01 / LOAD
145 → ~82 kgBodyweight
Less weight to carry up every climb and less repeated load through the legs. A change of about 63 kg since December 2022.
BEYOND BASECAMP / EVIDENCE
Everest Readiness
The question was never whether I felt ready. It was whether the evidence said I was getting closer.
02 / ENGINE
~26 → ~46Estimated VO₂ max
A useful trend in aerobic capacity, measured by wearables over time. It is an estimate, not a lab test or an altitude forecast.
03 / CLIMB
~120 → ~70 minSlieve Donard ascent
A repeatable local climb. Weather, route and conditions vary, so the pattern across attempts matters more than a single stopwatch result.
04 / DURATION
Seven SevensA full mountain day
The pre-dawn start tested kit and judgement. By the last descent off Meelmore, my quads and feet were sore. A useful limit to notice before Nepal.
What the numbers miss.
We will spend nights above 4,000 metres and cross three passes over 5,000 metres. None of these measures guarantees acclimatisation. Nor does a strong day in the Mournes prove that I can recover for another high day.
That is why I track sleep, resting heart rate and HRV alongside how I move and feel. They help adjust the work, but they are context, not a scorecard for the mountain.
Read the training method →