[pct-l] Fitness..not training

[Thomas Jamrog]

I'm no stick man, and agree with Mags that more than 15 pounds or so  
of extra weight before embarking on a long hike on the aging body is a  
formula for additional wear and tear on the ligaments and tendons,  
especially on the knees.  These machines are the most incredible that  
have ever been designed for human transport and who wants to ride in  
an electric cart any sooner than we need to?   It's not either or.  If  
that weight will go up in smoke  in the first month or so and then you  
have to deal with keeping it up, why not be fit right from the start?
Uncle Tom

Blogging about the Great Outdoors
on http://tjamrog.wordpress.com ( hotlink)




On Oct 2, 2009, at 12:54 PM, Paul Magnanti wrote:

>>> 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.
>
>
>
>
> ************************************************************
> The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust
> caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
> --Thoreau
> http://www.pmags.com
> http://www.redbubble.com/people/pmags/art
>
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