Backpacking Challenges, Discover New Grand Canyon Hikes, Training Tips, Mt. Whitney | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 06

07/02/24 • 60 min

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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Previous Episode

Hiking to Mountaineering How-To, Training for Mountaineering, What are the First Mountains to Climb in U.S. | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 05

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/

Next Episode

Sunny Stroeer, Hiking at Altitude Explained, Fueling For Hikes, Trekking Pole Powers | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 07

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.netAWExpeditions / https://awexpeditions.org