Fitness Help - Rock climbing

Question
Hello

Nicholas Bridgeland

I am from India. I will be going for my Basic mountaineering course to Nehru Institute of mountaineering (http://www.nimindia.org/index.htm) In the month of march .
 I have heard that these courses r pretty tough and require high degree of physical fitness .
  Its a 28 days course in Himalayas and during  these days i will be climbing around 19,000 fts and will be doing some extensive rock climbing .
 I request u to plz give me tips so that i can devlope proper physical fitness before going to the institute .
   
thank u
Chandan

Answer
I've never done any mountaineering, only rock climbing so my knowledge is limited.  Though, I have read that running helps when dealing with the altitude.  If you have any access to rock climbing near you, I would suggest you practice that so your body is not shocked when you first get to the institute.  When I take a long break it usually takes my body a week or two to adjust.  Spending time in a weight room working on endurance as opposed to power may help as well.

Hope that helps,

Nick