High mountain hunting - Part 1: Your physique
Part 1 - Your preparation
For many, hunting for example on Argali is an often long cherished dream. Since you don't do such a hunt often in your life, you should therefore place all the more value on excellent planning, preparation and equipment. We focus on the three most important things - your preparation, your weapon and your hunting gear
The preparation phase is probably the most important before your hunt at high altitudes. Since the daily routine at your desk or in the conference room unfortunately does not prepare you in the least for this, a good physical condition should be built up months in advance through appropriate training.
Unfortunately, it is not very useful to give general information on a precise preparation period here, as this depends strongly on the already existing basic condition and the time available.
However, studies have shown that so-called "interval training" leads to measurable success faster than, for example, extended jogging. The following method shows how you can complete a highly effective training session in just 25 minutes:
Build up condition quickly with the 10-20-30 method
5 minutes break-in
Then run the following program 5 times:
30 seconds slow continuous run
20 seconds loose continuous operation
10 seconds sprint
2 minutes walking or trotting very relaxed
Over what period of time must this training be carried out?
This training should be done 3 times a week over a period of about six to eight weeks. Before you start training, however, you should have a fitness check with your doctor, as this type of training is a heavy strain on your body.
Why all this?
A good physical condition has many advantages when hunting in high mountains. Obviously you have to be able to keep up with a guide accustomed to the climate at least approximately to stalk the game well. Another reason is quite banal your own safety, because who wants to notice at 4000 meters altitude that he actually has a weak heart?
The goal should be to increase the oxygen uptake of your body so that you can quickly regain your resting pulse rate after an exertion in oxygen-deficient mountain air. This type of hunting often involves shooting beyond 300m, for which a steady pulse is essential.
