Training for mountain hunts

[MadHatter]

Has anyone ever tried the gas mask looking like devices that are supposed to imitate high altitude??

Ding ding.
You see everyone talking about strength in this and strength in that, but nobody mentions the lungs.
Wanna train for altitude, breathe so hard you puke.
How many people can hike and breathe only through their nose?
Run and only breathe through your nose?
How many train that way?
Not many if I had to guess.
You don't need a mask to accomplish this, and you will discover parts of your lungs that you didn't know existed
Most people I've taken to Colorado are out of breathe way before they're out of strength.
There's a ton of oxygen at 10,000ft, you just got to be able to suck it in
Superhuman strength has never been a requirement in elk hunting, being fit helps, being able to breathe is paramount.
Cardio is not learning to breathe.
A good starting point is a 6 second breathe, using only your nose for as long as you can, all the time, until it becomes easy.
Breathing through your nose is more effective, and forces you to use your diaphragm in turn strengthening it.
That mouth open, belly breathing don't cut it at altitude.
The average person probably has the capability to breathe 50% more efficiently than they currently do, possibly more if you smoke.

[Briar Friar]

I like to don my hunting pack with 40lbs of corn on the norditrack or treadmill on an incline and then farm chores. Vice versa. If my knee stabilizer tendon goes weird then Ill ride the bike for a few miles to rehabilitate.

Im easing back into running super slowly. Plantars itis makes it difficult to push faster. I need to heave the iron more.

Im lacking on core exercises.

Gettin on it Boss.
Good push MrShane.

[Pedernal]

Ding ding.
You see everyone talking about strength in this and strength in that, but nobody mentions the lungs.
Wanna train for altitude, breathe so hard you puke.
How many people can hike and breathe only through their nose?
Run and only breathe through your nose?
How many train that way?
Not many if I had to guess.
You don't need a mask to accomplish this, and you will discover parts of your lungs that you didn't know existed
Most people I've taken to Colorado are out of breathe way before they're out of strength.
There's a ton of oxygen at 10,000ft, you just got to be able to suck it in
Superhuman strength has never been a requirement in elk hunting, being fit helps, being able to breathe is paramount.
Cardio is not learning to breathe.
A good starting point is a 6 second breathe, using only your nose for as long as you can, all the time, until it becomes easy.
Breathing through your nose is more effective, and forces you to use your diaphragm in turn strengthening it.
That mouth open, belly breathing don't cut it at altitude.
The average person probably has the capability to breathe 50% more efficiently than they currently do, possibly more if you smoke.

Can you explain the red text a bit more? I assume you are talking about basically extending your breathing into longer breaths or deeper breaths to help open up lung capacity. Is the 6 seconds for both inhale and exhale or just inhale??

[Voodoo]

Moccasins and small amounts of cocaine will do more than all of the exercise
Programs.

[MadHatter]

Can you explain the red text a bit more? I assume you are talking about basically extending your breathing into longer breaths or deeper breaths to help open up lung capacity. Is the 6 seconds for both inhale and exhale or just inhale??

Inhale & exhale combined.
Yes to increase lung capacity, but also to strengthen your diaphragm, and build rhythm in your breathing.
Your diaphragm controls how forcefully you can inhale exhale.
Try it, you will be surprised how much easier breathing can be.

[ByronB]

Love the weighted backpack training. I need to get back after it. Once deer season started I stopped doing it. I noticed a huge difference in my calves and overall strength. If I were to go on a mountain hunt again I would start training one year in advance of that hunt. That plan worked out well for me on a previous elk hunt to Utah.

[Shane]

Has anyone ever tried the gas mask looking like devices that are supposed to imitate high altitude??

I've never used one. Everything I've ever read about them says they will restrict your breathing, but they don't prepare you for altitude.

https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/do-elevation-masks-work.html

[Briar Friar]

Inhale & exhale combined.
Yes to increase lung capacity, but also to strengthen your diaphragm, and build rhythm in your breathing.
Your diaphragm controls how forcefully you can inhale exhale.
Try it, you will be surprised how much easier breathing can be.

Good push MrHatter.
I like a double to triple phase/stroke inhale and exhale. On about a three step count…6 step cycle…ish.

[PlanoDano]

I like visiting the mountains in August. I no longer enjoy being in Texas in August. I work out for power year round but do not always watch my weight. Spending August hiking and fly fishing seems to put me in better condition. I solo hunt and have noticed more things go wrong as I get older. I had to hike off the mountain with a plateau fracture a couple of years ago from repetitive pounding in the steep stuff. I do not know if better conditioning would have helped.

[TXBRASS]

If you are carrying more than just a light day pack, I recommend doing training with the pack on.

Get used to how it feels, and get it adjusted properly.

Adding weight on you back really changes your center of gravity and changes your balance point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed... I begin rucking 5X a week and start with a 40 pound pack and work up to a 70 pound pack. Mimic what you are going to experience. For the last 4-6 weeks train with a pack 10-15 pounds heavier that your hunting pack and it will feel like it's not even there during the hunt.

[Mission408]

Ankle weights are a good "passive" way to get your legs used to heavy boots, wear them at work or whatever.