View Full Version : Training with Extra Weight
twinkles
03-03-2007, 17:36
I have been hiking over Kennesaw Mountain near Atlanta to try to get in shape for my hike. I have been stuffing my pack with old sheets along with water to bring it up to 32 pounds--what I estimate my maximum pack weight will be with winter gear, 7 days of food, and two liters of water. I hope it will be significantly less than that most of the time.
But anyway, this morning I tossed-in a 15 pound dumbell to bring the weight up to 47 pounds. (Actually I didn't toss it, I very carefully placed it next to the frame sheet buried in the sheets and near the top of the pack.)
Anyway, I thought I would pose the question what do you guys think of training with extra weight to give your pack that boy-does-my-pack-feel-light feeling?
No Belay
03-03-2007, 20:52
It's a concept that works for me. I'm a wildland fire fighter for the USFS and I'm required to take an annual pack test. This entails carrying a 45lb pack for 3 miles in less than 45 minutes. I usually start training 5 weeks in advance and the last week I train with 55lbs in my pack. On the day of the test the 45lbs feels extremely light. I've never carried it for several days after the test so I don't know if that perception would continue or not. I think if I had longer to train with the extra weight that I might only throw it in every other day. Sounds like a great way to break in your pack too.
Savor Happy!
I do my training hikes with a 40-50 pound weight vest. It helps me to get into better shape for sure. That being said I know it only really counts for the first few weeks. Every step after that is in your head.
twinkles
03-04-2007, 16:26
Holy schmolies. 45 pounds for three miles in under 45 minutes. Note to self: self, you could not have been a woodlands firefighter on your very best day.
buckowens
03-04-2007, 16:40
Amen to what Twinkles said!!! God bless anybody who has the cajones to fight a fire of any kind. Fighting a fire while carrying a kitchen sink makes it all the more impressive...
I normally carry between 30-40 pounds on my practice hikes, and do some running and stairmaster to round it out. Like my Special Forces buddies at work always say, there's nothing like the real thing. They are right, but are still certifiably crazy in most cases :D
Holy schmolies. 45 pounds for three miles in under 45 minutes. Note to self: self, you could not have been a woodlands firefighter on your very best day.
Twinks,
That is very funny! Same here.
BTW, how is Kennessaw for training purposes? I am going to ATL in a few weeks to visit family and had thought I might check it out. I usually do a lap or 2 around Stone MT. and then climb it, but a change would might be nice. Especially with longer inclines.
Thanks and good luck in your training. Stay healthy.
Tim
twinkles
03-09-2007, 19:49
the only problem with Kennesaw is in the afternoon it is crowded. I go there because it is closer to my house than Stone Mountain. But from the welcome center to Burnt Hickory road and back is about 5.4 miles with meaningful elevation change. I go up and over both directions.
The reason I'm training with extra weight is that hopefully the extra weight will produce fitness that will let me hike more miles with less weight on the actual trail. Since I can't train for days at a time.
Kludos to No Belay for what he does and thanks. That said, my training regime begins the 1st day of the hike. As Squirrel is the "How to Hike the PCT" video said, "Why hurt twice, when you can hurt once?"
If you train with pack weight regularly, you should be fine. I wouldn't go heavy because the risk of hurting myself offsets any marginial benefit. Anyway thats my opinion, and everybody is entitled to my opinion.
My neighborhood ajoins the Kennesaw Mtn park on the south end of the park. I walk/jog on the trails every morning. I love it. I tell people I have one of the largest backyards in Georgia, and I get the Federal Government to maintain it. I get over to the mountian on weekends.
THA, check it out next time you are in town. There are over 10 miles of trails.
the only problem with Kennesaw is in the afternoon it is crowded. I go there because it is closer to my house than Stone Mountain. But from the welcome center to Burnt Hickory road and back is about 5.4 miles with meaningful elevation change. I go up and over both directions.
Thanks for the info. I may take a trip out there just out of curiosity.
Best,
Tim