The 16-week Big Mountain Training Plan necessitates considerable effort and commitment. This plan requires 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, guiding you through each interval and maintaining the accuracy and efficiency of the workout.

This is the minimum training plan that we recommend for those who have a goal of climbing a high altitude expeditionary peak such as Denali, Aconcagua, Peak Lenin, Cho Oyu, or Everest.

If you commit to this plan, 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 training plan. This plan includes strength training for ascending fixed ropes. If you are headed for a climb that involved a lot of fixed rope you will want to include workouts.

The plan starts with an Aerobic Threshold assessment test. From there you will establish the training intensity limit for most of the aerobic base training that will dominate in the overall plan but especially in the first 8 weeks. The first 8 weeks also include a simple, easy-to-apply strength program to develop what is called strength reserve, the ability to repeatedly execute strength-dependent movements such as taking a step while wearing a heavy backpack. The final 8 weeks apply more complex strength training methods.

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.

Key Points: 
-Ideal for mid and high-altitude peaks
-Proven success with ascents of Vinson, Denali, Everest and more
-Buy it once, own it forever
-Structured workouts available on your GPS device
-Structured progression of training through transition period, base period, mountaineering-specific period, and taper period
-Mountaineering specific strength workouts
-Mountaineering specific muscular endurance workouts

Send us your success stories! You might also want to visit our free forum at uphillathlete.com where you will find answers to the most common questions about our training plans. 

Happy Training, 
The Uphill Athlete Team