Ultra-Weight Back Packing

[Ravaillac]

Walking on a trail where the is uneven ground and unsure footing with added weight it asking for trouble. The best I think is to prepare at home doing squats, lunges and core work.

While I agree that some cardio training might be order, general motto regarding training remains try to make it feel like the real thing. For example running uphill is fine yet not sure you would train shoulders correctly.
Conditionning, including psychological conditionning is important.

 

[OwenM]

For that purpose I generally some water container to my load. Allow me to train harder and in case I'm into trouble, or have to hurry back home or something all I have to do is to empty the containers to get light again.

We used to have to maintain the EIB standard on quick road marches we did for training. That's 12 miles in under 3 hours with a 45lb. pack. Because we were Airborne, the powers that be decided that we would always carry 65lb. instead of 45, and kept us honest by having us line up and drop our packs on a scale. One day, the first time we passed close to some bushes, our platoon leader took off into them, yelling that he had to pee or something. Came jogging back a couple minutes later with his "full" pack bouncing all over the place. He'd put one of those small Igloo drink coolers and a bunch of canteens in his pack to make weight, and emptied them out. So we're stepping out with 65lb. packs while he jogs backwards next to us asking us what's wrong, and why we won't hurry up

 

[ROCK6]

Even if I’m out for a joy-hike, I often carry more weight than I need. It really does depend on the activity, but a little extra weight for conditioning is always good if your body can handle it without too much stress. There are times when exploring new areas or partially climbing and bush-whacking, I often like a slimmer load of just essentials.

While I am a fan of cardio training, I don't think I would go so far as to say "Cardio is the the best" conditioning program. Cardio may be the best training for Cardio, but for hiking or backpacking, hiking is probably the best conditioning. Hiking author Colin Fletcher makes this very point in his book "The Complete Walker" (1, 2, 3, and 4). Adding some weight to one's pack, increasing gradually over time, is highly recommended.

Spot on…

For people who hump heavy loads on the trail, there is no substitute for carrying a heavy pack. Being accustomed to carrying a lot of weight over distance is conditioning of another sort. It's not going to have as positive an effect on your cardio as running, but does prepare your body for the demands of the trail more realistically.

This is so true. The only way to condition your body for a pack on the trail is to walk around with a pack. Weights and running are good for your body, but carrying a pack on uneven ground uses different muscles, employs a different balance of the body and your technique of walking is different with the weight.

We used to have to maintain the EIB standard on quick road marches we did for training. That's 12 miles in under 3 hours with a 45lb. pack. Because we were Airborne, the powers that be decided that we would always carry 65lb. instead of 45, and kept us honest by having us line up and drop our packs on a scale. One day, the first time we passed close to some bushes, our platoon leader took off into them, yelling that he had to pee or something. Came jogging back a couple minutes later with his "full" pack bouncing all over the place. He'd put one of those small Igloo drink coolers and a bunch of canteens in his pack to make weight, and emptied them out. So we're stepping out with 65lb. packs while he jogs backwards next to us asking us what's wrong, and why we won't hurry up

I would have punched the jackass! When we did our road marches at Bragg, we weighed before AND AFTER to ensure the weight was carried the whole distance. I’ve jacked up my fellow officers when they cut corners…piss poor leadership and his lazy ass should have been made to do it over again. It does bring back some memories though

ROCK6

 

[quattromori]

I never even thought about carrying extra weight on purpose.
I have camped carrying more weight than I should, but that was long ago. I believe in light hiking, so if I'm going on a short trek that I know well enough and that will take me a few hours, I won't pack more than I need. The are only 2 things on which I may make an exception:
1) the first aid kit. I will carry as much as for a 3 or 4 day hike. It might be a professional deviance, but that's an "extra weight" I will carry happily.
2) if I can "save" weight on other things, I would find myself carrying more water than what I'm going to drink.
Everything else, if not needed, stays home. Outdoors for me means enjoying, not training. I know it could be a great chance to train, but it would change my point of view on trekking, and I don't want to change it.

 

[OwenM]

I’ve jacked up my fellow officers when they cut corners…piss poor leadership and his lazy ass should have been made to do it over again. It does bring back some memories though

I'd agree, but that guy was everything you could ever hope for from an officer. Unquestionably competent, and very well respected. I loved him, and I hated most everybody back then. Just a great guy in every way. He was in tremendous physical condition, too. Played college football, and he and his wife's idea of a vacation was to bicycle across North Carolina. It would have been different if he was a sorry-ass, but he probably could have smoked most of us almost as bad with a full load. Just an isolated prank, and we did all think it was funny.

...and we did all want to trade packs with him!

 

[DrivebyTrucker]

Ah the army days. As heavy as it was with full gear, I'm happy I was never airborne. Happier still we didn't have body armor. The amount of weight those men and women must carry now must be a heavy burden.
Did anyone else noticed they seemed be taller by around 2 inches or so when they came back home to visit after their initial training? I've read it's common. I certainly noticed. Seems illogical given how much weight we had compressing our spine during marches.
I just received a new day pack and can't wait to train with it. But I want to add what it is that I'm training for as I'm reading many responses from people training for endurance. So that their body is capable of longer, stronger trails or a SHTF scenario where they need to pack as much as they can and run for the woods!
My reasons for training with extra weight are far less noble. In short; vanity. I simply add weight so that my body develops a little more muscle and power than it would without it. I could do 6 mile hike with nothing more than a hydration bladder, shorts, tank top, and trail running shoes. But then I like the sweating and the soreness my muscles feel with the weight. A couple of points to remember if you do the same:
Always keep a straight posture! Stand proud! I know the pack is heavy and it's easy to slouch, but don't! With a heavy pack and a straight and proud posture, you're forcing your core muscles, abs, back and shoulders to work to keep you upright and straight. This is a great benefit that is minimized when you carry little to no additional weight. Wear good shoes with strong support. Leave your Vibram Five Finger shoes at home for this.
Don't overdue it with the weight. Unless you're training for a scenario where it's necessary to always wear flak armor, rifle with ammo, and full pack. If you are training for a such a scenario and your not in the military, maybe you should listen to Glenn Beck a little less often. Some music now and again is a good thing.

 

[ROCK6]

I'd agree, but that guy was everything you could ever hope for from an officer. Unquestionably competent, and very well respected. I loved him, and I hated most everybody back then. Just a great guy in every way. He was in tremendous physical condition, too. Played college football, and he and his wife's idea of a vacation was to bicycle across North Carolina. It would have been different if he was a sorry-ass, but he probably could have smoked most of us almost as bad with a full load. Just an isolated prank, and we did all think it was funny.

...and we did all want to trade packs with him!

You know the deal, respect is earned, and having a sense of humor is essential Several of our weighted road marches were often with a case of beer and after completing the march and sharing out a can or two of beer was always a good motivator (back when that was more PC acceptable). Oh believe me...I've done (and continue to do) my share of pranks I really doubt your LT would have gotten away with the prank without your platoon's respect...there are some good ones out there and that really makes a big difference.

I will say I cheated a few years ago when we were doing weekly road marches (pretty good for a Signal Battalion) and I used my Kifaru Zulu. It was almost unfair against the older Alice packs and even the crappy first generation MOLLE packs. What sucks now is the full IOTV addition...man, that's a lot of weight and I'm glad our simulated combat jumps never included them

ROCK6