go for a better walk

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - go for a better walk

Posted: 5/8/2011 3:51:53 PM EDT

I just walked about 2 miles around several of the fields around the farm. First time this year that it was dry enough for it.

I have a good reason to make this post. Many, many people think they will walk out into the woods to live out their lives with a hatchet and a big knife.

Please try this one time. Find a big farm with huge fields and just go for a 5 mile walk around the outside edge of a field. You don't even need to carry anything. Just go for a walk. Then come back and tell me it didn't give you a workout.

When you are walking on uneven ground it uses muscle groups that don't often get used. Since this was my first farm hike of the year I could really tell the difference in my legs. I had no problems walking and could walk 5 more miles easily, but I am sore. The kind of sore that would make it harder to move the next day, taking days to really be right again.

Those of you who do this sort of thing all the time will think this is stupid. Those who don't need to try it to learn. I will be back to my weekly or biweekly walks for the rest of the summer and the core muscles I don't use all the time will be strengthened and working right in no time.

For a lot of people ignorance is bliss because they have no idea how much it will take out of them just to walk cross country for a few hours, let alone for days on end. Please go out and do so you can learn.

Posted: 5/8/2011 4:13:20 PM EDT

[#1]

Agreed.

Walking on the sidewalk/street/pavement is a much easier walk than on the grass/broken terrain. It takes more effort for sure, the older I get the more evident the difference is.

As an addition to this, try walking quietly in the brush.

It must be a lost art because most people I see walk around dragging their heels on the ground. It sets my nerves on edge.

Posted: 5/8/2011 4:15:31 PM EDT

[#2]

I totally agree. A five-miler through the woods is way more difficult than on a paved surface. Even a dirt road, or a hiking trail is easier to walk on than a field or meadow.

Posted: 5/8/2011 5:07:34 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
For a lot of people ignorance is bliss because they have no idea how much it will take out of them just to walk cross country for a few hours, let alone for days on end.

Not to mention thier 80lb B.O.B's with all the latest gadgets....

Posted: 5/8/2011 5:38:16 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
For a lot of people ignorance is bliss because they have no idea how much it will take out of them just to walk cross country for a few hours, let alone for days on end.

Not to mention thier 80lb B.O.B's with all the latest gadgets....

when they do the walk without it, that should be their "holy shit" moment.

Posted: 5/8/2011 5:40:50 PM EDT

[#5]

This is the reason I laugh when I see a BOB thread that states there pack weight is 60+ pounds, they just have no idea what it takes around a field let alone hiking through the woods.

Posted: 5/8/2011 5:49:19 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Agreed.

Walking on the sidewalk/street/pavement is a much easier walk than on the grass/broken terrain. It takes more effort for sure, the older I get the more evident the difference is.

Yep. Sometimes for my runs, I'll hit a railroad track that has seen better days. About 2 km long (the part I run). Worn, damaged, uneven, and/or missing cross ties, uneven ballast rock, sloped shoulders. Not much else gives you a good physical workout, and mental focus exercise, liking running on that track. Hell, just trying to walk on it without falling is tough enough.

Posted: 5/8/2011 6:57:51 PM EDT

[#7]

I run anywhere from 6-10 miles a week on a treadmill, and I can tell you
that doing something like that will kick your ass. I also lift 3x/week and
I'm sore all the time from the working out and running, but I know it's
putting me in the right place for when the time comes.

I've really noticed the difference when hiking and skiing, as my overall
cardio/stamina is so much better than it used to be. Being in shape is
a prep, my brothers...

Posted: 5/8/2011 8:13:17 PM EDT

[#8]

Yep , try a broke field , which with no till and the price of fuel is rare these days . Had a girl working at the peanut wharehouse that was a track runner in high school and collage , I bet her lunch I could out run her across the field and back . I sure enjoyed my free lunch that day .

Posted: 5/8/2011 8:23:15 PM EDT

[#9]

Every time I go rabbit hunting and spend the day chasing beagles and kicking brush I am reminded of 3 things:

1. How out of shape I am; not as bad as I could be but not as good as I should be.
2. How hard it would be to live outdoors all the time. I get pretty spoiled by hot showers and an easy food supply.
3. How heavy a gun can be when you carry it at the ready all day long. Even a 5 lb .22 or .410 can really wear you out.

Posted: 5/9/2011 2:35:29 AM EDT

[#10]

Shit my wife did some garden work for the first time this year. She stopped every 45 min. for a break (she worked for about 2.5 hours). I heard about all the "work" she did outside for about 3 hours

. I didn't mention to her that I was up 4 hours before her doing yard work, didn't want to rub it in.

Edit for: Thanks for the post batman. This reminds me the most important thing about survival is being in shape. Which I need to do.

Posted: 5/9/2011 3:32:42 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
I run anywhere from 6-10 miles a week on a treadmill, and I can tell you
that doing something like that will kick your ass. I also lift 3x/week and
I'm sore all the time from the working out and running, but I know it's
putting me in the right place for when the time comes.

I've really noticed the difference when hiking and skiing, as my overall
cardio/stamina is so much better than it used to be. Being in shape is
a prep, my brothers...

I can do an hour of hard cardio, and that walk still worked me hard and made my legs sore. That is the point. It's not even close to the same as a tread mill. Just try it and you will see what I am talking about. It's not just being in shape. There are muscle groups you don't use on flat ground that need worked too.

Posted: 5/9/2011 5:45:52 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I run anywhere from 6-10 miles a week on a treadmill, and I can tell you

that doing something like that will kick your ass. I also lift 3x/week and

I'm sore all the time from the working out and running, but I know it's

putting me in the right place for when the time comes.

I've really noticed the difference when hiking and skiing, as my overall

cardio/stamina is so much better than it used to be. Being in shape is

a prep, my brothers...

I can do an hour of hard cardio, and that walk still worked me hard and made my legs sore. That is the point. It's not even close to the same as a tread mill. Just try it and you will see what I am talking about. It's not just being in shape. There are muscle groups you don't use on flat ground that need worked too.

Lot of truth there. Same as guys who go to nautalis style workouts and then try cutting and hauling wood or bailing hay or something that takes muscles that you usually don't use.

If you want good workouts, go run the mountain bike trails. Hell, bike them, too. It's great fun and uses a hell of a lot of muscles.

I did the Zaleski 24.5 mi loop in 9 hours last August. That's a hike and anyone who's been there knows it. Up and down, up and down.

Adventure racing is a great way to find out what kind of shape you're really in. 12 or 24 hours climbing hills, fighting briars and creeks all the while having to think hard and pay attention to where you're going and how to get there.

https://sites.google.com/site/nsfadventures/chalagawathe-green-corn-moon-rogaine

These guys are a class act and put on a great race. I wouldn't really recomend the night one for your first race, though, unless you're pretty comfortable with a map, compass and night travel.

Posted: 5/9/2011 6:44:22 AM EDT

[#13]

I do a lot less treadmill and a lot more woods walking these days. Dogs like to come with me. Jumping over streams and slipping in the mud add to the workout. Neighbor and I have talked about adding some workout stations around the trail, haven't done anything about it yet. Sometimes I take a stove and boil up some coffee or practice making fire from whatever I can find. Rainy days and night walks are fun too. I always wear glasses at night, tree branches to the eye hurts.

Posted: 5/9/2011 11:17:26 AM EDT

[#14]

It is stuff like that that really drives home the saying, "An hour of play is worth more than a lifetime of conversation".

Posted: 5/9/2011 11:37:32 AM EDT

[#15]

Excersise is important, and a bigger part of my life since I have the time to do it.
I do about 3.5 miles a day, 5 days a week on a treadmill yearround, and crank the angle up to about 7% for over half of it.
When the weather breaks and I am out moving sprinklers twice a day, then walking up and down the hill 1/4 mile 3-4 times a day, it adds to the workout a bit, but frankly I think it is dragging the tools and stuff around that makes the difference.
Slogging across a field in wet boots is alot different than treadmill time wearing $160 running shoes.
The important thing is get the work in, the cardio is critical.

Posted: 5/9/2011 2:16:23 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

I run anywhere from 6-10 miles a week on a treadmill, and I can tell you

that doing something like that will kick your ass. I also lift 3x/week and

I'm sore all the time from the working out and running, but I know it's

putting me in the right place for when the time comes.

I've really noticed the difference when hiking and skiing, as my overall

cardio/stamina is so much better than it used to be. Being in shape is

a prep, my brothers...

Damn right it is. Having all the guns and ammo in the world aint going to do a damn bit of good if you have a heart attack trying to run up the stairs to the safe.

Posted: 5/9/2011 2:58:42 PM EDT

[#17]

yep, i hit the treadmill 3-5 times a week and this weekend i spent about 6 -7 hours total cutting down some trees with my chainsaw. Man that saw kicked my ass, i was thinking how bad it would suck and how quick you would be in shape if i had to cut a winters worth of wood with a croscut.

Posted: 5/9/2011 3:02:51 PM EDT

[#18]

Yep a chainsaw will whoop your ...... quick ,especially with temps hitting close to 80 . Cross cut , would be tough for the first couple of weeks untill your body adjusted.

Posted: 5/9/2011 3:07:21 PM EDT

[#19]

I agree with you....You can walk all you want...uneven terrain and a pack will kick your ass and wearout your feet if your not use to it..If you think you can do this day after day, you will find that blisters are going to take over your feet, so get them toughened up and in the proper shape or you'll be lacking and hurting if you have to do it for real...which could be the difference.

If you can get out and walk everyday, do it...it will only help you physically.

Posted: 5/9/2011 3:52:56 PM EDT

[#20]

Tried to stay in better shape this past winter and spent time walking around the property. During the walks I carried a 25lb pack and rifle. The area is old strip mines. The old legs get tired.
The terrain is a little rough.
Resting and cooking lunch is a must.
When I iced fish I used a hand auger the first few times.
Later the ice was 18" thick so a power auger worked better. That's 12'' deep and no water yet.
Spending time traipsing around with a pack or pulling a sled with gear from lake to lake is a real eye opener that proves physical condition should be at the "top of prepping".

Posted: 5/9/2011 5:04:23 PM EDT

[#21]

Work muscle is stronger than gym muscle.

Posted: 5/9/2011 5:20:20 PM EDT

[#22]

My uncle has just over 100 acres in Norway: heavy forest, hay, potatoes and rocky areas around the lake.
There are rocks everywhere.
His total kit for when he goes out to take a look around:
Walking stick, small Mora in a plastic sheath, bottle of water, cheese sammich.
He and the dogs are gone about 2-3 hours. Dogs are off lead the whole time.
I did this circuit once with him, he is 10 years my senior, he spent most of the day grinning at me...

Posted: 6/13/2011 3:13:01 PM EDT

[#23]

I really didn't think much about it, but my walks around the farm are preparing my feet and muscles to be sure footed in the terrain I may have to bug out through on foot. The more my legs are used to uneven, soft, and brushy terrain the more sure footed and safer I will be as I move, especially at night or in low light.

Posted: 6/13/2011 4:57:49 PM EDT

[#24]

i try not to jog on the sidewalk....just for this reason...

Posted: 6/13/2011 5:06:31 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I run anywhere from 6-10 miles a week on a treadmill, and I can tell you

that doing something like that will kick your ass. I also lift 3x/week and

I'm sore all the time from the working out and running, but I know it's

putting me in the right place for when the time comes.

I've really noticed the difference when hiking and skiing, as my overall

cardio/stamina is so much better than it used to be. Being in shape is

a prep, my brothers...

I can do an hour of hard cardio, and that walk still worked me hard and made my legs sore. That is the point. It's not even close to the same as a tread mill. Just try it and you will see what I am talking about. It's not just being in shape. There are muscle groups you don't use on flat ground that need worked too.

If you really want to work on it, try uphill/downhill, or at altitude.

Posted: 6/13/2011 5:15:44 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I run anywhere from 6-10 miles a week on a treadmill, and I can tell you
that doing something like that will kick your ass. I also lift 3x/week and
I'm sore all the time from the working out and running, but I know it's
putting me in the right place for when the time comes.

I've really noticed the difference when hiking and skiing, as my overall
cardio/stamina is so much better than it used to be. Being in shape is
a prep, my brothers...

I can do an hour of hard cardio, and that walk still worked me hard and made my legs sore. That is the point. It's not even close to the same as a tread mill. Just try it and you will see what I am talking about. It's not just being in shape. There are muscle groups you don't use on flat ground that need worked too.

If you really want to work on it, try uphill/downhill, or at altitude.

all of those things require driving a decent distance, but your point is well taken. Altitude is really, really far away.

Posted: 6/13/2011 7:02:41 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:

This is the reason I laugh when I see a BOB thread that states there pack weight is 60+ pounds, they just have no idea what it takes around a field let alone hiking through the woods.

No to be overly critical, but you should realize that to a lot of people walking through the woods with 60+ pounds is nothing at all. I'm no stud and I can comfortably trot with 50 pounds on. Use that for motivation or perspective, but don't be so dismissive solely based on your abilities. Instead rise to the challenge provided. Categorizing things as being impossible/improbable just because you can't do them leaves a lot of openings for failure in your plans.
If regularly humping 60+ lbs at 4000-8000+ feet above sea level is no issue whatsoever to a lot of people, then I would definitely try to close the gap instead of brushing it off as being unrealistic.

Posted: 6/14/2011 2:18:46 AM EDT

[#28]

out of all the survivalist i have met in person ( via campouts, my hikes, and meets) only

2% of them fit into the category that your using as an example D734.

Most are late 20's to mid 50's. the avg being around 30-35.

Most can hike.

Most cant do it in extremes.

What i could do when i was 20 i can not now. Just getting old, and injuries that were a 1-2 day slow down then are 5-8 days worth of pain or lay up time.
No one should over look humping it on foot. It's part of a plan.

However

folks shouldnt just say they can do it, or assume because they did it 20 yrs ago or even 5 yrs ago that they still can.

There is a reason i preach so much about guys using their gear and humping it. Not only for the body, but also so they know there gear.
and folks get upset when i question their gear choices and weights and distances. And their assumptions of how far they can go.

wanna know what the avg distance for an ARFCOMER with 40lbs is per day and still be g2g the next day for more .

10-15 miles.

in decent weather.

make it above 78f and that drops to about 8 miles( for my AO )

of course i expect folks to go

"fuck you protus...i can do......."

well good for you. But no offense to anyone that has been to my hikes. but those numbers are an avg of 7yrs of camps...with guys that could run circles around me and the others and some that were so slow and hurting so bad by mile 2 they turned back....its an avg of what i have seen.

me i know my limits....im g2g for about 15 per day...at 2.5mph. summer and winter. how i know that? cuz i do it.

Posted: 6/14/2011 4:31:32 AM EDT

[#29]

Having recently started a walking program, aka, hauling the old dog out for a walk in the slightly cooler evenings, I know I am not good for much distance on foot. My knee won't take it at this point. So my main plan if I have to get out of Dodge, is to work smarter, not harder. For that, I have a good MTB I am quite familiar with, the proper cycling gear, and if needs be, a Burley trailer to haul gear, or the youngest Monkey in. At the worst, I could VC it, and use the bike to carry the weight, and walk beside it pushing and steering.

But walk 10-15mi?? With gear??

Not yet, anyway....

Posted: 6/14/2011 5:52:03 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
folks shouldnt just say they can do it, or assume because they did it 20 yrs ago or even 5 yrs ago that they still can.

There is a reason i preach so much about guys using their gear and humping it. Not only for the body, but also so they know there gear.

That's good advice, however the rub is that there are no absolutes. Just as one should know their limits, they should also know what is possible. If walking in the woods for a couple miles is enough to break someone off, then I would be reasonably surprised if they ever actually considered bugging out on foot a viable option in the first place. 60 pounds is really nothing on your back, and maybe the people that find it humorous that somebody would pack that heavy should be reevaluating their abilities and working on improving them, instead of telling others what is not realistic.
I'm 32 and find it silly to even be having this discussion. Maybe some of the people you consider to be "survivalists" are a bit further from the moniker than they realize, considering the percentages you just gave me.
My point is that by blowing off things like being able to hike on unimproved terrain carrying weight as being overly difficult you are giving the impression that it is impossible. Being that it is indeed possible, and a mediocre achievement at best, it should be used as a goal to strive for, as opposed to being mocked as unrealistic like was shown in this thread.

Posted: 6/14/2011 9:02:59 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:

Quoted:

folks shouldnt just say they can do it, or assume because they did it 20 yrs ago or even 5 yrs ago that they still can.

There is a reason i preach so much about guys using their gear and humping it. Not only for the body, but also so they know there gear.

That's good advice, however the rub is that there are no absolutes. Just as one should know their limits, they should also know what is possible. If walking in the woods for a couple miles is enough to break someone off, then I would be reasonably surprised if they ever actually considered bugging out on foot a viable option in the first place. 60 pounds is really nothing on your back, and maybe the people that find it humorous that somebody would pack that heavy should be reevaluating their abilities and working on improving them, instead of telling others what is not realistic.

I'm 32 and find it silly to even be having this discussion. Maybe some of the people you consider to be "survivalists" are a bit further from the moniker than they realize, considering the percentages you just gave me.

My point is that by blowing off things like being able to hike on unimproved terrain carrying weight as being overly difficult you are giving the impression that it is impossible. Being that it is indeed possible, and a mediocre achievement at best, it should be used as a goal to strive for, as opposed to being mocked as unrealistic like was shown in this thread.

its the net..all topics are like that. They really dont serve much point at times besides killing the clock.

I only go by what i see..so if nerdy star trek guys show up each time,,well........lol

I have always told people start by walking to the end of the street....then on a day hike.,,then a over nighter ....

a steady progression to be able to do it.

I dont think it is unrealistic, but the issue is that many that say they can...can not. Agian.. this is the net.....lotta talk...not a lot of foot in front of the other action from the majority.

i agree with your points......were on the same page, just different paragraphs

Posted: 6/17/2011 4:34:37 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:

Quoted:
This is the reason I laugh when I see a BOB thread that states there pack weight is 60+ pounds, they just have no idea what it takes around a field let alone hiking through the woods.

No to be overly critical, but you should realize that to a lot of people walking through the woods with 60+ pounds is nothing at all. I'm no stud and I can comfortably trot with 50 pounds on. Use that for motivation or perspective, but don't be so dismissive solely based on your abilities. Instead rise to the challenge provided. Categorizing things as being impossible/improbable just because you can't do them leaves a lot of openings for failure in your plans.

If regularly humping 60+ lbs at 4000-8000+ feet above sea level is no issue whatsoever to a lot of people, then I would definitely try to close the gap instead of brushing it off as being unrealistic.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMGP1148.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMG_0075.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMGP0307.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMG_0388.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMGP0561.jpg

With all due respect to you- and make no mistake, respect is due- I don't think it's reasonable to compare the fitness level of active-duty soldiers to the vast majority of us in the peaceable world. I doubt you will be able to keep up your level of fitness when you rejoin the civilian world full time.

Posted: 6/17/2011 5:13:48 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:

Quoted:
This is the reason I laugh when I see a BOB thread that states there pack weight is 60+ pounds, they just have no idea what it takes around a field let alone hiking through the woods.

No to be overly critical, but you should realize that to a lot of people walking through the woods with 60+ pounds is nothing at all. I'm no stud and I can comfortably trot with 50 pounds on. Use that for motivation or perspective, but don't be so dismissive solely based on your abilities. Instead rise to the challenge provided. Categorizing things as being impossible/improbable just because you can't do them leaves a lot of openings for failure in your plans.

If regularly humping 60+ lbs at 4000-8000+ feet above sea level is no issue whatsoever to a lot of people, then I would definitely try to close the gap instead of brushing it off as being unrealistic.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMGP1148.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMG_0075.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMGP0307.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMG_0388.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMGP0561.jpg

With all due respect to you- and make no mistake, respect is due- I don't think it's reasonable to compare the fitness level of active-duty soldiers to the vast majority of us in the peaceable world. I doubt you will be able to keep up your level of fitness when you rejoin the civilian world full time.

The beauty of youth

Posted: 6/17/2011 5:38:26 PM EDT

[#34]

A lot of good points above. D734 is right in that you shouldn't sell yourself short. If you aren't pushing yourself now you are destined to fail later. But the points about age taking it's toll are unfortunately true as well. Another factor is abuse. I was about as hardcore as it gets when you are talking PT. I was running 6-8 miles every other day, free weights on the days between. I would also ruck 80 lbs every evening, walking for 1/2 mile, then run for 1/2 mile. I'd do this for 3 miles religiously. But all those 80lb ruck marches and 20 yrs of jumping out of airplanes eventually did me in. 4 yrs ago my knees started to go. I had knee surgery 3 yrs ago and today I am only good for 3-4 ssssllllloooowww and painful miles. Add in the shoulder surgery 2 yrs ago, I am a mess today. My point is, push yourself every day but do it with some common sense. Bulletproof starts to wear out eventually, and checks from the VA won't be much use if the SHTF.

Posted: 6/17/2011 5:57:48 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
I run anywhere from 6-10 miles a week on a treadmill, and I can tell you
that doing something like that will kick your ass. I also lift 3x/week and
I'm sore all the time from the working out and running, but I know it's
putting me in the right place for when the time comes.

I've really noticed the difference when hiking and skiing, as my overall
cardio/stamina is so much better than it used to be. Being in shape is
a prep, my brothers...

My workout regime is almost identical. Most my running is up a small mountain... Trail is crazy uneven, steep and covered in loose gravel. It beats the he'll out of you! It would completely SUCK hauling a 60 lb pack twinkles up that shit and being in the rocky mountains... That's all there is. Most folks that I work with always say they'll hike out if things get bad and can't drive... All of them with beers guts and pencil thin legs. They will never make it if they leave the hard surfaces!

For those that don't hike on the regular or do any trail running... That's probably the best prep you can ever get into! It's a real eye opener! Plus, it just makes you feel good!

Posted: 6/17/2011 6:36:55 PM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:

With all due respect to you- and make no mistake, respect is due- I don't think it's reasonable to compare the fitness level of active-duty soldiers to the vast majority of us in the peaceable world. I doubt you will be able to keep up your level of fitness when you rejoin the civilian world full time.

My point is that it is a very achievable goal to be able to carry 60lbs on unimproved terrain. It's actually not that bad. When I see people literally scoffing at the idea its kind of humorous actually. Rucking is one of those things that can be done (barring injury as previously stated) into all age groups. I'm 32 and its my main means of transport over here. Many guys are much older and do it regularly too. Its actually usually the younger guys that have issues with weight on ruck movements, because its an issue of strength.

Posted: 6/17/2011 7:40:40 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:

With all due respect to you- and make no mistake, respect is due- I don't think it's reasonable to compare the fitness level of active-duty soldiers to the vast majority of us in the peaceable world. I doubt you will be able to keep up your level of fitness when you rejoin the civilian world full time.

At least one of those pictures was a National Guard unit fresh in country.

Most problems arise from the heat, not from the weight. During the summer you have to be careful and take breaks and watch your soldiers closely, but when it gets into fall and winter and it cools down a bit nobody really has any issues at all.

Honestly rucking with weight is a great exercise and a key survival ability. It really should be a huge facet of the regimen of anyone who is interested in survival and self-sufficiency. Even if you don't think you need that much, what happens if a family member goes down and you have to carry their share, or the individual themselves? It happens.

Here's a good example of some of the load i've had to carry in the summertime. Granted, this is a bit extreme, well over 100lbs, but I made a 5km movement with this on my back in the heat over rough terrain.

Posted: 6/17/2011 9:58:42 PM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:

Quoted:

With all due respect to you- and make no mistake, respect is due- I don't think it's reasonable to compare the fitness level of active-duty soldiers to the vast majority of us in the peaceable world. I doubt you will be able to keep up your level of fitness when you rejoin the civilian world full time.

At least one of those pictures was a National Guard unit fresh in country.

Most problems arise from the heat, not from the weight. During the summer you have to be careful and take breaks and watch your soldiers closely, but when it gets into fall and winter and it cools down a bit nobody really has any issues at all.

Honestly rucking with weight is a great exercise and a key survival ability. It really should be a huge facet of the regimen of anyone who is interested in survival and self-sufficiency. Even if you don't think you need that much, what happens if a family member goes down and you have to carry their share, or the individual themselves? It happens.

Here's a good example of some of the load i've had to carry in the summertime. Granted, this is a bit extreme, well over 100lbs, but I made a 5km movement with this on my back in the heat over rough terrain.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m303/daemon734/IMG_0407.jpg

Aww man.. Now I have the 3ID song stuck in my head.

Posted: 6/18/2011 6:04:14 AM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
out of all the survivalist i have met in person ( via campouts, my hikes, and meets) only

2% of them fit into the category that your using as an example D734.

Most are late 20's to mid 50's. the avg being around 30-35.
Most can hike.
Most cant do it in extremes.

What i could do when i was 20 i can not now. Just getting old, and injuries that were a 1-2 day slow down then are 5-8 days worth of pain or lay up time.

No one should over look humping it on foot. It's part of a plan.
However

folks shouldnt just say they can do it, or assume because they did it 20 yrs ago or even 5 yrs ago that they still can.
There is a reason i preach so much about guys using their gear and humping it. Not only for the body, but also so they know there gear.

and folks get upset when i question their gear choices and weights and distances. And their assumptions of how far they can go.

wanna know what the avg distance for an ARFCOMER with 40lbs is per day and still be g2g the next day for more .
10-15 miles.
in decent weather.
make it above 78f and that drops to about 8 miles( for my AO )
of course i expect folks to go
"fuck you protus...i can do......."
well good for you. But no offense to anyone that has been to my hikes. but those numbers are an avg of 7yrs of camps...with guys that could run circles around me and the others and some that were so slow and hurting so bad by mile 2 they turned back....its an avg of what i have seen.

me i know my limits....im g2g for about 15 per day...at 2.5mph. summer and winter. how i know that? cuz i do it.

This sounds about right, and would kick the ass of a lot of guys in my unit.

Posted: 6/19/2011 6:02:07 AM EDT

[#40]

Did a dismounted land nav course couple of weeks ago. Lots of slopes, swamps, sharp drops, etc. It can wear you out quick if you're doing any distance while under a load.

Posted: 6/19/2011 6:45:54 AM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
Did a dismounted land nav course couple of weeks ago. Lots of slopes, swamps, sharp drops, etc. It can wear you out quick if you're doing any distance while under a load.

My goal with this thread was to get people out and moving on that type of terrain so they will understand how correct you are. Even without a load it wears on you.

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Posted: 6/19/2011 6:41:47 PM EDT

[#42]

We had a pretty snowy winter this season, I wanted to get make sure the deer herd had some food.
Last March I decided to carry 35lbs of corn into a small opening in the woods where I know deer bed down at night.
The snow was up past my knees and in a few spots I sank right to my hips.
It didnt take long for me to stop carrying the corn bag and I was just dragging it.
Just to hike in 200 yards and the 200 yards out was unbelievably demanding.
Even after I had emptied the corn, I was still struggling thru the snow.
I reall wished I had snowshoes.
I was soaked in sweat when I got out and I truly believe it was the most exhausting thing I have done in my life.
I thought I was in decent shape and this shot my confidence right down.

Posted: 6/20/2011 4:22:03 AM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:

We had a pretty snowy winter this season, I wanted to get make sure the deer herd had some food.

Last March I decided to carry 35lbs of corn into a small opening in the woods where I know deer bed down at night.

The snow was up past my knees and in a few spots I sank right to my hips.

It didnt take long for me to stop carrying the corn bag and I was just dragging it.

Just to hike in 200 yards and the 200 yards out was unbelievably demanding.

Even after I had emptied the corn, I was still struggling thru the snow.

I reall wished I had snowshoes.

I was soaked in sweat when I got out and I truly believe it was the most exhausting thing I have done in my life.

I thought I was in decent shape and this shot my confidence right down.

Walking through snow is really no joke. Last year a bunch of us went up into the mountains around march to shoot. Ended up driving straight into knee deep snow and having to hump our guns and gear about 100 yards to the range site. I carried two rifles in cases, a couple targets and a backpack full of ammo, and I was pretty smoked.

Posted: 6/20/2011 6:23:50 AM EDT

[#44]

Snow is dangerous in our opinion going into the mtns w/ some sort of tracked vehicle.

A couple years ago we got stuck and getting to safety even w/ snowshoes was wasn't easy and fortunately we weren't very far from our destination.

Carry the various things you might need in this kind of situation. Not something to mess around about.

Posted: 6/20/2011 4:28:03 PM EDT

[#45]

I have an urban preserve area near my home, sometimes I sneak up on the freaks partying in the evening around their bonfire, shine my fenix TK 40 at them and yell "Hey you mofos, you are all under duress!!"

Then I run like hell so they don't catch me when they figure out I said "duress".

Between the fear and laughter I get a great workout.

During the day I just ride my mountain bike back there and observe their scattered party materials from the adventure the night before.

Good times. Good excercise.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - go for a better walk

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