[Anonymous]

Hi all-

I’m prepping for an alpine rescue course which will be the culmination of a 2 years long program (Diploma in Mountain Medicine). We’re going to spend 6 nights on Mt. Shasta training for and conducting rescue scenarios.

I’m well aware SAR/rescue in this environment is geared towards workhorse not racehorse mentality. Because of covid and permitting issues, our final go/no go was delayed until very recently. For for my training I have been doing what I have been for the past couple years (16/20wk mountaineering). Lots of uphill hiking in low HR zones. The problem is my course will take place on what would be training week 10. I’m getting 4-6 hours and 3-5k of vert/week w/ my plan and feeling very good (not that easy for me living in Philadelphia); not including strength.

Our days will be long but lots of start/stop, standing and waiting, then heavy carries and high activity. I am unsure how or when to start the ME portion; if I keep to schedule I would only have 1 week of ME until a quick taper then off for my course. Is it worth it? Just keep adding to my base?

Being honest with myself and my history in those environments, I think being able to sufficiently recover regarding food/sleep on a glacier at 10k for a week will be my crux.

Thanks-
Arthur

Topic

[TerryLui]

TerryLui on May 14, 2021 at 4:25 pm #54026

How much time do you have for tapering?

Based on your above post…
these 2 lines:

workhorse not racehorse

I think being able to sufficiently recover regarding food/sleep on a glacier at 10k for a week will be my crux.

IMO = keep adding to your base

Last thing you want to do before your “event” is overtrain/overdo it and push yourself off a cliff/get injured. Especially when your “event” is not necessarily about moving quickly but moving consistently and in control.

[Thomas Summer, MD]

Thomas Summer, MD on May 14, 2021 at 11:38 pm #54030

Hi Arthur!

Great that you are doing the DIMM. I did the program in Austria/Germany and really enjoyed it.
Regarding the training, there is one very important rule: If there is only a little bit of doubt, DO LESS!

enjoy the course and take it easy!
Thomas