General ? about elevation gains/hiking….

[Titaneq]

Leaving for CO next week Thursday and can’t really concentrate on anything haha, ready to go! We’ve got a couple of plans of attack and areas we think we can access without totally getting our butt kicked. However a few areas that were considering trying to get to are more aggressive as far as the amount of gain in elevation over say a few miles. I know there’s a ton of variables but wondering what the general thoughts are on what is considered “a lot” or “too much”? I’m 49 yrs old in decent shape w three 23 yr olds in better shape haha.

 

[D_wit22]

Any sort of training or are you going in cold turkey?

 

[Titaneq]

Any sort of training or are you going in cold turkey?

We’ve been rucking w our packs at 50#, normal running, hiking some, etc….my wife and I actually flew out a month ago and hiked in to some of the areas (keep in mind we never really left the hiking trail so wasn’t going through blowdowns and thick stuff). We’re definitely not in Elite condition, there will be tons of guys out there in way better shape but we’re not going in without at least trying to be prepared and we’re in decent shape.
One of the hiking trails that would take us up to an area we think would be worthwhile is like 3.2 miles on the trail (go in and hunt from there in different directions) and 2300’ of gain which seems like an ass kicker to me but don’t have a lot to go off of for perspective.

 

[D_wit22]

2300’ in 3.2 miles….i can tell you the only direction you will be going is up! but it’s doable especially if you just pace yourself. Best part of that would be killing one and the pack out all being down hill

 

[Titaneq]

2300’ in 3.2 miles….i can tell you the only direction you will be going is up! but it’s doable especially if you just pace yourself. Best part of that would be killing one and the pack out all being down hill

Ha! I hear ya on the direction being up. Decent chance we can get a local w horses to take the trail in to our general area to get the meat out. Will still have to pack it to the trail and we could easily be a mile or two from the trail so it’ll be work if we get lucky but having horses to cut the work in half would be huge and is part of the reason why we’re considering being a touch more aggressive. Just don’t want to completely trash the legs for 2mor 3 days from one crazy hike.

 

[D_wit22]

Dumb question, but do you live somewhere that you could simulate that hike and see how you feel?

 

[WashCycle]

1K gain per mile would be steeper than the majority of Colorado hiking trails. For reference the Manitou Incline is 2K of gain in 1 mile...all on steps. That is a challenge for a lot of people. I don't really track my hunting routes but I would feel 1200-1400ft per mile would more than plenty enough to kick your ass if you're looking to go up 2-3K ft from your starting point. I would guess I probably aim for 800-1000ft of gain per mile when walking off trail or working a route up over a ridge. Also going down loaded up with meat is worse/harder than going up with that same weight...keep that in mind.

 

[justinspicher]

It is what it is. No matter what you do, if you ain’t doing it in the mountains, the mountains dont really care about your workout.

I’d suggest taking it easy on your way up/down and enjoy being out there. Maybe chew on some gum while your hiking.

Best of luck on your hunt.

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

All I can offer is most of my elk hunting is 2 to 4 miles from the truck and typically see elevation gains from 1500ft to 2600ft so I'd say you are at the upper end of the elevation gain for that distance but I think it's totally doable especially if you have the option to have horses pack it out from the trail.

Best bet is to see how you all are feeling once you get in there, if you're physically whipped just hiking each day hunting then it might not be a good idea to think about packing one out.

 

[Titaneq]

Dumb question, but do you live somewhere that you could simulate that hike and see how you feel?

Not really. Southern MI is awfully flat. One of the main reasons I took the wife out and hiked in this area was to get a feel for where I was at training wise as well as the general layout of the area. Was very worthwhile. Lots of good responses here so far though so I appreciate all the insight! Trail head is around 8 and where we are looking at is around 10,200 fwiw

 

[Packer9037]

It is what it is. No matter what you do, if you ain’t doing it in the mountains, the mountains dont really care about your workout.

I’d suggest taking it easy on your way up/down and enjoy being out there. Maybe chew on some gum while your hiking.

Best of luck on your hunt.

Lots of truth here. Us Flatlanders can train and train but it just makes the hikes suck a little less haha. Figure on average you'll hike about 1 MPH going up something like that, slower if there's blowdown. Definitely a doable hike but maybe give yourself a day of shorter hikes getting acclimated if you're worried about it kicking your butts day one.

Also, agreed on the gum. Cuts down on cotton mouth so much.