Climbing stairs up a vertical mile is an almost superhuman feat…

First of all we’re talking about on your feet, not on a bike, motorbike, or any other contraption. Just you and the vertical stairs challenge to conquer.

Starting from somewhere – anywhere, you climb stairs up vertically 1 mile in distance (5,280 feet elevation). You might climb an outdoor staircase, or you might find a skyscraper that allows you to climb 30 stories at a time and take the elevator down. No matter. Actually, there are few places you can go straight up stairs for a vertical mile so you’ll have to be inventive and find your own way.

When I did my first vertical mile I climbed up 1,237 steps up a mountain in Thailand – 6 times to reach 1 vertical mile. Most people will use a skyscraper to get the maximum up time as possible before having to climb back down. Some of you lucky people will have a mile vertical climb close by that you can just bang out. Some will take the elevator down from the 60th floor of a skyscraper.

If you do accomplish it – or want us to help you accomplish it – use our vertical mile contact form link at the top of this page.