Training for mountain hunts

[justletmein]

I was just reading a couple articles about collagen supplements (protein powder). Supposed to help rebuild cartilage. I'm gonna use that the next few months. Maybe it'll help my knees. Anybody have any experience with that?

MSM can help, depending on use case.

[Johnny44]

You guys are funny

Put a 50lb pack on your back and do the stair master while breathing in a paper sack.

Easy Peasy

[bphillips]

Lunges, sprints, and up and downs with a heavy pack for me. To be honest if my knees could be a problem I want to know during a workout and not on a mountain. You want to learn you balance and weaknesses on the descent before being out there. I was comfortable going in on my sheep hunt and still came out with sore knees.

[TKC]

All great advice! Something I would throw in is a concept 2 rower somewhere between 2 and 4 thousand meters to warm up with setting on 5. This will jump start you and really help with your hip flexors.

[ByronB]

Nothing wrong with getting in shape.......getting up in the mountains a couple days early to acclimate is even better!

Only been elk hunting one time. My Dad and I showed up three days early to acclimate ( try to ) ourselves to the altitude. By day three of my hunt I felt great. The first few days were a struggle. Go early if you can. The being in shape part will only help your cause. I am sure you will be well prepared.

[TWP]

You will be golden doing what you are doing. The conditioning is all GPP, general physical preparedness. Just like lifting weights helps football players in force production, but it sure as heck isn’t playing football. In my experience it is the same for mountain hunting.

And since none of us are sheep or elk guides on here, as far as I know, we can’t practice exactly how we play. But I can tell you that embracing the suck has helped me greatly. In my case I find Saturday or Sunday afternoon when it is scorching hot in summer to put in miles in my boots and pack. Like miles and miles and for 2-4 hours at a time. With anywhere from 40-80lbs in my pack. Our state park and lakes have tons of trails, so I’m not doing it on asphalt, and it helps to build ankle stability. Do this every weekend or midweek if you can. Something about the mental suck of moving weight in your gear in the heat that toughens the most important thing on any mountain hunt, your mind.

Keep doing what you are doing and keep a GREAT attitude on your hunt and you are good to go.

[Brute Killer]

I was just reading a couple articles about collagen supplements (protein powder). Supposed to help rebuild cartilage. I'm gonna use that the next few months. Maybe it'll help my knees. Anybody have any experience with that?

I put protein powder in my oatmeal while I was on my last hunt, and probably will on this next one. For joints I took a horse pill that was glucosamine chondroitin

[lunatic'hunter]

All the above and staying hydrated.

Nothing wrong with getting in shape.......getting up in the mountains a couple days early to acclimate is even better!

[Shane]

I put protein powder in my oatmeal while I was on my last hunt, and probably will on this next one. For joints I took a horse pill that was glucosamine chondroitin

I've been taking glucosamine chondroitin for a few years. It seems to help some too. There doesn't seem to be a fountain of youth cure for age though. I'm still searching.... Mostly, I'm just trying to get old as slowly as possible.

[TXBRASS]

Ruck hike with 20 pounds over your total pack weight 3-4 days a week and the other times find a Jacob's Ladder machine and give that a spin 2 days a week. You will be more than ready. I did a detailed HIIT and weight workout regimen before my first mountain hunt and when I got there I about died. 2 years later I did the above mentioned and was like a mountain goat with zero issues and was actually 5 pounds heavier than the 2 years before. "Train like you Fight" mentality and rucking + Jacob's Ladder will give you all that you need. Trust me....

[WItoTX]

I've been taking glucosamine chondroitin for a few years. It seems to help some too. There doesn't seem to be a fountain of youth cure for age though. I'm still searching.... Mostly, I'm just trying to get old as slowly as possible.

One thing to consider if you aren't already, Take lots of fish oil. I take a lot of fish oil (1300 mg) twice a day, which really helps with knees on long runs. I am only 32, but I notice a difference if I don't take it for a week and run vs when I am taking it. But again, I am doing 9-15 miles at a time 2x a week.

I also experimented with CBD, but I found it didn't help much. And from what I read, it only masks the pain, it doesn't fix the cause if its not inflammation related. So you are still tearing up your joints.

[gatorgrizz27]

I did my first elk hunt last year. We backpacked in 5 mikes and set up camp, killed a bull 2 miles further in and packed him out.

I agree with what a couple guys have said, #1 is hiking with a pack in hilly terrain. I did 45 lbs for 2 miles at least 2x a week, once a week I would go for 3.5 miles on a rough trail with rocks, roots, and stream crossings as fast as I could go. I’d try to be around 18 minute miles.

#2 is cardio. I don’t think the long distance running type cardio does much for you, short sprinting is better IMO. I would do a 1 minute jog followed by a 60 second sprint, then dropping back to a 30 second jog and repeat that 3-4x, then jog a mile.

If your knees can’t handle the sprinting, even on grass, I’d try jump roping or boxing. Both will have you gasping for air with minimal impact.

The final thing I did was a few CrossFit classes. They were horrible but showed me how far I could push myself. When you’re excercising alone it’s easy to feel like you’ve “done enough” and quit. When you’re in the mountains and want to quit, it’s nice to be able to say “Can you keep going? Yes. Then keep going.”

There’s a Gritty podcast on intensity with Chris Spealler. I like that style of working out because it’s easker to find 10-15 minutes than it is to find an hour and a half, and you can endure absolute torture for short periods of time and push yourself much harder knowing you’ve only got to make it 5 minutes.

[88 Bound]

Last year I focused less on overall muscle strength and more on endurance. I did not have a weighted leg day for 3 months prior and it was the best mountain shape I was ever been in. My focus was on cardio and core 5 days a week. Mix in weighted vest hikes and tons of incline treadmill work. Mix in a moderately strict Paleo-type diet and you’re good. It’s possible to keep it simple and still achieve the results you want. Keep focus on the muscles you need to rely on during your hunt: hammies, the structural muscles around your knees, abs and back.

[cwbrown]

Just found this thread but I should draw 2nd rifle in CO this fall, started in April with straight cardio. Did nothing but run as often as i could and ended up hitting 101 miles for the month. Now in May I am walking 3-6 miles 5 days a week along with doing 125 push ups and 250 air squats at day. Haven't quiet decided what is next but definitely going to keep it up. Last thing I want is my physical conditioning be the reason I am not successful come October.

[Shane]

Just found this thread but I should draw 2nd rifle in CO this fall, started in April with straight cardio. Did nothing but run as often as i could and ended up hitting 101 miles for the month. Now in May I am walking 3-6 miles 5 days a week along with doing 125 push ups and 250 air squats at day. Haven't quiet decided what is next but definitely going to keep it up. Last thing I want is my physical conditioning be the reason I am not successful come October.

Awesome! Good luck on your hunt.