Flatlander Fitness

[hibernation]

Being mentally tough will not supersede a torn ligament or pulled muscle. An injury is an injury. Mental toughness isn't overcoming an injury and keeping plowing forward regardless of pain, that's stupidity. Mental toughness is in the preparation (just my .02). But like Poser, I must not know anyone who is truly 'mentally tough'.

Yeah, I hear "mental toughness" from some people as an excuse to not train or prepare at all. "Don't worry bro, when we get out there I'll just tough it out" - that only carries you so far. Plus, when you've done all the prep and are in great shape, you don't need near as much "toughness" to grind through it.

I've heard this attributed to a lot of different coaches over the years, but still relevant: the will to win isn't nearly as important as the will to prepare.

 

[Artemis]

Find a hill climb repeatedly with weight on your pack. I have also had good results building caridio by hitting the stair climber hard. Although, nothing better than getting in the mountains with pack on. IMHO

 

[Short Track]

3 days of acclimation goes a long way.

A true acclimation takes 2 weeks to 1 month for 100%. 3-6 days does a lot. But certainly not enough. I did 1 week of acclimation at 9,000 feet; and it wasn't enough at 11,000'. I was huffing & puffing until we came back down to 9,000 to camp.

 

[TaperPin]

I have traditionally gone up hills somewhat better than going down, so a little extra time with leg extensions has kept me out of trouble.

One of our kids moved recently and while carrying heavy things down stairs slowly, like the speed of smell slow, I couldn’t help think how good a workout it was for the knees and quads. Spending too much time going up a stair climber and too little going down anything would be a recipe for sore knees, sometime debilitating, walk with a limp for a year sore knees. *chuckle*

 

[Chris in TN]

My daughter and I did another 6-miler this afternoon under our packs. I've lost about five pounds this summer and at the end of a six mile hike I'm partly motivated to lose five more, and partly motivated to eat everything in the kitchen.

 

[Indian Summer]

A true acclimation takes 2 weeks to 1 month for 100%. 3-6 days does a lot. But certainly not enough. I did 1 week of acclimation at 9,000 feet; and it wasn't enough at 11,000'. I was huffing & puffing until we came back down to 9,000 to camp.

If you live at a low elevation, you will never become acclimated to 11,000 foot elevations. When I’m out hunting I’m between 6000 and 9,500 feet. Three days at these elevations prior to huntingworking hard setting up tents, cutting wood etc. helps me immensely.

 

[Short Track]

If you live at a low elevation, you will never become acclimated to 11,000 foot elevations.

You don't think you will acclimate to 11,000' ? never ever ever ???

 

[Slick8]

Im out scouting in NM, Lower country 7-9k.

I did and 8 mile round trip wirh a 25 pound pack. I did well or better than expected in all aspects but my knees. By the end of the 4 mile hike which included numerous stops for glassing and marking spots I knew the downhill would be brutal and it was.

Time to revisit knee over toes guy on YouTube and start hitting some bleachers with a weighted pack.

 

[n816kc]

Flatland Floridian here. Weighted pack training and squats are nice. But, after 10 days in the Alaska Range, my advice is to buy, borrow or steal a stairmaster.

 

[midwestcowboy]

Yeah you def can @Short Track, depending on where you live and spend all your time.
I've got a good friend who lives above 10k ft in Summit County, CO. Guy rides his bike every single day and can out hike anyone I know at any elevation. Also can drink anyone under the table without a problem