Mountaineering Physical Conditioning

Jake Dillard wrote:I got a few brochures from Alpine Ascents out of Seattle and I think I want to do a 6 day moutaineering course followed by a climb of Mt.Baker next season.Jake

I took this course on Mt Baker. I can tell you that at your size you had better be strong. The 65lb pack up to the camp is pretty awful. Hike with a heavy pack as much as you can as well as building strength in the gym.

I joined a crossfit gym last year and I'm so much stronger now from all the squat type movements that the 65lb pack wouldn't be a problem now. I wish I knew about crossfit then.

Good advice above, squats, lunges, deadlifts. Picking up something heavy and trying to put it over your head builds some pretty good core strength.

Jake,
Go to the sand dunes on Lake MI, hike up and down them with your boots on. Also, go winter camping in the UP, hike/snowshoe in carrying way too much stuff. I know marathon runners that have the hardest time in the mountains. It helps to have strong calfs and back muscles.

Since your in michigan... Drive the 7 hours up to pictured rocks national lake shore and hike the 450' sand dunes with a 30 pound pack a couple of times.. That will get you winded, legs burning, heart pumping.... but this also is border line torcher!

I guess Erik and I had the same idea at the same time...weird.

Sweet, I inspired a new thread!

But, dang-it, Kev didn't hammer me on better chem; kind of a let down as I was expecting a good spanking.

D-Bag -- just stirring the pot, if guides don't deserve it .... who does?

Here's a some background on AMS:

emedicine.medscape.com/arti…

Now while I will agree that dehydration does cause many problems (which can of course lead to death) that can emulate some of the same symptoms of AMS, it is different and actually has fluid retention.

Dehydration is commonly confused with AMS, as it can cause headache, weakness, nausea, and decreased urine output.

Still, keeping hydrated is a great point, regardless.

I wonder if the same docs that described AMS on e-med are going to be continuing in their study, where I believe it was they that requested some help from climbers on this site??

It certainly is interesting and, in all seriousness, very debilitating if you get hit with a true acute onset. Especially if you do your work in the mountains, AMS is a threat to you.