“podcasts to inform, inspire, entertain and encourage people to enjoy
a healthy outdoors lifestyle”


Our listeners

We know we have thousands of listeners
around the world and we value you greatly.
You are the people who inspire us to
keep going, to keep finding the time to
speak with others involved in any aspect of
the great outdoors and share their passion,
love and knowledge. Thus help us all appreciate
and enjoy the world in which we live.
 

Thank you so much for the camera bag, which I've already put to good use and found to be just right for my work as a pro-photographer. Heard about you via a professional photography website and enjoyed what I've listened to so far. Keep up the good work! Dave

Fantastic!! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to recieve the new Canon G9 camera. I've never won anything before, and this has really made my summer, if not year! Thank you to the sponsors too, clever of them to tune into the outdoor market so directly. I've told all my freinds all about you and I hope things continue to grow for you, after all the work you obviously put in. Great information, well presented and perfect for those long commutes. Thanks again, I'm absolutly knocked out! Hamish

It was a great surprise to win last week's Outdoors Show Goody Bag competition, and I'd like to thank you and the companies who donated the kit for sending the goody bag with so many great things in it. I don't usually go in for competitions but couldn't resist having a go at this one, and I'll certainly spread the word about your great podcasts amongst my friends and on the forums I use.

Winning this kit has come just at the right time, as I'm off to walk the first section of the Pennine Way from Edale to Hebden Bridge next week. Last year I walked and ran the PW with some friends from here in deepest Kent during the very soggy summer, and certainly would have benefited from waterproof and drying kit, so the prize is very handy as I know what to expect on the trail amongst the lovely peaty bogs!

The help of the podcasts from The Outdoors Station has been huge, to show me what's still out there and to give me an aim to get back out into the hills. I listen to the show on my iPod while out walking the streets of Tunbridge Wells getting my fitness back each day. The TGO Challenge podcasts from 2007 were inspirational, and I've still got those from 2006 to look forward to. I understand you didn't get into the 2008 event, but am sure you'll produce a different theme for podcasts instead that will be just as informative and entertaining.

Many thanks for all the kit in the goody bag which will get well used next week! Keep up the good work with the superb podcasts. Paul
 

Just wanted to thank you for my great Slackline prize which I got today. Can't wait for the weather to brighten up so I can use it in the garden.  Thanks again. Jackie

I liked your interview back with Steve Sergeant (the man behind the Wildebeat), I am glad you did the interview because I was wondering about him since I have been listening to his show for a while now. The one thing I found myself to strongly disagree with him about was his podcast length... a highly edited 10 minute podcast?? I don't know where he got his stats for the average listeners attention span (he mentioned in your interview), but what a weird statistic to base on a length of a podcast... I totally disagree and the longer the interview the better. I think the bare minimum length should be what you do, about a half an hour. This brings me to another subject of an interview with Robert Butler of trailcast, another great interview you did with him too! (thanks for letting us know what happened to his podcast-and I hope he comes back) He is another that lets people talk in interviews and you get FULL stories (like you do), not highly edited/cut up interviews... I actually don't mind silence as people are thinking or mispronounce something, or mess up what they said. To me, it actually brings out the character of the people being interviewed so you get a feel of the person through the headphones. I just wanted to thank you for these two particularly great interviews, and vent a little about podcast length! :) Others I liked were the lightweight cyclists, and the 2 part Ben Corr interview was interesting too. Have a great day! Dave Barnas, 35 from Buffalo NY, USA.

Not often that I get to send an email to a celebrity! A quick note to thank you for the prize of a Colin Prior Calendar, won via the Podzine Show on the Outdoors Station. It arrived safely today and goes some way to making up for the fact I didn't manage to visit Scotland this year. Next year should see a more determined effort. Thanks again and good luck with all your endeavours. (Just off to write Colin a 'thank you' as well.) John

Hi Bob, Rose, Andy and the rest.
I just want to thank you for the superb podcasts you have been putting out over the past couple of years.
My fiancee, Stephanie, and I are to marry in May and we have been inspired to walk the Coast To Coast route for our honeymoon (and charity).
This is almost entirely your fault and I thank you for it :-)
Best regards, Steve and Steffi.

The Outdoors Station Podcast is a great diversion during my working day. I often get funny looks in the office as I sit tapping at my keyboard with headphones hanging from my ears, listening to the latest goings on in the outdoor world.

I find the subject mattter suits me perfectly, as it is a great combination of all my interests - hill walking and mountaineering, climbing and bushcraft; with great interviews, informative gear reviews and a useful events diary. Living in Cornwall, I'm also grateful for the pity Bob extends to those of us in the South, forced to suffer a highly north-centric outdoor media (even if his Cornish accent is terrible!). Winning a recent Outdoors Station competition for a brand new Alpkit PipeDream sleeping bag just sealed my love of the podcast! Keep up the good work. Dave Dean

I’ve been listening to your podcasts from the outset, particularly whilst recovering from a series of knee operations which prevented me from being out on the hill. I really enjoyed the TGO series; last year’s inspired me to do the West Highland Way this spring – this year’s spurred me into signing up for next year’s TGO Challenge and I’ve just found I’ve been lucky in the draw!

The weekly Podzine is a real winner and I enjoyed today’s podcast whilst out on a bracing rehabilitation walk along the Ridgeway in Wiltshire. Don’t worry about keeping them short – 45 minutes at least please – and the mix of general news, gear and trade issues plus interviews makes for an interesting, well-balanced programme.

Keep up the excellent work. Jules

Bob just wanted to thank you for a tip-off in the first of your weekly podcasts, when you interviewed the man from Inov-8.

Having heard your and others enthusiasm, I had been interested for some time in trying lighter footwear, but I normally take a size 14, and because those suppliers I looked into only stocked up to size 12, I assumed it wasn't a possibility. Then I heard your podcast in which it was mentioned in passing that Inov-8 manufactured many of their lines up to size 14. My ears pricked up!

Result: I made a more exhaustive search than before and found an Internet supplier (Wiggle) who would deliver the Rocklite 390 in ALL sizes. I took a chance and ordered despite not being able to try out beforehand. A few days later, boots arrived. And last Sunday I tried them out in my regular weekend tramp in the mud around my local countryside.

They were superb. Probably the most comfortable footwear of any sort I have ever worn. Better than slippers! As a bonus, they even kept my feet dry on a day of nearly continuous rain.

So thank you very much. Keep up the good work. John Spencer

One of the best audiocasts on the WWW. Keep it up. - Rick

I spoke to you at AGM, you demonstrated lighting meths with flint & steel. Great site & very interesting podcasts. Keep up the good work. - John

Please keep pushing back the boundaries of the Outdoor scene, Bob. It good advertising for the UK and I hope that you get official recognition for the amazing effort that you put in. Duncan/AktoMan

Bob just a quick note to say thanks for all the excellent work on the new series of The Podzine.

You've filled a gap in the outdoor listeners marketplace that I hadn't even realised existed until these podcasts arrived on the scene.

What a great way to get a weekly outdoors magazine straight to the pc and bang up to date, rather than the three months later news associated with the more traditional monthly outdoor magazine format.

I just hope the outdoor retailers realise just what a rich and easy to handle format this mechanism represents on those occasions that they want to get a message direct to their potential outdoor customers. John Hee

Love the podcasts & the great service to us all.Loved the tgo challenge podcasts & limiting myself to one a week so they last longer! Adrian

Your podcasts are brill! Byron

Fantastic! The whole bloomin' lot - keep it up. - Lance

I really enjoy visiting your site and the podcasts are terrific about making me think about my walking and wild camping, how to go lighter and enjoy my trips more. Many Thanks Ian

You're a mine of information on going lightweight in the outdoors. Really enjoy listening to the podcasts, especially when bivvying out! Steve

Bob, you have made The Outdoors Station THE place on the net to get quality outdoors related podcasts. The quality, the production values are just far superior to any of the competition. Well done, and long may you keep producing them. Darren

The podcasts are just inspirational! My wife totally corpsed at the novel use of a tampon for firelighting (tears streaming down her face!) ... so clever for Health and Safety to provide them with in-built touch paper too ;-) They are all just so much fun! Keep up the great work! David

I love the podcasts! They are very informative, funny, and professionally done. The series of TGO diaries is brilliant. I almost feel as if I'm walking along with you. (Except for the fact that I'm sitting in a comfortable chair with a glass of Dalwhinnie or Oban in my hand.) Thanks again for your hard work in putting together these great podcasts. Joe

I love the Podcasts, especially Mike Harding and Cameron McNeish. Seriously attempting to attain self-realisation in the great outdoors makes a worthwhile change from the traditional tough-guy approach to backpacking.
Incidentally, apropos single skin tents, I'm still using my Phoenix Phreerunner Goretex which I've had for many years as I do very little backpacking. I've always found it trouble free. I wonder why we don't get more of this type of shelter? Cheers, Des

Contrary to Mr. Steve Sergeant's opinion, I rather enjoy a longer interview. In fact, the longer the better. It strikes me much the same as the difference between a walk around the block and a long distance hike. I'm just hoping you don't take his advice that "shorter is better". If he chooses to edit his shows down to mere sound-bites, that's his choice. I took offense to his attitude that his way was the only correct way, and anything else was just completely wrong. Possibly I misread him though. I thoroughly enjoy your podcasts and look forward to many more. Like many from the States, I just can't get enough of that wonderful accent. Best of luck John

Love the podcasts Bob! I've been listening to the Challenge Diaries on my daily walks the last week or so. great mix of what you and Rose are doing, and the interviews with everyone else along the way. Also really enjoyed the '...how long is long' interview with Chris Townsend. That one changed the way I look at the landscapes I wander around in. Keep up the good work! cheers Paul

Thanks for the excellent interview series – it serves as an amazing source of inspiration to me. I listen to shows not just when out when pounding the pavements during the long damp winter nights, but also during long commutes for work.

It’s invaluable during that otherwise “wasted training” time sat in my car. At least I feel as though I am getting some training done; even though it is mental.

We are currently training for the Polar Challenge; a 340 mile ski race to the Magnetic North Pole. Stages of this will be mind-numbingly monotonous, so we will be taking mp3 players to keep us stimulated – you can bet that several of your interviews will be on there to keep the motivation going.

As soon as we’ve finished this we will be back in training for the LAMM. Keep up the great work and thanks again. Ian Wilson

Greetings from Nebraska in the United States of America! I found your site via a Google search for podcasts covering the topic of backpacking. After listening to nearly 47 of your podcasts, yes I am hooked, I described your podcasts as the "Jackpot" to my group of friends who share my interest in backpacking and podcasting.

I have learned a lot by listening to the very informative podcasts and I just want to say 'Job well done!' After listening to several of your guests speak about lightweight backpacking I went through my pack and reduced it's weight by 33 pounds! I just returned from a two day hike for which I had two goals. The first of which was to "minimize weight and maximize fun" and the second was to convince my friends that reducing pack weight works! I achieved both goals and my friends could not believe I got along just fine and with my pack weighing in at less than half the weight as theirs!

You have introduced me to the benefits of going light and for that I am grateful! Thank you for you podcasts. I look forward to many more. May God bless you and your company. Sincerely, Todd Gilkison

Just to say how much I'm enjoying your TGO challenge podcasts. I'm stuck in front of a 22" monitor in my home-office in Cambridgeshire aka Flatland, working on illustrations while listening to your experiences and learning, too. Our first overnighter (in the Torridon) was a great success despite the weather, and we're planning the West Highland Way next May. And more walking, further north and west. Thank you, not only for the podcasts, but for the great gear! Sarah

Just found your site via Country Walking Magazine and I must say its BRILLIANT!! Thanks Sue

The podcasts have been brilliant, and have kept me going over the winter months. The power of the imagination mixed with the spoken word is fantastic. And I love the "lads trips out" playing with the new fire and stuff! Your trip with Andy is what convinced me to purchase a tarp. I will watch the Outdoor Station closely. Martin

I am well on the wrong side of 35 - what you seem to think is an age beyond podcasts - but I can assure you that I have listened to most of your podcasts on my iPod and, after listening to your interview with Bob Butler, I thought it is time to say 'well done Bob' - I hope your new commercial venture goes well and keep on podding. Ian, Harrogate

The podcasts are consistently excellent - entertaining, informative and easy to listen to due to the very relaxed and professional presentation style. Ewen Graham

Podcasts are great, really liked the go-lite backpack comparisons and "going light" advice. Keep up the good work, Ian MacDougall

I enjoyed the Ryan Jordan podcast, and I'm planning to listen to some of the other podcasts. Looking forward to hearing more about some of the clothing, equipment, and hikes from the UK. Tom

The podcasts are great. A lot of useful information and I personally like the ones with Chris Townsend and your collaboration one with Ryan Jordan the most. Best regards, Roman Ackl

I am listening to your Podcasts over in in Richmond, BC., Canada. I thought I'd drop you a note saying I very much enjoy them. Interviewing people like Chris Townsend (A hero of mine), Ryan Jordan, and others has been very inspiring. It is also very refreshing to hear a UK prespective on lwt backpacking. Stephen Sharp

I just wanted to say it's great to hear the podcasts again. I learned a lot from your first batch and will continue to listen with interest. You have a good way of letting people be themselves on your shows, and it gives them a lot of human interest.

I would love to hear a podcast on making your own gear- I've started to do it recently and it's been great. There is a lot of great information and materials out there, but it can take a beginner a long time to piece it together, and I think a podcast would be a great way to pull it all together for anyone starting out. Good folks to include might be: yourself- I know you've done this, and done the R+D for your own products with your own sewing machine.

Ray Jardine- dosen't do interviews but would have to be mentioned

Backpackinglight.com- their MYOG forums are amazing sources of knowledge and advice

Paul Nanian of Thru-Hikercom-I'm sure you've come across him- his shop is pretty much the last word for supply of top-quality materials, and he seems to be quite keen on having an educative and promotional role with regards to home made stuff. Also a very seasoned long-distance hiker, it seems!

Henry Shires- still distributes his original tarptent plans for free.

The uk materials companies, Pennine and Point North-nothing to what's available in America, but still worth knowing about

Just a thought. There is a sort of 'anti commercial gear' ethic among some enthusiasts, but I think it's such good podcast fodder that that might not matter. In fact most of those I suggested including started out as enthusiasts and ended up as small businessmen! Joe

I'm definitely enjoying the TGO podcast series again this year, and I'm looking forward to planning next year's Challenge! I listened to Part 11 a few days ago, and I thought that Andy's interview with me at Tarfside went very well.

Assuming you're doing the Challenge next year, I expect I'll be seeing you, and maybe we'll get to do some hiking together again (with my feet in much better shape!). I will be going even lighter, and definitely better, but I don't think I'll try to keep up with Colin in that regard. Take care! Rob


I have been meaning to show my thanks for the fantastic podcasts - I just needed the excuse of an imminent backpacking trip to finally get it together. Thanks to your podcasts, I will be taking the plunge and signing out of work for 2 weeks to do the TGO challenge (2009 probably) which means you may end up cited in a future divorce settlement when I become truly obsessive and bore my long-suffering wife to tears with relentless route planning and gear-weighing.

Keep up the great work,

Nick.

I've been listening to the great podcasts for about a year now and they, amongst other things, have inspired me to get out and do some wild camps and turn my walking into backpacking.
Now of course I need the gear and what a great place to start. Just placed a small order, with others to follow in the future probably. Hoping to do the TGO in 2009 once I have built up my skills enough. Keep up the great work Bob and Rose!! Cheers

Stuart