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Recreational Medicals
Pre-Climb Mountain & High-Altitude Hiking Medical From £100
Specialist medical clearance for expeditions and high-altitude treks
Do You Need a Pre-Climb Medical?
Planning a challenging mountain climb or high-altitude trek? Whether you are preparing for Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Mont Blanc, the Three Peaks Challenge, or any other demanding ascent, Cherries Medical Clinic offers a comprehensive pre-climb medical assessment to ensure you are fit and safe to undertake your expedition. Our assessment is tailored to the altitude, terrain, and physical demands of your specific climb, giving both you and your expedition organisers the confidence that your health has been professionally evaluated before departure.
Why Is a Pre-Climb Medical Important?
High-altitude environments present significant physiological challenges, including reduced oxygen levels, extreme cold, sustained physical exertion, and remoteness from medical care. Undiagnosed cardiac, respiratory, or neurological conditions can become life-threatening at altitude. A pre-climb medical identifies risk factors, assesses your cardiovascular and respiratory fitness, evaluates your susceptibility to altitude sickness, and ensures that you and your expedition team are properly informed before you set out.
What the Assessment Includes
The pre-climb medical includes a resting twelve-lead ECG as a baseline for all climbers, and a review of the exercise ECG cardiologist report where one has been provided. The cardiovascular assessment covers blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac auscultation. Respiratory assessment includes spirometry and examination for conditions such as COPD and asthma. Fitness for sustained physical exertion is assessed, alongside an evaluation of your susceptibility to altitude sickness — including Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE), and High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE). Your medications are reviewed, including any altitude-related prophylaxis such as acetazolamide (Diamox). A musculoskeletal assessment covers joint stability, strength, and injury history. BMI, vision, and a general physical examination are included, as is an assessment of how conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy may affect suitability for high-altitude climbing. A written medical fitness certificate is issued upon satisfactory completion of the assessment.
Climbs and Expeditions We Cater For
We provide pre-climb medicals for a wide range of expeditions. These include Kilimanjaro at 5,895 metres, where an exercise ECG is required for any climber aged 40 or over or with a cardiac history; Everest Base Camp Trek at 5,364 metres, where an exercise ECG is required for all climbers aged 40 or over or with a cardiac history at any age; Mont Blanc at 4,808 metres; Island Peak, Mera Peak, and other technical Himalayan routes above 5,000 metres; the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu at altitudes between 3,400 and 4,600 metres; Ben Nevis, Snowdon, and Scafell Pike for the Three Peaks Challenge; and any expedition above 3,000 metres where medical clearance is required or advised by the expedition organiser.
Appointment Requirements
✔ Bring your expedition details including the destination, planned altitude, and dates
✔ Bring a list of current medications
✔ If an exercise ECG is required, bring the cardiologist’s exercise ECG report to your appointment
✔ Bring any relevant medical records where you have a significant health history
Pricing
Pre-climb medical assessments start from £100, with the final price depending on the specific altitude, the investigations required, and whether a resting ECG is included. Please contact us with details of your planned climb and we will provide a clear quotation. To enquire, call 07306852397 or email info@cherriesmedicalclinic.co.uk.
Please select the clinic location where you would like to book your appointment. Each clinic manages appointments independently to ensure the best service.
To book this particular service, Select Clinic Location (Below) –> Recreational –> Pre-Climb Mountain & Hiking Medical Service Page
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :
What if I cannot arrange an exercise ECG before my appointment?
If you fall into one of the categories requiring an exercise ECG — aged 40 or over, a cardiac history, or planning a climb to 5,000 metres or above — and you cannot arrange this before your appointment, we can still conduct the rest of the medical assessment. However, your fitness certificate cannot be finalised until the exercise ECG report is received and reviewed. We will keep you informed and can issue the certificate promptly once the report is to hand.
How do I find a private cardiologist for an exercise ECG?
We can provide you with a referral letter to assist you in booking an exercise ECG with a private cardiologist or a private cardiology centre. Please contact us before your appointment if you need this arranged. The cost of the exercise ECG is payable directly to the cardiologist and is not included in the Cherries Medical Clinic pre-climb medical fee.
Is the Three Peaks Challenge suitable for anyone?
The Three Peaks Challenge is a significant physical undertaking. Whilst the altitudes involved are well below the threshold for altitude sickness, a pre-climb medical is advisable — particularly for older participants or anyone with cardiovascular, respiratory, or musculoskeletal conditions. Please contact us to discuss whether a medical is recommended in your case.
To book your pre-climb medical or to request a quotation, please call 07306852397 or email info@cherriesmedicalclinic.co.uk and provide details of your planned expedition.
Opening Hours
same-week appointments available by arrangement
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
11:00 - 19:00
Weekly
Slough Clinic
Friday
Closed
Saturday
09:00 - 17:00
Fortnightly
Southampton Clinic
Sunday
09:00 - 15:00
Weekly
Slough Clinic
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us or Just drop us a line here. Our support staff will reach you very soon
Give us a ring
07306852397
The Cherries Clinic in Slough
11A The Cherries, Slough, Berkshire, SL2-5TS, UK
The Cherries Clinic in Southampton
19 Oxford Street, Southampton, SO14 3DJ, UK
Send us an email
info@cherriesmedicalclinic.co.uk
How can we help you?
Feel free to contact us or just drop a line here.
Our support staff will reach out to you very soon
Speak with one of our experts to discover how Cherries Medical can support your medical journey
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