Dan Austin on Tackling the Tetons
Dan Austin on how adventure vacations offer the perfect motivation to get in shape.
When Dan Austin signed up to climb Grand Teton, the highest mountain in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, he committed to reaching two of his New Year’s goals: 1) to make it the daunting 13,775 feet to the top, and 2) to get in shape, and to stay in shape in order to make the climb as easy (and fun!) as possible.
Running an adventure travel company, I get asked all the time: “How fit do I need to be to take one of your trips?” For over 20 years my answer has been the same: “It’s really up to you – ALA vacations are as active as you want them to be. That said, the better prepared or in shape you are, the more enjoyable the trip will be.”
It’s true –Austin-Lehman adventure tours are designed for everyone. That’s one of the top benefits of small group travel. Our guides are experts at tweaking the experience to everyone’s desires. Feeling energetic? Opt for a more rigorous hike. Craving a day at the spa? No problem. Your level of activity is yours to decide.
Now all that said…putting in a little extra effort to get in shape in the months before your departure can make a difference. Jogging just a few extra laps around the neighborhood, believe it or not, will make pedaling that hill in Italy or hiking that trail in the Rocky Mountains a lot more pleasant (think about it – what would you rather spend your time thinking about on your vacation – the burn in your quads…or the beautiful scenery?).
I’ve signed up to climb Grand Teton next Summer with my daughter, Kasey. We are going with an outfitter called Exum Mountain Guides. Based in Jackson Hole, they are the experts when it comes to rock climbing instruction and guided mountaineering. As it turns out, our guide, Bill, guided for me when I first got into the industry with Backcountry Tours, too many years ago to count!
I couldn’t be more excited about this trip, and I’ve already begun working hard to make sure my 53-year-old legs are as ready as they can be to take me the 13,775 feet to the summit. I ride my bike to work every day and I try and get on the treadmill 2-3 times a week at the steepest setting (we ascend 7 miles and 5,000 feet on day ONE!). I’ve also incorporated some yoga into my workouts and already I feel great. If I can just stay on this schedule (it’s really quite easy), I will be ready and Kasey and Bill won’t leave me at the side of the trail.
The moral of the story: if you’re thinking about how to get in shape this year – about what it will take to get you out there biking, walking, jogging, stretching – how about signing up for an adventure vacation? It might just give you the extra motivation you need. It’s worked for me!
I’ll be documenting our Grand Teton ascent, so stay tuned for more details. Oh, and Ryan – I haven’t forgotten – you owe me a cold beverage upon our return to the valley floor!!
Way to go Dan and Kasey! I will be waiting for you at the trailhead when you come down!
Comment by Carol — January 15, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
Hi Dan! You don’t know me, but I did several of the first backcountry mountain bike trips that Doug and Carmen offered at Backcountry Bicycle Tours. I went back year after year for their single track week in MT’s high country. I loved it! I receive your catalog and am always contemplating doing a trip with you. Maybe one of these days! But, I went to Exum’s site to check out their Grand Teton climb and saw your name and the link to your blog. Anyway, it’s nice to “meet” you as I always wondered who took over for Doug and gang. Good luck with your climb. I may see you in Jackson. VERY good point about having a planned goal to get you in shape for an adventure!
Melissa
Comment by Melissa — January 30, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
Hi Dan, I’m climbing the Grand in August. As you, I’m trying to get in good shape as we speak. Looking forward to your reports. Congradulations, good Luck and keep us posted. David
Comment by David — March 6, 2010 @ 8:03 am
Hello Dan
I just read on your blog that you and your daughter will be climing the Grand Teton’s this summer and training with Exum. How exciting !
I assume at 53 this is one of your bucket list goals so I would like to ask you as a adventure traveler and I would think other fellow travelers would like to know what 5 five other things/places would be on your bucket list.
I must mention on my 50th birthday I also went to the Grand Tetons but I took the easy
way by sking down the moutain. My wife surprised me than by arranging for us to
Dog Sled into the Grand Teton’s and later to snowmobile to Old Faithful in Yellowstone.
Jackson Hole is one of my favorite places
Have Fun
Ron
Comment by Ron — March 13, 2010 @ 6:43 pm
YO Dan!
Just checking in with you, to make sure your feeling on track. Sounds like your out jogging and working balance exercises.
So I read a piece of advise from one of my co-guides here at Exum, “Treat your training time as sacred.” No cell phone, no television, and only essential conversation… focus on the process. You are going to crush this process, and this is focus is the reason why.
Cardio and balance… that sums it up. Don’t worry about the skills or the things that there is no way for you to know ( we will get those when the time comes) I just want you feeling lean. When you get into those yoga things where your not sure if your muscles or your balance will go first… your right where you want to be – go there as often as you can. That whole bit that the yoga instructors go through with the gazing point? It’s like foreshadowing for what you’ll hear from me, and the ability to balance on one foot is the only other thing for you to work on right now.
I am totally psyched for this Dan. Right now your sitting with the driver in hand and we are going to ‘T’ off
Bill
Comment by Bill — April 5, 2010 @ 9:01 pm
Hey Dan,
I challenged my daughter to do the same thing and she accepted. We just have to figure out when to do it. I climbed the Grand in 1994. You will love it.
Do you do any adventure tours in Utah?
Comment by Bryce Jones — June 2, 2010 @ 11:07 am
Dan, I was hoping to read how your adventure went…when are you doing it? I am signed up to do it with my husband, daughter, and son!! Gerladine Lucas, the 2nd woman to summit in 1924 at age 59 was my inspiration (I’m 55)…I will do it July 26 and can’t wait. With Exum also…Other adventures we have done: Half Dome, 17 mile hike in Yosemite, and The Grand Canyon, Bright Angel Trail. We have our eyes on Denali next. My next comment I’ll tell you how it went! Julie
Comment by Julie — June 30, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
Hi Dan,
Well it is July 11th 2010. I assume you have made it up and down the Grand. I would live to hear how it went.
I am 50 yrs old and am planning to climb the Grand with Exum Guides the first week of August, 2010. My 17 yr old son and older sister will be joining me. I figure I should do this climb while I am able.
I’m a bit concerned I am not in good enough shape to summit. I run between 1 to 3 miles, bike 25 to 35 miles, lift weights at the gym and /or make it to a yoga class – I do any one of these exercise routines 4 to 5 times a week. I have rock climbed before so I’m not too worried about heights and exposure.
We are planning to complete 2 days of training with Exum which I assume will determine our ability to summit–I certainly don’t want to be a liability to myself or others.
Would love to hear about your experience and if there is anything I can do to be better prepared.
Thanks, Polly
Comment by Polly — July 11, 2010 @ 12:23 pm