Fitness Benchmarks for Denali
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 9:35 pm
I'm looking to improve my training for Denali. I'm looking specific fitness benchmarks. For example each branch of the armed forces has their own PFT standards. Anyone, particularly those who have climbed Denali, have suggestions about specific fitness standards to aim for?
For example: mile times or interval times (as a gauge for MaxVO2 output), pushups, pullups, bench, squat (reps/weight), etc.
I realize there is no substitute for pulling a massive sled up-mountain through snow in the freezing cold for miles but I'm looking for some goals to shoot for that may help better approximate relevant training goals rather than the ambiguous "best shape of your life" and "carry a 70lb pack for miles" goals that the guide services suggest. I'd like to hear from anyone who has actually climbed Denali and found that reaching certain benchmarks for particular fitness functions was helpful.
For example: mile times or interval times (as a gauge for MaxVO2 output), pushups, pullups, bench, squat (reps/weight), etc.
I realize there is no substitute for pulling a massive sled up-mountain through snow in the freezing cold for miles but I'm looking for some goals to shoot for that may help better approximate relevant training goals rather than the ambiguous "best shape of your life" and "carry a 70lb pack for miles" goals that the guide services suggest. I'd like to hear from anyone who has actually climbed Denali and found that reaching certain benchmarks for particular fitness functions was helpful.