I sat down once again with Will Burkhart, founder of Badass Adventures, to dive into a new topic: non-technical high-altitude mountaineering. Will was my very first guest on this podcast, and his episode on Rim to Rim hiking is a must-listen for anyone tackling the Grand Canyon in a single day. But today, we’re going even higher!

We define non-technical high-altitude mountaineering as climbing between 14,000 and 19,400 feet without the use of ropes or belaying. Will has created a tiered approach to getting into this type of adventure, starting with Colorado’s Fourteeners (14,000+ feet), then progressing to Everest Base Camp (17,598 feet) and finally Kilimanjaro (19,431 feet). He walks us through the differences and similarities between these experiences, covering topics like:

Trail conditions – From well-groomed paths to rocky ascents

Daily mileage & number of hiking days – How long you’ll be on the trail

Landscape & foliage changes – From lush rainforests to barren alpine environments

Summit day intensity – What makes Kili’s summit push challenging

Cultural immersion – The contrast between the Everest Base Camp trail and Kilimanjaro

Sleeping & eating logistics – Tea houses vs. tents, and what’s on the menu

Acclimatization strategies – How to prepare your body for high altitude

Gear & fitness requirements – The essentials for success and why training matters

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to step into the world of high-altitude trekking, this episode is the perfect introduction. Whether your goal is to climb your first 14er, stand at Everest Base Camp, or summit Kilimanjaro, Will lays out the path for you.

Get in shape, pick your adventure, and go!

Badass Adventures owner, Will Burkhart:
https://www.badass-adventures.com
Text: 928-274-2424

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In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with one of my amazing clients from Maryland, John. He was 62 years old at the time he hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc and a one-day Rim to Rim hike within one month of each other.

Our conversation toggles back and forth between TMB and R2R. You’ll learn about John’s hiking training strategies, tips for each of the iconic hikes, fueling strategies, and more. John also discusses his issues dealing with knee pain and how he managed to keep going strong despite that challenge.

And yes, after Covid stifled John’s trip to Kilimanjaro in 2020, he’s now booked it again. Moreover, I am working with his daughter well ahead of their departure to build her hiking base and boost her confidence.

I am grateful to receive his endorsement. Enjoy my conversation with John.

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In this episode of the Hike Strong podcast, host Marcus Shapiro sits down with a true icon in the ultralight backpacking world, Glen Van Peski. Known by his trail name "Home Made" for his self-crafted gear, Glen is also dubbed "Legend" by friends like John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market, due to his profound influence on the hiking community. But Marcus has a different name for him—"Sage"—a nod to Glen’s wisdom that extends far beyond the trails.

An engineer, father of three, founder of Gossamer Gear, and author of the insightful book take Less. do more, Glen blends ultralight packing expertise with 15 life lessons that anyone can apply. The episode opens with key takeaways from his book, touching on the power of meaningful relationships—something Glen has mastered, whether it’s his connections with influential figures like John Mackey, Dan Buettner, or actor Matthew McConaughey.

As the conversation unfolds, Glen shares his philosophy on ultralight backpacking, valuing simplicity in both gear and experience. He offers practical advice for reducing pack weight, catering to both novice and experienced hikers, and reflects on the evolution of the ultralight movement.

With Glen’s thoughtful insights on balancing efficiency with enjoyment, this episode is sure to inspire anyone curious about adopting the ultralight mindset.

Whether you're new to backpacking or a seasoned ultralighter, you’ll walk away with valuable lessons on gear, relationships, and the sheer joy of being on the trail.

Glen Van Peski
https://www.glenvanpeski.com/

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My name is Marcus Shapiro, a hiking strength and conditioning coach and the founder of FitForTrips.com. Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of my backpacking clients, Dermot. At age 54, he successfully completed an incredible 8-day backpacking adventure in the Maroon Bells. In our conversation, we dove into the key challenges he faced during our 16 weeks of hiking training, and Dermot shared some profound insights that seemed beyond his years.

What makes this episode so relatable is Dermot’s journey—he trained in and around his home in Chicago for an intense Colorado hike, with no hiking experience and limited access to trails. His story proves that with the right training, you can prepare for any adventure, no matter where you live. I’m honored to have been a part of his journey, and I’m grateful for his endorsement. Enjoy this authentic and inspiring conversation with Dermot!

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My loyal audience is accustomed to tuning in to my interviews with hiking and backpacking guides.  But today, I'm taking a detour to speak with an interesting guy named Nathan (Nate) Pipenberg. I was reading an article titled "The Best Backpacking Packs for Any Adventure" on the Outside app.  At the bottom of the article, it reads, "Meet our testers." Nate Pipenberg was listed as a tester, so I decided to approach meeting him literally and interview him for you today. 

Nate writes a biweekly column for Backpacker Magazine and is the category manager for sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and trekking poles at Outside Magazine. Below is a sampling of some discussion topics:

- What’s the day in the life of a gear tester?

- Make your pitch about why new backpackers should go ultralight.

- Nate discusses an anecdote about Glen Van Peski, a pioneer in ultralight backpacking and founder of Gossamer Gear, a functional ultralight backpacking and hiking gear company.

- What inspired you to embrace ultralight backpacking?

- Define what base weight means.

- Comment on an anecdote from John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods, in the foreword to Glen's book "take less. do more.".

- What is the price someone would need to spend to achieve an ultralight base weight compared to a conventional backpack packing approach?

- What are some beginning steps someone can take to lighten their load?

- What are the most essential pieces of gear for someone transitioning to ultralight backpacking?

- Explain the Big 4 in the realm of backpacking: 1 - Backpack, 2 - Tent (or shelter), 3 - Sleeping Bag or Quilt, 4 - Sleeping Pad

- What are the initial ultralight gear items to invest in?

- What are some ultralight gear company brand names you recommend?

- What does ‘packing your fears’ mean?

- What common gear mistakes do beginners make when trying to go ultralight?

- In general, what are some unnecessary items people bring backpacking?

- Is there one item you always bring that you’d coach someone not to carry but you do anyway despite the extra weight?

- Discuss getting in shape for backpacking, especially ascending and elevation gain.

- Glen Van Peski mentioned that according to John Mackey, the third day of a backpacking trip is the most challenging, but it gets easier after that. How long does it take to get in shape just by hiking on the Appalachian Trail, for example?

- Hikers rarely have a point of reference to appreciate what goes into building hiking trails.  Explain more so they can understand the process.

- What is the difference between East Coast trails and West Coast trails?

- What is your Musical Trekking recommendation?

Nathan Pipenberg
https://pipenberg.com/

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My name is Marcus Shapiro. I am a hiking strength and conditioning coach and founder of FitForTrips.com. Today, I had the privilege of speaking with one of my Kilimanjaro trekking clients. His name is David, and he was 65 at the time of his successful Kilimanjaro summit. Our conversation revealed the elements that led to his climbing achievement. This was an honor and a pleasure for me. I am grateful to receive David’s endorsement. Enjoy the conversation...

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Oh, so you don’t know who Sunny Stroeer is? Do you know what an FKT is? Have you heard a clear explanation of how to hike successfully at high altitudes? Do you think trekking poles are for wimps? Sunny provides answers to these questions and more. So what are you waiting for? Click play now!

In this really fun interview, Marcus Shapiro skillfully draws valuable insights from Sunny Stroeer’s expertise in extreme hiking as she simplifies the information into actionable steps. She is the co-owner of Dreamland Safari Tours, founder of AWExpeditions, professional photographer, Harvard graduate, professional endurance athlete, and set speed records across the globe.   Don’t worry, you won’t feel inferior.  She is dedicated to motivating individuals to choose challenging hikes and backpacking trips outside of their comfort zones. Below is a sampling of discussion topics:

-Tell us about your Aconcagua FKT record attempt.

-AWExpeditions will plot out a trajectory for women to set lofty adventure goals.  Tell me about that. 

-Recall events that led to you and your husband Paul deciding to purchase Dreamland Safari Tours.

-What region of the US do Dreamland Safari Tour itineraries cover, and make a pitch why hikers would love to explore the area?

-What attributes do you hope to find in your clients from a physical and mental perspective?

-Share your training philosophy as it relates to preparing for the challenging Grand Canyon Deer Creek / Thunder River Loop itinerary.

-Let’s talk about these three itineraries and what makes them so special: Paria Canyon Backpack, The Wave Tour, and Grand Canyon Deer Creek / Thunder River Loop

-Let’s talk about Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp because they are non-technical higher-altitude climbs, very accessible, and have a high success rate for clients who commit to do the necessary preparation. One of the concerns for many clients is breathing at altitude. The conventional wisdom is that you can’t train for altitude.   
- Can you flush this out for the listeners?

-Provide solutions for these three common concerns.
1 - The endurance to climb uphill.
2 - Knee pain going downhill.
3 - Keeping up with the group.

-Address how you fuel in these situations.
1 - Pushing yourself for time where you want to stop as infrequently as possible.
2 - Hiking at high altitudes.

-Do you have any tips on using trekking poles to get the most out of them?

-How did you handle injuries in the past when you had an exciting adventure planned that you might have to cancel?

Sunny Stroeer / https://www.sunnystroeer.com / Awesome video
Dreamland Safari Tours / https://dreamlandtours.net
AWExpeditions / https://awexpeditions.org

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As you read this, take a moment to ask yourself: Would I benefit from testing my mental and physical capabilities? If you answer yes, I have an alternative to endurance obstacle courses like Tough Mudder or Spartan Race. Consider challenging yourself by going on a backpacking adventure through some of the most iconic areas in the contiguous United States, where you'll be guided by experienced professionals (a.k.a. Team Leaders) who prioritize your safety and help you achieve your full physical and mental potential.

Marcus Shapiro talks today with Christopher Casado, the founder of TSX Challenge, and one of his team leaders, Alyssa Whoaa.  They will tease your imagination and desires with details of amazing itineraries in the Grand Canyon, remote regions of the Sierra like Mt. Whitney and the John Muir Wilderness, and remote sections of the Northern California coastline. They offer insights into the benefits of pushing your limits while backpacking in the remote wilderness. And I promise they will earn your trust.

So, listen with an open mind, book a TSX Challenge hike, and get in shape for perhaps the most consequential adventure of your life.  Below is a sampling of discussion topics:

-Why did you start this bold endeavor you called TSX Challenge?

-Why do you call your guides 'Team leaders'?

-Alyssa, you can work for any backpacking company; why TSX Challenge? 

-Explain these phrases you have on your site and why they are important: 
- regular people doing incredible things
- do things as teams
- team member and team leader
- at some point, you have to dig deep and help someone or get help
- challenges bring people together
- bring what you learn on the trip with you to work or family

-Alyssa, what do you get from leading these unique backpacking trips?

-Explain the tradition of ‘thorns and roses’ around the campfire.

-Let's play this game...  I'll read off an itinerary, and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind:
- Trans-Sierra Mt. Whitney
- Hell For Sure
- Lost Coast
- Tehipite Valley
- Mount Goddard
- Grand Canyon Challenge
- Thunder River
- Escalante Route
- Jumpup Canyon
- Rim-to-Rim XC
- The Confluence

-What is unique about the Mt. Whitney trails you choose for your clients to hike?

-What is your pitch to people to book your Mount Whitney trip?

-Alyssa, what do you love about Mount Whitney?

-What makes your Rim to Rim itinerary different than the iconic routes on North Kaibab, South Kaibab, and Bright Angel?

-Let's talk about getting in shape for your backpacking trips.

-What are your thoughts about mental toughness hiking in the wilderness?

-How do you motivate your clients when they are having a rough day?

-Provide 3 tips for packing a backpack.
 
-Share advice on hiking shoes.

-Share thoughts on ultra-light backpacking.

Christopher Casado / TSX Challenge
https://tsxchallenge.com

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To all you hikers out there who want to give mountaineering a go, this episode is for you.  Marcus flushes out some fantastic knowledge from Karsten Delap, founder of Pisgah Climbing School.  He is one of 200 people in the United States with the IFMGA licensed mountain guide certification.  And he is the only one who lives in the Southeast.  IFMGA stands for International Federation of Mountain Guides Association.

Karsten is a highly respected mountain guide and will help you understand how to transition from hiking to mountaineering.  And Marcus’ goal today is to give you the confidence to go for it.  Below is a sampling of discussion topics:

- Define mountaineering.

- What is the history of hiking as a recreational activity, and what is its relationship to mountaineering?

- When does hiking become mountaineering?

- What are the different physical requirements between hiking and mountaineering?

- Define mountaineering, mountain climbing, alpine climbing, and anything related.

- Are snow and glaciers required to be considered mountaineering?

- If you climb 14ers in Colorado in June when there is little snow, is it mountaineering?

- Let’s discuss getting in shape for mountaineering.

- How do you get in shape for mountaineering if you live in flat or urban areas and can’t hike frequently or at all due to traditional work schedules?

- Karsten, how do you generally approach a physical training routine 12 weeks out or more from a challenging climb?

- How does physical conditioning for climbing differ from hiking?

- What mental skills are essential for climbing, and how can they be developed?

- What signs, symptoms, and failings do deconditioned climbers experience during a mountaineering experience?  And generally, what do you think they could have done more of?

- In a previous discussion, you cautioned against having a myopic view of training for Mt Rainier—for example, after hearing a podcast like this and then going for it. What's your concern?

- List next-level mountaineering experiences that can be done in a day or two domestically in the United States.

- How do you suggest gradually progressing from easier climbs to more challenging routes?

- What do you learn in a mountaineering class?

- What technical skills can a client work on their own vs with you?

- Discuss climbing gear.

Karsten Delap / Pisgah Climbing School
https://www.pisgahclimbingschool.com/ & https://www.karstendelap.com/

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Let's delve into the world of Half Dome hiking, a thrilling Yosemite National Park adventure that requires both safety precautions and a strong dose of motivation. Marcus Shapiro turns to Scott Gehrman, founder of Lasting Adventures, for expertise on the subject. He has summited Half Dome 150+ times with clients brave enough to ascend and descend this majestic peak.

After speaking with Scott, Marcus concluded that his clients' summit success is a testament to the confidence he exudes to his hiking groups. This guy knows everything about Half Dome, and his clients know it and trust him. Below is a sampling of discussion topics:

- What safety and motivational advice do you have for ascending and descending Half Dome?

- How can you overcome the intimidation of ascending and descending Half Dome?

- Share cable route instructions you impart to your hiking groups.

- How do you explain passing or letting hikers pass on the cable route?

- What technique do you recommend for ascending and descending?

- Discuss fitness tips you provide to your backpacking and hiking clients.

- Discuss safety gear that some Half Dome hikers use.

- What kind of shoes and gloves should you wear on the cable route?

- Can you leave your gear at the base of Half Dome?

- How much time does it take to complete a round trip?

- Discuss attempting a summit when the cables are down.

- How do snow and rain affect the Half Dome experience?

- Discuss how to avoid falling.

- Discuss the backpacking itineraries you offer that end with a Half Dome summit.

- Discuss what months the cable route is intact.

- Share details about the Mist Trail.

- Talk about accessing permits to summit Half Dome.

Scott Gehrman / Lasting Adventures
https://lastingadventures.com/

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