A new monthly podcast became Australia's most popular wilderness podcast within three days of launching. or signup to continue reading is a series of conversations with rescuers and those who have been rescued. Katoomba-based hiking expert and podcast host, Caro Ryan's conversations encourage guests to share about a time when things went wrong in nature.
The guests relay what happened, what they learned and how they hope to stop it from happening again. With about 30,000 downloads from the first nine episodes, Ms Ryan hopes to show the power of how stories can help to change lives. There are honest retellings of difficult incidents - from getting caught in a waterfall pool's vortex in the Blue Mountains to dealing with a broken leg alone in a canyon in Spain to being buried alive in a snow cave - they make for fascinating and empathetic listening, as well as offering up ways for dealing with the unexpected when out in these wild places.
Australian and international guests offer perspectives from both sides. Guests include weekend adventurers and emergency services personnel, as well as those involved in training, equipment and research. Whether you're an armchair traveller or an avid expeditioner, connects listeners with nature and the outdoors community.
Ms Ryan has a bushwalking website and YouTube channel called LotsaFreshAir.com with an online community of more than 60,000 outdoor enthusiasts. She also teaches wilderness navigation.
She also works in a volunteer capacity .