From Beginner to Kilimanjaro Summit with Heena

Heena had wanted to climb Kilimanjaro since she was a child. She’d also spent years being told it wasn’t something she could do. When she finally booked the trip, her training consisted of two Reformer Pilates classes a week, the occasional dog walk and absolutely no experience of high altitude.

Eight months later, she was heading towards Uhuru Peak. But the story between those two moments wasn’t exactly straightforward. There was a knee injury, a training plan that needed to change, plenty of worrying about altitude and a surprisingly memorable pair of socks.

In this episode, we talk about…

  • Building mountain fitness when you’re starting with very little hiking experience
  • Why beginning your preparation early gives you room to adapt when injuries interrupt training
  • The Lemosho Route, Kosovo Camp and choosing the group size that suits you
  • Preparing for altitude without assuming everyone will experience the same symptoms
  • Training, nutrition, kit and the little practical details that made the expedition easier

Resources, recommendations & useful details

  • Route: Lemosho Route, with Kosovo Camp used before summit night
  • Expedition providers mentioned: Asante Tours and FitBanker
  • Kit recommendation: ArmaSkin blister-prevention liner socks 
  • Training topics: Zone 2 aerobic work, high-intensity intervals, strength and injury-adjusted training

Work with Vertical Performance:

The Start to Summit Program

A structured, progressive mountain-specific training programme, with a weekly plan you can follow independently. Ideal if you want to build endurance, strength and confidence on ascents and descents without having to plan every workout yourself.

Explore the Start to Summit Program: www.verticalperformance.com/start-to-summit

The Peak Performance Program

Individualised training and ongoing coaching that adapts to your mountain, your progress and your actual life, with nutrition and performance psychology support. Ideal if you want a coach beside you throughout your preparation.

Explore the Peak Performance Program: www.verticalperformance.com/peak-performance-program

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[Performance Psychology] The Mental Edge — 21 January 2027

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[Mountain-Specific Training] Train Smarter, Climb Higher — 18 March 2027

Join Kate for this webinar and learn the biggest training mistakes mountaineers and trekkers make, the five types of training you should be doing each week, and how to structure your workouts to build stronger legs, greater endurance and better speed on steep terrain.

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