BUILD-UP TRAINING
Tailored. Technical. Transformative
Whether you’re new to the mountains or an experienced adventurer, our training meets you where you are. You don’t need to be elite, just committed. We guide your progression step by step, building your fitness and technical skills so nothing is left to chance. That’s why 98% of our trekkers reach the summit
Train together. Grow together. Summit together
Over six to twelve months for our Himalayan trips, and six to eight weeks for our Australian summit treks, you’ll show up together - on the tough days, the breakthrough days, and the ones that surprise you. You’ll share the wins, the setbacks, the trials, and the laughter. You’ll build strength and the kind of resilience that only comes from turning up, side by side. And when you reach the summit, you won’t just feel ready, you’ll feel unstoppable with your Mountain Tribe.
Build up training for your next ascent
Australian Treks
Our 6-8 week build-up programs for winter and summer ascents of Mt. Bogong and Mt. Feathertop focus on pack-carrying strength, core endurance, mobility, and hiking stamina. You’ll train with up to 20kg loads, learning about camping in alpine conditions, and complete single-day hikes and practical workshops to prepare you for steep, rugged terrain.
Himalayan Treks
Our 6-8 month programs for Himalayan treks like Everest Base Camp and the Three Passes build aerobic capacity, acclimatisation strategies, muscular endurance, and full-body resilience. Group hikes, altitude workshops, and mountain training weekends ensure you’re physically and mentally ready for sustained days at 4,000 to 5,500m elevation.
Himalayan Climbs
Our 10-12 month programs for high-altitude climbing expeditions (e.g., Island Peak, Cholatse, Ama Dablam) focus on elite-level cardiovascular fitness, VO2 max development, alpine strength and technical skills. You’ll train to haul yourself up steep fixed lines with ice axes, over rock, snow, and glaciated terrain. Technical training is required and supported.
Activity grading: finding your fit
Low
Moderate fitness. Suitable for those comfortable with day hikes and general physical activity. Expect a 2:1 work-to-rest ratio.
Medium
High fitness. Multi-day trekking with some rest days included. You’ll carry a pack and be on your feet for 4+ hours most days.
High
Very high fitness. Multi-day trekking with minimal rest. You’ll carry a pack and be on your feet for 6+ hours most days, across rugged terrain.
Extreme
Elite fitness. These expeditions require technical skill, mental resilience, and the ability to perform with little rest in extreme conditions
What’s included in your build-up training
Below are the key components of your Mountain Tribe training program. Click each to learn more
A 90-minute 1-on-1 session with a movement specialist. We assess your posture, joint range of motion, functional strength, core stability, agility, and cardiovascular capacity.
Based on your fitness & skills assessment, you’ll receive a personalised weekly training program tailored to your expedition. All training is mapped to your timeline, goals and is designed to work in conjunction with your lifestyle.
Stay focused and accountable through regular 1-on-1 video calls with your trek or expedition leader. These check-ins help track your progress, answer questions, troubleshoot challenges, and keep motivation high across the training journey.
Held in scenic spots around Melbourne, these half or full-day hikes build fitness, endurance, and pack-carrying strength. They’re also a chance to test your gear and connect with your team, with each hike becoming more challenging over time.
Required for all Himalayan treks and climbs, this is a deep dive into big-mountain endurance. Held in the Victorian Alps, you’ll tackle long ascents, test your gear under pressure, and strengthen team dynamics - all while staying in luxury accommodation.
Required for select Himalayan climbs, this weekend sharpens your skills in abseiling, climbing safety, and technical terrain. Not for beginners, it’s designed to build on prior experience or our Rock Climbing Skills Course.
Mandatory for all technical climbing expeditions. This weekend is dedicated to rehearsing mountaineering skills like fixed-line travel, safely transitioning between pitches, and equipment handling in realistic conditions — building speed, efficiency, and safety.
Learn how to handle mountain-specific injuries, illnesses, and emergencies with practical, expedition-focused first aid training.
Required for all Himalayan treks and climbs. This workshop, developed with our medical team, explores the physiology of altitude, how to acclimatise properly, how to recognise and manage AMS symptoms, and how to support teammates, so everyone stays safe and succeeds.
Self-paced and accessible 24/7. Includes video tutorials on strength and technique, nutrition guidance, gear selection and maintenance, packing for different climates, recovery strategies, and what to expect on your chosen trip, and much, much more.
Held at our Port Melbourne studio, our 1-on-1 and semi-private coaching sessions offer hands-on support from expert strength and conditioning coaches. Improve form, prevent injury, and stay accountable throughout your training.
This is how you earn the summit
Led by ex-military and extreme adventure specialists, our Build-Up Training develops the fitness, skill, and mindset to take you further than you thought possible. With a 98% success rate, this is how you earn the summit.
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