TRAINING NOTE ·
Testing Altitude in Utah
Hidden Peak, Snowbird, Utah · 3340 m reported altitude
Hidden Peak was my first real chance to test how I would feel climbing at altitude before Nepal.
Starting from Snowbird, I climbed to around 3,340 metres / 11,000 feet, carrying an 8 kg pack. The hike was challenging, particularly as the gradient increased higher up, but I kept the pace steady and controlled throughout.
What struck me most were the views.
As I climbed higher, the Wasatch Mountains opened up around me and the scenery was incredible. It was one of those hikes where stopping for a photograph never really felt like stopping, there was always something worth looking at.
I reached the summit in 1 hour 42 minutes, covering around 5 km with roughly 850 metres of ascent.
More importantly, I felt good.
My breathing stayed controlled, the effort felt sustainable and I never felt under pressure from the altitude.
Standing on the summit, looking across the mountains, Nepal suddenly felt very close.
Another small checkpoint.
3340 m reported altitude · 5 km · 850 m ascent · 1 hr 32 min moving time · 127 bpm average