I calculated the average height per step for the biggest towers on the stair climbing competitive circuit across the world and they range between 6.76″ and 8.6″ (inches). The mountain steps I climb average 8.85″ per step over 1,237 steps. Pretty substantial difference, but the real difference is the changing heights of steps and incline of the staircase as it winds its way up the mountain. Some steps are 5 inches high. Some are 20+ inches high. There are some groups of 20″ high steps – 30 or 40 at a time. It’s quite a different beast than any of the tower climbs. Not sure how that will help me prepare for the tower climbing – but, we’ll see!