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Started By
Message
Preparing physically for a western big game hunt - any tips?
Posted on 8/3/21 at 3:27 pm
Posted on 8/3/21 at 3:27 pm
I'm still over a year out from when I'm planning on doing it but I don't want to fail because I'm not in shape.
I currently do 30 to 60 minutes of running 4 or 5 days a week on varied terrain. ~10 to 12 minute per mile pace.
I lift weights or do bodyweight workouts on my lunch break 4 or 5 days a week.
I carry a ~50 lb pack when I walk my dog (1 to 2 miles) every morning.
I thought I was in pretty good shape and got my arse whipped by Moab in 2019, don't want that to happen again.
Working on losing weight and running while fasting as well.
I currently do 30 to 60 minutes of running 4 or 5 days a week on varied terrain. ~10 to 12 minute per mile pace.
I lift weights or do bodyweight workouts on my lunch break 4 or 5 days a week.
I carry a ~50 lb pack when I walk my dog (1 to 2 miles) every morning.
I thought I was in pretty good shape and got my arse whipped by Moab in 2019, don't want that to happen again.
Working on losing weight and running while fasting as well.
This post was edited on 8/3/21 at 3:44 pm
21
Posted on 8/3/21 at 3:32 pm to Loup
I loaded up my pack with a little more weight than I was planning on carrying and would throw it on and walk up and down the levee in the afternoons.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 3:33 pm to Loup
nothing here is going to prepare you for elevation except some type of air restriction mask
so other than that, seems like you are doing well
I'd suggest spend lots of time on a stair master if you have one available
so other than that, seems like you are doing well
I'd suggest spend lots of time on a stair master if you have one available
Posted on 8/3/21 at 3:36 pm to Loup
quote:
I carry a ~50 lb pack when I walk my dog (1 to 2 miles) every morning.
I thought I was in pretty good shape and got my arse whipped by Moab in 2019, don't want that to happen again.
I have any old weight xvest I can load to 80 lbs. I will toss that and a weight pack on and walk the lakes.
Did it for s few months before yellowstone this year.
Got to yellowstone...forest fires everywhere and the combination of high altitude and smoke was still a bitch.
When we hiked in Bow Routte Wyoming I tried to carry a tent, pack, and rtic bag. Made it about a mile before I shut it down.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 3:36 pm to Loup
A lot of what you're doing is solid, but you can't simulate atmosphere in the Miss-Lou area - at least not safely.
Try to find some hills or stadium stairs. It doesn't have to be a ton (and if you want to build up to a ton, go slowly). While still not simulating the thin air itself, it is about the closest to the level of stress as you can get and building endurance for incline has its own benefit for out west.
Stay safe.
Try to find some hills or stadium stairs. It doesn't have to be a ton (and if you want to build up to a ton, go slowly). While still not simulating the thin air itself, it is about the closest to the level of stress as you can get and building endurance for incline has its own benefit for out west.
Stay safe.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 3:40 pm to Loup
One of the best things you can do is get to your destination early, if you can spare the time. You seem to be doing your best to stay in shape otherwise, climate/terrain/elevation are your primary variables.
Even two days at location will lessen the strain before the hunt.
Even two days at location will lessen the strain before the hunt.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 3:42 pm to LSUfan20005
quote:
One of the best things you can do is get to your destination early, if you can spare the time. You seem to be doing your best to stay in shape otherwise, climate/terrain/elevation are your primary variables.
Even two days at location will lessen the strain before the hunt.
Thanks, makes sense. Altitude whips my arse
Posted on 8/3/21 at 3:50 pm to Loup
How far west are you going?
Get in the best shape you can, but only so much you can do here
SAID principal...specific adaptations to imposed demands...want to get better at lay ups, practice lay ups not free throws...try to imitate what you will be doing...weighted pack up hills, on stair master, go to Tunica hills on the weekend and hike some uneven terrain,
Burpees are great practice
Get in the best shape you can, but only so much you can do here
SAID principal...specific adaptations to imposed demands...want to get better at lay ups, practice lay ups not free throws...try to imitate what you will be doing...weighted pack up hills, on stair master, go to Tunica hills on the weekend and hike some uneven terrain,
Burpees are great practice
Posted on 8/3/21 at 4:04 pm to Loup
quote:
Working on losing weight
quote:
currently do 30 to 60 minutes of running 4 or 5 days a week on varied terrain. ~10 to 12 minute per mile pace.
I lift weights or do bodyweight workouts on my lunch break 4 or 5 days a week.
I carry a ~50 lb pack when I walk my dog (1 to 2 miles) every morning.
How do you need to lose weight if you do all of this? If I did that I’d be a string bean
Posted on 8/3/21 at 4:30 pm to deltaland
quote:
How do you need to lose weight if you do all of this? If I did that I’d be a string bean
If you saw me put down food you'd wonder how a guy my size held that much. Gained about 25 lbs in 2020 when the gyms shut down. I started cooking and eating when I was bored.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 4:34 pm to Loup
Nothing will prepare you for altitude. Best you can do is walk up and down whatever kind of elevation you have with a lot of weight.
Once you get there, lots of water
Once you get there, lots of water
Posted on 8/3/21 at 4:42 pm to LSUfan20005
quote:
Even two days at location will lessen the strain before the hunt.
I second the "early if possible". Now, realistically, it takes weeks to fully acclimate to relatively high atmosphere, but just a few days of light to moderate exertion to kind of prep the body systems for the thinner air works wonders.
My transitions - I went from sea level to about 4500 feet and it wasn't long before it was the incline over the thin air - probably a week. We ran 3 to 4 miles with significant (for a Louisiana kid) elevation changes.
Same thing for a backpacking trek, we went from sea level to an area of about 8k to 10k feet ASL and culminated with a walk up to ~12k feet (which we did on day 7 or 8). The incline was worse than the thin air at that point - of course the raw delta was 4k feet and we were going up and down the entire time, so the total was probably twice that in 2 weeks.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 4:51 pm to Loup
If you dont KNOW that you handle altitude well, go see your doctor about getting a scrip for diamox. I almost died (literally) my first trip out west at 9k feet. I had never been above a few hundred feet and we went from BR to winter park in 21 hours and then to the trailhead 9 hours after that. Next trip on diamox first few days I was perfectly fine at 12k. It basically hyperdrives the acclimation process. It does make you piss a wholeeee lot so your water intake will be outrageous, but at least you won't have altitude sickness / pulmonary edema / etc etc.
Otherwise, break your boots in good and carry weight up and down as far as you can as often as you can.
Otherwise, break your boots in good and carry weight up and down as far as you can as often as you can.
This post was edited on 8/3/21 at 4:53 pm
Posted on 8/3/21 at 4:51 pm to Ace Midnight
Most people over think it IMO, just get into the best cardio shape you can first off. Whatever you like.
Then, I think its important to take hikes with a heavy hunting pack and hunting boots at least once but preferably 2-3 times a week. Almost every town has some sort of hiking trail, state park, etc. these days. Its good just to get your ligaments and muscles used to the weight of a pack walking off road. The more elevation changes the better obviously but not completely needed.
ETA: Honestly you could even just walk the side of a road like a hobo in a circle in a rural area. Find somewhere with hills and go to town.
Then, I think its important to take hikes with a heavy hunting pack and hunting boots at least once but preferably 2-3 times a week. Almost every town has some sort of hiking trail, state park, etc. these days. Its good just to get your ligaments and muscles used to the weight of a pack walking off road. The more elevation changes the better obviously but not completely needed.
ETA: Honestly you could even just walk the side of a road like a hobo in a circle in a rural area. Find somewhere with hills and go to town.
This post was edited on 8/3/21 at 4:53 pm
Posted on 8/3/21 at 4:59 pm to baldona
quote:
Then, I think its important to take hikes with a heavy hunting pack and hunting boots at least once but preferably 2-3 times a week. Almost every town has some sort of hiking trail, state park, etc. these days. Its good just to get your ligaments and muscles used to the weight of a pack walking off road. The more elevation changes the better obviously but not completely needed.
I need to take some time off work and try to hike 10+ miles a day for multiple days. I can currently do 10+ on hills with a pack for one day but I feel like death the next day.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 5:24 pm to Loup
5 baby aspirin are your friend.
As is hydration.
Some dumb shite on the OT said I drink too much water so I must be diabetic.
Let him break down in moab and have to hike out.
I will never be dehydrated again.
As is hydration.
Some dumb shite on the OT said I drink too much water so I must be diabetic.
Let him break down in moab and have to hike out.
I will never be dehydrated again.
This post was edited on 8/3/21 at 5:25 pm
Posted on 8/3/21 at 5:36 pm to Loup
Loup, sounds like you have a good plan. I’m doing 5-7 mile walks and hitting the gym. Hard to get in too good a shape.
What type hunt do you have planned?
What type hunt do you have planned?
Posted on 8/3/21 at 6:03 pm to Ace Midnight
quote:this
I second the "early if possible". Now, realistically, it takes weeks to fully acclimate to relatively high atmosphere, but just a few days of light to moderate exertion to kind of prep the body systems for the thinner air works wonders.
My first time at elevation made it to 12 thousand (Iceberg Lake Mt Whitney) and got altitude sickness. Didn't know enough to not spend the day before at Death Valley. Went back down to 8000 and waited til next day, it was still slow going but it made a substantial difference on going back up the next day.
Even a day if you can swing it will make a big difference. You won't be acclimated but your body is getting more attuned.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 6:06 pm to awestruck
Maybe you can stage your hunts with increases in elevation.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 6:14 pm to LSUfan20005
quote:
One of the best things you can do is get to your destination early, if you can spare the time. You seem to be doing your best to stay in shape otherwise, climate/terrain/elevation are your primary variables.
Even two days at location will lessen the strain before the hunt.
This is absolutely spot on.
About 10 years ago my younger brother moved to Colorado for work for the engineering firm he was working for had a project. This place had the highest elevation of any city/ incorporated area in North America at the time.
Just going to visit was rough the 36-48 hours. I was in a tad bit better shape than I am now but it was rough on me first couple trips. Just going up there to visit really prepared me for the hunts we’d make over the next couple of years there.
What I did on the trips where we’d be hunting I’d drive there instead of flying in. I know driving isn’t an option for most of you due to time constraints and it can suck if you’re by yourself but it made a big difference regarding how much faster I got acclimated than just flying into Denver then traveling another 6000’to his home in just a few hours. When I flew it was literally going from flying out of MSY where the elevation is 0 to almost 12k feet in a matter 6-8 hours. I don’t care what kind of shape someone is in, they are going to feel that kind of elevation change. Driving there with the steady elevation change really made a difference.
My doctor actually prescribed me some kind of medication from the last time I flew there. Can’t remember what the name of it was but it supposedly helped your 02 and CO2 levels in your blood. It did help but nothing beat driving.
We haven’t gone up there to hunt in a few years because he’s now back home but we have made a couple hunting trips at different places out west since then and while none of them were as high as where we were going, they were still 3-7k range in elevation. I was able to fly there a couple days early which definitely did the trick. I’d absolutely try to get there 48 hours in advance if you’re flying.
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