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/

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