Half Dome Hiking 150+ Times, Cable Route Technique & Advice, Avoid Falls, Permits | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 04

05/22/24 • 57 min

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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undefined - Hiking the White Mountains vs Colorado Rockies, Training Tips, Best White Mountains Trails, Mount Washington | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 03

Hiking the White Mountains vs Colorado Rockies, Training Tips, Best White Mountains Trails, Mount Washington | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 03

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/

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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/