Alpine Climbing and Fitness

I have written before in this publication about indoor rock climbing and its fitness benefits. Now I want to turn my attention to the sport of "alpine climbing" and its variations, and how this activity can become a part of a fitness lifestyle that is truly in concert with what we call the "inner athlete." Another term for alpine climbing is simply "mountain climbing". Though most people would think of mountain climbing as something that would involve a very high peak and trekking through snow to get to the top, the purpose of this article is to show the value of participating even in less extensive climbs that test fitness and require some planning, but can be done in a short period of time or even over the course of an afternoon. As a personal trainer I was always looking for things that would effectively motivate my clients to adhere to a fitness program and reach their goals. Whether the goal was weight loss, building muscles, toning up their bodies or having more energy, I knew that the "Inner Athlete" that we mention frequently on our website exists in everybody, so it was up to me to find an activity that allowed a client's version of that inner athlete to come out. Training to get their body fit enough to climb a mountain was frequently the ticket. It is a very simple idea: get your body from the bottom of the mountain to the top, and once you are up there, enjoy the view and the fruits of your labor. A lot of clients were really intrigues by the idea, so we built their cardio programs and resistance training programs around it.

As I write this article, recently I have been riveted by the current Discovery Channel series "Everest, Beyond the Limit". The series follows the journey of a group of climbers led by a professional guide as they attempt to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain. In the series, viewers are treated for really the first time with EXACTLY what it looks and sounds like way up at those rarely traveled altitudes. In addition, a TV series has never before focused on the actual life these climbers lead as they spend almost 2 months on the mountain itself, getting used to the altitude and building the specific fitness required to achieve the summit. The hardship these people endure to reach their goal is almost beyond the understanding of most people, as the prolonged exposure to the increasing altitudes of Everest causes the climbers' minds and bodies to gradually shut down and stop working properly. It is enough to make even a pretty experienced fitness professional and adventurer like myself question the value of doing something that extreme to my body. Even having done some alpine climbing myself, including summiting Oregon's Mt. Hood (11,249ft) and Washington's famous Mt. St. Helens (8,364 ft), I still found it tough to imagine wanting to put my body through something so tortuous. The altitudes on the mountains I have climbed are only around 1/3 as high as those on Everest (29,035ft)

That's not what this article is about, however. Only a few thousand people in the entire world have ever stepped onto the summit of Everest, but virtually anyone can find a "climbing" adventure that suits their fitness and personality. The experience of the thrill of climbing is something that is realistically within anyone's means when actually trained for. Most people have just never really considered it possible or know where to start. Looking beyond the extreme nature that is present on Everest, the sport of "mountain climbing" can be participated in by almost anyone with a solid basic level of fitness. There some real and absolutely extraordinary fitness benefits that extreme climbers have achieved by the time they are done on Everest, and a version of those benefits are within the reach of "normal" people. These are people who may want the adventure of climbing a mountain to motivate them, but can realistically be achieved on a much smaller scale attainable by virtually anyone.

Physiologically, climbing is one of the most effective aerobic activities that can be performed. The steady state effort required to train for and perform climbs builds tremendous fitness in the heart and circulatory system. It is also typically low impact and easy on the joints which makes it an activity that virtually anyone can perform at some level.

Psychologially, climbing has a typically very simple appeal: getting to the top of a mountain feels good and is a very easy goal to define. "I made it to the top" is a very attractive thing to feel. Everybody wants to feel a sense of accomplishemnt in their lives, and too often our fitness success or failure is defined by the weight scale. All shapes and sizes of, people can climb, and the mountain doesn't care what size you are, it only cares if you made it to the top of it or not. So, best of luck in your climbing adventures, no matter at what altitude you finish!

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First Water Canyon Narrows Canyoneering Arizona

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First Water Canyon - Arizona Canyon Lake

Just got done finding my way through First Water Canyon which is found running off from Canyon Lake in Arizona. First Water Canyon extends for miles though the part we entered is right after the first one lane bridge when you arrive at Canyon Lake.

Canyon Lake is beautiful county and if you get the chance it is a nice place for a picnic or sight seeing while in the Phoenix desert.

We started our adventure with a little climbing and scrambling as we found our way to the top of the cliff as we made our way from Canyon Lake to where the canyon starts to form. The route was thorny so we decided to get in the water earlier than needed. You are going to get wet entering Canyon Lake so might as well make it early.

To enter First Water Canyon it requires so swimming before a short wade. We added only a few minutes to our swim though it took 45 minutes to swim against the current until we were able to wade. It is absolutely beautiful while you swim your way zigzagging through the canyons walls towering above.

Once out of the water is a short hike of boulder hopping and sand. A few pools which are green and shallow which we climbed around.

A mile or so from getting out of the water is a cool narrows followed by a chimney made out of the rock. We played around the chimney area for some short climbing and then we the canyon opens more into the hot Arizona desert. This was our turn around point as the canyon goes for miles.

The swim back feels great on a hot summer day. I highly recommend the hike especially because you have to swim to get in which eliminates almost all people. Other than the swim the canyon is pretty easy to navigate with amazing canyon walls that tower above your head.

Reduce Pain & Tension Active Calf Stretch

Rattlesnake Tonto National Forest

On the hike to find the entrance to the Jug for our canyoneering trip inside Tonto National Forest we ran into a rattlesnake. The path was pretty good though the rattlesnake was hiding in some brush and rocks in the middle of the trail. The darn thing blended into the ground perfectly and scared the life out of me when I almost stepped on it. Yes, I was the lucky one who got to almost step on it. After reviewing the photos we took of it, the snake was a diamondback rattlesnake. You can tell this by the black and white stripes before the rattle.

After jumping back a few feet, the rattlesnake slithered over to the edge of the trail, and I thought he would just move on. He didn't. The diamondback coiled up in a defense posture ready to strike if we messed with him. I read after the event that this is common for diamondback rattlesnakes to defend their position. Lucky for us there hardly any room on the trail between the snake and the edge. Over the edge was exceptionally steep though I didn't want to fall off the edge about as much as I didn't want to get bitten. We got as far away from the rattlesnake as we could without falling off the ledge and scampered by. I have to admit I was quite nervous moving by him as I couldn't give as wide of a berth as I would like.

It isn't common to see diamondback rattlesnakes on groomed trails though it was early in the morning and we wanted to beat the heat. Which is what the rattlesnake was doing before going for shelter as the day would get to 105 degrees. The temperature felt great in the canyon.

After making our way through the Jug, having to walk back by the spot where we saw the rattlesnake was nerve racking. Your mind may know that at 105 degrees the snake should be long gone for cover and shake though that doesn't stop the emotion of still remembering on stepping on him fresh in your mind.

If you are in rattlesnake county I highly recommend always carrying a snake bite kit as you never know. Most snake bites come when people attempt to play with them or pick them up. So give them a wide berth and though your heart may skip a beat you should be fine to continue your trip.

Canyoneering the Jug Photos

Canyoneering the Jug, Arizona

When down the Jug yesterday which is an amazing granite canyon gorge outside Phoenix, AZ. The Jug to date is my favorite canyon I have been done. It comprises amazing smooth granite walls with small waterfalls that keep you in the stream the entire way. I have read that water levels change drastically in the Jug and that it can be drier, though I believe this was the perfect water level that had constant water in shallow and deep pools.

To find the Jug you have to go into Salome Creek north of Roosevelt Lake. There is a trail head and sign at the entrance to park. Then it is a half hour hike to the entrance to the canyon. If you go early in the morning keep your eyes pealed for rattlesnakes which we suprisingly found. The place we found to enter was just a couple yards from a drainage pipe which you can find once you start to see views of the canyon.

Once down into the canyon, the Jug became a wonderful never ending twist and turn of pools, waterfalls, and boulders to find our way through. Make sure you come prepared to get wet as we never were out of the water for more than a minute the whole way down the canyon.

It took us an hour to get to the waterfall where you have a decision to make. You can make a twenty to thirty foot jump in a deep pool though be careful as you have to aim correct not to hit shallow parts. We chose to repel the waterfall which had nice anchors bolted into the granite for us to tie into.

Once down you have two amazing large pools to swim through that trust me you want to take your time to enjoy the amazement of nature and the beautiful sun glimmering off the smooth granite walls.

There is a nice trail that you can follow out which meets up with the trail that you used to find the entrance. Make sure you pack enough water with you as it will take a good 30-40 minutes back to the car which for us was in over 100 degree heat.

The Jug was the canyon I had the most fun in from wading through constant pools, swimming a lot, and even sliding down a waterfall.

Digestion Support in the Canyon

If you have spent much time outdoors especially in canyons, you have experienced digestion issues after days of eating not typically the healthiest food. It can be tough to get good fruits and vegetables on the trail. I find after multi-day trips my stomach never feels as good as my typical eating habits.

I use iFlora which a probiotic to support my digestion. If you don't know what probiotics are they are healthy flora that are in the digestive system that get destroyed from stress, poor diets, and energy production. Probiotics give your body back the healthy flora you need to keep a healthy digestive system. They are good idea of overall health during the day, though I find them exceptionally important to keep me healthy while finding my ways through canyons.

Canyoneering the Jug

I am looking forward to my trip this weekend. The Saturday I am going to find my way through the canyon called the Jug. The Jug has become a fairly popular canyoneering destination outside of Phoenix. The Jug is a serious drop into the earth of of the Salome Creek before it enters Roosevelt Lake.

I am using a new rope designed specifically for canyoneering. I will let you know how it works. It is supposed to keep its structure even when soaking wet. According to what I know of the Jug it is going to get its opportunity.

Never Leave Home Without

There a few items that I never leave home without on any adventure or canyon trip. There is actually more to this list though these are three favorites.

The #1 item that I always have on me is my Breitling Emergency. If you don't know what that is that is the watch that Bear Grylls wears in Man vs Wild. I had mine before the show even existed though I think it is really cool that is the watch her wears. I had to rewind my Tivo when I was watching the first episode and saw his watch flash in front of the screen. For those who don't know the Breitling Emergency has a distress beacon that when pulled sends search and rescue to your location. It is the coolest thing. Don't pull it for fun though it is a 10k fine to yourself if it isn't an emergency.

The second item is my knife. Even on an hour hike with my daughter I have my knife on as you never know when you may need it. The more you experience in the outdoors the more you appreciate how much you can over come with just a knife.

The third is straight from Man vs Wild because it is my favorite show. I used to carry water proof matches, though now I carry a flint. I have had to practice to get good at it. If Bear Grylls always takes a flint with him into the wild than so will I. It is more fun than water proof matches once you get good at using it.

Apache Trail Canyon

I just did the Apache Trail Canyon which is the name the guide book a read gave it. It is technically an unnamed canyon that was great. One of the best part of being an unnamed canyon is the we were the only people scrambling lower into the earth. The Apache Trail Canyon is about an hour or so outside of Phoenix.

The canyon didn't require any technical ability with ropes though you had to know how to climb to make your way through. The entrance has a short rappel at a waterfall though you can down climb into the canyon just a feet yards away. A chimney that we supposed to be able to down climb was too sketchy so I found an over hang that was manageable.

Once in the canyon it was great; in and out of pools and scrambling over boulders. A few spots required intermediate climbing ability. Nothing that any person who has climbed before couldn't handle though if you are just a hiker it could be overwhelming.

There was one pool that was over our heads and we had to swim. I always love those.

The only thing that sucked was we ran into another canyon on the way back to the car and had to down climb it and back up the other side to get to the road.