AI (more specifically, Generative AI) is on a sharp rise. With so many industries anxiously adapting it in order to keep up with trends in technology, the outdoors community has held back for the most part. With so much yet to be discovered from AI, it is only right that an industry that prides itself on trust and safety of its community, doesn't quickly integrate this somewhat untamed technology. But is it now time for companies like HiiKER to look to AI as an aid to helping more people get outdoors and building their confidence?

The HiiKER team discuss the rise of AI in the outdoors industry. We talk about the positive and negative implications of it if there is a wider adaption across the industry and debate the risks that come with it.

Join the conversation - this podcast is recorded live each week as part of our weekly community stream. You can join our facebook community discussion here - https://www.facebook.com/share/eYgJxXHbDujNBThA/

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The Art O’Neill challenge has long-been on Irish mountain-dwellers calendar. 

Hikers and ultra-runners gather in the depths of winter, at night to complete a grueling 60km course 

I say course, but there is actually no official route. 

Not only are participants facing into the darkness, 

but they also have to self-navigate over open mountains with almost no actual trails to use. 

Some might say those that run the route are lunatics for running in those conditions. 

The runners might be looking back at the walkers with awe as they continue in the bleak winter night. 

So why are they doing this? Why Am I doing this?? 

Last year, I myself took part in the challenge as a runner. Unfortunately, I dropped out early…

This year, I’m going again with the sole purpose of completing it! 

The more time I have spent with this challenge in my head, the more fascinated I became with the history of it. 

Who was Art O’Neill? 

Why is it named after him? 

Normally when a race is named after a person, it usually means that person is not around anymore! 

Turns out Art hasn’t been around for a couple centuries. 

I’ve wanted to do a podcast about the Art O’Neill challenge for a while, but it wasn’t until I came across my guest, that I felt we could do a good job of it. 

Jane Casey is a fellow hiker and content creator from Wicklow. 

Over the past few months, she has been documenting her curiosity around Ireland on social media. 

She offers bite-sized history lessons about things that we all walk by unknowingly everyday. 

And in a country like Ireland that is steeped in History and folklore, she has plenty of subject matter to get through. 

When I introduced Jane to the subject of Art O’Neill and the challenge, she was excited to be involved. While Jane is not a historian, she does her research well and came to the show prepared! 

So if you’re taking part in this years challenge or you’re just a curious Casey like Jane, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Follow Jane Casey 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/janecasey.ie

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@janecasey.ie

Find all the maps you need for the Art O'Neill challenge

https://hiiker.app/purchases  

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John Muir - Hopefully this name doesn’t require an introduction to listeners of this podcast.

But just in case there are a few that have yet to be acquainted,

John Muir is a scottish-born environmentalist, writer, outdoorsman and is considered to be the Father of the US National Parks and is the founder of The Sierra Club.

As a writer, he is probably one of the most quoted people on the planet.

If you’re looking for a quote to express your love for the outdoors, chances are that google or chat gpt will cough up a bunch of stuff by John Muir.

Many are also probably familiar with the hiking trails left in his name. Most significantly the John Muir Trail (or JMT to the trail connoisseurs) which stretches from the summit of Mount Whitney to Yosemite Valley.

While his name and writings are so well-known around the world, not much is spoken about his life. Which is incredibly surprising considering the life that he had!

From Thousand mile walks (before thru-hiking was even a thing) to facing a wind storm at the top of a 100 ft Douglas spruce and traveling the world, he definitely walked the walk!

I’m certainly no expert on the subject of John Muir and unfortunately, since his passing in 1914, John couldn’t make it for the interview. But thankfully, we have the next best thing! Harold Wood Junior is the co-founder and webmaster for the John muir exhibit which is a virtual museum dedicated to the life and legacy of John Muir.

Harold knows John as if he is a brother. So there was nobody more suited to exploring his life than Harold.

There is so much to learn about John Muir, far more than what could fit into this short episode. We mention books and other resources that you can check out to learn more.

https://vault.sierraclub.org/john_mui...

Find your next Sauntering adventure over at https://hiiker.app/app?utm_source=you...

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