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HikeStrong PodcastAuthor: Marcus Shapiro Hiking Strength and Conditioning Coach
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. Youll 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 onesizefitsall, I also bring listeners inside real programs. In select episodes, I interview clients in a deepdive format that reveals weekbyweek 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 elevationgain 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 dont have access to hiking terrain so you can stay on track whether you train on hills, treadmills, stair machines, or stepups.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, youll 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 experienc Language: en-us Genres: Health & Fitness, Sports, Wilderness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Don’t Rush Everest Base Camp: Advice from a 30+ Year Himalayan Guide | HikeStrong #41
Friday, 24 July, 2026
Everest Base Camp Trekking Guide: 30+ Years of Experience | Hiking & Trekking Nepal, Sherpa Culture, Altitude TipsAng Tshering Lama, founder of Ang’s Himalayan Adventures, joins Marcus to share a powerful inside look at Everest Base Camp trekking, hiking in Nepal, guiding, and mountain culture. Ang explains his Tamang and Sherpa background, why the term “Sherpa” is often misunderstood, and how he began his trekking and guiding career in the early 1990s after studying mechanical engineering in India. With more than 30 years of experience—and five summits of Mount Everest—he founded Ang’s Himalayan Adventures in 2008.Ang reflects on how Everest Base Camp trekking and hiking routes have evolved, from the classic Jiri approach that took around 21 days with full camping support, to today’s shorter, faster, and more comfortable trekking itineraries. He explains why he prefers longer, more immersive Everest Base Camp treks that allow hikers and trekkers to experience local villages, monasteries, culture, and proper acclimatization—elements often missed on rushed itineraries.The conversation also explores how preparation for Everest Base Camp trekking has changed, why Ang believes many hikers are less prepared today, and how fitness, pacing, packing, hydration, fueling, and patience all play critical roles in reducing altitude-related risk. Ang shares what he looks for when trekkers arrive, why slow hiking and trekking pace matters, and why being fit is not just about reaching Everest Base Camp—it’s about having the energy to fully enjoy the mountains, wildlife, people, and the entire trekking journey.Ang also tells the remarkable story of Mingmar Tamang, who first joined him as a 14-year-old porter and is now a trusted trekking guide who has summited Mount Everest four times. This episode is a thoughtful, practical, and deeply human conversation about Everest Base Camp trekking, hiking in Nepal, Sherpa culture, guiding wisdom, and what it truly means to prepare for a high-altitude trekking adventure.Angs Himalayan AdventuresContact Ang directly: ang.himalayas@gmail.comHikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms:https://hikestrongpodcast.buzzsprout.comLIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos:https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast
