Physical prep
If you are serious about sheep hunting, you are probably going to have a work-out regime all through the year. I do. I don't believe in letting all the hard work of getting into shape during the summer and fall months go to waste over the winter. So I cross-country ski and snow shoe throughout the winter, and mountain and road bike in the spring, when the high trails are still covered with snow and ice. Climbing a mountain with a heavy pack on your shoulders, however, seems to require specific preparation. It is not just increasing your cardio skills, it entails making your whole body stronger, and prepared for long hours on your feet, while carrying a big weight. And the best prep for that is, you guessed it, long hours on your feet while carrying a big weight.
Because I don't have the time to work-out for hours every day, I try to put in enough time every day to maintain my fitness level during the work week, and do the longer stuff on the weekends.
In my opinion there are two areas that need to be strengthened the most to prep you for the mountain: legs and core. Big biceps are not going to carry you up the mountain. Of course, the more complete an athlete you are, the better, but if you have to choose between work-outs due to time constraints, focus on legs and core.
I train legs and cardiovascular by hiking up a little hill, with a loaded pack every day. It doesn't take long, maybe 30 min up and down, but it sure gets the lungs, hearts and leg muscles going.
Most days I throw in a few sets of push-ups when I get back home, with the pack still on. With the weight now resting mostly on your hips, lower and middle back, this helps both core and upper body strength.
Then a few sets of core exercises, with the heavy boots still on.
A few times a week I grab some dumbbells for some bicep/tricep/shoulder/upper back exercises, whatever I feel like.
That's my 'maintenance' regime during summer and fall, when most weekends include at least one full-day hike up a mountain somewhere. How do you stay in shape for the mountain?
I meant to stress the importance of doing this (and more if you have time) every day. If you are going on a ten-day sheep hunt, exercising three times a week might get you ready for exactly that: three efforts over a week's time. Getting ready to climb a mountain once is fairly easy, for anybody with a sound body. Getting ready to do it ten days in a row is different.
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