There are so many things to talk about and think about when trying to develop a training plan for your off season. Things like; am I training to summit multiple peaks? Am I just wanting to do one really big mountain? Do I just want to become a really great rock climber this year? Should I focus on crag climbing or sport? Do I want to learn TRAD and multi pitch this year? I feel that my upper body is really strong but I hate to train for endurance- so what do I do?
All of these go through my head on what seems like a daily basis- except for the upper body part- you can always be stronger and endurance is what gets you up a mountain! But what really matters is what is your goal that you want to accomplish this year? Because that will be the determining factor that directs your training- both physically and mentally.
So let’s say that you want to climb Mt Rainer, then you should focus on early year strength training followed by mid-season switch to endurance fitness training. Along with that you need to assess your mountaineering skills; where are you in navigation, self arrest, team arrest, and crevice rescue skills? But in the end- no matter how proficient you are at any of those skills you should be always practicing in order to ensure that you don’t become complacent, because that’s when you make mistakes!
As far as rock climbing- the strength training is the big key for fitness, especially lower body, core, and leg training! Rock climbing is all about balance and leg strength so work them in the off season so as to blast off when the weather gets better! As far as rock climbing skills ALWAYS practice your knots! Knots become easier to tie the more often you tie them. Along with that when you feel confident in your knot tying you start to understand how they can be better used in all types of systems and why they are there.
But one of the biggest pieces of training you can do during the off season is take a class! Take a Wilderness First Aid Course, CPR course, or a belay / rappel course from your local climbing gyms or from such groups as Remote Medical International. These are great skill builders and allow you to become a valued member of any adventure!
Have fun in the off season with your training adventure and tell us how you are spending your days and nights in preparation for your adventures this upcoming year!