What muscles need to be strengthened for a 5 day backpacking trip?
July 1st, 2008
Ash asked:
I only weigh 105 and was told I won’t be able to carry much on my backpacking trip, but I don’t want to be a burden to my crew. So in the spirit of wanting to pull my own weight, what muscles should I strengthen?
I only weigh 105 and was told I won’t be able to carry much on my backpacking trip, but I don’t want to be a burden to my crew. So in the spirit of wanting to pull my own weight, what muscles should I strengthen?
We will be backpacking 4 and 1/2 days in the Pecos Wilderness of New Mexico.
Start with some sit ups or crunches. I’m guessing that would be the most effective thing you could without going to a gym.
Stay hydrated
if you’re going soon, you’re not going to be able to improve much, but if you have time, work our your legs and back more, and while you’re at it, work out your upper body and abs too!
shoot, i only weigh 115, and i usually carry all of my stuff on trips. it shouldn’t be to bad.
Legs and back will need the most strength. Work on balance and being able to get good footing too. Any exercise that helps with coordination is useful.
You can carry enough. Only take the necessities. You don’t need 5 changes of clothes for example. The grizzly bears need to smell you coming so they can hide! Just take something to sleep in (wipe the crude off before changing if you can) and something to change into if you get wet. I like lots of socks. I’ve back packed will lots of folks. The bigger they are, the more huffing and puffing they do anyway because a lot of times, they are not in as good of shape. I know because I’m one of the big ones.
If you keep you pack balanced well and distributed so the bulk of the weight is on you’re hips (shoulders should on just keep the pack from falling backwards) you’ll be fine. Play with moving the center of gravity up and down in the pack to see where it is most comfortable for you’re trail, but always have it towards you, not to the very back of you’re pack . When you get it figured out, you’ll do fine. Have fun.
For a particularly pesky crew member, when everybody stops for a break, put a big rock in the competitor’s pack when they wonder off to take care of business. Then on the next break, ask for you’re seat! Great fun. Don’t get beat up!