[pct-l] Fitness..not training

[Paul Magnanti]

>>A related comment I've seen in discussion threads is "why work to reduce
>>your base weight by one ounce if you're carrying 20 extra pounds on your
>>belly?"

 
Why not do both?

My basepack weight is 8lbs 12oz (12 oz is camera gear. We all have our vices. :D).  But I panicked when
the winter (and a shift with odd hours) helped  put almost 10 lbs over my already stocky build. So rather than
shave two ounces off  my pack, I decided it was time to shave pounds on my frame rather than ounces in my pack.

It is not an EITHER/OR dichotomy.  It is both.  Look at your gear sure, but, again, if you are dedicating yourself to 4+ mos of hiking,
why not walk 3 hrs a week, say, 4+ months before the PCT?


Yet, we neglect the fitness discussion in favor of obsessing over gear.

Don't ignore gear..but again, why this argument against basic fitness?




>>It seems to me that it's better to just get
>>in shape to do sustained walking and the fat will take care of itself.
Agreed. However, if you are in shape to do sustained walking, the *overly* excess fat is often taken care of before hand. ;-)


>>But I definitely would not agree with the suggestion that thru-hiker
>>training focused on body weight reduction is better than doing some basic
>>analysis of gear. 
I'll just repeat myself..I ain't talking about weight loss..I'm talking about basic fitness. And that fitness component is often ignored, if not
out right derided, in favor of titanium widget discussions.  

Sure...talk about sleeping bags, packs and what have you.  

But, wouldn't it be nice if you choose to hike a "short" 15 mile day to watch a sunset rather the be forced to due to huffing and puffing and aching?  Or do a long day by choice because you want to rise with the sun and walk into the  fading twilight? The Couch To Fridge trail is a joke; not a lifestyle. ;)

Gear is important,  but I personally think gear is the *least* important part of a hike...and the outdoors in general. There are other aspects of backpacking that are more crucial to a
good hike. (Mental and physical health, the views, the memories, and of course where the best beer
may be located. :D) 

We spend months getting resupplies figured out, where the Internet in town is located, what cell phones work best on a ridge, what sleeping bag
weighs 2 lbs vs 1 lbs 15 oz. 

 Why not just take some walks while planning all this out? :)  It ain't gonna hurt. It sure as hell may help.




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