Nicola Hardy - Munro Bagger, Outdoor Writer & Author of Peak Bagging Munros

In this Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode we catch up with adventurer and outdoor writer Nicola Hardy—also known for becoming Munroist #6,765 after summiting all 282 of Scotland’s Munros. Nicola left behind a decade-long career in IT to pursue a life filled with mountains, maps, and meaningful adventure. Since our first conversation in March 2022, Nicola has continued to embrace the outdoor life with passion—working part-time to support her adventures and dedicating the rest of her week to exploring the hills and trails she loves. In this episode, Nicola shares what she’s been up to over the last few years, including writing her first guidebook: Peak Bagging Munros: Volume 1. We talk about the process of creating the book, linking routes efficiently across the Highlands, and her experiences hiking internationally—from Switzerland's Alpine Passes Trail to her first solo trip abroad on the Coronallacs route in Andorra. Nicola is honest about the practicalities of outdoor life—from parking anxiety and budget travel to the importance of finding community in the outdoors. With future dreams like hiking New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail, her journey is far from over. If you’re passionate about mountains, guidebooks, or building a life around what you love—this episode is for you. TGP March 31st 2022 -  Nicola Hardy - Adventurer and outdoor writer -Climbing all 282 of Scotland's Munros   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x Show notes Who is Nicola  Living in Cockermouth, Cumbria Being a peak bagger and long distance walker Preferring land over the water Writing a peak bagging guidebook  Previously speaking with Nicola in March 31st 2022  What we chatting about on the first Tough Girl Podcast episode  Catching up with what’s been happening since 2022 Ending up here after doing the things that filled her life with joy Trying to fill her time with as much adventure as possible  Finding the balance of adventuring while also bringing in money as well Working 2 days a week part time (flipping the standard working week, upside down) and having 5 days off Getting to the start of challenges using public transport Parking anxiety and how it can introduce negative thinking before an adventure  Peak Bagging Munro’s - the book and how it came about  Sir Hugh Munro Munro Bagging and what it is  64 routes which are designed to link up these iconic mountains  Adventure Books by Vertebrate Publishing  What makes this guide book different  Including good maps, and efficient routes linking Munros together  Separating into 10 highland hubs A walker, a trekker, a fast packer and a runner  Rest day suggestions  The gathering of the information  Building spreadsheets Following your passion and working on the guidebook  Volume 1 of 2 Who the book is for Heading to Switzerland and hiking the Alpine Passes Trail  Camping 20 nights out of 31 Being mountain fit Park runs  Doing her first solo trip abroad Hiking The Coronallacs  Being able to switch off and spend time in nature Wanting to go on more solo walks The South West Coast Path  Future plans and dreams to hike the Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand  Zoleo  How to connect with Nic Trying to keep the website updated Final words of advice  Getting out there and finding your community  Try lots of things in the outdoor space Find what you love and dive in headfirst, you never know where it might lead   Social Media Link for listeners to purchase the book - https://bit.ly/3REAjVU Website - adventurernic.com Facebook - @adventurer.nic.official  Instagram - @adventurer.nic