Flatlander Fitness

[Laelkhunter]

He definitely needs to get "up there" as early as possible to try to acclimate. If he takes it easy and doesn't overdo it, he might be ok. Make sure you know the signs of HAPE and you move him to lower elevations before it is too late when the symptoms appear. Medical attention could be required in severe cases. You don't want to be packing a corpse out along with everything else. It could really put a damper on your hunt.

 

[cbuck516]

Maybe it’s already been said, but the style of hunt you plan on doing is really significant as well. A late season cow elk hunt where you expect to shoot an elk within a mile of the road is a very different situation than expecting to shoot one over 5 miles from the road in September when there is more of a sense of urgency to get meat into a cooler quickly.

There is nothing easy about elk hunting in my opinion. I have seen and heard many stories of flat landers who just canted hack it. The mental aspect I feel is easier to overcome than the physical aspect. I have done 6 mile pack outs in mild weather and much shorter pack outs below zero and they each have their challenges. Being appropriately prepared to handle any situation is a learned skill and not something that you acquire casually.

I will be 10+ miles from the trailhead this September chasing elk, but we will have goats and mules to help. Like I said, appropriately prepared…

 

[rogerdoger]

One thing you can train with that may help is breathe trainer. You can dial it in to restrict airflow, not fun to do but seems to help.

http://www.eolosweb.com/buy.htm

 

[bucksnbirds]

If he has a physical lifestyle or job, I wouldn't worry to much. If he works in an office and has minimal physical activity, be worried. The mountains are tough, but a guy with 15,000 steps per day up and down stairs, toting 50lb sacks, throwing iron around etc will surprise you once they acclimate.

 

[Backyard]

Still enough time to do a Mtn Tough program. Highly recommend the Backcountry Hunter Over 50 Preseason Prep.


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[Chipz]

Being a flatlander from the mid-west I can say there is really nothing you can totally do in the mid-west to truly prepare you for the mountains. I train 3-5 days a week and still suck wind the first couple days I'm out there adjusting to the mountains. That's not saying you shouldn't train as much as you can, but its hard to train for 9000' when you live at 500'.... I need to send you guys some of our air

Please send them our air. I'd much rather breath elevated dry, thin air than this 100F, 80deg dew point soup I've been training in.

 

[T-Rex]

Please send them our air. I'd much rather breath elevated dry, thin air than this 100F, 80deg dew point soup I've been training in.

I sure wish I could... It's been a miserable summer here!

 

[YellCoAR]

My walk was in 113 degree heat index yesterday. Brutal, but at least I don't have to mow every 3 days now.