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National Geographic reporter tackles highest peaks in coverage and mountain climbing

Any kind of hiking around metro Phoenix can be a challenge, whether it’s Camelback Mountain, South Mountain or Pinnacle Peak. Then there are the legendary peaks offered by Mount Everest, for example — as well as places like Nepal and China.

Mark Synnott has seemingly climbed them all, even Yosemite National Park's El Capitan at least two dozen times.

Synnott is still a climber, but he’s modified his approach lately as he started working with National Geographic. Now he’s more of a reporter and less of an adventurer.

Synnott will be in Arizona as part of the "National Geographic Live" speaker series at the Mesa Arts Center next week. The Show spoke with him and asked when his love of climbing began.

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Steve Goldstein was a host at KJZZ from 1997 to 2022.