Hip boots are tough enough but I think waders would be a killer (sweating).....I don't know about weight lifting but I would suggest going up and down real steps rather than long-distance walking. When my knees would take it I use to run up and down the steps in a local gym when the weather was bad and in a local football field when it wasn't. The nice thing about these steps is they are typically "one short and one long" so you need to watch where you put your feet PLUS you can run/climb at an angle across the bleachers.

When it starts to get easy just add some weights to your ankles.

I have a little over a year before I come up there for some Brown Bear and Moose hunting. I just wanted to see what you guys and gals would recommend for exercise and gear so I will be prepared. Right now I am running two miles twice a week and lifting weights twice a week. When fall comes around I will start with 50lbs in my pack and walking with a pack twice a week plus lifting twice a week. When winter comes I hope I will be up to the 90 to 100 lbs range in my pack and walk through ankle to knee deep snow and when spring and summer come around again I will walk up and down my river bank. Am I on the right track here? As for gear would I be better off with hip boots or chest waders? Hip boots I would think would be better for walking can anyone recommend a good set? As for rain wear I am bringing both Gortex and pvc just incase. Do you think my work out will be enough? I have heard to many times about people running out of gas and I just do not want that happen to me on a hunt. Anyone have any other things they would care to share that they do to get into shape? I know the air is thinner up there so I am sure it is going to take me sometime to get used to it.

I would suggest you a squats, deadlifts and good mornings to your weight routine. I would recommend 3 sets of 12 reps each exercise one or two times per week. This will strengthen quads, hamstrings, hips, and lower back. With this area strengthened a heavy pack will not be burdensome.

For aerobic capacity try a spinning class 3 times a week. Great aerobic exercise that goes quickly and no impact on joints.
As far as hiking around goes the pack is a good idea-- you can use a weight bar on a sling to simulate a rifle.
Another idea is using a shotgun for small game hunting about the same weight or more as your rifle.
I hunt with a Remington Sp-10 shotgun most of the time, at 11 pounds my big game rifle of 9pounds is never heavy.

I would add some bike riding. I run 4to5 miles 3 to 4 times a week , lift 5 days a week and also bike a 50 to 60 miles a week. I find that when I get in more biking I find climbing hills to be a lot easier

I normaly go on one week long back packing trip a year. The years I find time to bike more the back packing is easier. Add some biking really helps builds the musles around the knees up for more surport.

If you stick to the routine you outlined you will be a lot more ready than myself or most other Brownie hunters I have met. Those guides are always going to be more fit but if you can keep up with them most of the time it will be better than most of the hunters they take for a little walk.



I think a good practical minimum routine is to wear the day pack you will be using and walk like you will be walking.



In the day pack place 2 bottles of water, your binoculars, a box of bullets, your raingear, a couple of candy bars, a pair of heavy gloves, an extra pair of socks, your sunglasses, something about the weight of a sandwich, a leatherman tool and your camera. In other words simulate the gear you will be carrying when you have to make that last push to intercept the bear.



Then hike an hour and a half each day - 7 days a week. Stay off the pavement as much as possible and do as many hills as possible. Go right through the brush not around it.



When its raining or snowing put on the rain gear and hip boots and go anyway. When its cold put on some more clothes and go. Wear your ankle fit hip boots some of the time - hunting boots other times. You mainly want to get used to having some weight on your feet.



Toward the end of each walk run with all your gear on for a couple hundred yards. In reality however you will probably be told by your guide to drop your pack when you are about 100 yards away from the bear.



Carry a big club, iron pipe or something to approximate your rifle. I have usually carried an old shotgun that is of no value but then I had a rural place to do this in. All this will get you some strange responses from others if you are not out in the woods.



The above is the minimum in my mind. Get tougher if you want to but that will get you through.