Endurance focused
Monthly Q&A calls
4-phase roadmap
Mountain-specific
Weekly expert tips
5 workouts weekly
This self-guided program is built for mountaineers and trekkers who want a clear, structured plan that actually works—even without mountains on your doorstep. It’s a mountain-specific training system that turns the sessions you do at home, in the gym, or on flat terrain into the endurance, strength, and speed you’ll rely on in the mountains.
THE START TO SUMMIT PROGRAM
— Angela
Cotopaxi
“The training proved to be spot-on. I wasn’t even sore afterwards. I was fully physically prepared.”
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— Alex
Garibaldi Park
“Not only was I able to keep up—I was at the front of my group the whole way!”
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— Deborah
Mera Peak
“This program has shown me just how inappropriate my training was for mountains.”
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— Ryan
Montana
“I don’t even experience that desperate feeling of "when is this going to be over" anymore.”
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— Sandra
Inca Trail
“This is the best I have ever felt on a difficult hike and that is down to you and your program.”
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You’ve planned your trek or expedition, but instead of feeling confident, doubt keeps creeping in. Am I training the right way? Will I be fast enough? Fit enough? The problem isn’t effort or motivation—it’s the daily guesswork of what and how you think you should be training. But that guesswork shows up on steep slopes, long days, and at altitude. In your legs, your lungs, and in your belief in yourself. This program replaces that guesswork with structure, clarity, and training that actually translates in the mountains—so you don’t just make it, you prove it to yourself.
The truth is, you don’t just want to “make it”. You want to prove that you were strong enough—for yourself and the mountain.
MOUNTAINEERING TREKKING TRAINING
LED BY AN EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN COACH
CLEAR DIRECTION & STRUCTURE FROM DAY ONE
BUILT FOR TREKKING & MOUNTAINEERING
The Start to Summit Program is a self-guided training plan you follow on your own schedule. Each week, sessions are laid out in a clear training calendar with video guidance.
The program progresses through four training phases, building endurance, strength, and mountain-specific fitness, with updates every 4–6 weeks.
01. HOW IT WORKS
How it works
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
COACHING SUPPORT
You’ll need a mobile device and around 4 hours per week to train. Sessions last 40–90 minutes and can be done indoors, outdoors, or in the gym. Sessions can be moved or stacked to fit your schedule.
You don’t need mountains or hilly terrain—just a commitment to train consistently.
2. What You'll Need
How it works
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
COACHING SUPPORT
Each month, join a live Q&A call with head coach and sport scientist, Kate Sielmann. This is where Kate answers your questions, makes strategic adjustments to your training plan, and helps you stay on track.
All calls are recorded, so if you miss one, you can simply catch up later.
3. COACHING SUPPORT
How it works
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
COACHING SUPPORT
Smart, easy strategies for fuelling on the move, avoiding energy crashes, and staying hydrated in harsh mountain environments—even when altitude kills your appetite.
The Ultimate Guide to Snacks & Hydration
A proven breathing framework designed for high-altitude mountaineers and trekkers—helping you expand lung capacity, improve oxygen efficiency, and feel stronger, steadier, and more in control at altitude.
3 Exercises to Improve Breathing Efficiency
Summit night is where everything comes together. These 11 essential strategies help you manage your mindset, energy, and movement so you can finish strong.
11 Essential Summit Night Strategies
Your complete guide to evidence-based supplements that support energy, recovery, and adaptation—so you can train harder, recover faster, and perform better on the mountain.
The All-In-One Supplement Guide
you'll also get these bonuses:
WHEN YOU JOIN,
ON THE FENCE?
JUST READ THESE:
Overall, the program and structure have been effective at keeping me on track, and the communications from Kate on the app have been really helpful and just in time for what I need to know at that time.
“My endurance, leg and core strength have significantly improved!”
NICOL | TOUR DU MONT BLANC
During the trek, I had no sore muscles at all, which made a huge difference day after day—especially given my age at 55.
“Leg and glute strength was another major result!”
YVETTE | EBC
It was really the first time that my fitness allowed me to enjoy the hike rather than suffer.
“Mt. Whitney was so much better than I expected.”
GREG | MT WHITNEY
I used the Start to Summit Program for both Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp, and it exceeded my expectations.
“I’ve never been stronger or more confident in what I’m capable of!”
SUSAN | KILIMANJARO
I am VERY pleased with the program and my progress. Especially my leg strength, endurance and knee and hip stability.
“At 73, I feel like I am in better shape than I have been in a long time!”
BECKY | TOUR DU MONT BLANC
Even though the training is hard, really hard, it’s exactly what you need, when you want to climb a mountain.
“No guessing. You do the right things at the right time. And you can feel it.”
WENKE | KILIMANJARO
What I really liked about the program was having specific exercises to do, all shown clearly in the app. I also loved the explanations about why I was doing certain things—it made everything make sense.
“I never felt sore when everyone else in the group was complaining.”
CASSANDRA | EBC
The goal is always the same: to get you fitter, faster, and fully prepared to actually enjoy your mountain and feel proud doing it.
That means aerobic work to build your endurance, strength sessions for legs and glutes, mobility to keep your body moving efficiently, and targeted footwork drills on uneven terrain.
And yes—you’ll also see plenty of mountain-specific work: step-ups, load carrying, and sessions designed to mimic the steep slopes you’ll find on your trek or expedition.
- The Three Training Phases — their duration and intensity shift depending on the program length so you’re always peaking at the right time.
- Training Variety — longer programs bring more variety, keeping you engaged while pushing your fitness further.
- Deloading Weeks — if your program is 4 months or longer, you’ll get a deloading week every 6–8 weeks.
A deloading week? That’s a sport science term for strategically reducing intensity so you recover, adapt, and come back stronger—without burnout.
It’s not about spending every spare minute training—it’s about using your time smartly. Every session has a purpose, so you’ll never waste effort.
The program length ranges from a minimum of three months to a maximum of eight months—you choose the length that best fits your trek or expedition timeline.
Step one: check how much time you have until your trek or expedition.
Step two: pick the program closest to that timeframe.
Example: Kilimanjaro in 3 months and 3 weeks? → Choose the 4-month plan.
Aconcagua in 7 months and a week? → Go for 7 months.
The more time you invest in training, the fitter, faster, and more prepared you’ll be.
And if you need extra support, bring it to the monthly Q&A call and Kate will help you map out exactly how to move forward safely without starting over.
This isn’t about perfection—it’s about preparation that works in the real world.
And if you can’t make it live? No worries—every call is recorded and sent straight to your inbox.
The Start to Summit program is designed with proven sport science principles, targeted to mountaineering. Instead of wasting time guessing or risking showing up underprepared, you’ll know every hour is moving you closer to your summit.
That peace of mind? Priceless when you’re standing at the top feeling unstoppable.
Your program is delivered through the Vertical Performance training app, custom-built in partnership with ABC Fitness.
We’ll set up your private profile and schedule your training into a clear weekly calendar, with exercise videos included—so everything is set and ready to go on your chosen start date.
8 Month Program
7 Month Program
6 Month Program
5 Month Program
4 Month Program
3 Month Program
STEP ONE: Choose your program length based on your planned departure date.
STEP TWO: Tell us your preferred start date at checkout.
STEP THREE: Keep an eye on your inbox for an email with your consultation form, program handbook, bonus downloads, and the link to access the monthly Q&A calls.
Start Training Today
✓ You want a clear, structured weekly training plan to follow.
✓ You want endurance you can feel on steep slopes—not just in the gym.
✓ You want to get faster so that keeping up no longer worries you.
✓ You want strong legs on the ascents and stable knees on the descents.
✓ You’re committed and ready—you just need a training plan built for the mountains.
This program is right for you if:
LET’S DO A LITTLE PRE-CHECK
Created by our head coach and sport scientist, Kate Sielmann, this program is grounded in mountain-specific sport science. Not guesswork.
It develops the strength, endurance, and VO₂ systems needed at altitude—so you’re ready for the mountains, not the gym.
This one builds mountain fitness.
MOST FITNESS PROGRAMS BUILD GENERAL FITNESS.
Not Ready for a Program Yet?
Start with the Book.
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.
