---
title: "#46 The road to the eight-thousanders: how to start high-altitude climbing – Martin Ksandr"
description: "\"My wife has cleared me for minus one finger. So far it's holding.\" That's how Martin Ksandr, the guest of this episode of the Život na treku podcast, sums up his personal risk on high-altitude climbs."
canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/blog/how-to-start-high-altitude-climbing-martin-ksandr"
last_updated: "2025-12-05"
---

# #46 The road to the eight-thousanders: how to start high-altitude climbing – Martin Ksandr

Authors: David Czempka

Date: 2025-12-05

"My wife has cleared me for minus one finger. So far it's holding." That's how Martin Ksandr, the guest of this episode of the Život na treku podcast, sums up his personal risk on high-altitude climbs.

"My wife has cleared me for minus one finger. So far it's holding." That's how Martin Ksandr, the guest of this episode of the Život na treku podcast, sums up his personal risk on high-altitude climbs. Martin has a long list of demanding expeditions to the world's highest mountains under his belt, including several successful ascents of eight-thousanders. He's also a licensed mountain guide, a rock climbing instructor, and a co-founder of Expedition Club, an adventure travel company based in Brno.

Together we went through his journey from his first steps in the mountains all the way to eight-thousand-meter summits, how and where to get started with high-altitude climbing, what not to underestimate when planning, and where to leave room for intuition instead. We talk about motivation, physical and mental preparation, and risks, and also about how he manages to balance expeditions like these with family life.

If the big mountains are calling you too, tune in to this fantastic episode with Martin and get the push you need for your own adventure – whether you're heading for your first five-thousander or are still just dreaming over a map. And if you don't want to miss future episodes, don't forget to follow our podcast on your favorite platform.

## **🎧 Listen to the podcast on**

- [YouTube](https://youtu.be/D2CuWDD4Umg)
- [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6M9BklrAvOpMTH3053s8an?si=795f9664d6ac4b43)
- [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/cz/podcast/46-cesta-a%C5%BE-na-osmitis%C3%ADcovky-jak-za%C4%8D%C3%ADt-s-vysokohorsk%C3%BDmi/id1612950422?i=1000739819027)

[Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2CuWDD4Umg)

## 🤵‍♂️ Martin Ksandr

- [https://www.expeditionclub.cz/tym/martin-ksandr](https://www.expeditionclub.cz/tym/martin-ksandr)
- [https://www.instagram.com/expeditionclub.cz/](https://www.instagram.com/expeditionclub.cz/)

## 📖 Chapters

- 0:00 – Intro
- 0:50 – Introductions
- 3:07 – Experience in the high mountains
- 9:47 – Expedition Club and Horoškola
- 14:10 – How and where to start with high-altitude climbing
- 23:10 – Motivation and mental preparation
- 33:10 – Physical preparation
- 38:20 – Logistics before the climb
- 42:48 – Food, hydration, and breathing
- 51:20 – High camps and planning the ascent
- 56:20 – Preventing altitude sickness
- 1:01:28 – Assessing risk and when to turn back
- 1:08:53 – Spending time at base camp
- 1:11:48 – Gear
- 1:18:41 – Expeditions and family
- 1:23:00 – Wrap-up

## This could come in handy

- [CNOC Vecto 2 L 42 mm](/p/cnoc-vecto-2-l-42-mm.md)
- [Katadyn BeFree AC 1 L](/p/katadyn-befree-ac-1-l.md)
- [Darn Tough Men's Hiker 1/4 Midweight](/p/darn-tough-hiker-1-4-midweight-mens.md)
- [Darn Tough Women's Hiker 1/4 Midweight](/p/darn-tough-hiker-1-4-midweight-womens.md)
- [DexShell Ultra Thin Crew](/p/dexshell-ultra-thin-crew.md)
- [Liteway Pokkie Pack](/p/liteway-pokkie-pack.md)
- [Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag](/p/sea-to-summit-ultra-sil-dry-bag.md)
- [Kula Cloth](/p/kula-cloth-pee-cloth.md)
- [Gramino SagiFlow](/p/gramino-sagiflow-ultralight-bidet.md)
- [Gramino AURA Pouch](/p/gramino-aura-pouch.md)
- [Gramino Ultralight Waterproof Backpack Liner](/p/gramino-ultralight-waterproof-backpack-liner.md)

This post is also available as [HTML](/blog/how-to-start-high-altitude-climbing-martin-ksandr).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.