Larry:
If you have an extra day or two, let me know and I can collect you and bring you to my place (100 miles north of Anchorage) and shoot a few doubles if you like. And/or, if I can be of any assistance in your journey, let me know.'
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Today, not too good. it is pouring. I was a half mile from the house when the flood dates opened.

Otherwise ,pretty well. I am lifting more than I ever have. My cardio is going well. I am up to 67 pounds in the pack.

Of course, being from the sea level flat lands doesn't help. All I can do is try.

My biggest problem is my weight. It has gone up for no apparent reason. I say this after eating better than I ever have and exercising 2 or more hours a day. The doctors have diagnosed a problem. The question is whether or not I have enough time before the hunt.

At a recent sheep talk up here an old time retired guide discussed the actual physical challenge of the climb in mountain hunting. He said he would make a deal with his clients when they started to lose their mental toughness during the climb and expressed self doubt.

He said, "OK, we will do this 20 steps at a time and rest". The other tip was not to look at the ridge as the goal, it can feel overwhelming.

He also related the funny story of one client who after getting his sheep and returning to base camp said, "I counted and you went 26 steps and 27 steps more than once".

You've done this before, you will do fine.

Cheers
Jim

I'm a huge fan of the step counting when chipping away at an incline. Stop yourself before your wore out. If 50 steps is your max, rest at 30 steps. Things will go a whole lot better.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Today, not too good. it is pouring. I was a half mile from the house when the flood dates opened.

Otherwise ,pretty well. I am lifting more than I ever have. My cardio is going well. I am up to 67 pounds in the pack.

Of course, being from the sea level flat lands doesn't help. All I can do is try.

Again another reason I don't hunt with Larry

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Today, not too good. it is pouring. I was a half mile from the house when the flood dates opened.

Otherwise ,pretty well. I am lifting more than I ever have. My cardio is going well. I am up to 67 pounds in the pack.

Of course, being from the sea level flat lands doesn't help. All I can do is try.

Again another reason I don't hunt with Larry

Mike

But you have hunted with Darth Blaser.

quote:

Originally posted by Fourtyonesix:
I'm a huge fan of the step counting when chipping away at an incline. Stop yourself before your wore out. If 50 steps is your max, rest at 30 steps. Things will go a whole lot better.

I guess I do something similar. I pick a spot and go to it. On the other hand, I convince myself I can do it . I figure it is X distance. I figure I can walk that far no matter what. I convince myself of that .

I remember my first hunt in the mountains in the 80's. There was a guy on a once in a lifetime hunt. He got to the base of this mountain which I will admit was intimidating . He looked at it and said he couldn't do it. I looked and indicated it was not even a half mile to the top. My thought was that it was only a half mile no matter what I could make it.

A lot of folks don't understand the mental fatigue that comes with mountain hunting and let them selves get beat before they start the ascent. You've got good perspective Larry.

quote:

Originally posted by Fourtyonesix:
A lot of folks don't understand the mental fatigue that comes with mountain hunting and let them selves get beat before they start the ascent. You've got good perspective Larry.

I always thought the hardest part of sheep was (hopefully I will say "is" soon) getting above the willow line. Once you are up there, the walking is pretty easy even if it is still steep.

To me, it is the rocks and the mushy areas we have to walk over that are difficult.

We simply have no rocks here. No way to train as I have not figured out an alternative.

The mushy areas are awful to me. I have described it as taking every step while putting your foot down on 3 mushy pillows.

The rocks, the boulder fields in particular, are tough on my right knee. I get fluid on the knee. Doesn't bother the left, only the right. Sucks to get old I guess!