This mountaineering coaching program combines mountain-specific training, nutrition, and disruption sessions to mirror real mountain demands—with ongoing support from a coach who adjusts your plan as you progress.
A personalised mountain-specific training plan for mountaineers and trekkers—developed by our head coach and sport scientist Kate Sielmann.
Training for High Altitude Mountaineering & Trekking
But for this high-altitude goal you're questioning yourself:
Am I actually training the right way? What if I’m the slowest? And underneath it all is the fear you don’t want to say out loud: what if I just can’t do it?
You normally set goals, and follow through.
Let's be real
That’s when you step onto your mountain knowing it’s not a matter of if you’ll make it, but when.
It’s the way you’ve been training. Generic training doesn’t translate on steep slopes and long descents.
Your training should be mountain-specific, progressive, and structured. With every session built towards the exact endurance, strength, and resilience your mountain demands. That’s when the doubt quietens down.
HERE’S THE TRUTH THOUGH: *IT’S NOT YOU*
It’s about proving to yourself that you’re capable of doing hard things—and not just scraping through, but moving with strength and pride.
And that doesn’t come from piecing things together.
It comes from following a proven, mountain-specific path—and having the accountability to stay with it.
this isn’t about just making it to the top.
Because for you,
After a 13-mile winter hike with 3,700ft gain—just three weeks in and I feel the difference already.
“I could hardly feel anything in my legs!”
She adjusted my weekly schedule so training stayed manageable without compromising on Denali.
“Kate was instrumental in every aspect of my preparation.”
The performance psych sessions helped me build resilience and confidence I just didn’t have before.
“Physically I’m stronger—but the real transformation has been mental.”
The mental, the gear info, the food, how to prepare — you are soooo knowledgeable and I appreciate it so much!!!!
“I came for training but what I appreciated most was everything else.”
That heavily weighted long hike made it verrrrrry clear just how good the program is.
“My friends were impressed at how I could sprint up the hill.”
I felt so much pride in what my body could do and gained complete trust in myself.
“For the first time I accomplished a dream hiking trip.”
I never realised how strong I could be physically—with your guidance, I know I’ll get even stronger.
“I felt amazing during today’s hike.”
A continual 31-hour journey from Camp 2 to the summit and back — endurance, mental toughness, unstoppable.
“That is the POWER of Kate’s training.”
THEY SAID IT BETTER THAN WE COULD:
Mountain-specific training built around your timeline with the support and accountability of a coach who knows where you want to go and exactly how to get you there.
Here’s what that looks like:
The Peak Performance Program
Introducing
Your training is built around your departure date, with load, intensity, and recovery strategically managed so you arrive strong, prepared, and ready—not tired or guessing.
Every week, your program targets the five cardiovascular and muscular systems specific to mountaineering and trekking. This isn’t general fitness — it’s training designed for long ascents, heavy packs, steep descents, and sustained effort at altitude.
This is where the real work begins.
01. Training
Every detail, recommendation, and calculation is done with purpose. In this program, we’ll calculate your ideal daily calories and macronutrients and show you exactly what to eat—and how much—for optimal performance on and off the mountain.
Because when your body is fuelled right, you don’t just feel better—you perform at your best.
From daily nutrition to the snacks on your summit night
02. Nutrition
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Monthly performance psychology sessions
03. Performance Psychology
At Vertical Performance, we know the difference between a good program and a great one is the support system that holds it all together.
That’s why you’ll have our head coach, Kate, in your corner. Weekly Q&A calls and direct messaging in the app mean you’re never left guessing. Whether you need a program tweak, clarity on a session, or simply a reminder of why this goal matters—you’ll have it.
Support isn’t an add-on here. It’s the reason this program works.
04. Coaching & Support
To take the planning, the guessing, and the uncertainty off your plate.
That’s exactly why I built the Peak Performance Program
Imagine the relief of knowing every session, every week, every step has been mapped out for you—by someone who’s specialised in mountain training for over a decade.
The relief of closing that mental tab that’s been running in the background—the one asking, “Am I doing enough?”
Not your strongest and not your best.
But, you don’t need to keep doing this alone.
I’m a sport scientist, mountaineer, and performance coach—and the coach behind this program.
Here’s something I know about you: you’re used to figuring things out on your own—pushing through and doing what it takes.
But for this mountain? That approach hasn’t been working. It’s the quiet worry that maybe you’ll show up not as ready as you could have been.
Hi, I’m Kate Sielmann.
A Note From Our Head Coach
She developed a training plan and nutrition plan that was realistic and fitted my life with two jobs and two kids. I feel like I have 20 times more energy and focus not just in training but also in my self-employed job and as a professional fire fighter.She adjusted my weekly schedule so training stayed manageable without compromising on Denali.
“Kate is a real person who I could talk to and share my experience, concerns and work/life/kids balance.”
“Physically I’m stronger—but the real transformation has been mental.”
The performance psych sessions helped me build resilience and confidence I just didn’t have before.
1. My physical fitness has improved significantly. 2. My mindset during training and my approach to my goals and plans have transformed. 3. My knowledge around equipment, gear, nose breathing and training has grown.
“I’ve achieved three results that I’m incredibly proud of because of this program:”
I’ve never felt so supported or so seen. Kate listens and makes you feel welcome and understood. The community supports each other—it’s a group of people who get it, and that made all the difference.
“I feel like I belong. I’m a mountaineer. Mountains are part of my life. This is me now.”
She has an endless amount of information on mountain specific training, nutrition and mindset which helped so much. I saw a huge increase in my fitness and strength, which would not have been possible training on my own.
“Working with Kate is like having three coaches in one.”
Plus her commitment to making sure I was doing my training plan and not skipping sessions was really the difference between me feeling as strong as I did versus how unprepared I would have been had I not stuck to her plan.
“Kate’s sports science knowledge and mountaineering experience made all the difference.”
As an Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care physician, evidence-based medicine is of paramount importance to me. Kate absolutely meets these standards. Her mindset preparation, online tips and support during the climb were invaluable.
“Kate’s training meets the highest evidence-based standards.”
THEY SAID IT BETTER THAN WE COULD:
That’s why the Peak Performance Program works.
It’s structured, progressive mountain-specific preparation—built around you, your timeline, and your mountain.
When you have a coach in your corner—tracking your progress, answering your questions, and holding you accountable—you’ll feel the difference in training now—and prove it to yourself on the mountain.
This isn’t random workouts or pieced -together internet advice.
Why This Program Works
Step-by-step guidance on what to buy, where to spend, and what’s worth renting—so you’re never wasting hours second-guessing your kit.
Your Gear List
Most people in your life don’t really understand why you’re doing this. But in this program, you’ll be surrounded by others on the same journey—different mountains, different routes—but united by the same goal: to reach the summit or end of their trek in complete strength.
A Small, But Powerful Community
Your private hub of proven mountain-specific protocols and strategies—covering everything from blister prevention to acclimatization breathing techniques. The kind of things you won’t find in other programs or on ChatGPT.
Access to The Peak Performance Library
the program, including:
GET EVEN MORE FROM
✓ You want a plan built around your schedule.
✓ You want a coach to adjust your training as you progress.
✓ You want accountability to stay consistent.
✓ You want nutrition guidance to fuel your training and expedition properly.
✓ You’re dedicated—you just want expert direction.
This program is right for you if:
LET’S DO A LITTLE PRE-CHECK
Because you don’t want to scrape through. You want to do this to the best of your ability.
With strength and pride. Knowing you gave everything you had and proved that you were more than enough.
Because for you, this was never just about a mountain. It’s about who you become in the process.
But for you, it’s so much more than that.
On paper, a summit is a summit. You either get there, or you don’t.
If you’re not ready for one of our training programs but still want to train smarter, faster, and more confidently for your next mountain, this book is your next best step.
Train Smarter, Climb Higher gives you the exact systems we use with our programs—mountain-specific training, performance psychology, nutrition strategies, and high-altitude insights.
Not Ready for a Program Yet?
