Spring Training In the Mountains Of Arizona
My new training program last year turned out to be a huge success for my muscles, lungs and knees. The most telling evidence of success was on the two days of pre-season scouting for elk and deer with Rob Wiley of Non-Typical Outfitters last August. Over two days I traveled 27 miles on horse and foot. We saw 25 bulls the first day and in a different spot the second day we saw 12 bulls.
In years past my knees would have seriously complained about halfway through the route. But not so this time. Then on my several hunts last fall in the mountains of Wyoming and the foothills of Montana my knees were just as compliant and uncomplaining.
As one more bit of encouragement, two weeks ago I started my 2015 season of hiking at High Cliff State Park near my home in Wisconsin. The first day was just about the same date as when I started last year. Only this time I was able to do my first 4 brisk laps up and down the steep, 250 foot elevation gain hill with no break at all. And I felt just great! This meant my training condition was way ahead of the same time last year. Come June up at 9,000 feet on my Wyoming bear hunt I'll be glad I started early.
I have recently created a new sub-forum specifically for discussing "Physical Training For Mountain Hunting And Backpacking." I hope to join you there for thoughtful conversation on what works best for you. And remember I am just an ordinary guy like you -- trying my best to learn ways to prepare for the physical parts of my western states hunting passion.
-Len Backus-
But back to my Arizona trip for a minute longer. This year on my last hike up Daisy Mountain the hot air balloon count off in the distance was 12 and after reaching the 3,100 foot peak, I dropped back down off the rear to a point 800 feet lower. Then the trail meanders around about 180 degrees on the mountain until a point where I came back up again to 3,100 feet. This added 2.5 miles to the normal 4 mile total distance and also 800 feet of steep elevation gain.
The following image shows a "track" created on my GPS as I hiked the mountain this last time. I transferred the track into Garmin's map program. Then I utilized the map program to overlay the track on Google Earth. Finally I captured this screen grab image of the track on the mountain. I use this technique often to study routes that I took while on scouting trips.
That will be my normal "default, several times per week" training route next year when I return to Arizona. There are some other hiking areas in the region that I plan to explore as well.
Len, son Andy and daughter Barbara on Daisy Mountain -- Barbara ran her first marathon last year.
Len is the owner of www.LongRangeHunting.com. He has been a long range hunter since the 90's and is as likely to bag his game with a camera as with a rifle or a specialty handgun. His outdoor photography can be seen at LenBackus.com
In years past my knees would have seriously complained about halfway through the route. But not so this time. Then on my several hunts last fall in the mountains of Wyoming and the foothills of Montana my knees were just as compliant and uncomplaining.
As one more bit of encouragement, two weeks ago I started my 2015 season of hiking at High Cliff State Park near my home in Wisconsin. The first day was just about the same date as when I started last year. Only this time I was able to do my first 4 brisk laps up and down the steep, 250 foot elevation gain hill with no break at all. And I felt just great! This meant my training condition was way ahead of the same time last year. Come June up at 9,000 feet on my Wyoming bear hunt I'll be glad I started early.
I have recently created a new sub-forum specifically for discussing "Physical Training For Mountain Hunting And Backpacking." I hope to join you there for thoughtful conversation on what works best for you. And remember I am just an ordinary guy like you -- trying my best to learn ways to prepare for the physical parts of my western states hunting passion.
-Len Backus-
But back to my Arizona trip for a minute longer. This year on my last hike up Daisy Mountain the hot air balloon count off in the distance was 12 and after reaching the 3,100 foot peak, I dropped back down off the rear to a point 800 feet lower. Then the trail meanders around about 180 degrees on the mountain until a point where I came back up again to 3,100 feet. This added 2.5 miles to the normal 4 mile total distance and also 800 feet of steep elevation gain.
The following image shows a "track" created on my GPS as I hiked the mountain this last time. I transferred the track into Garmin's map program. Then I utilized the map program to overlay the track on Google Earth. Finally I captured this screen grab image of the track on the mountain. I use this technique often to study routes that I took while on scouting trips.
That will be my normal "default, several times per week" training route next year when I return to Arizona. There are some other hiking areas in the region that I plan to explore as well.
Len, son Andy and daughter Barbara on Daisy Mountain -- Barbara ran her first marathon last year.
Len is the owner of www.LongRangeHunting.com. He has been a long range hunter since the 90's and is as likely to bag his game with a camera as with a rifle or a specialty handgun. His outdoor photography can be seen at LenBackus.com
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