There is no single correct order to complete the Seven Summits, but most climbers follow a progression from lower-altitude and less technical peaks to higher and more demanding objectives.

The beauty of the Seven Summits is that the challenge naturally supports progression, from beginner adventurers through to highly experienced climbers, making it a monumental goal that can be pursued by a wide range of people.

There are lots of ways to tackle the Seven Summits and the progression you take will depend on your individual situation (time constraints, financial constraints, family/life/work situation). Everyone is different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Most climbers tend to tackle the a goal starting from easiest to hardest, from lowest altitude to highest, or by trying to group expeditions by region. For instance, new climbers can start with smaller, shorter expeditions like Elbrus and work their way up to bigger, more committing climbs. These trips will give climbers an indication of how they will do on the more serious climbs and at higher altitudes. The financial and time burdens of these smaller expeditions are also less onerous than Mount Everest or Vinson Massif.

More experienced climbers might tackle the goal by grouping climbs in regions and capitalizing on prior climbs as training and acclimatization for the next one. For instance, they might go directly from Everest to Denali earlier in their goal as it suits their schedule/world travel plan.

Climbers will always have different opinions about which peaks are more serious and which should be tackled first, but ultimately the order is up to you as the individual.

Completing the Seven Summits is a challenge even for extremely fit individuals. If you have the desire to take on this goal, building strong fitness, and maintaining it over a long period of time, is essential. This includes a high level of climbing-specific fitness, aerobic capacity, and overall strength.

Your training should closely simulate what you will be doing on the mountain. Traditional gym workouts, bodybuilding programs, or general fitness plans are not targeted enough on their own. While some expeditions are easier than others or require different types of fitness, such as rock climbing or heavy load carries, the most effective way to train for climbing is to climb.

There is no substitute for time in the mountains. The more you climb, the more prepared you will be for expedition environments. Smaller, more approachable peaks help build this foundation, but each expedition still requires focused and intentional training.

As a general rule, climbers should be capable of carrying heavy loads or pulling sleds for six to ten hours per day, across multiple consecutive days. Summit days on many of the Seven Summits involve 3,000–5,000 feet (1,000–2,000 meters) of elevation gain and can last 10 to 20 hours.

Outside of climbing itself, one of the most effective training tools is long hiking days with significant elevation gain. Aim to do these at least once per week, often lasting five to ten hours at a time. When possible, completing multiple long days back-to-back on weekends is an excellent way to simulate the sustained effort required in the mountains.

For success you should:

• Begin structured, expedition-specific training at least six months before your first departure
• Commit time to training five to six days per week
• Be comfortable hiking 1,500 vertical feet per hour with a 20 lb pack
• Focus on high-volume, low-intensity training
• Remember that high-altitude climbing is built on endurance, not short bursts of power

Rest is also a critical part of training. Be sure to taper your workouts and allow several days of recovery before departing for an expedition, as long travel days and jet lag can place additional stress on the body. Most importantly, avoid overtraining leading into your climb, as exhaustion or injury before the expedition can significantly impact performance.

We’ve found that climbers who are most successful often work with experienced mountaineering coaches who design mountain-specific training plans tailored to individual goals, schedules, and lifestyles.

For a deeper dive into how to train effectively for long days, heavy loads, and high altitude, we recommend our Fitness Training for Mountaineers CTSS webinar.