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/

Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:
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Marcus Shapiro is joined by Dave Fatula, White Mountains hiking expert and founder of Guineafowl Adventure Company.  Dave successfully makes a strong pitch for why hiking in the White Mountains (in New Hampshire) is one of the most fun, beautiful, and rugged destinations in the Lower 48. Your challenge is to listen and then ask yourself how long you can resist before having to experience hikes in the Whites for yourself.  He calls the White Mountains, Boston’s Backyard.  Marcus and Dave talk fitness, trails you should hike, spectacular views above the treeline and much more… Below is a sampling of discussion topics:

- Why is it important to feel, see, challenge, and immerse yourself in nature and what’s unique about the ruggedness of the White Mountains?

- Make your pitch to the Northeasterner to hike in the White Mountains.

- Make your pitch to the hikers out West who will belittle the 4000-footers vs 14,000-foot peaks.

- Talk about the challenging trails that sometimes go straight up and down without switchbacks and why that is. 

- Hiking in the White Mountains vs Adirondacks vs Mahoosucs.

- Discuss the overwhelming number of stunning views above the tree line in the unique alpine tundra.

- Talk about the iconic Mount Washington hike and important safety measures you should take.

- Discuss peak bagging the 48 peaks within New Hampshire and one in Maine, over 4,000 feet, known as the four-thousand footers.

Let’s discuss the technical nature of the White Mountain National Forest and how a proper fitness level makes hiking much more fun, rewarding, and safe.

- Favorite musical band for Musical Trekking.

- Discuss some beginner, intermediate, and challenging hikes in the White Mountains.

- Discuss that the White Mountain National Forest is home to some of the most formidable terrain on the entire Appalachian Trail.

- What is the most common positive thing people say about the entire experience when hiking with the Guineafowl Adventure Company for the first time?

Dave Fatula / Guineafowl Adventure Company
https://guineafowladventure.com/

Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:
https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/

Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans:
https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/

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Marcus Shapiro is joined by Mags and Olly - Tour du Mont Blanc experts!  They both share a passion for the Tour du Mont Blanc hike a.k.a. TMB.  After listening to the discussion, you will feel confident about committing to this iconic hike.  Below is a sampling of some discussion topics:

- Make your pitch for why someone should pick the TMB if they could only make one trip this year.

- What is the most common fitness question you get?

- Do you find a difference in fitness levels between self-guided and guided travelers?

- When someone has to abandon the TMB due to low fitness, what do you think they left out of their program?

- What is the biggest surprise most people experience on TMB?

- What do your guides find most people struggle with on TMB?

- What surprises most people when they begin researching TMB?

- Do many people underestimate the elevation gain per day?

- Describe the most challenging 2 stages and why.

- What percentage of hikers take on one variant or more?

- What would be a good target pack weight to aim for in different scenarios?

- Most hikers hike anti-clockwise so that the views of Mont Blanc are always in front of them, but there are advantages to hiking clockwise. Please discuss.

- It is common to Cover the entire Tour du Mont Blanc in 11 days. Detail other ways to experience the TMB.

Mags is omnipresent online, providing confidence to those who want to hike the TMB without a guide.  Olly is the operations director, managing the running of all the trips for Adventure Base and will get you all set to hike with a guide.  They are both based in Chamonix in the French Alps and live at the foot of Mont Blanc - the start/finish of the famous multi-day trekking route - Tour du Mont Blanc.

Mags Nixon
https://tourdumontblanchike.com/

Olly Alkema / Adventure Base
https://adventurebase.com/

Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:
https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/

Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans:
https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/

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Marcus Shapiro is joined by Will Burkhart,  owner of Badass Adventures.  Will has Guided and hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim 55+ times and is one of the experts you should listen to before dropping into the canyon.  There are excellent hiking guides, and then there are badass guides like Will. 

His confidence and competence were forged by his years as a marine, a professional adventure race pioneer, and a hiking guide for decades, leading easy hikes to high-altitude summits.  Marcus and Will discuss R2R training, whether to cross North to South or vice versa, and much more.  Train | Hike | Repeat

Hire Badass Adventures owner, Will Burkhart:
https://www.badass-adventures.com/

Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip:
https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/

Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans:
https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/

LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast

Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:
https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast