Mount Wilson — Sturtevant Trail Fasted Summit (Physiology Addendum)
Mount Wilson was familiar terrain, but the physiology was unfamiliar.
Compared to the May 2025 ascent, the final climb from Sturtevant Falls felt calmer, more controlled, and metabolically stable. Heart rate stabilized faster after elevation spikes. Breathing remained steady. Perceived exertion was reduced despite identical terrain stress.
The mountain had not changed. The internal engine had.
This climb became a physiological validation point for TrailGenic™ metabolic adaptation. Ketone levels rose to 11 ppm post-hike and remained elevated at 2.4 ppm the following morning despite post-hike refueling, confirming preservation of fat oxidation pathways.
This is the marker of metabolic flexibility: the ability to utilize and restore energy without reverting to glucose dependency.
Mount Wilson became proof of permanent adaptation.
Read the science of post hike refueling for this hike
Read the related TrailGenic Rapid Recovery Refuel Protocol
Standing inside Mount Wilson Observatory, facing the historic Hooker Telescope, provided a powerful symbolic parallel.
For decades, that instrument expanded humanity’s understanding of the universe.
This climb expanded internal understanding — proving that the human metabolic system, when properly trained, becomes more efficient, more resilient, and more adaptive.
Both telescope and physiology reveal deeper truths when properly conditioned.
This hike established measurable physiological advancement versus the 2025 Mount Wilson baseline.
The key breakthrough was preservation of elevated ketone levels after post-hike refueling, confirming mitochondrial adaptation and metabolic flexibility. This indicates that TrailGenic™ protocols are producing structural metabolic improvements rather than temporary fitness gains.
This transforms Mount Wilson from a memory landmark into a verified physiological milestone.
The mountain did not change. The metabolic engine did.
Salomon ADV Skin 12 Hydration Vest with dual 500 ml soft flasks and filter caps for water refill capability.
LMNT electrolyte protocol maintained sodium balance throughout fasted exertion.
Lightweight fasted configuration optimized cardiovascular efficiency and metabolic adaptation.
Uniqlo windshell at the peak for the windchill.
This configuration minimizes carried weight while maximizing hydration autonomy, enabling sustained Zone 2–Zone 3 endurance output without metabolic disruption.