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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[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.

 

[Mfloski]

I workout regularly but was concerned about getting in better mountain climbing shape. I downloaded and paid for subscription to MNTough app. Three weeks in and it WILL get you good to go! I’m currently doing the “bulletproof” minimal gear 12week program and it will kick your butt! They have a ton of different training options based on the equipment you have available to you, your experience/fitness level, etc. so far I’m impressed with it!

 

[kitandace77]

My 2cents, give yourself a backup plan to allow both of you to hunt at your own pace. If he bonks after a day or two, set him up at a pinch point or something while you do your own thing.

 

[copay]

Like everyone else has said. 1. Ruck with increasing the weight per week 2. Some strength training for core and legs 3. lose some weight and eat healthy if that's a problem. Elevation is weird some people have no to mild problems and some people die lol. Hard to replicate if you live in the midwest.

 

[midwestcowboy]

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…

Yeah it's all tough work regardless but I agree with you that the style and time of the hunt really plays a major part. It'll be mid to late September, we'll more than likely have to get off the road quite a ways to really get into 'em. Good luck this September on your hunt, thanks for the response.

 

[midwestcowboy]

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

I offered to send him my elevation training mask but he didn't take me up on it. Gonna drag him out here 2-3 days before the hunt to acclimate. But obviously that doesn't help mimic training at elevation...

 

[midwestcowboy]

My 2cents, give yourself a backup plan to allow both of you to hunt at your own pace. If he bonks after a day or two, set him up at a pinch point or something while you do your own thing.

Thanks for the response - I have been giving this quite a bit of thought. When e-scouting using OnX and then actually scouting the area this summer (and the past few), I've got a Hunt Plan B in the (hopefully unlikely) event he bonks early on. Have tried identifying some points of interest that are a bit more accessible.
It'll also be bird season out here and I've got a GSP. Chukar hunting isn't for the weak by any means, but it could be a good break from the elk mountains.

 

[midwestcowboy]

Like everyone else has said. 1. Ruck with increasing the weight per week 2. Some strength training for core and legs 3. lose some weight and eat healthy if that's a problem. Elevation is weird some people have no to mild problems and some people die lol. Hard to replicate if you live in the midwest.

I spoke to him over the weekend while we were e-scouting over Zoom. He mentioned he's been rucking heavier each week is a good sign. Agree with you though, so hard to replicate the strain elevation puts on your body when living in the midwest.

 

[Indian Summer]

3 days of acclimation goes a long way. Don’t just sit around. Work on camp. Set up. Cut wood. Take a few medium hikes. Get used to the time difference. Eat good meals and get some sleep. That’s way better than jumping out of the truck or worse yet off of a plane, strapping on your backpack and hitting the mountain.

 

[midwestcowboy]

3 days of acclimation goes a long way. Don’t just sit around. Work on camp. Set up. Cut wood. Take a few medium hikes. Get used to the time difference. Eat good meals and get some sleep. That’s way better than jumping out of the truck or worse yet off of a plane, strapping on your backpack and hitting the mountain.

Thanks for the response! I agree with you. 3 days can go a long way. Planning on getting him out here early to do some food / camp prep and maybe get the bird dog out for some short chukar hunts to stretch the legs!

 

[T-town]

It normally takes me at least 3 -4 days to acclimate to the altitude. Until then, I definitely question if any of my training prep was helpful.

 

[midwestcowboy]

It normally takes me at least 3 -4 days to acclimate to the altitude. Until then, I definitely question if any of my training prep was helpful.

I feel that and that's me living + training around 6.5k. When the season comes and I'm between 9k-11k I feel like a slug.

 

[T-town]

I feel that and that's me living + training around 6.5k. When the season comes and I'm between 9k-11k I feel like a slug.

Ha, I don't feel too bad then coming from 200feet and sucking wind at 5-7k. Going up around anything close to 9k makes my head swim just sitting still.

Good luck!