[Scott Johnston]

Thanks for writing in with your questions.

If you didn’t change the speed or grade during your test it is likely that your AeT is below 123.  What was your perceived level of exertion?

Based on what you have said I would try to retest at 15% and 2mph.

Fitness is relative. And comparisons to others are futile.  Unless you are planning to compete, what matters is comparison with yourself.

Based on the information that you gave: 2x/wk of 1-2 hours total time hiking to and from climbs and one 1/week easy hike (maybe 1-2 hours??)  you will want to increase the time spent hiking on the great terrain you have around LV if you want to build fitness for long days in the Sierra and Red Rocks.  Duration is the single biggest stimulus for increasing aerobic capacity.  There is a lot upside potential for you in this regard. we generally advise that if you are targeting a goal of many hours in one day, like Whtiney you should be able to comfortably handle that many hours of steady movement in one week and be able to do do this frequently.  This is not to say you could not climb Whitney now.  But could you do it quickly without making it a sufferfest?

Training for endurance is a process and results take consistency over many months and years to bring big changes. But those changes are available to all of us if we choose them.

I hope this helps.
Scott