HikeStrong Podcast
The HikeStrong Podcast is where I share practical guidance on hiking, backpacking, and trekking preparation. Each episode blends fitness insight with real-world training strategies to help you build strength, endurance, and confidence for any trail.
I sit down with guests to break down how to train for demanding hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals using smart strength training, endurance training, and conditioning approaches. You’ll hear clear advice on altitude training, uphill training, and injury prevention, all woven into training conversations that support preparation for major destinations such as Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Rim to Rim, Tour du Mont Blanc, the Camino de Santiago, Patagonia, Machu Picchu, the Alps, and the Dolomites.
Because training is never one‑size‑fits‑all, I also bring listeners inside real programs. In select episodes, I interview clients in a deep‑dive format that reveals week‑by‑week training details — real data, real challenges, and real solutions — offering a clearer picture of how people actually prepare for hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals.
A cornerstone of my approach is elevation‑gain training. I believe that consistently building weekly elevation gain is one of the strongest predictors of success on any major adventure. In each episode, I share clear, actionable ways to develop that strength — even if you don’t have access to hiking terrain — so you can stay on track whether you train on hills, treadmills, stair machines, or step‑ups.
If you're preparing for a major trip, gearing up for a multi-day backpacking route, or building a long-term plan for tougher hiking or trekking challenges, you’ll find episodes that support every step of your training.
Beyond training, some episodes feature voices from across the hiking, backpacking, and trekking worlds — guides, operators, storytellers, and industry experts whose insights can shape how you think about adventure. These conversations broaden your perspective and influence your outdoor experiences, even when the focus isn’t directly on training.
Listen, train with purpose, share with your adventure partners — then take on at least one unforgettable hiking, backpacking, or trekking experience each year. Train | Hike | Repeat
I’m Marcus Shapiro, a hiking strength and conditioning coach and an early pioneer in online training for hiking, backpacking, and trekking, helping adventurers get physically ready for everything from local elevation goals to high-altitude expeditions.
HikeStrong Podcast
14ers, Everest Base Camp & Kilimanjaro | Your Path to Non-Technical High-Altitude Trekking | Hike Strong Podcast | Ep. 13
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
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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https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
