mk
Trail Wise!
North Texas
Posts: 1,217
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Post by mk on Apr 5, 2016 6:48:33 GMT -8
200,000 year history of primitive living in the outdoors. Oh yeah - those were the days. After a hard day's work of hunting (maybe unsuccessfully) down your food, hauling water (well, if you have a vessel in which to haul it), and rubbing sticks together to make a fire, you inflated your thermarest and snuggled into your Marmot down bag for a restful night's sleep ...
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Post by tipiwalter on Apr 5, 2016 9:54:13 GMT -8
Oh yeah - those were the days. After a hard day's work of hunting (maybe unsuccessfully) down your food, hauling water (well, if you have a vessel in which to haul it), and rubbing sticks together to make a fire, you inflated your thermarest and snuggled into your Marmot down bag for a restful night's sleep ... So, you're a purist?? Should I have said I laid out pine boughs and snuggled into my bison robe instead? THEN would I rank in your eyes to have earned a genuine bag night?? What's your point? Since we can't go back 200,000 years and live outdoors we should therefore give up and accept indoor life and never go out? Or is a bag night ruined by using a walmart tarp? Does using a Thermarest make sleeping outdoors meaningless?
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mk
Trail Wise!
North Texas
Posts: 1,217
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Post by mk on Apr 6, 2016 6:38:12 GMT -8
Not at all. Just sayin' that it's a little different now ...
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 9, 2016 20:03:52 GMT -8
Have to agree that the "just enough to get by and spend all your time hiking" approach isn't one that is going to work for most people. Yes, that's a choice you can make. I know some who have, and that's fine, though it can get dicey as old age strikes. But more people I know who have done long trails have to work extra hard beforehand to sock away enough money to ride it out, because the trail isn't free, and sometimes there are expenses that don't stop when you're away, either.
Most people can, however, stay fit all the time, if they are willing to prioritize a workout over, say, FB and Game of Thrones. As for the benefits of being used to sleeping out, etc., I don't think that matters much in preparation. I usually sleep poorly the first night of a trip. After that, I adjust. I doubt I'd do any better if I slept in our backyard all the time (not a pleasant thought, given the urban nature of our home). It's not just sleeping on the ground that affects that first night!
So I will go back to my advice: be fit, make sure at least some of that fitness involves running, walking and/or carrying a pack, if only to make sure your feet are good and your boots fit. Get enough bag nights to know your gear and what you are doing and what food you can't stand the sight of after hiking all day (or, conversely, what you can't get enough of). And then--don't sweat it. You'll get fit and learn a lot and have a great time on the trail.
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 9, 2016 21:19:19 GMT -8
... Most people can, however, stay fit all the time, if they are willing to prioritize a workout over, say, FB and Game of Thrones. As for the benefits of being used to sleeping out, etc., I don't think that matters much in preparation. I usually sleep poorly the first night of a trip. After that, I adjust. I doubt I'd do any better if I slept in our backyard all the time (not a pleasant thought, given the urban nature of our home). It's not just sleeping on the ground that affects that first night! So I will go back to my advice: be fit, make sure at least some of that fitness involves running, walking and/or carrying a pack, if only to make sure your feet are good and your boots fit. Get enough bag nights to know your gear and what you are doing and what food you can't stand the sight of after hiking all day (or, conversely, what you can't get enough of). And then--don't sweat it. You'll get fit and learn a lot and have a great time on the trail. I agree. It's a lot easier to stay in shape than to get in shape, so I'm willing to invest a lot in the former to avoid the latter.
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Post by stevet on Apr 10, 2016 7:42:15 GMT -8
First, get fit and stay fit. If you don't have a workout routine start one and include strength, HIIT cardio, and stretching, plus weekend hikes.
Second, hike is a variety of conditions. Even if it is around your neighborhood, hike for 2-3 hours with your pack in driving rain, in 90 degree temps, below freezing, etc. On a long hike you will see every type of weather imaginable and this will allow you to learn how best to cope.
And lastly, and maybe this is just me, there is a mental aspect. I had to learn to be comfortable hiking then backpacking solo, and also get comfortable with a day after day routine that involves walking 10-12 hours a day and some measure of discomfort.
Don't overlook these as I seen plenty of physically fit people peter out after a few days because the couldn't handle the conditions or the loneliness aspects.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 10, 2016 8:54:00 GMT -8
t's a lot easier to stay in shape than to get in shape, so I'm willing to invest a lot in the former to avoid the latter. All my bold statement about staying fit of course ignore the thing you can't always control: illness and injury. In my 20s, it didn't much matter--I sprang back swiftly. Now? A sprain keeps me from working out for a week or two, and it takes a month to get back to where I was, or more. That's one reason I (usually) get flu shots, etc. Being ill with a fever for several days can cost a month of fitness, and that will take all year to come back from!
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 10, 2016 11:00:08 GMT -8
It's a lot easier to stay in shape than to get in shape, so I'm willing to invest a lot in the former to avoid the latter. All my bold statement about staying fit of course ignore the thing you can't always control: illness and injury. In my 20s, it didn't much matter--I sprang back swiftly. Yes, illness and injury are my banes. I track everything now, so I have data on how much capability I lose during an outage and how long it takes to get back to where I was. For example, after almost two months off from lifting weights, it took nearly three months to catch up on most exercises, and four months on my weakest. At least it still is possible to catch back up, someday that will no longer be true. I don't get set back as far in cardio. Any more than a month to catch back up is unusual, but I'm also less prone to losing much time. Fortunately I'm as strong now or stronger than I ever was, and my exercise life is an experiment in what is possible. For a while I thought I'd become limited by needing increasingly longer recovery times between workouts. Then I gritted my teeth and discovered it wasn't true, at least to the degree I thought. I also thought I was losing speed relative to my mid 40s, but that also turned out to be more a matter of training than anything else. I've lost some, but not as much as I'd thought. My response to illness and injury are to keep doing whatever makes sense during the acute phase, reintroduce exercises as soon as practical afterward, and make a fun challenge out of recovering my full powers.
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Post by hippiebutterfly on Apr 26, 2016 6:47:48 GMT -8
All these suggestions are amazing. I would like to add that my first major backpacking trip came after 3 years of illness. I had to start slow and I didn't have the ability to hike in the woods much, so I took to my treadmill in anticipation for my trip. I have a treadmill that inclines (I know, it doesn't help for the downhill, but it worked for me). I started out working up my stamina first. When I could treadmill 2 miles without being worn out, I started the incline. Then I wore my empty backpack. Then I added bricks to my backpack, one by one until I had about 25 lbs. When I could treadmill uphill without feeling worn out, I went to the local high school stadium and hiked up and down and up and down the stadium stairs. Best thing I ever did for myself to get in shape for my trip. Although it was a 4 day hike, like I said, I was coming off of an illness that had me on the couch most days. That trip was the best trip and the most satisfying for me to prepare for!
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Post by mocamper on May 3, 2016 7:43:51 GMT -8
I use this training plan. There is also a pre-season backpacking plan that would be appropriate for those planning a multi-day trip or a thru hike. Both these plans are based on the assumption that you have maintained a certain level of general fitness throughout the year. Staying in shape is definitely easier than getting into shape. Also, don't neglect training for going down hill. If you're not prepared for the descent under load, you will be in a world of hurt. Being in shape for whatever activity allows you to enjoy it much more.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 21, 2016 19:58:52 GMT -8
Also, don't neglect training for going down hill. If you're not prepared for the descent under load, you will be in a world of hurt. Being in shape for whatever activity allows you to enjoy it much more. Definitely agree with this. My most intense workout is carrying my pack up and down the "sand ladder" (sort of a steep sand slope with logs ever couple of feet to help out). That really works the muscles both ways, while keeping the impact down, since the sand gives as I head back downhill.
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whistlepunk
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I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
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Post by whistlepunk on May 24, 2016 17:42:43 GMT -8
Do not get in shape to hike. Get in shape to be healthy and physically able to handle all aspects of your life and to live longer. But if you insist on working out just to hike, try this plan. It is designed to peak during the time of the year you need max fitness. www.nifc.gov/firefit
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