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“Strap Yer Boots” is your go-to podcast for raw, unfiltered conversations about the challenges and triumphs of everyday life. Hosted by passionate adventurers Laura Roche & April Brophy, this show dives deep into topics that matter- whether it’s overcoming obstacles, pushing through tough times, or simply finding joy in the journey.
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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 col...
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 bra...
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, t...
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. ...
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 hik...
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 t...
In 2020 Jacob Velarde set out on an adventurous hike to Indian Maiden Falls—an isolated canyon trail known for its narrow ledges and sweeping views. But a single slip turned his journey into a battle for survival. In this gripping episode, we follow Jacob’s trek, his unexpected fall into the canyon, and the determination that kept him fighting through the harsh terrain. A story of wilderness, courage, and the moment everything changed. Instagram @strapyerboots Website strapyerboots.com ...
They begin as whispers over tropical seas — small spirals of wind that, given heat and time, grow into monsters. In this episode, we track the world’s deadliest hurricanes: the storms that reshaped coastlines, changed nations, and tested what it means to survive. From the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900 to the Bhola Cyclone of 1970, from Katrina’s drowned city to the unthinkable fury of Typhoon Haiyan, we uncover the science, the destruction, and the human spirit behind nature’s most powerf...
In 1994, ultramarathon runner Mauro Prosperi vanished during the Marathon des Sables — lost in the vast Sahara for nine days. This is the harrowing true story of endurance, desperation, and the will to survive when the desert closes in. Instagram @strapyerboots Website strapyerboots.com Contact info@strapyerboots.com
At just 24 years old, Walter Bonatti was left stranded at 8,100 metres on K2 — a single night of survival that would become one of the greatest controversies in mountaineering history. Frozen, oxygen-starved, and betrayed by his own team, Bonatti endured the unendurable. But that was only the beginning of a career defined by integrity and impossible courage. In this episode of Strap Yer Boots, we journey through the life of the man they called “the conscience of alpinism.” From his bold first...
In Part Two of our Kilimanjaro recap we are answering your questions on everything from gear to our best and worst memories of the trip. We hear some more reflections from our fellow climbers & we share the all important boot recommendations for taking on the roof of Africa. If you're planning a hike of this iconic mountain we've got you covered so that you can pack snacks - not regrets. Strap Yer Boots! Instagram @strapyerboots Website strapyerboots.com Contact info@strapyerboots.com
Fresh off the slopes of Africa’s highest peak, we’re back at sea level and ready to unpack it all. In this episode, we relive our Kilimanjaro adventure — from the toughest climbs and funniest moments to the quiet reflections that hit us above the clouds. We’re also bringing in stories and voice clips from others who made the journey with us, sharing their highs, lows, and everything in between. Whether you’ve dreamt of climbing Kilimanjaro or just love a good adventure story, this one’s...
This week we have a small teaser on our Kilimanjaro episode which will be available next week 15th October. Spoiler alert we both made it in one piece! Instagram @strapyerboots Website strapyerboots.com Contact info@strapyerboots.com
Discovered in the Alps in 1991, Ötzi the Iceman is a 5,300-year-old mummy whose body has revealed astonishing details about Copper Age life—his clothes, tools, tattoos, even his last meal. But Ötzi also carries evidence of violent injuries, leaving scientists to ask: was he a victim of murder, survival gone wrong, or something else entirely? In this episode, we uncover the mysteries of Europe’s oldest cold case. Instagram @strapyerboots Website strapyerboots.com Contact info@strapyerboots.com
In December 1943, a brand-new USAAF C-47 Skytrain on a ferry flight to England veered off course and struck the slopes of Cnoc na Péiste in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. All five crewmen were killed, their story buried in confusion over dates, wartime secrecy, and the remoteness of the Kerry mountains. In this episode of Strap Yer Boots, we retrace the doomed flight, the recovery, and the enduring mystery of “the forgotten crash” in Ireland’s highest range. Along the way, we uncover how ...
In this episode of Strap Yer Boots, we sit down with John O’Brien— Irish military leader turned outdoor adventurer. With over 26 years of service, John’s career took him from managing complex investigations to leading multinational teams in challenging environments. In 2019, he founded Little Big Adventures Ireland, where he now shares his passion for the outdoors as a qualified Mountain Leader. We chat about the lessons the mountains can teach us, how military precision translates to t...
On Christmas Eve 1971, 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke boarded a flight over the Peruvian rainforest with her mother. What was supposed to be a routine journey turned into a nightmare when lightning struck the plane, causing it to disintegrate mid-air. Juliane fell over two miles—without a parachute—and miraculously survived. In this episode, we delve into one of the most extraordinary survival stories of all time. We explore Juliane’s experience falling from the sky, waking up alone in the jungl...
Rising high in the remote ranges of Tibet, Mount Kailash has inspired awe, devotion, and mystery for thousands of years. Unlike other famous peaks, it has never been climbed—nor should it be, according to the spiritual traditions that revere it. In this episode, we journey into the legends and beliefs that surround this extraordinary mountain. From its significance in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon, to the pilgrimage of the sacred kora around its base, Mount Kailash represents more than...
Join us as we lace up and take on Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest peak and the crown jewel of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. In this episode, we break down the trail details step by step — from the approaches to the Devil’s Ladder and alternative routes — giving you a clear picture of what to expect on the climb. Along the way, we dive into the rich folklore and legends that surround the mountain, where myth and landscape intertwine in unforgettable ways. Whether you’re planning your own hike or...
In 1959, nine hikers vanished in Russia's Ural Mountains. Their tent was found slashed open from the inside...their bodies scattered, some half-dressed in the snow, others with injuries no one could explain. Was it nature, secrecy, or something beyond? Strap Yer Boots and step into the cold as we uncover the haunting mystery of the Dyatlov Pass. Instagram @strapyerboots Website strapyerboots.com Contact info@strapyerboots.com
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