[pct-l] Re: conditioning

[tahoe.cat at verizon.net (Cathy)]

Hi I was looking through the mail and was reading your letter and thought
about Mt. Fuji. Why not run up and down that a few times that should get you
into shape.
I remember when a few of us out of camp Fuji hike that sucker, a very good
work out.        Ground Pounder Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "McElligott John" <jm@gol.com>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 6:08 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Re: conditioning


> "Conditioning for a thru hike" was a topic of personal interest as my
> story is not one of success but  learning the hard way. My attempt last
> summer at a ten day PCT thru-hike ended in disgust and defeat after
> three days and two nights on the trail between Ebbetts Pass and Carson
> Pass. What went wrong and how to prepare for my next attempt? Altitude?
> Poor conditioning? difficultterrain? Now at age 57 and for the past
> three years I have been section hiking north bound on the PCT having
> begun at Lone Pine. Each summer it ends earlier than  planned. I refuse
> to attribute this to age alone  and in fact have ben reducing my pack
> weight each year! I share this as there may be others who have had
> similar experiences.
>
> Since I live in Tokyo, I do not get out on the trail and my
> "conditioning" is left to long walks and when the summer comes I
> naively think that  my body will go where my head points. What I have
> learned to do from now on is the following:
>
> 1. Two months minimum prior to boarding a plane to the trail head in
> the  U.S., follow some examples given on this site for conditioning
> such as some jogging for cardio-vasular  and leg muscle. If I have not
> been doing so, restrict all outdoor activity to base camping and day
> hikes until I feel relatively confident.
>
> 2. Continue to reduce my base pack weight. Last time I was at 19 lbs
> plus food and water. Judging from the velocity at which I threw down my
> pack at Carson  Pass, I would say I should not carry more than 18 lbs
> total max which means about a base  pack weight of about ten pounds
> for a three night hike.
>
> 3. Spend a long time just day hiking at altitude initially. Do a couple
> of one nighters first. For me a good place would be along the 395
> Eastern Sierras.  Last summer I had not at all adjusted to the altitude
> and had some remaining jet lag. Plus it was my first backpack of the
> summer. Overly ambitious .. a sure recipe for injury or incompletion.
> If one sets out  with friends, it also ends in disappointment for all.
>
> Any feedback would be appreciated.
>
> Tokio John
>
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