Adding weight during training hikes.....??????

[satillayakker]

So, here I am again, looking for some of the extremely helpful info the HAZ members have. This time it is directly related to the actual training hikes. Here is my scenario:
I am losing a little weight as I go. Well, there is along way to go in that department! haha As I do my hikes, I can expect to lose weight, especially with my nutrition plan. I know my hikes later will be with a pack, but not terribly heavy. Would it make sense that for every pound I lose, I add a pound of weight to my pack? Seems like it would be beneficial.... I don't want to start with much until I am good and used to the hiking again anyway, but I do know there are benefits to hiking with weight.
Would a pack with weight be better, or a weight vest?
Also, any advice on alternating from longer training hikes and shorter ones with heavier weight? I want to get my cardio up a little while doing this. ( I can't run as I would like. Ankle issues have sorta haulted that for the time being.)

Anyone tried this or have an acquaitance who has? Any literature or articles out there on this particular idea?

Thanks for you thoughts!

[Nighthiker]

Review info on the wildland firefighter pack test, may be of some help.

[imike]

During 2008 and 2009 when My goals were fairly massive elevation and mileage days, I prepared with progressively heavier weight packs, one, so I would be strong enough to do the event days, and two, to make the event days seem easy... I put all the hard work into the training days. I would hike 1000' per mile grades with 40-75# packs. I also used a weight vest, but really it is easier to just throw steel plates into the pack, and then you don't end up with a massively stinky weight vest. If you are hiking steep trails, use gallon water bottles that you can pour out at the top... not all knees are designed for weighted downhill efforts...

good luck with it all...

[joebartels]

use gallon water bottles that you can pour out at the top

or pour over your head to cool off

Mike seems to have stellar results with added weight. I avoid (for the most part) as my knees don't need anymore weight than my plump carcass. Might not be a good route if you have ankle issues either. Maybe add half of what you are losing for a middle ground?

[satillayakker]

Thanks guys for the input. Joe, I do like the half weight idea. That will likely be my route. My hikes are not going to include a super heavy pack, so that may be the ticket to be ready. My ankle issues are more related to a long term injury (when I severly sprained and tore ligaments during training) than weight impact. I wear a rigid brace when on trails. It sucks, but the alternative is to just not go to the great outdoors! Not likely!