Episode Details

A Quote from Nate:

With the eye of my mind I gazed upon Paradise; the summit of every mountain is lower than its summit.

- St. Ephrem the Syrian

Episode Description:

In Part 1, we talked about where Nate’s journey began and what eventually led him toward the challenge of climbing New Mexico’s 12,000-foot peaks.

In Part 2, we head deeper into the mountains, and into the skills, decisions, and risks that come with being there.

Have hikers become too dependent on GPS?

What navigation skills should every mountain hiker know?

How quickly can weather turn dangerous in the New Mexico mountains, and when do you make the call to turn around?

We also get into the dangers hikers often underestimate, mistakes Nate sees people making on the trail, how risk management changes above 12,000 feet, and what happens when an adventure suddenly becomes serious.

Nate shares what safety and emergency gear never leaves his pack, his approach to lightning and building storms, experiences getting off route, and the lessons the mountains have taught him along the way.

Because reaching the summit is only part of the goal.

Making good decisions and getting back down safely is what really matters.

Trailblazing Texas Podcast * One Man’s Odyssey with Nate, Part 2 of 3 Navigation • Mountain Safety • Weather • Risk • Emergencies