Form, thanks for that post... Very helpful and constructive.
I think my saying that hiking the mountains is the best way to prepare for hiking hard whole hunting left a lot open for interpretation. Throughout the year I train as often as school and work permit, usually 5-6 days a week, and so far it has helped me immeasurably with the demanding physical aspect of mountain hunting.
But hiking, and hiking as hard as I can in the "off" season, I've noticed, has helped more with my hiking pace, how I breathe, how my muscles respond to heavy loads, and the mental part of ascending big verticals. Undoubtedly it aids in the physical endurance part, but I would not rely on hiking solely for that. Thanks again for your post...
