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 

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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 (flippi