How Altitude Member Agnes Trained for — and Summited — Manaslu (8,163 m)

Altitude member Agnes reached the summit of Manaslu (8,163m), the eighth-highest peak in the world, capping off a life long dream and years of dedication, discipline, and months of focused preparation.

Training at Altitude, Agnes committed herself fully to the process. She completed over 50+ hours of simulated altitude generator sessions and followed a structured altitude training program to prepare her body and mind for the demands of a true Himalayan giant. Her summit is not only a testament to her strength, but also to what’s possible when purposeful training meets unwavering determination.

For Agnes, the memory she replays most often is the stillness at the top:

“Sitting at the summit of Manaslu, waiting my turn to take a photo so high in the mountains—it felt surreal. Watching the sunrise from the summit was incredible.”

It was a strange contrast, she said, to experience both awe and the unexpected normalcy of standing in line at 8,163 meters.

Arriving at Base Camp after a long climb from 3,500 m to 4,900 m, Agnes was understandably exhausted.

That night, she returned to fundamentals: hydrating, moving slowly, getting fresh air, eating what she could.

“I forced myself to drink plenty of tea and water… and I gradually started to feel better. I also stopped checking my oxygen saturation so often.”

Those simple, steady choices helped her recover and continue upward.

The stretch between Camp 1 and Camp 2 during rotations proved to be the most demanding for Agnes.

“There were many long sections requiring a jumar, and we weren’t fully acclimatized yet.”

It was a reminder for her that even the “routine” days on an 8,000m mountain require strength, patience, and resilience.

If she could go back, Agnes would remind herself to slow down:

“I should have hiked to Base Camp more slowly. I’m used to pushing myself in competitive sport, at high altitude, that doesn’t work for me. I had to find my pace.”

And, she added with a smile:

“Take more pictures… and don’t forget your Gore-Tex pants.”

Her team included climbers from all kinds of training backgrounds, and on an 8,000-meter peak, no one is immune to tough days. But while everyone tackled their own challenges, Agnes’s Altitude prep gave her a genuine advantage and the fitness, confidence, and resilience needed for an expedition like Manaslu. And for Agnes, the journey was never a solo one:

“The teamwork meant so much: the team that prepared me—Altitude, JF Plouffe, a French nutritionist, my triathlon coach of 10 years—and the Elite Exped guides and the climbers who were with me during the ascent.”

The emotion didn’t fully sink in until the next day.

“We descended all the way to Base Camp after summiting, so it was a long day. When I saw the photos and videos afterward, some felt almost unreal. Just thinking that I was actually there…”

Focused on safety and the unfamiliar feeling of climbing with supplemental oxygen, she said she believes she’ll savour the moment even more on her next summit.

But the sunrise on summit day? 

“Magnificent.”

Now that Agnes is back at home, the achievement carries great personal meaning.

“It was a long-held goal finally achieved. I’ve dreamed of climbing an 8,000-meter peak for many years. I come from the mountains—I love being in the mountains.”

Agnes’ Manaslu summit is a powerful reminder that big mountains are never conquered by training alone. Her months of consistent and structured preparation at Altitude played a role, but they were only one part of a much larger equation.

Reaching 8,163 meters also took a window of good weather, the strength and camaraderie of the climbers around her, and the support systems she’s built over months and years: her guides, her coaches, her nutrition team, and the community that helped her believe in the goal long before the expedition began.

Agnes’ story reflects what makes high-altitude success truly special, a blend of preparation, opportunity, teamwork, and heart. And we’re grateful to have been one piece of that journey.

Thank you Agnes for sharing your reflections about Manaslu, from the preparation, to the summit, to the impact it has had on you. We are incredibly proud of your achievement!