[pct-l] Re: conditioning

[jm at gol.com (McElligott John)]

"Conditioning for a thru hike" was a topic of personal interest as my 
story is not one of success but  learning the hard way. My attempt last 
summer at a ten day PCT thru-hike ended in disgust and defeat after 
three days and two nights on the trail between Ebbetts Pass and Carson 
Pass. What went wrong and how to prepare for my next attempt? Altitude? 
Poor conditioning? difficultterrain? Now at age 57 and for the past 
three years I have been section hiking north bound on the PCT having 
begun at Lone Pine. Each summer it ends earlier than  planned. I refuse 
to attribute this to age alone  and in fact have ben reducing my pack 
weight each year! I share this as there may be others who have had 
similar experiences.

	Since I live in Tokyo, I do not get out on the trail and my 
"conditioning" is left to long walks and when the summer comes I 
naively think that  my body will go where my head points. What I have 
learned to do from now on is the following:

1. Two months minimum prior to boarding a plane to the trail head in 
the  U.S., follow some examples given on this site for conditioning 
such as some jogging for cardio-vasular  and leg muscle. If I have not 
been doing so, restrict all outdoor activity to base camping and day 
hikes until I feel relatively confident.

2. Continue to reduce my base pack weight. Last time I was at 19 lbs 
plus food and water. Judging from the velocity at which I threw down my 
pack at Carson  Pass, I would say I should not carry more than 18 lbs 
total max which means about a base  pack weight of about ten pounds  
for a three night hike.

3. Spend a long time just day hiking at altitude initially. Do a couple 
of one nighters first. For me a good place would be along the 395 
Eastern Sierras.  Last summer I had not at all adjusted to the altitude 
and had some remaining jet lag. Plus it was my first backpack of the 
summer. Overly ambitious .. a sure recipe for injury or incompletion. 
If one sets out  with friends, it also ends in disappointment for all.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Tokio John