Training for alpine hunting 2024

[User00047]

Just wondering what you guys do to keep fit for mountain hunting?
Any specific exercises you find useful ( apart from running up hills obviously )
I’m able to do a bit more training on weekends now and I’d like to incorporate helpful exercises as part of my routine.
Also if anyone can recommend the best trail running (for SLIPPERY MUD) shoes, from experience please? I’ve had Nike/UA and they just fall apart. Cheers

 

[Corvid8x57]

The principal reason that I go to the gym is to keep fit for my annual week in Scotland. Mixed cardio is best & I concentrate on the stair climber, treadmill on a steep incline & the cross trainer

 

[Sat Rat]

I use any High-intensity interval training program that take my fancy as I'm easily bored as I'm not built for speed,also my job needs me to be able to perform for a good 6 to 9 hrs Subsea,and I find HIIt does this role and you don't need to have an expensive gym membership!.

 

[User00047]

I use any High-intensity interval training program that take my fancy as I'm easily bored as I'm not built for speed,also my job needs me to be able to perform for a good 6 to 9 hrs Subsea,and I find HIIt does this role and you don't need to have an expensive gym membership!.

Seems it might assist alpine hunting pretty well with those kind of exercises.

I don’t have a gym membership but I have some equipment at home (weights, punchbag etc)

 

[Heym SR20]

Have a google and read of the many American articles on fitness for mountain hunting and you will get some good ideas.

I went to the Alps in 2019. I did lots of good uphill climbs with a pack on. You also want to do lots of long stamina building stuff.

I found the altitude hard work. If you can get a few days before in the high country. But I have always struggled with altitude (pretty much anything over about 8,000ft).

The other thing is days are long. Chamois don’t like heat or sunshine so your chances are early morning and late evening- so you need to be on the the tops at first light.

Depending upon time of year and the country you hunt in you might want crampons.

You will definitely need good stout boots. All the locals used 4 season stiff boots. I used Lowa Tibets - they were to flexible in sole and killed my feet. A stiff sole is essential. I wish i had taken my Scarpa Manta’s but they were on last legs.

Have a look at La Sportiva Karakorums.

But what ever boot you take make sure it is well broken in. If you don’t have any, get a pair and really break them in.

 

[MountMeru]

Hiking up and down at altitude is often the problem most people encounter if you're not used to it. Get yourself a decent backpack, add the equivalent weight of a rifle, water etc to it, and do proper leg-work in the hills to get your lungs accustomed and legs stronger. Buy a pair of hiking poles and use them. Just about any alpine hunt you'll want to be hands free (you rifle strapped to your pack)....this is really helpful in steep terrain and the poles are crucial for balance etc. Mountain hunts at altitude are a slow but steady type deal. Get your clothing / layer system right so you don't overheat during physical exertion.

 

[User00047]

Thanks for the replies so far.
So, specifically I’m after some exercises that I can do at home. I get plenty of exercise at work but it would be nice to add some stuff to the mix on a weekend.
I broke my leg a few years ago and have suffered several more ankle + injuries since then. I run up on the coastal footpath in summer but at the moment it’s slippery as heck and I don’t want another injury from trying to run up and down muddy hills.
Also would like recommendations for trail running shoes (trainers not hiking boots) with very good grip!
Last time I was in the mountains I was several years younger and was climbing quite regularly then too. Would be good to get back out there, but I don’t want to struggle with fitness.

 

[MountMeru]

My personal opinion is to rather get proper mountain boots and hike up plenty steep hills ....a rigid sole is crucial. As you have prior ankle issues this point is even more important. The type of stalking boots worn here in the UK will not suffice in the Alps. My go-to footwear over the years has been LaSportiva (Nepal Evo Work gore-tex) boots, with crampons in my pack for tricky ice / snow ridges.
Just my opinion; the exact terrain, altitude, species you're hunting, time of year etc may require something different. High altitude hunts are very rewarding, but poor equipment will make it miserable.

 

[Dave_45]

cardio vascular fitness is your best friend.

Glute work,lunges ,weighted step ups , hypoxic swimming training.

all of these will assist.

 

[Corvid8x57]

I would also buy a Vorn rucksack for carrying your rifle

 

[John Gryphon]

Thanks for the replies so far.
So, specifically I’m after some exercises that I can do at home.

Try and do everything with a pack on with six solid house bricks in it. Wrap bricks so they are in one block, even with foam for more comfort...remember Zatopek trained in army boots.
Maybe start with two bricks increasing over time.

 

[nun_hunter]

For good shoes in mud check out Altra Lone Peaks.

For a structured sensible training regime or at least ideas check out Human Predator Pack Mule. He's an American PT who specialises in getting hunters ready for their mountain hunts where they're gone for a week carrying all supplies and rucking the meat out afterwards. Plenty of free training tips and advice.

 

[Dave Lakes]

Inov-8 Mudclaw are good for muddy running

 

[Heym SR20]

Just to wet your appetite here is my trip to the Alps

A hunting trip to Austria

So I flew into Vienna this morning, picked up hire and driven down To Ferlach. I am going to spend tomorrow in Ferlach visiting some of the Gunmakers, and the gunmaking museum. Day after head up to a mountain hut with some German and Austrian friends. First time to Austria and its stunning...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Siggy]

Thanks for the replies so far.
So, specifically I’m after some exercises that I can do at home. I get plenty of exercise at work but it would be nice to add some stuff to the mix on a weekend.
I broke my leg a few years ago and have suffered several more ankle + injuries since then. I run up on the coastal footpath in summer but at the moment it’s slippery as heck and I don’t want another injury from trying to run up and down muddy hills.
Also would like recommendations for trail running shoes (trainers not hiking boots) with very good grip!
Last time I was in the mountains I was several years younger and was climbing quite regularly then too. Would be good to get back out there, but I don’t want to struggle with fitness.

Hi,

in terms of trainers, I'd go for the Inov8 mud talon great running shoe which comes in 2 width fittings - thin (racing snake) and wide (hobbit).

the key thing you need is an aerobic base so 80% of your running should be easy. 20% of you runs should have sections where you are breathing out your arse. ( don't do every run where 80% is easy and 20% is hard, thy should be separate sessions - difficult I know if you are on the SW coastal path)
lots of little runs are better than one massive run at the weekend. For your 20% hard runs obviously hill repeats are goal specific but you shouldn't miss out on the speed sessions or you will loose some running economy.

In terms of strength sessions at home, moving over mountains is lots of single leg actions so I would do a mix of traditional squats and dead lifts with something heavy - building up to your own body weight and body weight single leg exercises. For single leg exercises you can't go wrong by looking at the ultra distant marathon community - try David Roches mountain legs routine or Jeff Brownings work out. YouTube below - I'll warn you in advance, as you would expect from someone who runs ultra distance at altitude - they are a bit weird in a wonderful way.






chuck in some rows, pull ups and press ups for the upper body and you're good to go.

 

[User00047]

Hi,

in terms of trainers, I'd go for the Inov8 mud talon great running shoe which comes in 2 width fittings - thin (racing snake) and wide (hobbit).

the key thing you need is an aerobic base so 80% of your running should be easy. 20% of you runs should have sections where you are breathing out your arse. ( don't do every run where 80% is easy and 20% is hard, thy should be separate sessions - difficult I know if you are on the SW coastal path)
lots of little runs are better than one massive run at the weekend. For your 20% hard runs obviously hill repeats are goal specific but you shouldn't miss out on the speed sessions or you will loose some running economy.

In terms of strength sessions at home, moving over mountains is lots of single leg actions so I would do a mix of traditional squats and dead lifts with something heavy - building up to your own body weight and body weight single leg exercises. For single leg exercises you can't go wrong by looking at the ultra distant marathon community - try David Roches mountain legs routine or Jeff Brownings work out. YouTube below - I'll warn you in advance, as you would expect from someone who runs ultra distance at altitude - they are a bit weird in a wonderful way.






chuck in some rows, pull ups and press ups for the upper body and you're good to go.

Siggy, that sounds perfect, exactly the sort of info I was hoping for.
Many thanks

 

[devon deer stalker]

Where is it you intend to hunt?
Is there altitude above 7000'?
If so, there isn't anything you can to do help with that apart from acclimatise over a couple of says, you might think you are fit, but altitude will bring you down!

I am lucky in that I have great hiking country around me (no altitude though) so I started out with a light pack and short trips, 20lb/5 miles, built it up to 9 miles and a 60lb pack, and as @MountMeru suggests wear the boots you intend hunting in, going up the steep valleys I have around here is tough, but getting an injury is more common going down hill, hiking poles can help.
I also mixed in a couple of runs a week, especially a Saturday Park Run.

The reward, getting to hunt in locations like this.

 

[cornflake]

Won’t beat inov8 mudclaws or talons for running up and down sloppy hills

 

[tarponhead]

Just wondering what you guys do to keep fit for mountain hunting?
Any specific exercises you find useful ( apart from running up hills obviously )
I’m able to do a bit more training on weekends now and I’d like to incorporate helpful exercises as part of my routine.
Also if anyone can recommend the best trail running (for SLIPPERY MUD) shoes, from experience please? I’ve had Nike/UA and they just fall apart. Cheers

Merrill do great trail boots for sensible money - I use them and my German army jungle Boots for steep trails in the Brecons and Cotswolds.

 

[Cumbrian 1]

I personally don’t run, I’m lucky I can go fell walking quite easily living in Cumbria, if you can comfortably do a 4 hour walk with a decent ascent once a week with a rucksack you’ll be fine.

I normally increase that to twice a week in the month before, these walks also help me figure out equipment and clothing, as in what layers to wear and when, in mountain hunting a lot of the trip can be spent glassing and it’s important to not over heat on the way to the vantage point and to be warm enough after many hours of sitting down.