00:00

Up next

    Science FridayOlympic Ski Mountaineering, And Mountain Goat Climbing Feats
    18 minEpisode 1228

    Olympic Ski Mountaineering, And Mountain Goat Climbing Feats

    Listened

    In progress

    This year’s Winter Olympics feature a new event called “skimo,” or ski mountaineering. The racing event involves periods of skiing uphill using “skins” for traction, sprinting uphill on foot, and a downhill ski slalom to the finish. Mountaineering historian Peter Hansen joins Host Flora Lichtman for an introduction to skimo, and the scientific connections of early modern mountaineers.

    Then, wildlife ecologist Kevin White describes the amazing capabilities of the mountain goat, what’s known about the physical features that contribute to their climbing ability, and risks to mountain goat populations.

    Read more
    Listen now18 min

    © Science Friday and WNYC StudiosLength 18 min6 February 2026Episode 1228ScienceFactsEducationalUSAEpisodic

    Agricultural Bees, China’s Energy Future, Frankenstein In Class. Feb 2, 2018, Part 1

    Agricultural Bees, China’s Energy Future, Frankenstein In Class. Feb 2, 2018, Part 1

    This is an episodic podcast, so you can listen to it in any order, but episode one is a great place to start.

    Listen to episode one here
    11+ScienceFactsEducationalUSAEpisodic6 February 2026© Science Friday and WNYC Studios

    This year’s Winter Olympics feature a new event called “skimo,” or ski mountaineering. The racing event involves periods of skiing uphill using “skins” for traction, sprinting uphill on foot, and a downhill ski slalom to the finish. Mountaineering historian Peter Hansen joins Host Flora Lichtman for an introduction to skimo, and the scientific connections of early modern mountaineers.

    Then, wildlife ecologist Kevin White describes the amazing capabilities of the mountain goat, what’s known about the physical features that contribute to their climbing ability, and risks to mountain goat populations.

    Guests:

    Dr. Peter Hansen is a professor of history at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and author of the book The Summits of Modern Man: Mountaineering after the Enlightenment.

    Dr. Kevin White is a wildlife ecologist based at the University of Alaska Southeast.

    Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

    Subscribe to this podcast. Follow our show on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Bluesky @scifri and sign up for our newsletters. Got a science question that’s keeping you up at night? Call us: 877-472-4374

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


    © Science Friday and WNYC Studios |Original Episode URL. The content, artwork and advertising within this podcast is not owned or affiliated with Sound Carrot and remain the property of their respective owners.


    Find your next favourite Podcast

    Sound Carrot is your source for Family Podcast Discovery. Verified awesome, 0% boring.

    Privacy Focused

    Distraction free website, no flashing banners or adverts to steal your attention.
    (Some shows do contain their own ads however).

    Kid verified

    At first I made this site for my kids, but like any dad I got a little over excited. I hope you find it as useful as they do.

    Family Friendly

    Whether you want to listen to them together in the car, or alone in your room - the content is all safe for younger ears.