There are three essential aspects that you need to plan and incorporate as you prepare for high altitude.
- Training
- Nutrition
- Mindset
These three aspects are like 3 pillars that hold up a triangle ceiling. If you neglect one of them then the entire ceiling will fall down. I know that sounds dramatic but, each are equally important and equally essential to preparing for high altitude. You must integrate all three aspects into your high altitude preparation in order to give yourself the best possible chance of succeeding.

I could write pages and pages but instead I’ve compartmentalized what you need to know and in what order in several of my other blogs. You’ll find all the information you need here and by following the links.
1. Training
Although you can’t out train altitude, meaning you could be the fittest person alive and still suffer from altitude sickness, but what you can do is train your body specifically for the conditions and movements that you will need to reach your summit or final point on your trek.
Read these blogs, in this order to know exactly how, why and what you should be training for your high altitude adventure:
The 5 Essential Training Principles Of Mountaineering & Trekking
The 35 Best Exercises For Mountaineering & Trekking Training
2. Nutrition
Your nutrition, as you prepare and undertake a challenging training plan, will either hinder you or accelerate your preparation. The food you eat is similar to putting fuel in a car. If you put the wrong fuel in the car won’t work. If you put too much fuel in but don’t use the car then that fuel will just sit there unused. These two metaphors are the same for your nutrition. You must eat the right food and in the right amounts for your body in order to properly fuel your training, lose weight and prepare for high altitude.
Read these two blogs to learn what you need to do to accelerate your preparation by knowing what you should be eating, in what proportions and what the best foods are to eat at high altitude:
Diet and Nutrition For Mountaineering & Trekking – The Most Commonly Asked Question
Best Foods For Mountaineering & Trekking
3. Mindset
You cannot use physical fitness to push through a weak or negative mentality but you can use a strong mindset to push through an exhausted, fatigued body. Just because you cannot see the physical results of this aspect, like you will with your training and nutrition, it does not mean that it is any less important. Remember, you need all three pillars to hold the ceiling up.
Read this blog for one of my favourite and most commonly used powerful mindset techniques: Use The “WCS” Technique To Mentally Prepare For Any High Altitude Adventure