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 engagement on Table Mountain.

Most of all, this episode is about gratitude. Thank you to every guest who shared their stories so openly, and to everyone who listened, supported, encouraged, and believed in us along the way. This community means everything to us.

Don't forget to strap yer boots.. we don't want you to fall over..

Catch ya next time.

A&L

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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 Carrauntoohil to the wild cliffs of Croaghaun, his love for the mountains starts at home and reaches the world’s highest places.

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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 history alongside Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott, Tom Crean endured unimaginable cold, hunger, and hardship — and never once turned back.

He marched across endless ice fields, survived shipwrecks, and completed one of the greatest solo rescue walks ever recorded, saving lives when hope was gone. And when it was all over, he returned quietly to Ireland, never telling his story unless asked.

This is an episode about resilience, loyalty, and quiet heroism.
About what it means to keep going when everything is stacked against you.
And about an Irish man who proved that extraordinary strength doesn’t need applause.

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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 feeling watched over, guided, or even spoken to by someone who isn’t physically there. Is it the brain’s last survival mechanism? A psychological hallucination born from stress? Or something far more profound?

Through real accounts, scientific theories, and unsettling patterns, we explore why the human mind may never truly face death alone.

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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 four friends, it wasn’t.

Over seven weeks, against official advice and in near-freezing darkness, they planned and executed one of the most dangerous recovery dives ever attempted. This episode tells the story of the Plura cave — the risks of cave diving, the fine line between courage and obsession, and the powerful human need to bring loved ones home.

This is a story about friendship, grief, and the places we go when we refuse to leave someone behind.

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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 the Seven Summits so far, sharing the stories, scares, and unexpected moments that shaped each ascent. From the isolation of Antarctica to the grind of Denali, Andy opens up about the physical and mental demands behind every peak.

A devastating setback — a broken leg and ankle after Denali — taught him his most powerful lesson: resilience. Andy reflects on rebuilding his body, rethinking his mindset, and rediscovering his drive to finish what he started.

But what makes Andy’s story truly extraordinary is his purpose. Every peak he has climbed has been in aid of charity, raising over €100,000 so far. For his Everest finale, he’s partnering with the Children’s Grief Centre, using his climb to bring support and visibility to those who need it most.

We explore the heart behind the mission, the reality behind the climbs, and the humble mindset of a man who says he’s “just ordinary” — while proving, once again, that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

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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 sculpts mountains, stirs up storms, and seems personally invested in ruining our perfectly planned hikes. We explore her myths, her mischief, and why she’s the perfect scapegoat for every sudden downpour.

A breezy mix of trail tips, folklore fun, and laughs—ideal for anyone who loves Ireland, hiking, or blaming mythical beings for bad weather.

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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 the history, the legends, and the living traditions of the Holy Mountain. From its Byzantine roots to its 20 monasteries carved into rugged cliffs, we explore why Athos has remained sealed off from half the world’s population — and what life is really like for the monks who call it home.

You’ll hear:
– How Mount Athos became a monastic republic
– Why women — and even most female animals — are banned
– What daily life looks like inside this isolated spiritual world
– The controversy and curiosity that surround the mountain today

Whether you’re drawn by the history, the mystery, or just the sheer strangeness of a place frozen in time, this episode takes you as close as you can get — without crossing the border yourself.

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