Getting in shape for your camping trip!

When you clear a ridge-line to a majestic view that takes your breath away, it makes everything you did to get there worth it. That includes being in good enough shape that when you clear that ridge-line the view, rather than being out of shape, is the only thing that takes your breath away. When nightfall comes and the campfire is crackling and snapping campfire, feeling really great about your day – rather than feeling you’ve just climbed Mt. Everest and back – makes getting into shape worth it. * If you are just beginning an exercise program, consult a physician. Getting in Shape – know your mission. *As you get into shape, if you have kids let them see how you prepare to meet challenges.

Life is about lessons, not lectures. And camping is about life.

Review where you’ll be camping.What is the elevation? Get a topological map of your campsite. The higher the elevation, the more conditioning you may need, even if you are already in shape. Conditioning for elevation is a fairly simple matter of cardio-conditioning. For many people, the most difficult ingredient to secure in life is self-discipline. But if you’ve decided to take a ridge-line that yields you majestic views, you have self-discipline in abundance. How far will you hike each day? Locate scenic areas and know how far you’ll hike to reach them.How much will you be packing? Imagine you’ve just returned from your campsite to your scenic destination and back. From there, decide what you will have needed to take with you. Training: Start light and work up.

Gym: If you belong to a gym, great! Get on a treadmill, a stair climber or anything else that can have you sweating. You may want to start out light but work your way up to an hour a day. Also lift some weights so you can carry your pack with ease.Around the house and the neighborhood: A great way to prepare for a day’s hiking is to walk up and down your steps for a half-hour or so each day. After you decide how far you’ll be hiking each day, hike that far each day around your neighborhood. If you add one minute each day to your hike, in a month you’ll have added a half hour to your training.

How easy is that?!Carry a backpack: As you hike your neighborhood, strap on your backpack and fill it with more weight than you’ll pack on your real trip when you clear that ridge-line. What you’ll discover are curious neighbors who cheer you on your way.