21/09/2026
Huge congratulations to our very own Exercise Physiologist, Josh, who just returned from an incredible expedition to Alaska, successfully summiting Denali (6,190m): the highest peak in North America! 🎉🏔️
Denali is famous for its brutal arctic conditions and relentless physical demands:
⏱️ 2 Weeks on Ice: The expedition took roughly 15 days of continuous living on the glacier: completely self-sufficient, hauling all your supplies, moving and shovelling out snow to build camp, and surviving in sub-zero conditions.
🏔️ 6,190m Altitude (With a Twist): Because Denali sits so close to the Arctic Circle, the Earth's atmosphere is thinner at the poles. The barometric pressure is lower than it would be at the equator, meaning the effective physiological altitude actually feels closer to 6,700m+!
🔥 6,000+ Calories a Day: Between hauling heavy gear, fighting the extreme cold, and breathing thin air, the body's metabolic demand skyrockets. Climbing Denali burns anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 calories per day—meaning just consuming enough fuel to prevent severe muscle loss is a massive challenge.
🏋️♂️ The Training Shift: Preparing for a mountain like Denali isn't just about logging endless hours of cardio and steps; it’s about becoming incredibly robust. Moving while hauling a 30kg+ pack and 20kg+ sled requires a serious structural foundation. Here's what Josh says about his recent training:
"Adjusting my training from pure lifting or running into a hybrid, strength-focused mountaineering program was the real game-changer. You need a massive, efficient aerobic base to keep your heart rate stable and sustain 6 to 12 hours of climbing daily for upto 22 days without redlining. But backing that endurance up with absolute strength is what acts like armor for your joints when you're hauling a heavy pack and sled under that kind of volume."
Whether you are training to summit a massive peak, for a local trek, or simply trying to build a body that feels resilient in everyday life, the principles remain the same: build a deep aerobic base, back it up with strength training, and respect the time it takes to progress. Massive congrats again Josh on a huge achievement! 👏🏼❤🖤
