inverness-based Alec Keith who has been a prominent figure in Scottish hill running over the past 30 years. One-time holder of records for the Cairngorm 4000s, Cairngorm Big Six and Mullardoch Round, Alec revels in good long days out in the mountains, often alone, and he was quietly doing what he loves in the hills long before most of us were eating hot dinners! Over the years Alec has made the top few places in rough, rugged races such as Glamaig, Glenshee 9 and Jura Fell...

On 28th August I completed the second fastest Bob Graham Round ever, touching the steps of the Moot Hall in Keswick in just under 13 hours - less than 7 minutes slower than record holder and all round megastar Kilian Jornet's time. I had an incredible support team who helped me to push myself further than ever before, forging memories that will last a lifetime. I'm delighted that endurance running godfather Martin Stone offered to interview me about my run.

The Lake District's Kim Collison chats about his 24hr Munro Record set in July this year. Kim is no stranger to long distance running records - he holds records for the Paddy Buckley Round, Winter Bob Graham Round and Lakeland 24-hr Peaks. The 24hr Munro Round is simple on paper: how many different Munros can you tag in 24hrs, starting and finishing at the same point? In practice of course it is a gruelling physical, mental and logistical challenge. Kim's round took in 33 Munros in the...

I saw from Strava that Lakes-based runner Josh Jardine was up in Scotland on a climbing trip. He came round for a cuppa and four hours later still wouldn't accept a second! We chatted about his running and climbing projects, in particular hearing about the Lakes Classic Rock Round which he completed in September 2019 with fellow Helm Hill runner Pete Rigby in a then pairs record of 18hrs 59mins. The route involves climbing the 15 Lake District routes from Ken Wilson's revered book Classic...

In this conversation I'm delighted to chat to previous British Fell Running Champion Kelli Roberts of Ambleside about her experiences on the Cuillin Ridge of Skye. In August 2020 she improved the female record for the 12km ridge traverse to 5h56m46s from Anna Wells' 6h34m set in 2016. The record is timed from end to end summits, starting at Gars-bheinn and finishing on Sgurr nan Gillean. Kelli and partner Pete Rigby first traversed the ridge in 2018, and returned last year to learn the route...

On 2nd September 2020 Donnie Campbell completed his human-powered Munro Round in a record time of 31 days, 23 hours and 2 minutes. He completed all 282 Munros by running, biking and kayaking between them, starting on Ben More on Mull and finishing atop Ben Hope in the Far North. This improved on Stephen Pyke's 2010 record of 39 days, 9 hours and 6 minutes which itself knocked a significant chunk off the previous record before it. I talk to Donnie and Stephen (Spyke) about all things Munro...

In this episode I speak to Roger Wild - my father - about (some of) the history of ski touring in Scotland before moving on to describe our 2010 'Scottish Haute Route'. This 7 day journey from Ben Nevis to Gairnshiel near Ballater was around 155km in length with 10,000m of ascent. We pre-placed food caches, stayed in bothies, and skied on Nordic free-heel skis carrying our overnight gear with us. The route linked up the high ground through Lochaber to the Cairngorms, ascending numerous Munros...

In January 1987 pioneering long distance fell runner Martin Stone completed his goal of a solo, unsupported midwinter Bob Graham Round in classic full winter conditions (in 23h41). This had taken 4 attempts over 6 years and was not repeated in similar style until just recently in December 2020 by Shane Ohly. The journey was such an indelible personal experience that Martin recorded his thoughts on the round in detail the next day. Over 30yrs later he has unearthed the tape and agreed for it...

I talk to Robbie Simpson about his progression from junior hill runner through some European highlights such as Sierre-Zinal and Jungfrau Marathon, to road marathon and his 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medal. We talk about having season goals and specific training, as well as his entry onto the ultra racing scene in recent years. Bringing it back to the Scottish mountains, we touch on the Lairig Ghru race (which  he won in 2020) and Cairngorms running. Robbie is sponsored by Adidas Terrex

Georgia Tindley kindly made time while passing Fort William to stop for a chat about the brilliant Glencoe Skyline race which she won in 2019. We also talk about the World Skyrunning circuit which she blasted onto in 2019 with some top performances. Georgia is an English teacher who has moved progressively further north in Scotland to access the mountains since she left her childhood home in London. We also talk about books and the pressures of tourism on remote communities.  I mention The...

Last winter Will Rowland pulled off an incredible traverse of the Black and Red Cuillin in a two day journey starting and finishing at Sligachan. Based on a summer linkup his father Clive Rowland pioneered almost 40yrs ago, we believe this is the first winter completion. It was a pleasure to chat to Will about his experience, as well as talking generally about the Cuillin and the history of the various traverses and 'records'.  I apologise for the mic 'buzz' - I couldn't fix it for this...

On 31st August I ran Charlie Ramsay's Round in 14hrs 42mins to break Es Tresidder's 2019 record.  This run was the culmination of my 2020 season and has been a goal for many years. I ran solo and unsupported and enjoyed a tough but incredibly memorable mountain experience. Es interviews me about the process of breaking the record - from my buildup through shorter distance records earlier this year, through planning and prep, to conditions and tactics on the day. 

In this 'On the Road' episode we are on Arran and I talk to Kirstie Smith about island life and her fantastic local hills. We chat about running and scrambling routes, mountain rescue, bivvies and even astrophotography. Kirstie Smith is @kirstiesarran on Instagram and Twitter and her photography is @afocusforadventure on Instagram. Her photography website is www.afocusforadventure.co.uk (you can email her via website to buy photos or her book) We refer to: Goatfell race (See Scottish...

I talk to Sarah MacDonald of Lochaber Athletic Club and Glencoe about her recent FKT on the Mamores Round. She ran the 35km (+/-) loop in just under 8hrs - a strong run, especially considering the overall record stood at over 7hrs until 2017. We talk about the freedom of long solo hill runs, overcoming the barriers to 'just doing it', and generally enjoy an appreciation of the high ridges. SHR Long Distance Records - go here and click on the dropdown tab 'Tour of the Mamores' for details and...

Ali Rose and Mark Chambers chat to me about their epic day out linking up all 6 classic rock climbs in the Cairngorms from the book 'Classic Rock'. This stacks up as a 62km day out with (normally) 28 pitches of climbing taking them from Lochnagar through some spectacular terrain to their finish at Cairngorm ski car park 17hrs and 28mins later. Ali's write-up: www.mountainstotheseaphotography.com/category/cairngorms/ The book Classic Rock:...

I talk to Keri Wallace of Girls on Hills Trail Running about the Glencoe scene in general and her new climbing linkup with husband Ben of the 'Six Ridges of the Buachaille'.  We also chat about her journey from PHD to climbing instructor to running guide and some of her most memorable mountain days.  Find more details at: www.girlsonhills.com, www.facebook.com/GirlsOnHills/ or www.instagram.com/girlsonhillsuk/ Six Ridges of Buachaille Etive Mor: Stats: 5hrs 30mins. 1642m of ascent over...

In March 2020 - just before the COVID-19 UK lockdown - Es Tresidder and I took advantage of good weather and snow conditions to attempt a ski mountaineering challenge which we've long dreamt of, namely the Ramsay Round. This 92km running route has never been done on skis, and the current winter record (running) sits at 22hrs 23mins (Jim Mann, 2017).   I interview Es about our experience - logistics, kit, strategy, and the actual attempt.  Correction: Es’s first attempt at a Skimo Ramsay...