04/14/2026
One of the most common things we hear from people preparing for a high-altitude trek is some version of this:
"I really need to get out to Colorado before we go so I can train at altitude."
We get the logic, and we're not going to tell you that training at altitude is a bad idea. But here's the truth: for most people, it's not necessary — and it's definitely not the most important thing you can do to prepare.
You know what is?
Find some stairs. And use them relentlessly.
A stairwell, a parking garage, a stadium, a hill with a steep trail — anything that forces you to move upward under load will do more for your trek fitness than a weekend in Denver ever will. Your legs need to learn what it feels like to climb 2,000 feet before lunch. Stairs teach them that. Flat ground doesn't.
The altitude itself? Your body will adapt to that on the trek, often with the help of acclimatization days built into your itinerary. That's what those days are for, along with proper pace, food, and water intake. What you can't fake your way through is the physical demand of sustained climbing, and that's exactly what stairs prepare you for.
Bonus points if you do it with a loaded daypack or rucksack. Your legs won't thank you at the time. They will later.
One other thing about altitude: You can't really train for it, specifically. Being able to operate well at high altitudes is mostly a function of genetics, according to the research we've seen. Indeed, some of the very best trekkers we've worked with have been flatlanders. One wilderness doctor that we follow says, "If you want to be a great high-altitude hiker, choose your parents wisely."
The bottom line is that you won't really know how you'll do at altitude until you place yourself there, but with aggressive training and strict adherence to the instructions of your guide, you'll likely do just fine.
www.hobnailtrekkingco.com
