Why The Mountains Podcast
Stephen Farley
Show overview
Why The Mountains Podcast has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 25 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 15 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 32 min and 45 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Sports show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 months ago, with 2 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 15 episodes published. Published by Stephen Farley.
From the publisher
If you are a hill walker, or a mountaineer, or just someone with a love of stories of adventure in the mountains, this is the podcast for you. In this first series we are exploring the history of Irish mountaineers on Everest, from the earliest pioneering days, right up to the latest ascents. We will take you on a journey from the Irish contribution to the earliest years of alpinism, and the exploration of the Himalayas and Mount Everest, through the breakthrough successes of the 1990s, the heart break, the tragedy, the many failed attempts, the loss of mountaineers in their prime, and the latest iteration of Everest climbing through guided commercial ascents. Throughout all of the following episodes, we will explore what makes these mountaineers tick, how they found their way on to hills and mountains first in Ireland, then further afield, before tackling the often-deadly slopes of Everest. Sit back and enjoy, and if you like this first episode and want to hear more, please like and subscribe to the podcast, and spread the word amongst your friends, family, walking ,trekking and climbing partners, there will be something for everyone in this series, and I hope you enjoy!
Latest Episodes
View all 25 episodes
S1 Ep 24S1 Episode 24 - Anselm Murphy Pt 2
The second part of our interview with Anselm Murphy, the youngest Irish person to summit Everest. Includes a short update on Irish climbers attempting Everest this season. Enjoy. All photo credits to Project Himalaya website.
S1 Ep 23S1 Episode 23 - Anselm Murphy Pt 1
Join us as we speak to Anselm Murphy, who in 2008 become the youngest Irish person to summit Everest. Anselm is a Londoner with strong Irish roots in Wexford, enjoy! (Photo from the Project Himalaya website, all credit to https://project-himalaya.com/dispatches/2008/08-everest-18-summit.html)
S1 Ep 22S1 - Episode Twenty Two - Adam Sweeney
Welcome to the latest episode of the Why The Mountains Podcast. In this episode we chat with Adam Sweeney, a 22 year old mountaineer from Waterford, who will be attempting to climb Mount Everest from the south side in the spring. For more information check out: https://irishadventurer.com/ https://www.instagram.com/adamtsweeney/ https://www.tiktok.com/@adamtsweeney
S1 Ep 21S1 - Episode Twenty One - Jen Copeland Pt 2
Welcome to the latest episode of the Why The Mountains podcast with me your host, Stephen Farley. This is part two of our chat with Jen Copeland. If you haven’t listened to part one, I suggest you do that first. We start this episode on summit day, where Jen describes in detail what it is like to make the final push towards the summit, the difficulties and the hardship that precede the highs of reaching the top, and in the case of Jens expedition, the tragedy and loss that is never far away from those who venture into the death zone on the highest mountains on the planet. We hope you enjoy!
S1 - Episode Twenty - Jenny Copeland Pt 1
Welcome to the latest episode of the Why The Mountains podcast with me your host, Stephen Farley. Today we hear from Jen Copeland, Everest summiteer in 2019 as part of the Ireland on Everest expedition. We hope you enjoy!
S1 Ep 19S1 - Episode Nineteen - Linda Blakely
Welcome to the latest episode of the Why The Mountains podcast. Today we interview Armagh woman and Everest summiteer Linda Blakely, enjoy!
S1 Ep 18S1 - Episode Eighteen - Paul Devaney Part Three
Welcome to the Why the mountains podcast. This is the third and final part of our interview with Paul Devaney. In this episode we will hear about Paul’s experience on Everest in 2015. A tragic year for the people of Nepal, as the country experienced a magnitude 7.9 earthquake, which occurred on 25th April, right in the middle of the Everest Spring season. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 17S1 - Episode Seventeen - Paul Devaney Part Two
Welcome to the latest episode of the Why The Mountains Podcast. This is the second part of our interview with Paul Devaney, focusing on the deadly ice avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall on Everest in 2014. We hope you enjoy!
S1 Ep 16S1 - Episode Sixteen - Paul Devaney Part One
Welcome to the latest episode of the Why The Mountains Podcast. In this episode we talk to Paul Devaney, owner creator and curator of Irishsevensummits.com, about his adventure attempting to climb the Seven Summits, and of course, Everest. We hope you enjoy!
S1 Ep 15S1 - Episode Fifteen - Robert Kelso Smith
Welcome to the latest episode of the Why The Mountains podcast. This week we hear from County Tyrone mountaineer Robert Kelso Smith, high altitude mountaineer and guide, with over 25 years experience in Antarctica, and the Himalayas. Enjoy!
S1 - Episode Fourteen - Hannah Shields
The latest episode of the Why The Mountains Podcast features an interview with Hannah Shields, the first female mountaineer from the north of Ireland to summit Mount Everest. Enjoy!
S1 Ep 13S1 - Episode Thirteen - Jason Black Part 2
Welcome to the Why The Mountains Podcast. This is the second part of our two-part interview with Jason Black. We hope you enjoy.
S1 Ep 12S1 - Episode Twelve - Jason Black Part 1
Welcome to the Why The Mountains Podcast. This is the first part of our interview with Jason Black, mountaineer from Dunfanaghy in County Donegal. We hope you enjoy, and apologies for it being a little late! The episode will explain why...
S1 Ep 11S1 - Episode Eleven - Banjo Bannon Part 3
Welcome to the Why The Mountains Podcast. This is the last of our three part interview with Armagh Mountaineer Terence Banjo Bannon, we hope you enjoy.
S1 Ep 10S1 - Episode Ten - Banjo Bannon Part 2
Welcome to the latest episode of the Why The Mountains Podcast. This is the second part of our interview with Banjo Bannon! We hope you enjoy!
S1 Ep 9S1 - Episode Nine - Banjo Bannon Part 1
Welcome to the latest episode of the Why The Mountains Podcast. In this episode we hear from Terence Banjo Bannon.
S1 Ep 8S1 - Episode Eight - Pat Falvey Part 4
The last in our four-part mini series on Pat Falvey. Enjoy!
S1 - Episode Seven - Pat Falvey Pt 3
If you are a hill walker or a mountaineer, or just someone with a love of stories of adventure in the mountains, this is the podcast for you. In this first series we are exploring the history of Irish Mountaineers on Everest, from the earliest pioneering days, right up to the latest commercial expeditions. If you haven’t listened to our earlier podcasts I suggest you do that first before continuing this this latest episode. This is the third in a four part mini series of podcasts on Pat Falvey, one of Ireland premier mountaineers, where we hear more from Pat on his adventures, taking him all over the world in pursuit of the seven summits, and of course, back to Everest.
S1 Ep 6S1 - Episode Six - Pat Falvey Pt 2
If you are a hill walker or a mountaineer, or just someone with a love of stories of adventure in the mountains, this is the podcast for you. In this first series we are exploring the history of Irish Mountaineers on Everest, for the earliest pioneering days, right up to the latest commercial expeditions. If you haven’t listened to our earlier podcasts I suggest you do that first before continuing this this latest episode. This is the second in a four part mini series of podcasts on Pat Falvey, one of Ireland premier mountaineers. Please do check out the previous episode introducing Pat, and how he fell in love with the mountains. In this episode we continue on our journey with Pat, all the time getting closer to Everest.
S1 Ep 5S1 - Episode Five - Pat Falvey Pt 1
In this episode, we speak to Pat Falvey about his introduction to the mountains.