The best training for climbing is climbing. So preparing for Everest has been all of the last five years for Cheryl and Nikki who say, “We have taken everything as a one step at a time approach, and respected each mountain in its own right, and we think the fact that we have done this will make a very big difference in terms of being prepared for Everest.”

The training in the gym is important, in terms of cardiovascular ability and strength, but it is all of the climbing they have done has been the main preparation for Everest. “Each time you are forced into a difficult situation, we learned something new. So from being on different mountains, you learn about layering systems, about having to take breaks quickly so you don't get too cold, and about how to approach and handle different teammates.”

Cho oyu was like a 'training run' for Everest. “It really was the best thing we could have done,” Cheryl says.  “We wore most of the gear that we will be wearing on Everest, ate a similar kind of diet, and used oxygen systems for the first time. These oxygen masks can be quite daunting and very claustrophobic, and so having worn one at 8,000 at -40 degrees when the mask is freezing up is extremely good training for the big climb ahead. We even took our masks off on the summit of Cho oyu and had the confidence to take it off, and turn the regulator on and off. “

In terms of actual preparation for Everest, Cheryl and Nikki have been on a three and a half month training program. They took almost two months off after Cho oyu, to let their bodies rest and repair from the stress of climbing an 8,000m peak, as well as have some time to work, study for exams and just catch up with their friends. They started back into training slowly. “It's extremely difficult to think 'I’m training to climb Mt Everest', because you can start to panic and the task becomes too big. So instead, we have broken it into smaller steps and monthly goals,” Nikki says.

On a daily basis they do at least two to three hours training. This may consist of gym classes, weights or outdoor training including running, swimming, boxing. Specific training for the mountain is running hills and stairs, hiking for hours with backpacks (about 25kg filled with bottles of water) and soft sand running “The sand is a close simulation to the unevenness of the snow,” says Nikki. “We look for every opportunity to get exercise even in our non training times such as taking the stairs instead of the lift.” And they try and fit in a weekly yoga and/or pilates class.

Cheryl also trains twice a week with personal trainer Scott Cameron focussing on strength and boxing. She says, "Having the personal torture...or attention...of my trainer has made a huge difference in gaining strength quickly and doing the right training for the mountain".

The chicks are also heading off to New Zealand in late February 2008 for some final preparation and training with the guide group before they depart for Everest. Here they will also meet some of the team and go over final arrangements.

Technical rock climbing skills were learnt from the experts. Cheryl and Nikki completed a five day rock climbing course in the Blue Mountains in 2007 and Cheryl spent a week back in the Blue Mountains in January 2008 on various climbs including the classic five pitch route called "Sweet Dreams" (with the exposed variant final pitch) training with Lee Cossey. Lee is a rock climbing specialist and climbing guide. He has spent the past 13 years immersed in as many aspects of climbing as possible, from World Cup climbing competitions to multi day big wall free climbing in Yosemite. He has climbed the majority of Australia's hardest routes and established what is currently the country's hardest sport climb.

Indoor rock climbing is a weekly session with Matt Storer who is the current junior champion and is competing in the Bouldering world open in Austria in April 2008 and in the Youth World cup being held in Sydney later this year. He is ranked 1st in Australia for opens speed.

For cardio Cheryl and Nikki also run, cycle and swim.  Nikki also participates in outdoor adventure sports such as kayaking and orienteering.

At the end of exercise experts warn not to forget to warm down and stretch your muscles. Warming down improves recovery by flushing lactic acids and other waste products from your muscles after strenuous exercise and also assists in getting good nights sleep. Rest and recovery are important so you have the energy to train again the next day.  However listen to your body.  If you are extremely fatigued and hurting then have a rest day and get back to it the following day.

Climbers lose a lot of body mass on a climb like Everest so Cheryl and Nikki are bulking up heir muscles with weights but are also eating more so they have extra stores of fat.

Mental preparation is difficult.  Cheryl says, “I saturate myself in information.  And all the climbing we have done is also a good mental preparation.”  Both Cheryl and Nikki know that no one can ever really prepare fully for what a mountain like Everest will throw at them. "We are trying not to focus on what can go wrong but what needs to be done to get to the top and down again.”