Mountaineer Success Stories: How Proper Training Makes the Difference

At Summit Strength, we deliver a proven mountaineering training program designed to prepare for demanding mountain adventures. 

From beginner mountaineers building up to their first peaks to experienced climbers training for some of the tallest mountains in the world, our online programs can build the strength, endurance, and resilience required for success.

Through structured coaching, expert guidance, and personalised support, our high-altitude mountain training has helped clients achieve fantastic results on mountains around the world.​

Keep reading below to read some of their stories: 

​Training For Mountaineering And Climbing: Summit Strength Reviews

"Since working with Rowan, I have become Australia's most accomplished female high altitude mountaineer.

In the last two years with the help of Rowan's coaching I have achieved the summits of six 8000m peaks.
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I also reached a height of 8450m without oxygen on Everest. I summited five 8000ers without oxygen including Makalu 8485m and reached the summit of K2.

None of this would have been possible without a structured training routine. Rowan not only makes sure that I will be physically ready to achieve my climbing goals, he tailors my program around my lifestyle.
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I cannot recommend Rowan enough. His knowledge is through the roof and I 100% trust him as my coach to help me achieve records on the highest peaks on the planet."

- Allie Pepper 

Hear more about Allie's training for 8000m mountains with Summit Strength below:

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"Hey Rowan. I successfully summited Mount Everest yesterday morning. You played a major role in me achieving this goal. I wouldn’t have got there without you.

I would highly highly recommend your services] because I don't think I would have made it  to Everest without you. I needed that structure, the knowledge and your guidance because I didn't know what I was doing in the beginning.  I was very very happy with the way that all went and it was so if there's anybody contemplating that they should without a doubt give you a call.

*Also successfully summited Rainer, Lobouche East (6119m), Pokalde (5806m) and Island Peak (6180m) during his training journey with Summit Strength

​- Michael 

*Hear Michael's full training for Everest story below: 

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"I hired Summit Strength to build the strength and endurance necessary to climb Antarctica’s tallest mountain (Mount Vinson), in a harsh environment.

Rowan was great in breaking down the training process into individual steps and routines. He was sure to train the eccentric aspects of glutes/hamstrings/calves, which both strengthened my knees and allowed me to climb pain free for the first time in years.

Rowan is a first class professional. He showed up in all the ways he promised he would. The moment I stood on the summit of Mount Vinson, safe & pain free, I knew I had hired the right guy!

I will gladly work with Rowan on both my ongoing maintenance and for future high altitude climbs."

- Dustin

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"I hired Summit Strength to help relieve knee pain and train for an upcoming expedition to Mera Peak in Nepal.

The whole experience was very professional and personalised. It helped me deal with my knee pain and keep training.
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The app is great for tracking workouts. I would recommend working with them to others."
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- Pat

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“What I really appreciated was the constant communication. Every week you would check in and ask how the session went and make adjustments when I wasn't feeling well, or when life got in the way. It never felt rigid. I felt supported and responsive. And for me, the structure worked really well...

What I found was amazing like working with a coach who understands the demands of steep climbing load carrying fatigue and altitude made a huge difference for me."

- Shika (successful Ama Dablam summit) 

*Hear Shika's full training for Ama Dablam story below:

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"Think you’re strong? Think you’re fit? Think you’ve got your workouts well structured & targeted…. Rowan will likely make you think again!

Rowan will take you from just working hard…. To working hard & smart to get the most effective use of your training time.

Thanks Rowan, I’ll be back when climbing season kicks off again!"
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- Jared

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"I first hired Summit Strength to help me train for climbing Mont Blanc. When we first started, Rowan took the time to learn about my goals, experience, successes, challenges and my current training plan. He also assessed my strength and balance through video.

It is a very personalized service that identified my needs, goals, abilities and developed a flexible plan that focuses on helping me make steady progress, safely.
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I would absolutely work with them again. This service was perfect for me: I was motivated to train by doing long hikes, running stairs with a weighted backpack, but didn't know what else to do to prepare physically and mentally for a challenging trek and climb. The program has provided structure to my training and does not require going to a gym. Rowan listens carefully to everything I say or ask, and he educates the client in all aspects of preparing for a challenging adventure."
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- Melanie

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"The summer climbing has gone GREAT! All objectives met and felt good for each of them. I think the best one was Mt. Olympus in Washington.
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Only an 8000-foot peak, but we started at basically sea level, and had a 17-mile approach just to get to the mountain. We got it done, and I felt good the whole time!"

- Josh

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"Today was my last day of my expedition and it was a success. I wanted to express my gratitude to Rowan and the rest of the SS team. I was able to climb 5 volcanoes in 7 days (3 of them more for acclimation purposes and two main targets). These volcanoes were: Rumiñahui (4,600 meters), Corazon (4,781 meters), Iliniza Norte (5,116 meters) and the main ones Cotopaxi (5,897 meters) and Chimborazo (6,263 meters). Chimborazo’s summit is the farthest point from the center of the Earth and the point on Earth closest to the sun, and now my highest mountaineering altitude.

All in all, I climbed more than 6,000 vertical meters, covered about 50kms in distance and gained tons of experience. I met a lot of interesting people and discovered beautiful places. I was hit by rain, hail, thunderstorms and snowstorms but was later rewarded with beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Thank you Rowan and the Summit Strength community.

Update: I wanted to share that I was able to reach the summit at Aconcagua (6,962 meters / 22,841 feet), the highest mountain in the American continent, highest peak outside the Himalayas. I was able to continue training with what I learned from Summit Strength - so very thankful for that. Our team completed the 360 route which consisted of a 9 day expedition, over 100 lineal kilometres and more than 6,000 meters in vertical gain. Thank you again for your continuous training!"

​- Sebastian 

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"I hired Summit Strength because I needed a framework for ongoing training in advance of a Mt Rainier climb.

Through the process I received: a1:1 intro and check in; initial strength and balance assessment, follow up testing. Structured 6 d/week workouts that include strength, muscular endurance and recovery.
I think this is a great comprehensive program. I loved the education, nutrition consultation, and check-ins. My coach was very responsive and I appreciated how he adapted my workouts to my life during busy times. 
I would definitely recommend this program to others. This is a great program for someone who wants to work hard and needs a program that is realistic and practical and effective."

- Kristina 

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"After seeing other climbers on the mountain (Mt Elbrus) struggling, I definitely felt the training program set out gave me an edge over the pack.
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I felt the training program set out by Rowan was perfect for the activities I was undertaking and can't thank him enough!" 

- Matt

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"I hired Summit Strength to help prepare for climbing  in North Cascades National Park

The programming was methodical and well thought out. I would absolutely work with them again - I've already signed up for another year. 

Rowan overdelivered which led to me being over prepared, and ultimately led to me being as successful as possible. I would not hesitate to recommend Summit Strength to anybody."

- Matthew ​

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"I hired Summit Strength to help prepare me for a mountaineering course in New Zealand.

During the experience, I particularly enjoyed the regular lessons with knowledge related to training for trekking and mountaineering. I would work with them again."
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- Robert

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"It was such a gift to climb on this fun new route well bolted by local climbers in a beautiful canyon surrounded by Sierra peaks.  Pitch 3 (5.8 +) was heady given exposure and slab moves. It was amazing feeling to trust my feet.

Thank you for all the exercises that keep me strong without being able to do long distances hikes every weekend."

- Jennifer

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I want to extend my thanks to Rowan and Josh for their support in preparing for my trip last year.

I gained so much knowledge about high-altitude adventures, reaching 6,348m at the summit of Parinacota Volcano and 6,088m at the summit of Huayna Potosí.

​- Adrian 

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"I made it! Mera peak! 6430 meters of sheer awesomeness and no altitude sickness for me.

Freezing windy, but crisp clear day where we saw postcard style Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and, of course, Everest, pic below by my own frozen finger on my iPhone.

Only 2 of us did and only 11 this month have summited. Feeling very proud of myself.

​Yay! Thank you Rowan and team at Summit Strength. I’m almost injury free apart from bruised big toes from poor fitting rented mountain boots. Back in Kathmandu now for pampering!"

​- Julie 

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​How We Help Mountaineers Get Fit, Strong And Resilient For Their Adventures 

​At Summit Strength, we specialise in helping mountaineers train, prepare and conquer their adventures.

How do we do this?

We apply specialised and personalised workout plans for mountaineers (covering strength training, conditioning and recovery - everything your body needs to prepare for the mountains!)

We educate you on the topics you need to survive and perform (such as nutrition and hydration tips, breathing techniques, high altitude strategies, mental strength and mindset advice and much more)

We provide the support, coaching and accountability to keep you on track (though any challenges or roadblocks life throws at you).

If you are a mountaineer and you want to discover what a specialised and structured training program can do for you, you can check out The Online Summit Program here:

Online Personal Training For Mountaineers

Yours in adventure, ​

Rowan