China Trip Prep Advice

kestrel359

I will be studying abroad in China this summer and need some advice on how to prepare for the excursions that are a required part of it. I've gone on this trip before several years ago and know that I mainly need to prepare for a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing but they have since added more physically demanding activities. The one that worries me the most is a hike up a mountain. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but hiking up a mountain in China is much more harrowing than going for a hike in the US (I live in Colorado, so I have some idea of what I'm talking about here). Here are a few pictures of Chinese mountain hikes for reference:





Right now I'm planning on spending a fair amount of time on a stair master but I don't think that alone will cut it for preparing for this hike. Does anyone have any ideas on what exercises will be the best to get myself in the best shape for this?

kestrel359

Is there really no suggestions out there?

sofaking6

Is there a climbing wall near you? I'm assuming you live someplace flat where you can't actually go hike for practice?

DopeItUp

Best exercises: lots of stairs, lots of climbing.

kestrel359

sofaking6 wrote: »

Is there a climbing wall near you? I'm assuming you live someplace flat where you can't actually go hike for practice?

I actually live in Colorado, maybe an hour from the mountains. I do intend to go hiking when the weather improves, but as I stated before the trails here are child's play compared to the trails in China. I do like the idea of finding a climbing wall. I think the gym at the university I work at has one. I don't have much upper body strength so I was wondering if there were some weight exercises that would be best for climbing.

Cherimoose

For upper body, assisted pullups or lat pulldowns. Or go to a playground and climb around the kiddie bars. Throw in a few pushups too.

Wear a weighted pack when doing the stairmaster.

dbmata

do some alpine climbing with a heavy pack. You'll be good to go.

Also, be aware that 50% of the food in china is comprised of lead, the other 50% is comprised of mercury.

sfbaumgarten

Don't know how to help you, but I definitely envy you. This looks awesome. Good luck and enjoy!

3laine75

All those mountains have stairs - easy =D

kestrel359

thank you for the suggestions everyone. I wish stairs meant it would be easy but the stairs on these trails tend to make me think they hired the mad hatter to carve them. At least I'm pretty certain the trail I'll be on doesn't have a cling to the side of the mountain and pray you don't fall off the one foot wide ledge while making it through two way traffic portion.

WalkingAlong

That looks fun. Will the other students you'll be with also be training for the excursions six months in advance? It just seems like there will probably be people of 'normal' and worse fitness levels in your group and you might be over-preparing, assuming you're not going to fly up those mountains alone and be graded on it or anything. But if you're afraid you'll be the slowest in the group and will drag things down, I can see starting conditioning now, too! Have fun!

The stairs/seats at Red Rocks are not steep but would be fun for training!

3laine75

kestrel359 wrote: »

thank you for the suggestions everyone. I wish stairs meant it would be easy but the stairs on these trails tend to make me think they hired the mad hatter to carve them. At least I'm pretty certain the trail I'll be on doesn't have a cling to the side of the mountain and pray you don't fall off the one foot wide ledge while making it through two way traffic portion.

Haha. Sorry, I had nothing constructive to add - no experience. Those do look like some scary stairs! Looks fun though, have a great time

dbmata

oh, a good choice if you don't have the gear for some nice early winter climbing. Go to the gym with a loaded pack and some good shoes. Get on a stair machine (not a stepper) and climb for an hour.

Take a five minute rest.

Another hour.

3-5 times a week until your trip and you'll be good to go.

kestrel359

WalkingAlong wrote: »

That looks fun. Will the other students you'll be with also be training for the excursions six months in advance? It just seems like there will probably be people of 'normal' and worse fitness levels in your group and you might be over-preparing, assuming you're not going to fly up those mountains alone and be graded on it or anything. But if you're afraid you'll be the slowest in the group and will drag things down, I can see starting conditioning now, too! Have fun!

The stairs/seats at Red Rocks are not steep but would be fun for training!

Everyone on this trip has to sign a form saying you are physically capable of taking this trip. They actually started that because of me since the last time I went on this trip I was in such horrible shape that I never would have been able to do the things they do now. I've since lost about thirty pounds but I because I've my new job I've gone from being fairly active to being completely sedentary again. I've let myself get out of shape again but not as bad as I was so I'm hoping I can get myself into pretty good shape before May.