Thanks Mark.

I have a mouth piece that I use while I travel. It works but not as good as the CPAP.

JY Jones website has an excellent article .

FYI, Mary Lynn spoke with the guy from Hypoxico today at length . She Asked all the medical questions in a pointed manner. She was sent a bunch of information by the guy up there.

She said, " you need to buy it." I will do this week.

I am excited about this.

Might be a good idea to hire a packer! Just saying....

Larry, I think AK hunter gave some great advice on mental prep. You've obviously got the physical part well covered and should have no problems.

All I can add is to reiterate that if you're worried about the altitude the best thing you can do is get there a few days early. When I lived at altitude in CO I thought I ran my butt off covering 30-40k of vertical per summer month on my runs and hikes.

A few years later after moving to 300 feet above sea level I decided to go back and run the Pikes peak marathon again (14000' half way point). I ran my normal amount on flat ground, but what turned out to be the key was a week long camping trip at 12k before the race. I ran over an hour faster than when I lived there despite gasping just walking through the Denver airport on my arrival. A few days lounging in a tent and doing light day hikes while my buddies climbed hard paid huge dividends.

Lastly, I'll add that every bit of research I've read shows that fitness can make you MORE susceptible to altitude sickness, the theory being that your fitness allows you to mask or ignore the symptoms until you are in dire straits, whereas a less fit person would have bailed or shit down before it got too bad. The good news is that susceptibility seems to decrease steeply with age, also counterintuitive but to your benefit.

Best of luck on your hunt!

Bob

We went to a wedding on Ecuador last year. It was at +/- 10,000 feet elevation. We ran there 2 or 3 days. We were probably there 3 days.

When we got back, it was INCREDIBLY easy to run. The change in oxygen capacity in such a short time was very surprising to me.

I am hoping this Hypoxico equipment works as well for me.

One thing that will help you with the altitude is Sprinting. Jogging for miles doesn't really do much for your cardio. Do 50-100 yd sprints, all out , as hard as you can go. Only a couple of times a week will really help. Do them in sets, 5-50yd, 5-100yd. This can help a great deal with the transition to altitude. Plyometric training will help with your legs too, box jumps etc, when you do your lunges, hop back into the next one rather than just walking into it.
If you want to make it more intense, when you are sprinting , Breath through a diving snorkel, they are cheap and really helps strengthening lung capacity.

When I was stationed in Anchorage I got to talk to a lot of sheephunters. One thing that was consistent was they wore Whites Smokejumper boots. Whites is located in Spokane,Wa and not only do sheephunters wear their boots, but forest firefighters all seem to. You have to trace your foot and make measurements and they make the boot for your foot--takes about 8 weeks. Uncomfortable until broken in, then most comfortable footwear I've worn. (I'm just a customer--not a rep)

quote:

Originally posted by Jerry Huffaker:
One thing that will help you with the altitude is Sprinting. Jogging for miles doesn't really do much for your cardio. Do 50-100 yd sprints, all out , as hard as you can go.

Larry,

Find a "box" (crossfit gym) near you and you won't need the sprints. Try it for a month.

Larry,

Check out the various sheepshape threads over here:

http://forums.outdoorsdirector...305-Sheep-Shape-2013

If you aren't set on your boots, look around the outdoors directory in the hunting section and the gear section for comments on boots:

http://forums.outdoorsdirector...p/48976-Scarpa-Boots

Altitude should not be an issue. Don't worry about it. It isn't even close to NM or Colorado elk hunting. Like others said, you'll find the sheep between 4000 to 6000 feet.

As far as your knees, I would load up your pack with some weight (20-30) pounds and walk in that stuff you Floridians call grass - anything to simulate uneven terrain, spending time on each foot to build up the small muscles around the ankle and knee that you don't touch just by doing the treadmill.

It isn't quite the same, but read about this guy who won the Mt Marathon race last year. He's looking for speed, not endurance and hauling weight, but his training is interesting:

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/...-marathon-trail-race

Thanks all.

I am making some progress but have hit a minor bump in the road. I had to have hand surgery yesterday. I will have to back off a couple of days.

For example:

Thursday- I climbed 150 flights of stairs up and 150 down. That night I walked 4 miles on the golf course in my boots with my pack weighing about 30 pounds.

Friday- I lifted weights for an hour. I did the elliptical for about an hour going both forward and backwards. When I got home, I put my boots on, grabbed my pack and walked 4 miles.

I am going to widely vary what I am doing. I was in pretty shape to begin with. I want to be in GREAT shape!

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I placed a deposit on a sheep hunt in AK in August.

I am 57 and hail from the low altitude flatland's. I am a bit concerned.

I exercise a lot now. Typically I do the following:

1- Lift weight heavily 3 days a week for an hour.

2- I typically do cardio 6 days a week. This varies from running 4-10 miles each outing ( I try to run no more than 2 times a week). I do the treadmill with various inclines (as high as 30 degrees) typically covering 3.5 miles and 3200-3500 vertical feet in an hour. I also do the elliptical, stair stepper, etc on other days.

3- Typically about 4 times a week , I walk 3-6 miles when I get home from work.

I recon I am in pretty good shape for an old man. I want to be in better shape before I leave. Presently, I intend to modify my workouts as follows:

a- I have some ankle weights (10 pounds) that I intend to wear as often as I can around the office and home.

b- My evening walks will be with backpack and boots on. I intend to go as high as 50 pounds in the pack.

c- I am going to intensify my cardio. For example longer on the treadmill and more vertical feet.

What else would you all recommend? I want to be the single most prepared client they have ever had.

Thanks.

Nothing. If you are able to follow this regiment without getting an over use injury you will be dialed in for your hunt. 50lbs is a nice realistic weight that your guide will appreciate your ability to carry. If you can do more and help pack a sheep all the better.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Ivan:
Hi Larry,

After reading that you'll be hunting the Brooks... I don't think altitude will be an issue. 90% of the Brooks is less than 4000 feet above sea level, and the areas higher than that likely don't have sheep.

I totally agree the altitude will NOT be an issue. That said I have to disagree a bit with your altitude estimates for the Brooks. I shot mine at 6,000 and two of the other guys hunting with me shot their sheep at 7,000-8,000, but I think that is very high for the Brooks......not necessarily for other mountains. 3,000-7,000 feet would probably cover most of the sheep in the Brooks I would guess.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Scripts :

I leg press over 800 pounds on my 8th set. I do over 200 pounds on my 8th set of quad extensions . Leg strength isn't an issue for me.

Again, my concern is handling 10 days of this.

Many years ago, I ran a mile in 4:00.7 and 5000 meters in 13:33.9. Of course,that was 35 years and about 40 pounds ago. Obviously, my body can carry a lot of oxygen.

Absent injury, I want to be In the best shape humanly possible. I have to tell you, those mountains are intimidating when coming from the flatlands.

No question about strength. I would however suggest a paradigm shift toward functional fitness, which will serve you much better in the mountains than leg presses, leg extensions, hamstring curls, and calf raises. Crossfit was a good recommendation. Jim (frostbit) has been doing it to prepare for our sheep hunt in the Brooks this year. He and his wife are seeing great results. You could ask him about it.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Alaska Hunter:
Larry,
I think you're looking at the issue the wrong way. Clearly, you're in terrific physical condition and I believe you'll stay that way, but mentally you're making way too much of this. I've been a sheep hunter for 30 years, in fact next year I'll be old enough to get a life time hunting licencse. I'm in pretty good shape physically, but mentally I'm stronger then I've ever been. Last year I hunted Alaska, British Columbia, Kyrgyzstan and Spain, climbed in 8 different mountain ranges in 3 months and yes it was hard and yes it hurt and at times i wished I was in even better shape, but I enjoyed every second I was in those mountains. I never held any guides up and I packed my share of weight all because I've done it so much that I knew I could.
Stop worrying so much and enjoy the process. Mentally prepare yourself to believe that you'll push your way through the pain and exhaustion, no matter how many days you hunt. You'll enjoy the whole experience a lot more if you'll accept that no matter how far, how high or how long it takes you'll perform.
Oh and don't worry about the altitude. I train my muscles, those will not imporve on a hunt, but after a few days at altitude, your wind will come. i hunted as high as 17,000 this past year.

Great feedback! Not having quit in you is HUGE!

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I will quote my guide from my last ibex hunt. " Larry going up the mountain, you are an animal. Going down you are like a grandmother .". It is true and I do not know why . I have to move slowly or I feel as if I will fall. Any ideas?

Yes......trecking poles. Get 2, take 2, use 2. They make life easier in the mountains. Especially under a load or coming down hill. Go for carbon fiber with flick locks. I like Black Diamond.

Brett

Larry,

Again you are worried WAY too much about altitude. Physical conditioning and mental conditioning are the issues and you are covering them. Keep it up and have fun on your hunt!

Brett

I hunt the Brooks every year most of the sheep we kill are below 4500 feet. My two oldest son's 10 and 11 have both taken sheep in the brooks wearing rubber boots. I have no problem taking my kids to the Brooks to hunt sheep it's a great place for your 1st sheep hunt or your last.

Thanks all. Much of this has been very good.

I think I have pretty much determined what I will do. This is set forth as follows:

1- I suddenly gained 20-25 pounds as soon as I got back from Zim in October. Not sure why. I am going to shed that.

2- I am going to stick with my current weight lifting program. However, I am going to really work on core strength. I would like to do Crossfit. However, the unfortunate reality is that the meniscus in each knee are wrecked beyond repair. I am not having trouble now. I am afraid I would if I increase the impact levels. My orthopedic surgeon girlfriend has advised me not to change in the strongest terms as has one of her knee specialist partners.

3- I will stick with something similar to what I am doing for my morning cardio workouts now. However, I will increase both the volume and intensity. At some point, I will add my boots and pack.

4- I have already modified my evening walks to include wearing my boots and pack. One night a week, I am going to run sprints the golf course behind my house. At least 2 nights a week, I am going to try and climb stairs with boots and backpacks.

5- I am purchasing the Hypoxico equipment Monday.

6- I plan to add planking, crunches, situps and a could of other exercises nightly.

7- I have extreme muscle tension issues. I am going to do a lot more stretching.

I hope I can lose the weight and not get injured before I go. I am extremely motivated.

Thanks again.

Drop yourself to 20g of carbs per day and with the exercise you can blow off that weight in a couple months. I lost 30 in 3 months last year. I had knee surgery, left lateral colateral on the medial side, from a sheep hunt. So i am also concerned about pounding. I use my elliptical machine in the winter. Standing on the end on my toes i can use it like a stair stepper and really work my calves.

Paleo diet Larry.

Brett

Strong mental fortitude can make up for a lot. It can compensate for lack or equipment, bad luck, poor conditioning and help with a host of other issues. Drive through the problem no matter what it is.

Ankle weights are hard on your joints. Don't expect to shoot a Sheep at 8,000 Ft. The sheep in the Brooks have a longer Winter to content with and have a smaller Avg. horn length as a result.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I would like to do Crossfit. However, the unfortunate reality is that the meniscus in each knee are wrecked beyond repair. I am not having trouble now. I am afraid I would if I increase the impact levels. My orthopedic surgeon girlfriend has advised me not to change in the strongest terms as has one of her knee specialist partners.

Your choice, but I'm surprised with their attitude they want you mountain hunting at all.

I had a meniscus trim and micro fracture surgery on my knee less than a year ago and I am Crossfitting. Second hardest exercise I've done in my life but tied for the best in rapid results.

As Brett pointed out it is designed for functional results applicable to activities of daily living vs. specific exercise with little benefit like doing free weight curls to get a big bicep.

Problem is both of mine are totally wrecked. They cannot not be prepared. They can be removed which is what will ultimately happen. They basically want me to reduce impact on my legs. I have probably run 150,000 miles in my life. That has probably caused most of this.

I have seen the last MRI. One is completely torn in half.

quote:

Originally posted by . I have probably run 150,000 miles in my life. That has probably caused most of this.

I have seen the last MRI. One is completely torn in half.

Dag man, that many people chasing you!

One of the best guides in that area uses horses why not book a hunt with him and save your knees. Plus he has been hunting his area for 20 years with great results. He books most his hunter through Cabelas but also you can get ahold of him yourself he is easy to find his name is Mike McCann. I know him and the other guide you asked about. I know if I had to pay to hunt sheep which one would get my money.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Problem is both of mine are totally wrecked. They cannot not be prepared. They can be removed which is what will ultimately happen. They basically want me to reduce impact on my legs. I have probably run 150,000 miles in my life. That has probably caused most of this.

I have seen the last MRI. One is completely torn in half.

All the more reason to swim, bike, and hike as opposed to running......just saying. I would also look into the functional fitness paradigm. I understand you aren't doing crossfit, but there are certain exercises that are much more worth your time than others. PM if you wish.

Brett

Brent:

You are right . I ran track in college. A lot of people did chase me!

The Hypoxico equipment will be here when I return from Reno.

quote:

Originally posted by Alaska Hunter:
Larry,
I think you're looking at the issue the wrong way. Clearly, you're in terrific physical condition and I believe you'll stay that way, but mentally you're making way too much of this. I've been a sheep hunter for 30 years, in fact next year I'll be old enough to get a life time hunting licencse. I'm in pretty good shape physically, but mentally I'm stronger then I've ever been. Last year I hunted Alaska, British Columbia, Kyrgyzstan and Spain, climbed in 8 different mountain ranges in 3 months and yes it was hard and yes it hurt and at times i wished I was in even better shape, but I enjoyed every second I was in those mountains. I never held any guides up and I packed my share of weight all because I've done it so much that I knew I could.
Stop worrying so much and enjoy the process. Mentally prepare yourself to believe that you'll push your way through the pain and exhaustion, no matter how many days you hunt. You'll enjoy the whole experience a lot more if you'll accept that no matter how far, how high or how long it takes you'll perform.
Oh and don't worry about the altitude. I train my muscles, those will not imporve on a hunt, but after a few days at altitude, your wind will come. i hunted as high as 17,000 this past year.

I agree with this chap.

Larry if you want to get fitter for specifically climbing with a pack, then spend 10 days on a cheap hunt or just a tramping trip somewhere else where there are mountains to walk up, immediately before you go to Alaska.
That will do it.
It doesn't take long to get fit for the task actually, only a week or so of carrying a pack up the ridges and then you're all right. The downside is that it leaves you just as quickly once you get home.

Otherwise (if your in town) find a tall building and walk up the stairs with your pack filled with bottles of water in your pack.
Do this every day.

CH
I don't know where my brain was, but when I read your last line I read, find a tall BLOND and walk up the stairs. I instantainly thought to myself, wow what a great way to get in shape for a sheep hunt.

I've been at the Reno show all day and its been a long one.

Thanks gentlemen .

I am hitting it pretty hard right now doing a variety of exercises. Generally about 3 hours a day. I am traveling for about 10 days. In Vegas, I did stairs for 2 hours a day. The altitude was 2000-2500. I did it easily.

I Am in Reno now. I did the elliptical for 45 minutes then climbed 60 flights of stairs (up and down both). Altitude about 4500. Will walk several hours in the convention.

I am walking 3-4 miles nightly at home with 30 pounds on my back wearing my boots . I go over every mound/hill I can find on the golf course. I am exercising 2 hours every morning as well.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Thanks gentlemen .

I am hitting it pretty hard right now doing a variety of exercises. Generally about 3 hours a day. I am traveling for about 10 days. In Vegas, I did stairs for 2 hours a day. The altitude was 2000-2500. I did it easily.

I Am in Reno now. I did the elliptical for 45 minutes then climbed 60 flights of stairs (up and down both). Altitude about 4500. Will walk several hours in the convention.

I am walking 3-4 miles nightly at home with 30 pounds on my back wearing my boots . I go over every mound/hill I can find on the golf course. I am exercising 2 hours every morning as well.

Mt. Charlston is close to Vegas and IIRC it's 12,000 ft. They actually have skiing there.

I hope you don't end up with an overuse injury before your hunt. I mean that seriously. You are going guided. You will not be expected to haul a 100+ pounds pack with meat in it.

RELAX!! YOU WILL DO FINE

I am concerned about injury as well. I guess I have to risk it to get in shape.

Larry you might look,at www.traintohunt.com i just ran across them the other day, looked interesting.

Thanks. Yes, it does look interesting. Seems a lot like cross fit.

The Hypoxico equipment is here.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Thanks. Yes, it does look interesting. Seems a lot like cross fit.

Bingo!! Give the man a cigar (but smoke in moderation )

Larry, You sound like you are already in great shape. Having been on four hunts in the Brooks you will do great and I'm older than you are. I think that the best advice above is not to end up with some overuse injury, like severe tendonitis in your ankles or knees or some other similar injury that will be more debilitating than anything else. Have a great hunt!

You have a lot of time and money invested in this already, so it is understandable, but you are way over thinking this hunt and its physical requirements. The Brooks are about as easy as it gets for a sheep hunt.

Based on your comments here, you will do just fine.