best way to get into hiking shape

**BCwannabe** · 12-06-2006, 12:41 AM

whats going on... i just moved to slc and have run a marathon or two but the climbing still kicks my ass... dont kno if i just cant adjust to the thin air or im a fat ass but what is the best training method for getting into good climbing shape other than slapping skins on and actually climbing? Cuz by the time i get to the top im to damn tired to make respectable turns on the way down!

**ptavv** · 12-06-2006, 12:42 AM

this may seem like a smartass answer, but it's the truth

hiking

**brettf** · 12-06-2006, 12:47 AM

sitting on the couch works great for me... but I mix it up with some turkey-vulture-posture pecking at the keyboard in my cube at work...

get out and skin! err, hike. whatever. just get out and do it over and over. start small. gradually get bigger... you'll be a monster in no time.

**BCwannabe** · 12-06-2006, 12:56 AM

here is the only prob i have with skinning, im new (been here about a week) to the area so dont really want to hike up random hills i dont know much about alone... if someone could find away around that problem id be game

**Chainsaw_Willie** · 12-06-2006, 01:12 AM

Get on your bike and ride!

At least from my experience, the next best thing to actually hiking/skiing is to pound out hill climbs on your bike. Find the steepest hills in your area and ride up them as fast as you can. Repeat as necessary until your quads and glutes are screaming. Great for the cardiovascular system as well.

**char** · 12-06-2006, 01:17 AM

Intervals and stairclimber if you can't actually hike.

**ak_powder_monkey** · 12-06-2006, 02:22 AM

just gotta hike

**gimpy** · 12-06-2006, 02:30 AM

ok, get this. they've got these things called guidebooks that will tell about some of those mtns you don't know shit about. find one thats in your comfort zone and do it..........a lot.

**Blashyrkh** · 12-06-2006, 02:32 AM

Just go to your doctor and ask for some erythropoietin or somatotropin. It's what the pros are doing.

**Blurreds_left_nut** · 12-06-2006, 05:59 AM

hire a guide - exum is a great choice. They will teach you anything if you just ask. Further, it will expose you to the bc in a very safe manner. If you are worried about spending the money, think of it as some very cheap life insurance.

**steve** · 12-06-2006, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by ptavv

this may seem like a smartass answer, but it's the truth

hiking

tru dat..

**3snowboards** · 12-06-2006, 09:31 AM

I am a proponent of walking backwards, though I don't advocate anything. Thank me later.

**smmokan** · 12-06-2006, 09:47 AM

Get on one of those true stair-climber machines at the gym, and do it for hours. When I first moved to Colorado, I ran the stairs at Red Rocks (about 350 stairs) 4-5 times a week. That worked pretty well.

**brettf** · 12-06-2006, 09:54 AM

you've gotta be able to find some low-angle terrain to skin up. get your tour on in some safe areas.

**iceman** · 12-06-2006, 10:28 AM

lots of low-angle stuff (actually that's pretty much all there is) in here. Buy a copy. There's another volume with intermediate and advanced tours.

**BCwannabe** · 12-06-2006, 10:36 AM

so are these low angle slopes relatively safe to hike/ski solo? just been burnt into my mind you never go BC alone so thats why i ask... but if they are pretty safe my ass will be out there most every morn gettin in shape!

**hutash** · 12-06-2006, 10:43 AM

Some type of interval training if you want the fastest conditioning in the least amount of time. Stairs, bike, local hill.

Drink heavily, it won't help your conditioning, but you won't care.

**F#*k you cat** · 12-06-2006, 10:50 AM

you can ride your bike up LCC, BCC or Emigration Canyon all winter long. Otherwise just stick to Wasatch Bvld on snowey days. You can also skin up Neff's canyon or Millcreek canyon to get some practice. Finally rent some skate equiptment at REI and Sk8te the Alta or Solitude Tracks. SKate Skiing is such a workout, and doing this at elevation will definately kick your ass into shape.

**JoshP** · 12-06-2006, 10:51 AM

Ditto what is said, but do some squats too. Front squats, regular squats, overhead squats, heavy squats, light squats. Weight training will definitely help you out. If you don't already lift though, go slow, start light. Even doing sets to with no weight will get you sweating, help to strengthen the knees, and aid you in your quest for fitness.

**Demolition Woman** · 12-06-2006, 11:02 AM

I'm also a fan of the hiking method. Exercise in the valley can't completely prepare your body for high elevation hiking. I agree on the stair climb thing, but my favorite is going into the cycle class studio when no one's there, and doing some interval training to some tunes. Much warmer than taking my bike out to the canyon, but still not going to help so much on high elevation endurance.

**BCwannabe** · 12-06-2006, 11:03 AM

thanks guys... im gonna go buy a touring book this morn and find some nice places to go skinning... and ill also prob be running lots and lots of stairs (dont have a bike out here) ... thanks for the help!

**maniloff** · 12-06-2006, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by BCwannabe

thanks guys... im gonna go buy a touring book this morn and find some nice places to go skinning... and ill also prob be running lots and lots of stairs (dont have a bike out here) ... thanks for the help!

That Wasatch Tours book linked available is a decent start. REI at 33rd and 33rd usually has a bunch of copies in stock.

**Viva** · 12-06-2006, 11:24 AM

Put on a mini skirt and some stilleto-heeled boots and then go for long walks along your local red light district, fraternity rows, truck stops, etc.

**FreeHeelin** · 12-06-2006, 11:39 AM

You will need to build your endurance by getting your body and lungs used to the extra workload, which also includes find your appropriate pace. Sure, getting to the top, quickly, is nice, if that is why you are there. However, if you are there to ski I suggest learning to expend less energy (slow your pace down - sweat less) on the way up. This will allow you to enjoy your way down the hill.

For the warm seasons, I suggest doing 3 to 4 long scrambles (8+ hours each) per month. This is the best place to start as it has two purposes: altitude and endurance.
In addition, I suggest cycling &/or rollerblading every day, or at the least every other day, for two or more hours.
I fill my pack full of soup cans or phone books (weight) and hit the stairs for a couple of hours. I have access to a set that takes 15-minutes @ an average walking speed . Hike up; run down & repeat.

For when there is snow on the ground, cross country skiing helps, as does booting up and skiing down your local hill (whether or not an actual ski area) - pick the highest and steepest and have at 'er.

When at the resorts I do the typical short hikes (cornice runs etc).

Basically, make sure you are doing cardio, a few times a week, for longer than normal periods.
Your body begins to forget (gets used to being lazy) after two days, so it is recommended that you remind it. When I have returned from a weekend of long scrambles, or from a few days in the backcountry, I make sure I continue with the cardio the next day. It reminds my lungs of what I expect from them.

Books. Books work well, also.

**BCwannabe** · 12-06-2006, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Viva

Put on a mini skirt and some stilleto-heeled boots and then go for long walks along your local red light district, fraternity rows, truck stops, etc.

What kind of man would I be if I hadnt already tried that before asking for some advice? I mean c`mon that was obviously the first thing i did... it helped a little bit, but more or less just made my ass look big, must have been the heels. haha