Fit To Climb: 16-Week Mount Rainier Fitness Training Program for Hikers & Climbers - Prepare for High Altitude Adventures

I love this book, and read it three times. The best part of the training plan is its simplicity, however, simple doesn't mean easy. Yes, of course you have to train hard, but the gym is optional. All you need is space to do the workout, steep hills and a backpack. For me, personally, I go to the gym to do a little work on weak areas of my legs, but that's just me; I need the extra help. Like any training plan, the key is consistency and doing all of the workouts as best you can. As a new climber, I find that it's a challenge trying to figure out how to train to climb mountains. I like to have a program to keep me on track, and this book has a plan all laid out up to climb day. For me that's huge because I don't have to think about what I'm suppose to do each day; I just follow the plan.I think that the long extended hikes with a heavy backpack prepares you the most because it will get you used to the long day you will have on summit day. The plan starts out gradually then slowly builds upon the previous weeks. For the hiking training, I like that the plan starts you with a light backpack then gradually adds weight to progress to a heavier one.The book has a training plan for strength, cardio and hiking endurance, but pay close attention to Chapter 13, "The Climb". John gives you a break down of what to expect on climb day and the different segments of the route to the summit. This is my favorite part of the book because, you get an idea of what to expect on summit day. Most importantly, I think he does an excellent job talking about the mental aspect which I think is crucial. You can be the fittest person in world, but you will need the mental fortitude to push when the mountain gets tough; and it will. He talks about a "healthy dose of fear" that we all feel when we are doing something scary.In summary, the training plan in this book has the components you need to help you prepare for this big challenge. There is strength, cardio, hiking training, and he talks about the mental aspect of dealing with the challenges you will face on Mt Rainier. What makes this book unique is the description of the segments of the route and what to expect. I think this is helpful in preparing you mentally, and it gives you a visual of the route. When I train, I visualize being on the mountain and it helps me to train harder. I'm following the plan myself, for my next climbs in Sierra Nevada and on Mt Rainier.There are other good books out there for different types of mountain climbing and expeditions, and I think if you work a 40-hour week, and don't have a lot of time to train all week, this book is helpful and is geared specifically for how to climb Mt Rainier. I highly recommend this book……..