One fun fact about the staff here at Hike The Planet! is that we are absolute Podcast Fanatics. Our morning ritual generally involves throwing on a pot of coffee, checking our email, and listening to one of our favorite podcasts. Other times, we may be training at the climbing gym, or out on a hike, all with podcasts keeping our mind occupied and interested.
We like podcasts that encompass all genres. Every so often, we will throw on a podcast that focuses on adventuring in the Great Outdoors. Whether they are interviews, training tips, or stories, we love to listen to people talk about our favorite sports (often while not participating in said sports). In the spirit of giving, here is a list of our favorite Podcasts About the Outdoors.
Outside Podcast
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If you are a fan of the mega popular Radiolab podcast, or any of the many other NPR produced podcasts, then you will appreciate the high production value, and compelling storytelling of the /Outside Podcast/. The auditory wing of Outside magazine, this is a podcast that features interesting stories, interviews, and discussions about everything from wildfires, to lightning safety, to general adventure. Reporters for this show reach across the world to find interesting stories for your listening pleasure.
Wild Ideas Worth Living-REI
Presented by everyone’s favorite big box Co-op REI, /Wild Ideas Worth Living/ interviews explorers, authors, creatives and scientists to find interesting perspectives and stories about the great outdoors. With host Shelby Stanger, Wild Ideas features stories of people breaking stereotypes, exploring the mind, and challenging their physical limits. This podcast is sure to inspire you to get out and explore.
The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking
/The First 40 Miles/, with host Heather Legler, is a wonderful podcast devoted to hiking and backpacking. Every Tuesday, a new episode is released with tech tips, training advice, gear updates, and safety information. Whether you’re just starting to day hike, or a seasoned thru-hiker, The First 40 Miles will have something for your ears to chew on as you’re trudging up those switchbacks.
The Enormocast
The brain child of long time climber and snarky old man Chris Kalous, The Enormocast is probably the best rock climbing podcast out there. Through discussion and interviews, Chris picks the brains of the best athletes, creatives, and infuencers of the rock climbing world. From free soloists, to sport climbers, to writers, the Enormocast attempts to find its way into the heart of the rock climbing spirit.
Dirtbag Diaries
The Dirtbag Diaries, hosted by Climber and Adventurer Fritz Cahill, is a podcast dedicated to the dirtbag in all of us. The Diaries produces stories of outdoor adventure that deal with the deeper things in life. Each year, personal submissions are accepted from everyday listeners, and the best ones are turned into short, high quality episodes. These pastiches can be from hikers, climbers, cyclists, and, well, it does not matter what they do, as long as the story is compelling, interesting, and is full of personal meaning. This is a podcast that gets past some of the self help fluff, and instead helps you to understand the human spirit, through the lens of the great outdoors.
Training Beta Podcast
With Trainer, Nutritionist and Host Neely Quinn, the Training Beta Podcast picks apart the brains of famous climbers and top coaches to try and learn what makes them great, all with the intent to give the rest of us climbers the advice and tools needed to become a little better. Top Sport Climbers, Boulderers, Trainers, Weight Lifters, Physical Therapists, and Yogis have featured on the podcast. Whether you want to improve your mental game, put down harder boulders, or simply find out where to start your rock climbing training, then the Training Beta Podcast has an episode for you!
Adventure Sports Podcast
A humble broadcast, the Adventure Sports Podcast likes to bring you stories of outdoor adventurers who live outside the box. This biweekly show (that’s twice a week) interviews polar explorers, van dwellers, Iditarod Racers, and winter time PCT Thru Hikers. The tales and experiences detailed here will leave you with a strong desire to go out, explore, and try something new. Available on Podcasting services everywhere.
The Sharp End: Accidents in North American Climbing
Another podcast focusing on Rock Climbing and Mountaineering, the Sharp End tells cautionary and factual tales of rock climbing accidents. Produced by the American Alpine Club, The Sharp End Releases weekly episodes featuring interviews, case studies, and stories of accidents and rescues throughout the world. Host and Interviewer Ashley Saupe brings to you lessons and tips to help you stay safe on the rocks, and in the mountains.
Downtime: The Mountain Biking Podcast
I don’t care if you’re totally obsessed, or you barely even know how to change a bike tire, but you must admit that Downhill Mountain Biking is really, really fun. Every so often, the staff here at Hike The Planet! will thrown on an episode of Downtime: The Mountain Biking Podcast to get us in the mood to inure ourselves on a remote path in the middle of the woods. Tune in for interviews, tech tips, and trail reports. Maybe one day, when we can afford it, we’ll invest in a decent mountain bike of our own, and give this sport the ol’ college try.
MtnMeister
Kind of focused on climbing and mountaineering, but often veering off into other Outdoor Sports, the MtnMeister Podcast, with host Ben Schenck and the Meisters, is a quality podcast for the likes of all. Featured on the Meister podcast’s half hour episodes are interviews with climbers, runners, hikers, and adventurers of all ilk. Featured on the podcast have been personalities such as Alex Honnold, Conrad Anker, and the late, great Ueli Steck.
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