[pct-l] Question about training

[Tortoise]

Even though I only did a section hike in August, I got out and walked 
and hiked, sometimes with my pack ballasted with more weight than I 
thought I'd carry. I did do several hikes of 5 - 10 miles and 1000'+ 
elevation gain. When I started on the PCT, I was going slow (~1+ mph) 
and sometimes labored up the climbs. But I know I did a lot better and 
felt a lot better than if I hadn't conditioned with my pack on. Further 
my legs and feet were not sore when I was on the trail and I did NOT get 
muscle cramps as I often do.

I had "pre eaten" a lot of my food and used some of it on the trail. 
Offsets lack of appetite on the trail.

Tortoise

"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong."

--H. L. Mencken

<> He who finishes last, wins! <>



Paul Magnanti wrote:
> Rather than worry about 'training', think of the word 'fitness'.  Again,
> how can anyone really argue against fitness?
>
> I don't care what semantics we use, if you are out shape and not fit, the first part
> of the hike is going to suck.  
>
> You are committing 4+ months to hiking.  We discuss gear. We discuss resupply strategies. 
> But we seldom discuss how basic fitness can insure a good hike in the crucial first few weeks. 
>
> Just as having a lighter load and the correct equipment does not insure
> a completed hike, neither will being fit necessarily I realize. 
>
> However, no one advocates taking a full Dutch Oven, plastic mountaineering boots and climbing rope.
> Yet, on all hiking forums, most people say  the equivalent of "Sit on the couch, eat Fritos and then go
> hiking with 30 extra pounds on the mid-section. You'll get in shape on the trail!"  Why put
> more stress and decrease your chances of finishing the hike when approx 2/3rd of the people
> who attempt the PCT don't finish?
>
>
> We'd laugh at the perceived extra weight of the gear I mentioned..but we really do say 
> "Go from the couch to  Campo..no problem!".
>
>   (And I realize you can be fit and a little overweight. I certainly
> fall into that category unless I am careful. See below. A *lot* overweight though and (most importantly) coming straight from the  
> couch without any exercise to the trail?)
>
>
>   
>>> And then it's going to come back after the PCT no matter what you do.
>>>       
> I now weigh what I did when I finished the PCT.  :)
>
> Whole grains, veggies, lean meat and regular exercise. (Plus an indulgence day every now and then for the
> just as important mental sanity.  If I am doing a big day hike, ski tour  or backpack, I deserve my greasy burger and beer! :D ).
>
> Takes some work..but then so does walking 2700 miles from Mexico to Canada.  More work
> than discussing what kind of stove to take in both cases. :D
>
> To paraphrase was someone else said: if you aren't into playing outside before the hike, you may
> find that the hike is not as fun. ;)
>
> Anyway, I've rambled enough. It can't hurt to take a vigorous walk 3x a week with your pack on. Yet, the idea
> if often poo-pooed.  I'd say that an overall *basic* level of fitness is just as important as what titanium whatchamahoosey
> to bring. :)
>
>
>  ************************************************************
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> caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
> --Thoreau
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>
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