Well, how do I train for it?

Lots of people ask me how to train for mountaineering and skiing and ask me what do I do? Well, I don’t really train…     Say what?
I am out climbing and skiing nearly all the time so I don’t really go out and train, so to speak. I am fortunate enough to have a job that keeps me in prime physical condition. I do however try to stretch whenever possible and stay active during the off peak periods by adding some other fun sports to my list; cycling, trail running, squash, anything that involves moving around. 

So what can you do?
Well, it really depends upon your present state of fitness. Where are you exactly ? Be honest with yourself. If you don’t know, then get a physical done by a doctor that can give you honest answers. Tell he or she what you plan on doing. This is an important element to take into consideration as your fitness will determine what you will be able to accomplish.
The very best advice I can give you is to get out there and move around. Nothing could be farther from the truth than to say that spending time on a stair master or an exercise bike will make you a great climber or skier. Both of these exercises will help your fitness, but you REALLY need to get up and out and move your bones around. The same goes for lifting weights. Spend your training time wisely, having big biceps isn't going to help you get up any mountain. Use whatever time you have train with as best you can. Highlight sports that involve stretching, balance and agility rather than weight training. Yoga and Pilates classes are offered at every gym.
           
Take the hard way up – yeah that means using the stairs – on the way up and on the way down. Go walk to get lunch and while you are at it find something creative to do while on the way – walk along the edge of the sidewalk, along the bridge railing, do some stretching while you are standing in line waiting.
Exercise within your target zone of 75-80% of your max heart rate. Only by staying there for extended periods of time will you obtain optimal fitness.
Always try to incorporate activities that use balance and agility into your daily routine rather than classic ones.Walking on even moderately rough trial is better than running on pavement. You have to develop and build the motor skills (yes, they are skills) needed when mountaineering or skiing, which all have to do with balance. The majority of either of these two sports involves balancing on small rocks, scrambling up and down boulders, stretching from one spot to another. Now what does this have to do with pumping iron in the gym???
Being able to move with ease on this type of terrain will allow you to save energy and therefore go farther with less effort which exactly what you want to do when you will be at higher altitudes.
It may sound simple, but these are all skills that must be learned. And you can’t learn them on the treadmill.Now for those of you who want to get out there and fill your pack with weight to "simulate" doing something harder – STOP. Take a lightweight day- pack and go out and cover twice as much ground. Your joints will be better off and you will cover more ground and therefore be training much more effectively.