Join the global community of successful climbers who have witnessed remarkable fitness improvements through this plan.
TRAINING PLANS
Mountaineering: Intermediate/ Advanced Mountain Fitness
RPE-Based
a comprehensive and versatile mountaineering training plan
maximize your climb.
Proven plan. Guaranteed results.
This state-of-the-art 16-week plan progresses gradually but will require considerable effort and commitment to complete. This plan demands some base-level fitness as it starts off with over 6 hours of required training per week and culminates in 11 hours per week. Workouts sync to your smartwatch which will guide you through each interval to maintain the accuracy and efficiency of the workout.
This is the minimum training plan that we recommend for those who have a goal of climbing an high altitude expeditionary peak such as Denali, Aconcagua, Peak Lenin, Cho Oyu, or Everest.
Commit to this plan and you’ll witness incredible improvements in your fitness. Join the ranks of countless mountaineers worldwide who have unlocked their true potential and achieved unparalleled success with this proven and finely-tuned training plan.
This plan is based on your RPE, or “Rate of Perceived Exertion,” where workout intensities are guided by how hard you are working based on your perception of effort (how hard the workout feels to you) rather than by heart rate. This plan is an adapted option for those who want to learn to calibrate their true effort levels in their workouts.
Purchase the HR-based version of this plan here.
Whether you use an RPE-based or heart rate-based training plan, we recommend that you use a chest-strap heart rate monitor and GPS watch to log all your training.
Plan details
- Ideal for mid and high-altitude peaks.
- Also available in French and Spanish (heart rate-based).
- Structured progression of training through a transition period, a base period, the mountaineering-specific period, and finally a taper period.
- Mountaineering-specific strength workouts.
- Mountaineering-specific muscular endurance workouts.
- Tailored for diverse mountaineering challenges.
- Demands commitment but guarantees success.
- This plan is included free for all Denali climbers guided by Mountain Trip since 2018.
- Intelligently designed weighted pack carries included.
- Buy it once. Own it forever. Unlimited updates.
- Email support and forum support.
- Easy-to-follow tips and explanations.
- Workouts upload to your smartwatch.*
*Apple Watch syncing is currently not supported for RPE plans. If you would like to use this plan with an Apple Watch, purchase the HR version.
To buy this plan, you will be taken to TrainingPeaks to complete your purchase.
All our plans are delivered through TrainingPeaks, the most robust training tool available.
Built by Uphill athlete coaches with input from world-class Mountaineers
While we recommend a minimum of six months of training for tackling big objectives like Everest, this 16-week plan can work if you’re starting from a higher fitness level.
This plan demands some base-level fitness as it begins with over 6 hours of required training per week. If you’re new to mountaineering or fitness training, it might be helpful to build up enough fitness that you can hike one hour every day for a week without notable fatigue before starting this plan.
While this plan is comprehensive, it’s flexible enough to be adapted to your specific objectives and available time. However, if you are attempting multiple big climbs in less than a six-month window, you’ll want to hire a coach for proper guidance.
This plan emphasizes physical training, and it is crucial to complement training with a suitable nutrition plan. Consult a nutritionist or dietitian. They can help customize your nutrition according to your training requirements and dietary preferences.
This plan assumes you’re a healthy adult. It is always important to consider your own health and fitness level before starting any training plan. If you have any medical conditions or concerns, consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new fitness program, regardless of your age.
Can’t decide? Try our training plan navigator or contact us.
MOUNTAINEERING TRAINING PLANS