Since the days of COVID I haven’t done much in the way of heavy hikes so I will be starting from 0, and hence giving myself about 30 weeks to reach a comfortable 6-hour hike with 20kg or maybe more. This timeline aims to build in an allowance for sickness, holidays, work trips, and life that can get in the way of training.

My first thought was to search for existing programmes tailored to endurance trips. There exist a number of websites offering training plans for mountaineering and hiking style trips:

• Summit Strength
• Evoke Endurance
• Uphill Athlete
• Alpine Ascents

These websites focus on coaching services which violates our approach of testing before you commit large sums of money. For now I’m going to stick with a strength and endurance focused programme consisting of weight training and (endurance) hiking. I will consider a training plan as I get a better feel for my progress. “Endurance” here means both aerobic fitness, and strength since training lunges, squats, etc for 12 repetitions with breaks between sets is very different to being under load for hours.

To pull a pulk requires core, leg, and posterior chain muscles. To carry a backpack requires a strong back and core at minimum so the weight training will give a large focus to these areas.

My initial training plan is below. Follow along to see it evolve over time as I learn more.

Strength

My initial strength training programme will look something like the below, but I recommend you tailor it to your own body and medical situation.

Day A

Day B

For the first 2-3 weeks learn the movements and work on the technique. Aim to have 2-3 more repetitions left in the tank after each set. Weeks 3 onwards gradually increase the workload. Try to add more repetitions per set until 15-20, then add more weight in the next session, but reduce the repetitions to what’s listed above.

Endurance/Cardio

Since accessing a long hike is not possible during the week for most, we’ll split this into gym endurance and hikes.

Gym Endurance

Continuous hill walking or stair climbers with backpack for 40mins. Gradually add weight each session.

Remember that as weight increases, you should use a backpack with hip straps so that 80% of the load is on your hips and NOT your back and shoulders. This will not only reduce the strain on your back, but it will work your posterior chain more, hence the strength training work.

Hiking (Without a Pulk)

Start with 2-hour hikes in your local area (use AllTrails to find them), beginning with flat land and/or gentle hills. Then work your way up to 6+ hour hikes (you may want to use Komoot for longer hikes if none exist near you).

For weight during these hikes, use the same or lighter than your gym endurance sessions for that week.

(I am assuming that hiking is a substitute for pulling a pulk, you may wish to tie some rope to an old tyre and pull that to simulate a pulk on a budget).

In January the sun does not rise over Svalbard, the darkness only gives way to a hint of blue during lunch time before returning for another 24-hours. There is no sun, there is no sound, there is only the darkness of night, and the whiteness of snow.

In January of 2019, I went to Svalbard to visit the Global Seed Vault and experience the polar night in a landscape I’d never seen before. April that same year I visited the Faroe Islands. I’ve looked into working at Scott Base where I discover that even the cleaners need first aid qualifications just to apply. Yet despite all this, I’ve never camped in the snow.

Do I like winter expeditions and camping in the snow? I don’t know. These trips require a great deal of planning, gear, training and skills. I haven’t learnt these skills and a guided trip with a reputable organisation costs upwards of $21,500 USD (Polar Explorers’ Greenland ice cap crossing in 2027). Without an expedition in winter conditions how can I be sure I like the reality more than the idea itself?

To answer these questions I signed myself up for a expedition skill course as the first stepping stone in a larger journey. This takes place in Norway over 3-days teaching essential winter skills (trip planning, packing, winter camping, navigation, first aid, and more) and seemed like a logical first step to learn some of these skills, become accustomed to some of the specific gear without buying it, and to test out camping in winter conditions.

This post is the beginning of that journey where I need to go from sofa to up to 6 hours a day in winter conditions carrying a backpack and pulling a pulk.