I am looking to build myself up by this time next year so I can go mountain hiking.

[Metalhead]

I want to spend some time over the next year building up the strength in my legs so I can hike trails on Mount Rainier next year and not get thoroughly wrecked within an hour or two.

Does anybody here have any idea where to start on this ambitious endeavor of mine?

 

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Perhaps start taking longer walks and/or start including areas that have an incline. I am not an expert but that is what I would probably start with unless someone recommended something that sounded like a better option.

 

[Metalhead]

Perhaps start taking longer walks and/or start including areas that have an incline. I am not an expert but that is what I would probably start with unless someone recommended something that sounded like a better option.

I have been completely sedentary for years, and recently I have decided to pick up the physical activity big time. I don't eat too many calories but I have been a lazy slug.

 

[Mary Terry]

Walk, walk hard and fast, walk so fast you start getting breathless, your lungs expand, and your heart rate rises. Walk every day, rain or shine. Get some good shoes to walk in or you'll wreck your feet. You can do this.

 

[Masked Man]

Do a little bit every day. Each day try to increase your time. As other people have said, do inclines, faster walking, use a heavy backpack, etc. Build up to it.

 

[saturnv]

Step one is walk around the neighborhood. Take it easy at first. Do that regularly and gradually increase speed and distance. Get good shoes like Mary Terry said. You can do it.

 

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Make sure to bring water along and don't overdo it in the extreme heat.

 

[Rodafina]

A year is a good time frame, @Metalhead. It might help to start out by making gentle exercise a part of your daily routine so much that it feels weird not to do it. You could pair it with something that already happens every day. For example, every night you will eat dinner. Maybe a new habit could be always walk 20 minutes after dinner.

 

[Metalhead]

A year is a good time frame, @Metalhead. It might help to start out by making gentle exercise a part of your daily routine so much that it feels weird not to do it. You could pair it with something that already happens every day. For example, every night you will eat dinner. Maybe a new habit could be always walk 20 minutes after dinner.

There is a hill about a mile and a half away from where I live. I can start by walking a couple of blocks up it after work today, and slowly build up endurance until I can conquer the whole thing without feeling wasted.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

I depends upon the conditions you will encounter. At altitude above 10,000 feet you will need to increase your aerobic capacity. Also, will you backpack? If so, endurance and the strength to carry 1/3 of your body weight is needed. Also consider understanding the altitude gain and loss. Do not think of challenging the Surprise Lake trail in the Tetons until you can handle a climb of 3,070 feet in 4.9 miles starting from an altitude of 6,300 feet. It's a beautiful trail with spectacular views of the Valley. It was our warmup before tackling the Wind River Wilderness where the trails start at 9,000 feet and go up until you are at the granite core of the Wind River Mountains.

A good goal would be to book lodging at the Granite Park Chalet in Glacier National Park. From the Logan Pass trailhead the Highline trail is 7.6 miles of fairly level trail (6 hours max). Carry basics with you so you can hike light. Views are expansive and gorgeous. I liked seeing the blooming beargrass along the trail, and in a boulder field you may be able to spot Pika. Their call sounds like an old fashioned squeeze toy.

 

[Jumpinbare]

In my teens, I trained for an upcoming mountain hike by running every day (built up to 5 mile runs), and did 5 mile hikes once a week with a pack that was heavier than I would be using on the trip. Everyone in the group did this because we were all Florida kids and had no mountain experience.
On the actual hike, we passed others who looked like the walking dead, while we were doing fine. When they heard we were from Florida, they would looked shocked.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I've been to Mt. Rainier several times. Stunning. You'll love it. Roads open up in July and even towards the end of July, it's still "Springtime" on the mountain. Weather can be beautiful, walking on top of glaciers in shorts and a T-shirt, flowers in bloom, the roar of mountain water run-off...and the view...you can see several other mountain peaks, even Mt. Hood in Oregon. Then there is the Garden of the Gods...an ancient forest of giant trees...within walking distance of the main lodge.

You're going to have a great time!

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I might add:
The visitor's center and lodge are at or just below the tree line, so you're looking at an altitude (guessing) around 8-9000ft...enough to give you a mild headache and notice your breathing rate a bit elevated. I like taking ibuprofen for the headache...not everyone experiences this. You can hike a trail that will get you above the tree line, at and above the glaciers, open alpine meadows, etc. However, you will reach a point where there is a sign that says you have to be part of a reserved mountain climbing group in order to pass. It is then that you will have this optical illusion that you think you are way up on the mountain, when, in fact, you might be some 5 miles away from it! That mountain is huge! The trails are with rock steps, so wear some grippy footwear...as a kid I did this several times in athletic shoes. As an adult, I would wear some hiking shoes and a use decent set of hiking sticks.

Well worth the trip! Hoping you have a great time!

 

[Dagan]

I applaud you and anyone getting the work in and doing so outside. Kudos, big time. I'm in that struggle of just planks, pushups and some elliptical indoors only. Keep grinding. I know that it definitely makes you feel better when you see the benefits paying off.

 

[Aspychata]

Also check for meet-ups for groups who walk, you might find one. Someone may offer you a ride too.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

Also check for meet-ups for groups who walk, you might find one. Someone may offer yiu a ride too.

When I started my involvement in outdoor activities, I joined my local Sierra Club chapter. They offer many different day outings at all levels of activity/experience. That allowed me to not just learn and do, but also to practice being social. I found the group to be very friendly and accepting. When I was earning little money the service trips were great value for the money. I met my spouse because of a trail maintenance trip in the Smoky Mountains National Park, and we have done work on the Pacific Crest trail on Mount Hood as well as old campsite mitigation as we rafted the Green River through Desolation and Gray canyons along with Forest Service rangers (we got to name a new rapid, being the first to run it). Now, my spouse and I lead river trips for our local club. Yesterday, we led a trip on a local river and at the put-in I was in the water helping people get into their boats without incident. I am happy that people enjoyed the paddle. Some of us went out for lunch at the Cherry Hut afterwards.

I would recommend your involvement with your local chapter. Not only will you keep fit, but as you learn your local trails and gain skills you can also lead trips (after some leader training).

 

[Metalhead]

Today is my first day using my new FitBit. I am going to walk 10,000 steps a day, every single day, unless I am very ill or something like that.

 

[saturnv]

Today is my first day using my new FitBit. I am going to walk 10,000 steps a day, every single day, unless I am very ill or something like that.

If 10k steps is what you can do, that is great. I think the important thing is to walk as much as you can. If you go too hard and hurt yourself or make it not fun to walk, it will be a setback. If you are feeling good with 10k steps, please ignore me. I am just pointing out a way I have failed in the past. (too much, too fast)

 

[Metalhead]

If 10k steps is what you can do, that is great. I think the important thing is to walk as much as you can. If you go too hard and hurt yourself or make it not fun to walk, it will be a setback. If you are feeling good with 10k steps, please ignore me. I am just pointing out a way I have failed in the past. (too much, too fast)

10,000 steps on flat land is easy. On an incline is more difficult.

 

[saturnv]

Good luck man. Starting to walk regularly is a great decision. I have improved my mood and fitness a lot since I started walking daily. Walking is very powerful.